The freight market and logistics sector have taken to artificial intelligence (AI) faster than anyone had thought possible. The drive for automation with AI prediction and freight demand monitoring has helped to increase efficiency and reduce freight spend. AI predictions and forecasting can perform route optimization, real-time order tracking, and predictive maintenance tasks across all trucking demand needs. It can also assist with freight demand monitoring and allows fleet management to be much more streamlined. But how?

Route optimization is an integral part of the logistics process. AI systems can optimize routes to save time and fuel costs, but there are additional opportunities for optimization well beyond the route and central leg of transportation. As an example, Supra uses the TBS YMS to understand inventory in the yard better and manage the check-in and check-out processes for each container and load without adding too much paperwork. 

As highlighted in a 2021 review by TechTalks regarding AI and current shipping trends, AI tools allow for greater accuracy when predicting future trucking demand. It also allows for better responses to disruptions and seasonal crunch periods. And combined with a gate control system at the yard or warehouse, such as NavTrac, both AI-driven tools allow for better planning, fewer lulls at the facility dock, and better use of equipment in the yard or warehouse. 

Real-time order tracking and market updates are also ways AI is used in logistics. AI systems can significantly reduce workloads by leveraging trucking demand details and tracking data via logistics and shipping technology advancements. Supra’s 121 Tower platform achieves these goals by tracking delays or excess wait times to keep customers in the loop and reduce potential costs associated with dwell time or driver detention. 

Further, these automated systems can quickly locate goods in transit and provide accurate arrival times for customers and suppliers. This helps ensure a smooth flow of goods throughout the supply chain and improves the freight demand monitoring and planning process.

Change is always difficult and at times, uncertain. However, in the digital day and age, AI tools and processes are helping streamline logistics and improve end-to-end productivity. Planning is critical whether freight is coming through the ports of Savannah, Los Angeles, or any other central hub on the east or west coast. Using artificial intelligence to predict demand in logistics and shipping can improve the entire process.

The Benefits of Using AI for Logistics and Freight Demand Prediction 

AI can help shippers, carriers, and 3PLS identify trends and patterns in data. These patterns make it easier to reallocate assets and do more with less. 

Supra’s 121 Bermuda makes this possible by finding opportunities to use street turns to reduce empty legs and waste within drayage. Easier comparison and analysis means data can be used to predict future demand and market trends. By quickly pulling and comparing data, AI platforms and tools allow people to do in minutes what would take hours to do otherwise. 

Enhancing a logistics software system with AI can improve overall performance by 

• Providing automated route optimization in the current freight market.
• Offering reliable real-time order tracking at large and small scales.
• Improving predictive maintenance needs among logistics providers.
• Better predictive insights for rates increasing throughout the supply chain.
• Offering increased efficiency with spot markets and outbound tender.
• Optimizing shipping routes and trucking demand data in real-time.
• Gaining insights into consumer spending habits and market trends.
• Improving customer satisfaction through accurate arrival times.

Building Technology to Support Logistics with AI for the Freight Market

Shippers and 3PLs can use AI planning tools and freight demand platforms to improve their logistics processes, make it easier to anticipate customer needs, and helps shippers and 3PLs plan for unexpected or routine needs. These include cost, time, transit options, safety requirements, bulk load options, weather conditions, traffic congestion, and other factors. 

The entire process can be improved when these factors can be compared, compiled, and responded to in real time. AI-guided platforms’ added speed and precision are critical to continued growth and success. Because of this, shipping companies can better respond to the freight market and trucking demand changes.

The Future of Predictive Logistics Demand with AI for Trucking Companies and Shippers

Challenges with adapting new AI technologies and implementing digital tools is nothing new to the freight market. But it is something that has to be faced and addressed. 

• Proper training and onboarding can help team members understand AI-driven predictive planning for transportation and freight demand. 
• Clear communicative feedback gives consumers a voice that can help shape AI services at a local and niche market level. 
• Flexibility and scalability allow supply chain managers to coordinate and streamline trucking demand logistics every step of the way.

The biggest obstacle to any supply chain and logistical tech advancement is the fear of the unknown and change. However, as shippers, 3PLs, and freight management teams improve AI, implementing and using these tools at scale will become more accessible and less foreign. As more industry leaders embrace the power of artificial intelligence, the benefits will become even more evident. 

Improvie Freight Demand Monitoring and Predictive Planning With an Industry Leader in Logistics, Supra!

The freight market logistics sector has already seen excellent benefits from using AI tools and technology. Through AI, predictive planning, service scaling, and distribution response have improved in recent years. Shippers and 3PLs benefit from predictive planning tools and AI-driven platforms in many ways as it improves end-to-end processes. 

The global and domestic supply chain is slowly returning to pre-pandemic levels. Now is the time to take the steps that separate the ok shippers from those seeing true success today. AI and predictive planning tools allow shippers to improve shipping and trucking demand experiences for customers of all sizes. 

Supply chain management and service providers must leverage the benefits of using AI automation for predictive management. Through Supra’s ongoing in-house development and expansion of capabilities from 121 Tower, 121 Bermuda, TBS YMS, and of course, DrayMaster, as well as many new technologies on the roadmap, we can create a more efficient and intuitive process. Contact Supra National Express today to learn more about capitalizing on AI-driven tools for freight demand and trucking logistics. And be sure to check out DrayMaster and how you can get a freight demand quote in under a minute!