We hear a lot about the economic stimulus package and rightfully so, it is the moment of change that we pin our hopes for an improved economy to. What is it going to do for the fundamental problem of freight volume has not been addressed. This is an important question. In the past, one of the first predictors of depressed economy’s new health has been the growth in freight. But today that is simply not the case and the stimulus package is aimed entirely differently. It’s not going to deliver a radical change to freight volume and the trucking industry.

What it might do is help to stabilize and slowly grow industries that will create freight volume. The stimulus package has only begun to work upon the economy and as a result,
we simply cannot expect to see much change before the onset of 2010. The major areas of growth targeted by the package are energy, automotive, and infrastructure. Of these three, infrastructure has the most potential to impact freight volumes, both directly and indirectly, as long as automotive continues to struggle. Directly, because infrastructure projects will demand materials that need to be shipped. Indirectly, because successful infrastructure will increase jobs and consumer confidence, which may then increase spending and retail sales. Freight volumes will remain constant for the foreseeable futures and then, as an indirect effect of the stimulus package they may increase.

At the moment, it’s enough to know where we stand and plan for the future.

It has been said that if the trucks stop, America stops. The truckload industry is one of over sixty five billion dollars spread over more than fifty thousand carriers. It’s a large and vital part of American society where almost everything around you has been shipped from one location to another, often multiple times before it reaches its destination. There is a constant and enduring need for its services, and though it is suffering at the moment as the result of the depression, over time it is poised to become even stronger and more lucrative.

The challenges the trucking industry currently faces date back to 2006. They are due to falling automobile sales, problems in the housing sector, sluggish growth in retail markets, and the overall economic issues plaguing the country. These issues have resulted in low freight volumes and a difficult pricing environment. In spite of all of this however, the truckload industry is highly competitive. This is due to its rates, service, and equipment availability. The economy has finally bottomed out, and with it, the trucking industry. Although it is not expected to see significant growth for 2009, the expected rise in the economy means that a corresponding rise in demand and freight volume may occur as early as 2010. Once that happens the truckload industry is expected to see slow, but steady growth.

Times are hard for everyone, including the trucking industry. Despite it all there are a few bright spots. The first is that economists are saying that we have reached our lowest point and that the economy will now begin to recover slowly, but surely. That’s great news for the future, but how to hold on until then?

Unlike many other industries, shipping cannot be outsourced. Goods will always need to be moved from one location to another. The key is to be the one moving those goods and to make money doing it. Fortunately for the trucking industry, diesel prices continue to be low, helping to keep the costs of carrying low as well. What else can you do?

*Find as many ways as possible to cut costs. Be creative and efficient. One carrier keeps a coffeemaker on boards to reduce his need for stops.

*Use whatever sources necessary to secure a constant volume of work, in order to keep your gross income flowing. Load boards are a good source of postings.

*Diversify. Take on anything and everything you can to keep your truck full and moving.

Remember that although recent numbers say that industries outside of trucking are still losing position, truck-driving jobs remain in demand. This is despite furloughs and temporary hiring freezes. The key to success is to hold on and plan for the future.

When the EPA changes its emissions standards in 2010, there will be two to meet them. The first is SCR, which stands for Selective Catalytic Reduction. This process reduces the output of nitrogen oxides by adding a urea solution to the exhaust. The high temperature triggers a chemical reaction that changes nitrogen oxides to harmless byproducts. The second is Cooled EGR, or Exhaust Gas Recirculation. In this engine, some exhaust is re-circulated into the engine air intake and mixes with fresh air. This lowers the amount of oxygen in the combustion tank, which in turn, lowers the temperature and the nitrogen oxide output. The exhaust can then be cooled to reduce emissions even further.

Both engines can reduce emissions by up to 90%. The differences between them come down to cost. SCR uses a smaller, lighter engine. It requires an added tank for urea, but improves both thermal efficiency and fuel economy. Major considerations will include replacing urea. If it runs out, there will be a 40% reduction in torque output. The cost effectiveness of this engine rests on the price stability of the urea solution. Cooled EGR requires a larger and heavier engine, but has no additive or tank costs and the user wouldn’t need to replenish urea to keep the engine from powering down. The engine would require a larger radiator and fan to lower heat and its fuel cost is higher than that of SCR. Both engines meet the new standards and both have pros and cons.

Using Masslogics web-based trucking software means there is nothing to download, nothing to install, and no wasted time on configuring your computer system. Because Masslogics is web based software you can access your vital company data from anywhere with a connection to the web. Fleet managers can check up on their company fleets from home or even while on vacation.

Choosing a web based solution also means you won’t have to hire an IT professional or use valuable existing employ time to manage your data backup and server administration. Masslogics does it all for you.

Masslogics trucking software includes; a Dispatch board for managing jobs, Built-in mileage calculator for pricing, Customizable rates for each customer, Customizable fuel surcharge calculator, Automated e-mails to customers when jobs are completed, Create customer invoices and driver settlements in minutes, Easy report generator that produces up to the minute data on operations, as well as archived operations, Track invoices, receivables, and set customer credit limits, Set alerts for items such as drug testing or equipment inspections, Quick and easy search for jobs completed months or years ago.

Some of the best features of Masslogics software are the guarantees of:

*FREE Lifetime updates

*US BASED Customer Support

*FREE Phone Consultation to New Customers

If you’ve ever been stuck on the phone with customer service located half-way around the world, you’ll really appreciate that Masslogics guarantees your calls will be answered in the U.S. Give it a try, there is a free trial: www.masslogics.com