Cruise Control: Better transportation through seasonal and hyperlocal weather forecasts
For freight and logistics firms, the spring and summer months might not have the hazards of black ice and snow, but dangers are still a very present part of the safety and efficiency discussion. Severe storms, ponding, and wind gusts are all top concerns that could potentially affect safety and route selection as you move product from Point A to Point B.
According to recent forecasts from The Weather Company, an IBM Business, warmer-than-normal temperatures will heat up the southern half of the U.S., while the north endures lingering cold well below seasonal averages. We are expecting an earlier start to severe weather season across the southern Plains and a more active season in general across all of the southern U.S. This could mean an increase in severe weather outside of seasonal norms.
With this kind of forewarning, what can you do now to ensure that your transportation business runs normally during the shoulder season’s particular weather conditions?
Empower Drivers, Dispatch, and Distribution
Empower your drivers from their point of departure with forecasts to adjust the driving plan on-the-go at fuel, food, and rest stops along the way to stay informed. Small modifications based on the latest information equate to more efficient routing and improved safety over time.
You have the opportunity to get plans in place to affect 3 major parts of your ground transportation operations this spring:
- Drivers: Pre-drive briefings and specific road-ahead alerts available through services like The Weather Company’s Operations Dashboard can be delivered into the cab. Better information will allow drivers to get the most out of their hours of service, and improved safety and on-time performance will help your driver retention challenges. A happy driver is a driver you won’t need to replace.
- Dispatch: Alerts for operation disruptions can identify potential delays impacting staffing and downstream delivery.
- Distribution: The dashboard-level view of weather and traffic explains relevant impacts to the safety of personnel and facility operations. Use weather and traffic to improve dock safety and anticipate inbound and outbound delays and manage staffing needs.
Take control of spring’s weather conditions to ensure you are on time, on schedule, and on budget.
Article by John Bosse, Offering Manager for Ground Transportation, The Weather Company, an IBM Business.
