2024 Facts for Drivers OCR - Copy_12-12.pdf

Trucks perform a distribution service that cannot be duplicated by any other form of transportation. Trucks have the advantage of flexibility which does not appear likely to be challenged. ‘Throughout the country, the motor carrier is the important link 1n the transporta- tion of virtually all commo...

Trucks perform a distribution service that cannot be duplicated by any other form of transportation. Trucks have the advantage of flexibility which does not appear likely to be challenged. ‘Throughout the country, the motor carrier is the important link 1n the transporta- tion of virtually all commodities. After all, over 30% of all U.S. communities rely exclusively on trucks to deliver their products and goods. Although other forms of transportation play an important role in the transport of materials and people, each is necessarily limited in its operation. Cargo transported by railroads, ships, and airplanes, for example, ultimately must be hauled by truck to reach its final destina- tion. The motor truck ts the only direct means of transport to many warehouses, stores, and consumers doors. Important advantages of the motor truck are: Flexibility - Trucks can go virtually anywhere on our roads and streets. In fact, in 2021, commercial single-unit and combination trucks traveled 327.48 billion miles, while combination trucks alone logged 195.62 billion miles for business purposes. In the same year, combination trucks drove an average of nearly 80,000 miles, although many long-haul Class 8 tractors travel around 100,000 miles each year. Versatility - Any number of trucks can be used at any given time for a specific haul. Trucks are available in all types, shapes, and sizes. Many of them are specially designed to carry a specific product or class of products, and many of them are adaptable to another, but similar, class of product. Efficient Delivery - On average, trucks are more efficient than rail transport. This greater efiiciency is due to easier pick-up and delivery as well as trucking’s ability to pick up and deliver door- to-door. This, coupled with regular delivery schedules, allows much lower stockpil- ing by manufacturers and merchandisers. Goods can be ordered as needed, freeing capital that would otherwise be frozen in inventory — something all businesses desire. In other words, trucks are a more efficient means of transport. Protection - Truck cargo requires less packing and handling, which reduces packing expenses. This feature also results in less damage and Iz