Road Scholar | Transport Blog's

The pharmaceutical industry is once again in the national spotlight, as four U.S. senators reintroduced a bipartisan bill aimed at transforming how America sources, manufactures, and distributes critical medications.   Known as the Rolling Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient and Drug (RAPID) Reserve Act, the legislation proposes bold steps to counteract ongoing drug shortages and reduce the U.S.’s reliance on foreign countries—particularly China—for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and finished drugs. As drug shortages continue to plague hospitals and pharmacies, this bill holds deep implications not just for manufacturers and policymakers—but also for shippers, carriers, and logistics providers involved in the delicate world of pharmaceutical transportation.  Why the RAPID Reserve Act Matters Now The RAPID Reserve Act was originally introduced in 2023, spurred by growing alarm over critical drug shortages across the nation.   According to data from the American So...

The trucking industry has long battled the issue of driver turnover.   According to the American Trucking Associations, turnover rates at large carriers have hovered around 90% in recent years.   Drivers are quitting in record numbers, citing a familiar list of grievances: lack of respect, unpredictable scheduling, and poor communication from management.  But while the industry at large struggles to hold onto its workforce, some carriers are breaking the trend.   Road Scholar Transport is one of them. Here’s a look at why so many truck drivers are walking away—and why Road Scholar’s driver-focused culture is keeping professionals satisfied, safe, and proud to stay behind the wheel.  The Top Reasons Drivers Are Leaving 1. Poor Communication and Lack of Respect Drivers often report feeling like a number—not a person.   Management makes promises they don’t keep.   Dispatchers communicate poorly.   There’s little transparency or appreciation for t...

The trucking industry is at a turning point.   As challenges mount—driver shortages, rising fuel costs, regulatory pressure, and customer demands for faster deliveries—technology is stepping in to offer solutions.   Among them is artificial intelligence (AI), which is quickly becoming a game-changer for freight operations across the country.  From Legacy to Leading-Edge Historically, trucking has relied heavily on manual processes: route planning by dispatchers, paper-based logs, and reactive maintenance schedules.   Today, AI is injecting intelligence and automation into nearly every corner of the business.   Carriers embracing AI are improving operational efficiency, reducing costs, and increasing safety.  Let’s explore the key ways AI is reshaping trucking. 1. Predictive Route Optimization  AI algorithms can process thousands of data points—traffic conditions, weather, road closures, fuel prices, and delivery time windows—to create the most ef...

For too long, motor carriers, brokers, and drivers have had little recourse when confronted with fraud, coercion, or unsafe practices.   Complaints submitted to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) often disappeared into the void, lost in a system widely seen as outdated and ineffective.   But that may soon change.  The FMCSA has proposed a major overhaul of the National Consumer Complaint Database (NCCDB)—a move that, if implemented properly, could serve as a game-changer for carriers looking to level the playing field.   This modernization effort isn’t just about fixing a clunky portal; it’s about empowering ethical players in the freight industry and bringing consequences to those who cut corners. A New Era of Accountability Prompted by a scathing 2023 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, the FMCSA’s proposed changes aim to inject transparency, traceability, and enforcement into the complaint system.   The overhaul includes:...

As summer temperatures climb, so do the risks associated with transporting alcohol.   Whether it’s a premium craft beer, a carefully aged bourbon, or a fine wine, alcohol is a delicate product that can degrade quickly when exposed to excessive heat.   This makes temperature-controlled shipping not just a matter of quality, but also one of brand protection and legal risk.  When alcohol is transported in non-refrigerated trailers during hot months, the consequences can be severe—ranging from product spoilage and financial loss to vicarious liability for suppliers and distributors.   That’s why selecting the right carrier is not just recommended—it's essential. Why Temperature Control Matters in Alcohol Transportation  Alcoholic beverages are highly sensitive to heat.   Extreme temperatures can cause changes in flavor, aroma, color, and overall composition.   For example: Beer: Heat can cause oxidation, leading to a "skunky" or stale taste. ...

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced a sweeping initiative aimed at modernizing and reducing the regulatory burden on the trucking industry.   In a move lauded by some as long overdue and criticized by others for potentially impacting safety oversight, the DOT’s May 29 proposal includes rescinding or revising more than two dozen federal regulations, many of which are considered outdated or unnecessarily cumbersome for truckers and fleet operators.  A Clear Message from Leadership Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy described the initiative as a way to "slash duplicative and outdated regulations that are unnecessarily burdensome, waste taxpayer dollars, and fail to ensure safety."   He stressed that the reforms are intended to support a larger initiative to make the government more streamlined and adaptable to the current demands of the transportation sector.   “Big government has been a big failure,” Duffy said.   “These are common-sense c...

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...