Though the robot takeover hasn’t happened yet, small business owners are finding their own worlds dominated by AI. AI trucking is no exception.
With all the chatter about autonomous trucking and AI-assisted driver monitoring, it can be difficult for everyday trucking companies to know how they can use AI trucking in practical ways.
Here are a few easy ways small trucking companies are utilizing AI for their businesses:
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Route Optimization and Planning
You’ve probably heard of ChatGPT: the natural language processing (NLP) tool that is free to use and available to everyone. Did you know this tool has tremendous potential for helping you optimize your routes?
Route planning with ChatGPT is easy. All you need to do is tell Chat where you are starting, where you’d like to be, and any special conditions for the route. Here is an example prompt and reply from ChatGPT:
Prompt: Help me plan the most efficient route from Carlsbad, California, to Salt Lake City, Utah for my trucking business. My load is fragile, so please try and avoid any dense areas with extreme urban traffic. Include step-by-step directions.
Response: I can provide a general route that focuses on avoiding dense urban areas with heavy traffic from Carlsbad, California, to Salt Lake City, Utah.
Route Overview:
Carlsbad, CA -> I-15 N -> I-40 E -> US-191 N -> I-70 E -> I-15 N -> Salt Lake City, UT
Step-by-Step Directions:
- Start in Carlsbad, California.
- Head northeast on I-5 N from Carlsbad Village Dr and Palomar Airport Rd.
- Merge onto I-15 N toward Riverside/Las Vegas.
- Continue on I-15 N through the Cajon Pass and into the Mojave Desert.
- Merge onto I-40 E via Exit 185 toward Barstow.
- Continue on I-40 E through Arizona.
- Take Exit 191 for US-191 N toward Monticello.
- Follow US-191 N through scenic areas and rural regions.
- Merge onto I-70 E via the ramp to Richfield.
- Continue on I-70 E through Utah’s beautiful landscapes.
- Merge onto I-15 N via Exit 132 toward Salt Lake City.
- Follow I-15 N into Salt Lake City, Utah.
This route avoids major urban areas to reduce the risk of encountering heavy traffic.
As you can see, ChatGPT can provide wonderful route customization for unique conditions.
In addition to route optimization, load boards with algorithm-backed technology can also help you get on the road quicker. Atlas Now is a great option for truckers for instant load matching—no download or login required!
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Document/Media Creation
ChatGPT can also save trucking companies hours upon hours of time by automating the creation of essential documents, like contracts, agreements, or even a Bill of Lading.
Here’s another example of how to create a Bill of Lading template using ChatGPT.
Prompt: I am trying to create a Bill of Lading. The shipping company is Example Co. The receiver is Demonstration Co. The carrier is Trucking Co.
Will you begin crafting me a template to use for a Bill of Lading?
Response: Certainly! Below is a basic template for a Bill of Lading:
Bill of Lading
Shipper (Sender): Example Co
Consignee (Receiver): Demonstration Co
Carrier: Trucking Co
Shipment Details
Date of Shipment:
Shipment Tracking/Reference Number:
Pickup Details:
Pickup Date and Time
Pickup Location:
Contact Person at Pickup Location:
Contact Phone Number:
Delivery Details:
Delivery Date and Time
Delivery Location:
Contact Person at Delivery Location:
Contact Phone Number:
Description of Goods:
Item 1
Description:
Quantity:
Weight:
Dimensions:
Item 2
Description:
Quantity:
Weight:
Dimensions:
Special Instructions:
Terms and Conditions
[Include any specific terms and conditions applicable to this shipment]
Authorized Signatures:
Shipper: ______________________
Consignee: ______________________
Carrier: ______________________
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Bookkeeping and Finances
ChatGPT is also a tremendous help with organizing your bookkeeping. Chat can help you both organize and glean insights from your bookkeeping information.
Here is an example:
Prompt: Please organize the following information into a table:
Fuel Costs
9/21- 650 9/28- 655 10/5- 671 10/12- 682 10/19- 701
Once you have organized the data, please provide insights concerning the dataset.
Response: Sure, here’s the data organized into a table:
| Date | Fuel Cost |
| 9/21 | 650 |
| 9/28 | 655 |
| 10/5 | 671 |
| 10/12 | 682 |
| 10/19 | 701 |
Insights concerning the dataset:
- Increasing Trend: The fuel costs have been steadily increasing over the weeks, from 650 to 701, indicating a consistent rise in fuel prices during this period.
- Rate of Increase: The rate of increase in fuel costs appears to be relatively consistent, with an approximate increase of around 5 to 16 units per week.
- Volatility: The data shows some volatility in fuel prices, as the weekly increases vary slightly.
- Trend Observation: This dataset suggests that fuel prices have been experiencing an upward trend over the given weeks, which could be influenced by various factors such as global oil prices, supply and demand dynamics, economic conditions, or geopolitical events.
AI trucking tools can act as a digital assistant to help small business owners maximize their productivity. By allowing AI to perform tedious tasks, business owners can focus on more on strategy and expanding their business.
Next time you are overwhelmed with the mundane tasks of owning a trucking business, try using AI!
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The England Carrier Services (ECS) division offers various services for carriers ranging from maintenance to support. As ECS members, carriers have access to nationwide discounts on fuel and tires from dedicated team members committed to finding the best price. ECS also provides factoring services with benefits such as same-day funding to a bank account or fuel card. These options allow carriers the freedom to focus on growing their business while saving time and money.