data-driven supply chainShifting capacity, increased shipper demands, and unpredictable disruptions make informed decision-making a top priority for logistics professionals. For shippers trying to optimize the supply chain, efficiency is the number one priority, and analytics drives results.

From 2015 to 2016, freight declined hurriedly, by as much as 15% in the dry van sector. In 2016, freight volume and rates began to rise and shippers had a consistent capacity. Freight demand was strong at the end of 2016; the DAT Freight Index revealed that spot market demand increased for 6 straight months, from June-December 2016. This year, analysts are predicting less capacity, steady freight volume, and rising rates.

The automotive industry has a lot of moving parts and experiences ebb and flows as demand and economic conditions shift. Most US automakers outperformed December expectations, selling 17.55 million new vehicles, ending 2016 on a high note. In 2015, US markets set a sales record of just under 17.5 million vehicles, up 5.7% from the year before.

US Manufacturing Expect Rising Profit in 2017. Manufacturing has expanded at the fastest pace in 2 years, and US manufacturing firms expect to see revenues accelerate 4.6% next year. (: Manufacturing Productivity Generates Focus on Transportation)

Ports and surface transportation must be able to accommodate the country’s growing population and freight volumes. The US DOT predicts that by 2045, freight volume will increase by 45% and America’s population will grow by 70 million people. America’s infrastructure has an average rating of a D+, ranking 12th worldwide in its health of infrastructure.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is preparing a rule that would set new standards to reduce NOx emissions from heavy-duty truck engines beginning in 2024. The agency last tightened its NOx standards for truck engines in 2010 to 0.2 gram per brake horsepower-hour.

3PLs have two fundamental responsibilities – leading customer relationships, which focus on supply chain services and providing the management of those services.

Shipment tracking technology enables shippers to be in control of their transportation and locate freight at any point in its journey. Track and trace features are available on a transportation management system (TMS). With this technology, you have the insight into carrier performance, transportation costs and market trends as you manage your logistics. Shipment tracking is a necessary element of supply chain management.

guide to transportation management systemTMS software is credited for saving companies money; those who manage transportation poorly spend $53 for every $1,000 of total spend on outbound transportation, while those utilizing a TMS only spend $6.35 per $1,000.

The American Trucking Association projects that the trucking industry is poised for serious growth by 2022. The forecast suggests that overall revenue for the industry will rise almost 66% and tonnage will increase 24% by 2022.

Motor vehicle crashes continue to be a leading cause of death and injury in the US – killing more than an average of 32,000 people a year. A 2007 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study found that almost half of all two-vehicle crashes are rear-ended crashes, and the primary reason for rear-end crashes is driver inattention.

Amazon Innovation: Grocery Stores. Amazon’s first big venture into brick-and-mortal is revolutionary: a grocery store with no cashiers or checkout lines. In the new store, shoppers will scan their Amazon Go app, and the technology will keep track of what you are picking up and add them to your virtual shopping cart. (Read: Omnichannel Takes on Food Industry & Gains Consumer Support)

LTL carriers saw all-time high revenues in 2014, then due to a decrease in fuel prices, revenue dropped in 2015. Balanced supply and demand kept LTL prices from dropping in 2016, and JOC.com reports that LTL carriers are looking forward to 2017 as freight volumes are predicted to be higher. Next year, the LTL sector could see a capacity crunch due to the ELD mandate, a slow economy and pricing models. LTL pricing is expected to increase in 2017 and fuel costs aren’t likely to see change. In order to cut LTL freight shipping costs, shippers need to be exact with freight’s weight and dimensions, package and pallet the freight properly, consider consolidation, and utilize transportation management systems.