Road Scholar | Transport Blog's

In a year defined by economic uncertainty and rapidly shifting logistics demands, one trend is raising eyebrows across the freight and supply chain industry: more than half of truckloads in 2024 ran underutilized. According to a new study conducted by Flock Freight and Drive Research, 58% of truckloads last year moved with significant unused space, up sharply from 43% in 2023.   In real terms, that translates to 34 linear feet of trailer space left empty—meaning every third truck on the road could have been completely consolidated into another. The Hidden Cost of Empty Trailers This growing inefficiency is not just a logistical oversight; it’s a serious financial and environmental concern.   While lower freight rates in a soft market have made it more tolerable for shippers to pay for empty space, the long-term costs—in emissions, fuel, and lost capacity—paint a more troubling picture. “We’re seeing more half-empty trucks on the road than ever before,” said Chris P...

The food, agribusiness, and beverage (FAB) industry plays a pivotal role in global trade and food security.   However, as the sector grows more complex and interconnected, it also becomes increasingly vulnerable to transportation and supply chain challenges.   From geopolitical disruptions to rising operational costs and evolving regulatory requirements, FAB companies must now balance agility, resilience, and compliance to remain competitive and trustworthy in the eyes of consumers. Understanding the Landscape: Key Takeaways Capital Optimization and Cost Containment FAB companies are navigating narrow profit margins amidst soaring commodity, labor, and packaging costs.   New regulatory mandates only add to these pressures, requiring businesses to find innovative ways to optimize resources and manage risks. A Shifting Logistics and Marine Cargo Environment Fraud, storage failures, and geopolitical instability are reshaping how goods ar...

A recent analysis of FMCSA data by trucking expert Adam Wingfield revealed a shocking fact: 4% of commercial truck drivers in the U.S. are operating without a valid license.   That means 1 in every 25 truckers sharing America’s highways may lack the proper credentials to safely drive a vehicle that weighs over 26,000 pounds—or more if hauling hazardous materials or passengers. What’s At Stake? When an unlicensed operator is behind the wheel of a big rig, the consequences can be catastrophic.   A commercial driver’s license (CDL) is not just a formality—it’s a rigorous qualification process designed to ensure a driver understands how to safely handle a vehicle that could cause large-scale damage in the event of an error. According to Wingfield, 645 fatal trucking accidents occurred in Q1 of 2025 alone.   With each of these crashes carrying a cost of $7.2 million on average, the combination of human loss and economic fallout is staggering. CDL Breakdown: What’s ...

Every year, the biopharmaceutical industry absorbs an alarming $35 billion in losses — not due to R&D or marketing missteps, but from temperature-control failures in the supply chain.   Shockingly, 1 in 5 temperature-sensitive pharma products are damaged during transit, leading to spoilage, delays, regulatory issues, and worst of all, jeopardized patient outcomes. In an industry where precision is everything, these losses are unacceptable — and avoidable.   Here are six reasons why pharma and life sciences companies must adopt track and trace technology in 2025 — not as an enhancement, but as a necessity. 1. Real-Time Oversight of Product Conditions In a landscape where delays can mean millions lost or lives affected, real-time tracking is essential.   Modern track-and-trace tools offer live updates on location, temperature, and shipment integrity — alerting teams to potential threats before they escalate. If a biologic is stranded without proper refrigera...

On May 11, 1976, a truck operated by the Transport Company of Texas was carrying 7,500+ gallons of anhydrous ammonia on the Houston freeway system.   As the vehicle transitioned from the I-610 overpass onto U.S. 59, the driver lost control—likely due to excessive speed and the shifting liquid load inside the tanker.   The truck struck a guardrail, collided with a concrete support, and plunged 15 feet onto the freeway below.   The tank ruptured, releasing a vast cloud of toxic ammonia gas into the air.   The consequences were immediate and horrifying. Impact on the Public Fatalities & Injuries : Six people died on the scene from exposure.   A seventh died years later from complications. 178 people were injured, 78 seriously enough to be hospitalized. Mass Exposure : Ammonia gas—colorless but highly irritating and corrosive—spread rapidly across a busy highway, affecting drivers, passengers, and residents nearby. Environmental Damage ...

The International Roadcheck is the largest targeted enforcement program for commercial motor vehicles in North America.   Over three days, tens of thousands of inspections are conducted to ensure compliance with federal, state, and provincial regulations.   For context, last year saw 48,761 inspections, with 95% of drivers passing without out-of-service violations. This year’s roadcheck will take place May 13-15 th .   Here’s what inspectors will be watching for: Driver Focus: Hours-of-Service and Credentials Inspectors will review: Hours-of-service documentation to ensure proper logging and adherence to limits Operating credentials, such as CDL and medical certificates Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse status Seat belt usage Signs of drug or alcohol impairment Any violations—especially around improper logs or missing credentials—can result in out-of-service orders, keeping drivers parked until the issue is resolved. Vehicle Focus: Tire Condition...

The freight and logistics sector is entering a new phase of crisis as cargo theft and sophisticated fraud schemes reach unprecedented levels.   According to the State of Fraud in the Industry report released last week by the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA), fraud in freight brokerage is no longer a nuisance—it’s a full-blown epidemic. Between September 2024 and February 2025, reported fraud cases surged 65% compared to the previous period.   The data, drawn from TIA member surveys and reports submitted to the association’s Watchdog platform, paints a grim picture of rising risk and financial strain, especially for small and mid-sized freight brokers. A Dual Blow: Losses and Prevention Costs The TIA report exposes a financial double-bind: not only are brokers losing large sums to fraudulent activity, they’re also being forced to ramp up spending on prevention.   Nearly a quarter of respondents reported losses exceeding $200,000 due to fraud over ...

The trucking industry is once again at the center of national regulatory change, as the current administration moves to strengthen enforcement of long-standing English language requirements for commercial drivers.   Two recent executive orders—one declaring English the official language of the U.S., and another directing the Department of Transportation (DOT) to enforce existing English proficiency laws—are poised to reshape hiring practices and operational standards across the trucking sector. With the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) voting to reinstate English language violations as grounds for placing drivers out of service, the new policy will officially take effect on June 25, 2025.   For carriers already navigating a severe driver shortage, this added enforcement could significantly impact driver availability, route coverage, and overall capacity. What Changed? The new executive orders from the current administration do not create a new law; rather,...