Article created for the digital issue of the NATSO Foundation’s
Automation and digitization are changing nearly every industry, including trucking and highway-based businesses that serve drivers.
The Ernst & Young report Embracing the Automation Revolution in Trucking, which was prepared collaboration with the NATSO Foundation, said a world in which automation becomes the norm in the trucking industry is already beginning to emerge.
E&Y said fleets are using AI to optimize routes, which is increasing fuel efficiency and removing wasted miles. “By using machine learning algorithms, these systems can predict vehicle maintenance needs, monitor driver performance and limit downtime,” according to the report.
Automation and AI is also improving the in-store experience, according to E&Y. At truck stops, AI-supported technologies such as chatbots, virtual personal assistants and image recognition are being adopted, E&Y said. Retailers are also increasingly adopting self-checkouts. Self-checkout terminals are now the dominant grocery checkout format, accounting for 55% of transactions in 2022.
The NATSO Services’ 2023 driver survey found that when visiting locations that have cashiers and cashier-less options, such as ordering kiosks, self-check-outs, vending machines and in-app ordering, 7% of drivers said they always choose the cashier-less option, and 20% said they sometimes choose it.
New technology, including robots, can also help operators automate tasks and re-direct labor to responsibilities that directly benefit customers. Operators have been rolling out technology to clean floors, automate food prep and increase self-serve food options for customers.
“As robotics become more sophisticated, they’re able to tackle routine tasks beyond just cleaning your store. Long-term, they could be a solution to staffing challenges,” Darren Schulte, NATSO’s vice president, membership said.
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Want more Trends Shaping the Truck Stop and Travel Center Industry in 2024? Access the Eight Trends Shaping the Truck Stop and Travel Center Industry in 2024 Toolkit from the NATSO Foundation here. |
// This article was created for Stop Watch magazine, the magazine of the NATSO Foundation. The NATSO Foundation is the research, education and public outreach subsidiary of NATSO, Inc. The NATSO Foundation provides programs and products to strengthen travel plazas’ ability to meet the traveling public's needs through improved operational performance and business planning. Visit www.natsofoundation.org for more information. (Donate to the NATSO Foundation here.)
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