Supply chain efficiency is top of mind for companies in all sectors – efficiency means reduced costs and increased output. Today, tech advancements like drone delivery, autonomous vehicles and the Internet of Things enable supply chains to increase efficiency and productivity by connecting to smart components in the supply chain.

Shippers and trucking companies alike could learn a few things from the ways rail companies, especially Union Pacific (UP), are implementing real-time, big data technology to overcome supply chain obstacles.

As of June 2016, the U.S. economic outlook is uncertain. There are hopeful signs: employers are still hiring new workers, more jobs and cheaper gas have led to a small bump in consumer spending, and home builders are in full swing. MarketWatch predicts 2.5% GDP growth in the second quarter of 2016.

Shippers are enthusiastic about drone technology because the devices could greatly cut delivery times and costs. The drone revolution will disrupt an assortment of industries, from agriculture and filmmaking to transportation and healthcare. Logistics will have to adapt to changes as more retailers experiment with drones and the technology evolves to be cheap and efficient. The transportation industry will be transformed by drones, especially in terms of last-mile service.

Loading and unloading freight plays a crucial part in the overall transportation process. Inefficient dock procedures can lead to higher transportation costs, slower delivery times and customer dissatisfaction. It doesn’t matter the volume of freight you ship, efficiency at your facility is important.

Parcel freight shipping refers to small package shipments. Parcel shippers face hidden fees and complex processes, leaving them with limited visibility of overall freight spend.

The price of diesel fuel will play a heightened role in transportation rates in the next couple of years. Fuel costs are always an important indicator of over-the-road (OTR) shipping costs, but a perfect storm of events will make diesel prices more important than ever before.

Over the last 30 years, the American population has increased 35%. It’s expected that 70% of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050. These facts amplify the pressure to correct infrastructure in order to support the movement of goods and people, and minimize related environmental impacts.

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) will conduct its 29th Annual International Roadcheck from June 7th – 9th. The Roadcheck is the largest of its kind, covering all of North America.

Driver Shortage Worsens for Truckload Fleets. For the year, turnover averaged 79% at smaller fleets and nearly 95% at larger fleets. The turnover rate shows that the driver market remains a serious challenge for truckload fleets. Among LTL operators, turnover was 11% for the fourth quarter and for the full year of 2015. (Haven’t felt the effects of the driver shortage? Click here to find out what’s going on with freight rates and driver’s pay.)

Transportation rates are near their lowest point and are expected to rise later this year. New forecasts predict rising contract and spot market rates caused by numerous economic and regulatory factors – which will create tough conditions for shippers to negotiate rates. Shippers who don’t lock down rates now could miss out on a great opportunity.

The US transportation system moves more than 54 million tons of goods worth nearly $48 billion each day. Freight tonnage is expected to increase by 45% by 2050. In the US, nearly 70% of all freight tonnage is moved by trucks.

Shippers are always looking for opportunities to easily reduce transportation spends. One of the best ways to drive logistics-related savings is by reviewing processes and using technology. Shippers who review supply chain processes and transportation performance, while taking advantage of historical and real-time data, will eliminate costs without an effect on efficiency. It’s important to define your logistics goals for a successful freight assessment.

Transportation is vital to CPG operations. In fact, in a recent study, 83% of supply chain leaders in the CPG industry say transportation is their top concern. The CPG supply chain has become more complex and consumer demands are driving the need for transportation efficiency.