Shipper | Best practices
How intermodal transportation helps shippers manage the truck driver shortage
Though the truck driver shortage continues to grow, many providers find truck drivers gravitating and sticking with intermodal transportation. Intermodal transportation is the movement of freight by combination of rail and road, typically in 53' intermodal shipping containers. It’s used when a shipper needs to cost-efficiently move long-transit freight.
Because quality truck drivers find intermodal transportation appealing, they are more likely to enter (and stay) in the line of work, providing shippers access to more reliable capacity and truck-like service.
Key takeaways:
- Intermodal can provide a more reliable source of truck capacity because many drivers find intermodal work appealing due to consistent freight, more home time and streamlined loading and unloading.
- Shippers should seek intermodal providers with professional, qualified drivers and robust driver networks that can support freight across a broad geographic area.
- Company-employed drivers can provide a more stable driver base as carriers navigate increasing employment requirements and industry regulations.
Why many truck drivers prefer intermodal freight
Many truck drivers prefer driving intermodal freight:
- It offers consistent freight.
- They have more home time and family time.
- They can establish personal, face-to-face relationships with shippers.
- There’s less unloading and more streamlined work processes.
Follow these best practices to capitalize on the intermodal driver advantage
Seek intermodal providers that employ professional, qualified truck drivers
It’s important to work with providers that thoroughly vet their truck driving candidates. To ensure freight is moved by qualified truck drivers, shippers should look for providers that go beyond the federal law requiring urinalysis to remove unqualified candidates. Shippers can be sure the most qualified candidates are behind the wheel of their freight if their provider is investing in hair follicle testing and other qualification practices.
Connect with an intermodal carrier with a robust truck driver network
Many carriers are leaving the market as the cost of doing business increases and regulations require them to invest in newer technologies and processes. A small or geographically narrow driver pool should be a sign of concern for shippers evaluating intermodal providers.
Work with an intermodal carrier that employs uniformed, company truck drivers
Company drivers are not the only source of driver power; owner-operators also keep freight moving. However, many carriers are struggling to keep up with increasing employment requirements. Lawsuits have mounted, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in settlement agreements.
Additionally, California’s Assembly Bill 5 set off a wave of state regulations that increase requirements for contractors. It’s vital that shippers find providers that attract and retain company uniformed intermodal truck drivers.
Collaborate with an intermodal carrier to maintain driver-friendly freight characteristics
With fewer drivers in the market to haul freight, providers are prioritizing cost-effective freight with shipper of choice characteristics such as:
- Drop and hook, a service that requires a driver to drop a trailer at a location then hook their truck to another trailer for subsequent delivery
- No live loads, meaning drivers are not delivering a trailer and then waiting for it to be unloaded then loaded again before driving the same trailer back out
- Open delivery windows instead of short, rigid windows when freight must be delivered
Many carriers collect driver feedback about shippers and their locations. Those with more positive feedback find their freight prioritized, which helps with driver retention. After all, shippers and providers are equally responsible for helping to identify and make improvements to the shippers’ freight to increase driver retention and improve service.
Keep your freight moving
For more optimization tips, checkout our free guide to improve supply chain efficiency.
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