OTR Truck Parking

This industry is so poised for technological disruption. Here is a great example HappyRobot recently raised $15.6M. Their agentic AI platform is revolutionizing freight brokerage by automating calls, carrier negotiations, and data capture—cutting call times by 50% and operational costs by 33%. There SVP was quoted saying, “Using HappyRobotʼs agentic AI, 100% of calls were answered 24/7 with no hold time and our staff are using phones to do higher value work like build relationships rather than just to exchange data.ˮ Freight brokers like Circle Logistics are already seeing massive gains in efficiency and scale. As Pablo Palafox, HappyRobot’s CEO, puts it: “We’re redefining the economics of logistics.” Excited to see how this transforms the $9.4T global logistics market! https://lnkd.in/d8nhfwZF

Exciting milestone for truck parking in the U.S. Truck Parking Club recently hit 1,000 locations across 46 states, offering 24,000 spaces for truckers nationwide. CEO Evan Shelley has his sights on the next goal—10,000 locations. Game changer for solving the truck parking shortage! https://lnkd.in/g5_xCgXz

As we head into the new year, the freight market remains challenging, with companies tightening budgets and focusing on efficiency. Dean Rigg, CFO of Mesilla Valley Transportation, summed it up: “We are pinching every dime, looking at every penny and finding ways to get more efficient.” Sherri Garner Brumbaugh, CEO of Garner Trucking, emphasized the importance of prioritizing employees despite financial constraints: “We’ve tried to be prudent in our spending but thoughtful with paying our employees — taking care of our employees first.” While optimism for 2025 is growing, trucking leaders agree: success in this environment hinges on controlling costs and leveraging strategic opportunities. As Steven Grabell of NFI put it, “We feel confident that we’re nearing the bottom of the freight downturn.” https://lnkd.in/gPnuSf2H

Big win for the trucking industry! The Senate just passed the Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act, streamlining the credentialing process for commercial drivers. This bill aims to reduce costs and bureaucracy, making it easier for truckers to get the credentials they need to keep supply chains moving. Next step? House approval. Let’s hope it clears soon! https://lnkd.in/e3rXXWES

The Port of Los Angeles continues to break records, handling over 900,000 TEUs for four straight months—a first in its history. October saw a 25% year-over-year surge in container volumes, driven by rising retail sales, easing interest rates, and increased direct trans-Pacific shipping. Improved efficiency is also notable, with container dwell times dropping significantly compared to pandemic highs. Looking ahead, Port Executive Director Gene Seroka anticipates strong volumes through 2025, supported by resilient consumer demand and frontloading ahead of tariff changes. https://lnkd.in/ea9gv2VN

President-elect Donald Trump has announced former U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy as his pick for Transportation Secretary, citing Duffy's congressional experience and commitment to rebuilding America's infrastructure. Trump emphasized a focus on safety, efficiency, and innovation, calling it “The Golden Age of Travel.” The trucking industry has welcomed the choice, with ATA President Chris Spear highlighting Duffy’s support for policies addressing congestion, truck parking, and highway safety. Under Trump, the Department of Transportation is expected to prioritize highway projects and limit federal mass transit spending, with new airport construction likely taking center stage. https://lnkd.in/gtgDKbEM

Sean Duffy’s nomination as Secretary of Transportation could bring significant changes for the trucking industry. Key priorities include modernizing highways and bridges, expanding truck parking, reducing unnecessary regulations, and addressing freight fraud—initiatives welcomed by OOIDA. However, proposals like eliminating EV tax credits and revisiting tariff policies could impact costs and fleet strategies. Overall, Duffy’s focus on deregulation and infrastructure could benefit truckers, but long-term challenges around sustainability and trade may also arise. https://lnkd.in/e--3AG9s

Exciting times ahead for the logistics industry! Federal policies shape the freight industry, influencing everything from labor and tax policies to tariffs on imports. With logistics-dependent industries making up 32% of the U.S. economy, these policies ripple through businesses and consumers alike. Tariffs, for example, can encourage domestic manufacturing but may raise prices on goods. Proposed import taxes, including a potential 60% tariff on Chinese goods, could reshape supply chains, freight demand, and economic dynamics. Energy policy also plays a critical role. Removing restrictions on oil and gas production could lower energy costs, while debates on EV adoption highlight global competitiveness, particularly against China’s dominance in the EV market. https://lnkd.in/ear_iAev

The Port of Long Beach moved nearly 1M containers in October, setting a new record. Importers have been rerouting cargo to avoid East and Gulf Coast delays caused by labor disputes and ahead of potential tariff hikes under President-elect Trump. With the Port of LA also breaking records, the two ports now handle about a third of U.S. container imports. As labor negotiations remain unresolved, the industry is watching closely for potential disruptions in the new year. Mario Cordero, CEO of the Port of Long Beach, expects strong volumes to continue, driven by consumer demand and ongoing concerns over tariffs and labor. https://lnkd.in/gRA8ZXsv

With Donald Trump’s victory, we’re likely to see a pivot in U.S. energy and environmental policy focused on fossil fuel expansion and limiting clean energy incentives. Key changes expected include: -Increased oil and gas exploration on federal lands, faster pipelines, and expansion of fracking. -Rollbacks on EV incentives and stricter tax credit qualifications. -Adjustments to clean energy tax credits, focusing on scaling down support for green hydrogen and renewable energy projects. -Potential for regulatory changes that could prolong coal plant operations amidst rising electricity demands. Oil and gas companies are poised to benefit from this “drill baby drill” approach, with swift actions anticipated to favor energy independence and consumer cost reduction. https://lnkd.in/gJipShFb