The Impact of Big Data on Transportation & Logistics
Solve transportation and logistics concerns with better data
In transportation and logistics, it is no surprise that data and analytics are vital. These teams utilize and process massive amounts of data every day, from passenger and cargo information to transportation routes and weather conditions. But is your transportation and logistics team gathering the right data to make better decisions for the future? Implementing more advanced data capture methods can mean smoother business operations across your entire fleet. From simple sign in sheets to advanced travel condition data capture, better data can optimize your business. Here are just a few of the ways data is changing the world of transportation and logistics.
Better Prediction for Demand
Predictive analytics is the latest buzzword for big data, and rightfully so. In short, it simply means analyzing past cycles to better predict future patterns and behaviors. When it comes to the transportation and logistics sector, this can be especially beneficial. Whether in reference to demand for cargo shipments, or even staffing public or private transportation needs for a major event, predictive analytics can be your best friend. A study by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) found that 93% of shippers believe that data-driven decision-making is key to supply chain activities.
“93% of shippers and 98% of third-party logistics firms feel like data-driven decision-making is crucial to supply chain activities. 71% of them believe that big data improves quality and performance.”
Implementing predictive analytics can prepare your team for any number of workplace surprises, from forecasting and inventory management to route optimization and even labor management. When your operations team has better insight into what’s coming down the line, they can provide better staffing suggestions, pull in additional seasonal staff, and better monitor overall labor costs and availability.
Keep Maintenance Costs Under Control
Using analytical data to gather details on your fleet can help you maintain it better. Whether it’s detailed and accurate mileage for routine equipment maintenance, or even a running log of how long certain parts tend to last your team in their experience, there is no substitute for maintenance data. This can benefit not only the crew about to embark with their gear, but also the maintenance and repair crew you may have on staff to keep everything running smoothly. Knowing in advance how many different parts to keep on hand and which parts may have supply chain slowdowns can help prevent hiccups in your day-to-day operations.
While much of this data can be provided by the equipment manufacturers, your team sees the actual use and lifespan of each part in your specific use case. Never underestimate the importance of gathering your own maintenance data for better future predictions. Even if you simply convert a PDF to a fillable form to track your equipment wear and tear on the go, you’ll set yourself up for success in the future. For smaller or independent trucking companies, efficient maintenance planning can be the difference between success and shutting down.
“Independent truckers and small trucking companies make up the majority of the U.S. freight carriers, with 91% of fleets operating six or fewer trucks and 97% operating 20 or fewer, according to the American Trucking Association.”
Real-Time Route Optimization
Whether you’re shipping items or managing transportation for individuals within a specific city, routes can be disrupted. Based on traffic conditions, road construction, accidents, and emergency responses, your go-to travel paths can be obstructed and cause delays for your team and your clients. If your team is well-equipped with multiple data sources for traffic and weather conditions, your dispatchers can provide better information to get your team where they need to be.
Transportation and transportation planning teams typically rely on three main types of data sources for route planning, including Location-Based Services Data which illustrates location popularity and peak hours of operation in certain areas, Navigation-GPS Data that can identify the most popular routes or overcrowded areas, even in real-time, as well as Contextual Data which gives a little more background about the people and purpose of visits to the area. All of this information can be used to build better planning for your team’s routes, while the immediate dispatcher information for road and weather conditions can give in-the-moment updates for a more successful trip.
New Heights of Capacity Planning
Understanding capacity limits and managing expectations matters, especially for teams routing public transportation within a specific city or county. Well-informed route planning can manage many of the traffic issues and concerns for your team, but a better understanding of demand and capacity limitations can prevent drastic consequences for your team. From monitoring rush hour traffic patterns over time to incorporating crowds for major events, there’s more than traffic and delays at stake if capacity planning isn’t factored into your data capture. This can run from remaining COVID restrictions in any given area to understanding which seats for your vehicle aren’t currently operational. Combine that information with the needs of your service area and you’ll find things get more complicated.
Implementing data capture and analysis gives your team the upper hand for what to expect in different routes, and can allow you to put the larger capacity vehicles where they’re needed most. Tracking this data on your own allows your team to see seasonally, weekly, and even by the hour where they’re most likely to be needed, and where your resources will be best utilized.
About GoFormz
GoFormz is the digital forms solution for everyone in transportation and logistics. We believe that everyone should be able to fill out their forms online and deliver products and services that redefine how people and businesses collect and process information. Whether you need to track GPS-enabled mileage forms or easily track work order forms for your office staff, GoFormz brings all your data into a single, actionable place. Let GoFormz capture, digitize, and send your data wherever you need it to streamline all aspects of your business.
