It’s no secret that the trucking industry has been, and continues to be an integral part of Australia’a economic landscape. Both long-haul and local trucking companies deliver everything from mining equipment to restaurant supplies to Christmas gifts for friends and family members. Recipients of these deliveries just assume their order will arrive on time and in pristine condition, not always realizing how much goes into the process.

For Australia’s trucking industry, wasted time is one of the biggest threats to a successful business, and is the reason why GPS tracking has become such an integral part of the logistics process. Since modern technology has allowed truck tracking to become front and center, overall efficiency has improved in a variety of different ways.

No More “Wrong Turns”

Something as basic as getting lost on the way to a destination can have serious financial implications for a trucking company, especially when compounded over time. Before GPS logistics tracking became relevant, drivers had to count on physical maps and instructions from dispatchers, who may have been using outdated information. With high-tech GPS truck tracking in place, drivers are given the most efficient route possible in real time, so even unexpected highway traffic can be avoided.

Fuel Savings

Naturally, a by-product of getting lost is wasted fuel, and this issue is also rectified with the use of an effective GPS tracking system. Without GPS, drivers may have driven hundreds of kilometers out of their way because they were lost or from unexpected detours along the way. With the ability to pinpoint the most efficient route possible, trucking companies can save big on fuel costs every year. GPS tracking also allows fleet managers to monitor and manage driver behaviour such as long idling periods or excessive acceleration, which can all contribute to unnecessary fuel usage.

Following a Shipment Every Step of the Way

GPS logistics tracking enables trucking companies to follow shipments through every step of the process, dramatically minimizing the likelihood of any items being left behind. Dangerous or sensitive cargo can be tracked by both the logistics company, and the end customer, offering peace of mind to both parties.

Driver Accountability

In the past, drivers were more or less on their own once they pulled out onto the highway. They were required to complete logbooks, but that only told a small part of the story. With GPS truck tracking, drivers can be held accountable for the hours their truck is in operation, the speeds they were driving, even how often they accelerated or decelerated too quickly. Having the ability to keep track will increase the driver’s safety, as well as the safety of other drivers, and may even result in lowered insurance premiums. This is especially true when transporting dangerous loads or hazardous materials.

Real Time Updates for Customers

Of course, through it all, a happy customer is the most important part of any business, and GPS truck tracking delivers. A quality GPS system allows customers to track their shipment in real time, so they know exactly where it is, and when it will arrive. This helps reduce frustrated phone calls if a shipment is delayed for some reason, and makes customers feel as though their needs are important and they are part of the process.

It’s easy to see why the trucking industry and GPS logistics tracking is such a perfect match. When you can improve safety, business efficiency, save money and keep your customers happy all with one technology, how can you go wrong?