Comparing Alcohol and Marijuana Use in Trucking
Good morning! In honor of National Alcohol Screening Day, we're taking a closer look at the impact of alcohol use on supply chain safety and productivity. From trucking to warehouse operations, alcohol consumption can pose serious risks and affect the bottom line.
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The debate regarding alcohol and marijuana use for truckers centers around the safety and regulatory implications of substance use in the context of operating commercial vehicles. Both sides create valuable arguments as to which one is safer than the other and how it affects truck drivers later on.
On the topic of alcohol, it is a legal substance for adult consumption in most countries, and there are established regulations and guidelines for its use, including blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits for driving. Some argue that as long as truckers follow these regulations and do not exceed the legal BAC limits, alcohol use should be allowed. Regarding marijuana, it is legalized for medicinal use in many jurisdictions, and some argue that truckers should be allowed to use marijuana for legitimate medical reasons, such as managing pain or other medical conditions if it does not impair their ability to drive safely.
Now, drug experts and doctors are weighing in. Check out today’s featured article from Transportation Topics to read more about what professionals are saying. See which side people are taking and why…. Will there be changes in regulations? Or will these often-heated debates be all for nothing?
Featured Article:
Drug Expert Weighs In on Safety of Alcohol Versus Marijuana | TT News
“To drug expert Todd Simo, the statement that the use of marijuana is just like alcohol, but safer, isn’t exactly accurate.”
Artificial Intelligence & Warehousing 🤖
2030 Projection: Significant Increase in Demand for Robots for Inventory Picking
Inventory-picking robots are autonomous machines designed to retrieve items from shelves or storage locations in a warehouse or fulfillment center. These robots are specifically designed to automate the process of picking and retrieving products from shelves, reducing the need for human labor in the warehouse and increasing efficiency and accuracy in order fulfillment operations. These robots typically operate using a combination of hardware and software technologies, including sensors, cameras, robotic arms, and machine learning algorithms. They can navigate through the warehouse using predefined paths or by using advanced mapping and localization techniques to autonomously move around the facility. They can identify and locate items on shelves using vision systems and other sensors, and then use robotic arms or other mechanisms to pick up and transport the items to a designated location, such as a conveyor belt or a packing station.
With labor costs rising and robot costs dropping, many retailers and manufacturers are demanding more robots than are currently available. A recent study has indicated that shipments of these robots are currently at less than 2,000 per year, but by 2030, they are projected to increase to 50,000 per year. Many argue that since warehouse jobs are often repetitive, it would be more cost-effective for operators to invest in robots that can perform these tasks with greater efficiency and accuracy, rather than hiring people at a higher cost.
Fuel Tech & Cab Tech 🚛
Shell's Starship Semi-Truck Shifts to Natural Gas Fuel
Shell's Starship big rig is a concept truck that was developed as a collaboration between Shell Lubricants and the AirFlow Truck Company. It is a highly fuel-efficient and technologically advanced tractor-trailer designed to push the boundaries of fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation industry.
One of the key features of the Starship big rig is its advanced powertrain system, which includes a highly efficient 12.5-liter natural gas engine, an electric motor-generator, and a custom-designed waste heat recovery system. The waste heat recovery system captures and repurposes waste heat generated by the engine to generate electricity, which is then used to power the truck's electrical systems and assist in propulsion, further improving its fuel efficiency. The goal of the Shell Starship project is to push the boundaries of fuel economy in the trucking industry and promote the adoption of more sustainable transportation solutions. The truck serves as a showcase for the latest advancements in aerodynamics, powertrain efficiency, and other technologies that can contribute to reducing the environmental impact of long-haul trucking. The big rig has achieved over 3 times the average amount of freight ton efficiency for trucks, with 251 ton-miles per gallon.
Let’s Get Global 🌎
🍌 Transporting Perishable Goods Across International Borders. A recent study has revealed that 56% of customer delays in shipments come from cross-border transportation. When it comes to moving perishable goods, there is an even greater need for consideration to ensure that everything being transported remains in good condition. Depending on state laws and the type of product, it may prove to be more challenging than expected.
iLevel With You 🏡
More topics for the average American household to consider…
✈️ The Increasing Perceived Fear of Air Travel. In the last 4 months alone, there have been 7 accidents on runways, including planes coming too close to each other and wing clipping during takeoff. In addition, there have been issues with computer system failures causing delays and cancellations for travelers.
⛽️ Cheaper Gas and Food Offer Some Relief. Recently, the United States has experienced high inflation and stressful economic conditions. While the inflation rates are not decreasing, they are, fortunately, not increasing further. It also appears that gas and grocery prices have decreased by a few percent compared to last year.
❌ Walmart Shuts Down Four Stores in Chicago. Since Walmart set up shop in one of the biggest U.S. cities, it has lost tens of millions of dollars, with its yearly losses doubling in the last 5 years. Walmart has acknowledged that they have failed to improve their stores in and around Chicago, despite investing over $70 million to make it better.
Get Smart 🧠
Ramp up that brain power for these advanced topics…
🏢 Warehouse Leases of 3PLs Exceed Those of Retailers. Reports are now showing that in 2022, 3PLs accounted for 41% of all lease transactions in warehouses and distribution centers that have at least 200,000 square feet. The same study showed that retailers and wholesalers only accounted for about 31% of the leasing share.
😷 Recovery from Pandemic Delays Evident in Freight Statistics. According to supply chain visibility provider Project44, the April statistics for freight have shown an increase in on-time loads. Before Covid-19, less than 20% of loads were late, but after the pandemic, the percentage of delayed items skyrocketed to close to 30%.
🚢 Improvements at West Coast Ports are Underway. It appears that West Coast ports have recovered since last year, and now, the situation has improved further with the return of volume to the ports, even after being moved to the East Coast. Reports suggest that the Port of Long Beach has seen a five-day improvement. It may not be a significant achievement, but it's definitely a positive development.
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for November 28, 2024, from iLevel Logistics Inc.