Over the next five years, the commercial trailer market is set to experience robust growth and change in North America.
The significant impact on the trucking industry from the dramatic increase of diesel prices, operational costs and stringent government regulation has substantially amplified the interest and proliferation of trailer technologies.
No longer considered an afterthought of the trucking industry, trailer technologies such as aerodynamics, telematics, the use of enhanced body materials and part components has brought the trailer up to speed.
Aerodynamics
The trailer aerodynamics market may have just achieved its breakthrough moment towards industry wide adoption, thanks to the recently mandated California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulation.
In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the fuel efficiency of 53' box-type trailers, CARB has now requires that these trailers be fitted with trailer aerodynamics and low rolling resistance tires.
Trailers entering California are required to use EPA SmartWay-certified trailers or technologies, such as the use of side skirts, gap fairings, trailer tails or rear fairings, and must achieve a 4 or 5 percent improvement in fuel consumption.
This regulation is significant in its influence across North America as fleets must now re-evaluate their daily operations and consideration in using trailer aerodynamics.
Fleets are demanding that trailer aerodynamic technology be low in terms of price, durable, fuel efficient, bring a quick ROI and have simple maintenance procedures.
Telematics
At the heart of the trucking industry is the need to effectively and efficiently transport freight across North America. The continued development of the freight transport industry has fleets demanding more from their carriers.
Freight being shipped in trailers is under constant risk of being late for delivery, lost, stolen or damaged. This has resulted in a market for telematics systems which allow for transport chain transparency, with frequent functional data available to the driver, freight company and customers.
Telematics help increase the efficiency of truck logistics and operations, and provides the ability to respond quickly to problematic issues.
CSA
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program is a major cause for concern among OEMs and fleets in operation. CSA will enable FMCSA to assess the safety performance of fleets to ensure the health of the equipment in use.
Fleets are being put under the microscope as failure to meet CSA requirements will lead to harsh consequences, and even to a cessation of fleet operations.
In order to comply with CSA's strict standards, fleets are demanding innovative technology and design improvements on all new trailers.
Trailer OEMs have been effectively replacing standard steel and aluminum trailers with advanced composite materials. This usage of composite materials in new trailer bodies has resulted in added durability, resistance to impact and productivity.
Component suppliers have also taken on the challenge of CSA with automatic tire inflation systems.
There will be strong implications on commercial fleet tire practices for CSA scoring as fleets will have to be particularly vigilant in the maintenance of its tires.
Tire inflation systems maintain proper air pressure through automatic inflation, preventing wear and tear, stability issues and loss in fuel efficiency from under inflation.
This technology is a game changer as it helps reduce downtime from tire maintenance resulting in increased productivity.
Conclusion
The growing interest for advanced trailer technologies has established the changing landscape of the trucking industry.
The added pressure from volatile fuel prices, increasing operational costs and impending stringent regulations has increased the awareness of fleet managers towards the productivity of their trailers more than ever before.
The proliferation of new trailer technologies will have a direct impact on the service and maintenance of trailers as the result of all these technologies has effectively extended the life of a trailer to 15 years.
On the other hand, the new trailer technologies will require maintenance laborers to adapt and learn new repair procedures.
In addition, vertical integration of producing package components, such as an entire axle module with matching brakes and suspension, is expected to be a permanent trend.
The strategy behind vertical integration is to simplify the supply chain and the number and maintenance of the parts in a trailer.
Trailers being built today are intended to increase productivity and reduce maintenance for fleets across North America.
Frost & Sullivan believes with the development advanced trailer technologies will be an essential ingredient to the solution to combat strengthening regulatory requirements and rising diesel prices.
