The Official Blog of Penske Transportation Solutions

Insights

A retail warehouse worker uses a forklift to move boxes in a warehouse.

Businesses in the consumer goods and retail industries face many challenges in today’s market, making a well-run fleet and supply chain more critical than ever. From the influx of new competing brands to the continued boom of e-commerce and the demand for fast, reliable shipping, companies must work to differentiate themselves while finding the right balance between success today and growth tomorrow.

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A semi-truck drivers through standing water

You may know the saying, “April showers bring May flowers,” but these same wet conditions also create a variety of dangerous road hazards for professional drivers. In fact, flooding is now ranked as the second deadliest weather hazard in the U.S. each year, according to the National Weather Service. (Excessive heat is currently listed as the Number 1 deadliest U.S. weather hazard).

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A yellow Penske van drives across a bridge

Though it’s often the shortest distance in a package's journey, the last mile is one of the most complex supply chain issues today. Having access to the right tools can help, so the experts at Penske have put together information to help your business manage and improve its last mile delivery struggles.

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Truck driver inspects truck wheels

As a professional driver, you rely on your truck to operate at peak performance to keep you and those around you safe. That’s why it’s so important to conduct thorough pre-trip and post-trip inspections — and even check in on your truck and its load during your travels while at a weigh station or rest stop.

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A man delivers boxes to a business.

While every part of the delivery process matters, the competition to optimize the last mile (or final mile) of delivery has never been more intense. As the volume of e-Commerce shopping rises every year, a large percentage of today's consumers expect two-day, one-day and even same-day shipping to get their purchase to its final destination. That leaves shippers with increasing concerns about expenses and other last mile problems, since total costs associated with the last mile run at about 50 percent of overall logistics costs across various industries.

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A yellow Penske cargo van drives down the road.

The supply chain never stops, with ups and downs depending on the season. This uncertainty means planning ahead to meet potential additional demands and avoid transportation equipment shortages is a necessity.

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A happy truck driver behind the wheel

You’re due at your destination in an hour, but traffic has slowed to a crawl. You just got cut off — twice. You’re already feeling worn out. And now rain clouds are gathering overhead. As a truck driver, you face these types of situations all the time. The more prepared you are to handle them, the healthier you’ll be.

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A shopping cart with a green handle sitting in a grocer store aisle.

The way the world does business has evolved and, as a result, continues to affect the way supply and distribution networks operate in both the short and long term. Stores are experiencing fluctuations in supply, while at the same time, groups such as farmers are having trouble with moving goods to the people who need them. Restaurants are adjusting delivery and outdoor seating models to meet current guidelines while also planning for the future. These ever-evolving changes have affected businesses in significant ways, with the need for agility more important than ever.

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A truck driver steps into a semi truck

You climb in and out of your cab constantly. You may even be required to climb into the trailer or on top of a flatbed to secure the load you are transporting. This is done so often, that you probably don’t think of the risk involved. But move too fast or carelessly, and you could end up out of service with a serious injury.

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White semi-truck parked in a lot

Last year, more than 100 million people hit the nation’s highways between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). Experts predict that this year’s holiday traffic patterns will be just as active.

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A semi-truck driving at night

What do you get when you add up the early sunsets of autumn with the end of Daylight Saving time? A lot more hours of driving in the dark.

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Caution triangles on the road warning of a stopped truck

What hazards will this winter bring to commercial motor vehicle drivers? While nobody knows for sure how bad each winter may be, the Farmer’s Almanac indicates that the winter of 2022-23 will include plenty of snow, rain and mush, along with record-breaking cold in parts of the U.S.

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Railroad crossing and stop sign

It’s been a dangerous and deadly summer for tractor trailers and trains. In June, a collision between a dump truck and an Amtrak train in Missouri sparked a derailment that caused four deaths and an estimated $4 billion in damages.

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Runaway truck ramp and sign and ramp

If you haven’t recently checked all the components of your truck’s brake system, now is the time to get it done.

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School buses on the road

As an estimated 480,000 school buses return to U.S. roads over the next few weeks, it’s time for professional drivers to brush up on their own lesson plan: How to drive with care during back-to-school season. Remember these 7 words that can help you avoid an accident and potentially save a life.

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Inspector checking tires on a truck

The annual 72-hour Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's (CVSA) International Roadcheck roadside inspection blitz includes more than 40,000 commercial motor vehicle (CMV) inspections across the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

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Smiling truck driver

Accidents happen! According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA's) most recent Traffic Safety Facts report, about 538,000 large trucks were involved in police-reported crashes in 2019. Those accidents led to 159,000 injuries and more than 5,000 deaths.

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Yellow work zone sign

Spring marks the start of road construction season, and with more road work projects planned nationwide, professional drivers can expect to navigate more than their fair share of work zones.

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A spread of healthy food

Life on the road means lots of hours behind the wheel. It can also mean way too many high-fat, high-calorie truck stop and diner meals. And sadly, all those calories come at a cost. Studies show that 7 in 10 truck drivers are overweight, which raises their risk for serious heart disease.

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Truck driving on winter roads

More than 70% of the nation's roads sit in regions that see over 5 inches of snowfall each year. That means there's a good chance you'll encounter slippery and downright dangerous driving conditions over the next three months.

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