Deadhead Trucking: Definition And Consequences

Shippers must pay attention to deadhead trucking in the logistics industry. Understanding deadhead trucking is becoming increasingly important as businesses strive to optimize their supply chain operations and reduce costs. This article delves into the complexities of the deadhead mile in the trucking industry, from its definition to its drawbacks. It also provides practical advice for reducing deadhead miles in your business operations.

What is Deadhead Trucking?

Deadhead trucking is when a truck is driven without a load. This can happen for several reasons, such as when a truck is returning to its home base after delivering a load, or when a truck is being moved to a new location. It can be a major expense for trucking companies, as it costs money to operate the truck even when it is not carrying a load.

Drawbacks of Deadhead Trucking

Although the semi-truck industry considers deadhead miles to be essential, deadhead trucking can result in significant losses and negative consequences for businesses, including:

• Increased Operational Costs: Empty trailers consume the same amount of fuel as loaded trailers, but they generate no revenue during these trips. As a result of increased fuel consumption and maintenance requirements, businesses incur additional costs.
• Limited Efficiency: More time spent on unproductive trips between destinations rather than efficiently moving cargo from one location to another reduces overall operational efficiency.
• Negative Environmental Impact: More deadhead miles result in higher carbon emissions and increased road wear and tear due to unnecessary travel with no economic benefit generated.
• Riskier Driving Conditions: An empty trailer handles differently than one loaded with cargo; it is more unstable due to its lighter weight. As a result, drivers operating an empty rig may face increased risks during high winds or sudden braking situations. 
• Revenue Opportunities Missed: Every mile driven without cargo in an empty caravan is a revenue opportunity lost. Deadhead miles can quickly add up, resulting in significant earnings losses for trucking companies and independent owner-operators. 
• Inefficient Resource Use: Deadheading costs fuel and leads to traffic congestion, increased road wear, and inefficient use of truck driver hours. With the industry’s chronic driver crisis, it’s more vital than ever for organizations to maximize driver productivity by minimizing empty trips wherever feasible.

How to Reduce Deadhead Trucking?

There are several ways to reduce deadhead trucking. One way is to improve load planning. Trucking companies can use software to help them identify and book backhaul loads, which are loads that are traveling in the same direction as an empty truck. This can help to reduce the amount of time that trucks spend deadheading.

Another way to reduce deadhead trucking is to use intermodal transportation. Intermodal transportation involves moving freight between different modes of transportation, such as ships, trains, and trucks. This can help to reduce the amount of empty miles that trucks travel.

Trucking companies can also use technology to reduce deadhead trucking. For example, some companies use GPS tracking to monitor their trucks’ movements. This information can be used to identify opportunities to reduce deadhead trucking, such as by sending trucks to pick up loads that are located closer to their current location.

Here are some additional tips for reducing deadhead trucking:

• Consolidate loads: Trucking companies should consolidate loads so trucks carry more freight when possible. This will help to reduce the number of empty miles that trucks travel.
• Use efficient routing: Trucking companies should use efficient routing to minimize the time trucks spend driving empty.
• Partner with other carriers: Trucking companies can partner with other carriers to share loads and reduce deadhead trucking.
• Invest in technology: Technology can be used to improve load planning, track truck movements, and identify opportunities to reduce deadhead trucking.

Also Read:- The Importance of Repackaging in the Supply Chain

Conclusion

It is a major expense for trucking companies. There are a number of ways to reduce deadhead trucking, such as improving load planning, using intermodal transportation, and using technology. By taking steps to reduce deadhead trucking, trucking companies can save money and improve their bottom line.