Technology can’t miraculously elevate freight rates in a slow economy, but it can help truck drivers and fleets maximize their earnings. This is welcome news for a persistent industry challenge.
The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) ranked driver compensation fifth in its recent Top 10 Critical Issues report, while company drivers ranked it first. Approximately 45% of the October 2024 survey respondents were motor carrier executives and personnel, and 31% were company and owner-operator truck drivers.
ATRI’s 2024 Operational Costs of Trucking research shows that driver wages increased 7.6% in 2024 compared to the previous year. Still, drivers at the smallest truckload fleets (<26 trucks) had a slight dip in earnings. The weak spot market was to blame.
Notably, the survey also shows driver compensation is about more than pay; drivers seek recognition and rewards. This article explains how fleet-based mobile apps help carriers elevate driver job satisfaction and income.
Pay Transparency
Everyone wants a bigger paycheck, but truck drivers have unique issues requiring pay transparency and fairness. The industry traditionally compensates drivers per mile, but differences in travel times and delays, especially when loading and unloading, create variability.
ATRI’s research shows that 43.4% of survey respondents want to quantify the economic impact of compensating drivers for all hours worked. Custom apps help fleets give drivers total visibility and control over their workdays by tracking their earnings, regardless of the pay model used—mileage, time, percentage of load revenue, etc.
Drivers also like financial incentives. Notably, 52% of the ATRI survey respondents said that incentives and rewards for safe driving are the most effective techniques for achieving lasting behavior change. On average, fleets pay drivers more than $1,200 annually in bonuses.
Custom fleet apps can help companies make incentives transparent to drivers and gamify their bonus programs. They integrate with back-office applications to provide drivers with information to track their progress for earnings tied to safety and performance metrics.
Real-World Results
Roadmaster Group, a motor carrier based in Glendale, Arizona, operates over 800 power units. Its custom app from Eleos Technologies features a unique motivational tool: when drivers log in, they see how much bonus money they’ve accrued.
According to Michael Fisk, vice president of hiring, safety, and development, this daily reminder keeps drivers consistently engaged. Drivers can earn up to $14,000 annually in bonuses tied to safety and job performance metrics.
Improving Communication
Driver compensation is about more than just dollars and cents. It’s about respect, transparency, and empowerment. According to a recent study by Drive My Way, better communication and listening by management are the top reasons (second only to pay) drivers seek new work opportunities.
Drivers are not asking managers to spend more time with them on the phone or in person. Instead, they want better access to information when and where they need it. Custom fleet apps reduce time spent on non-driving tasks, helping drivers focus on their strengths: driving safely and efficiently.
Fleets that use custom apps can offer a more rewarding and satisfying work experience by giving drivers visibility into their current and potential earnings through:
- Instant access to load details and trip-planning tools
- Easy tracking of hours worked and remaining time available
- Simplified expense reporting
- Mobile document capture of trip paperwork to ensure timely payment
Time Savings
Regardless of the pay model, driver compensation will always be an issue when the wheels are not rolling and generating revenue. Detention is one of the biggest roadblocks fleets and drivers experience daily.
ATRI’s latest research on this issue found that the industry lost nearly 136 million hours of driver productivity in 2023, resulting in over $11 billion in lost revenue.
Custom fleet apps can help drivers return to the road faster by simplifying non-driving tasks like load communications, trip planning, and compliance. With a few taps, drivers can complete items on their “To-Do” lists to stay focused and productive.
Some fleets have developed unique features that eliminate detention time.
Real-World Results
Fraley and Schilling, a truckload carrier with over 650 trucks in flatbed, dry van, tanker, and intermodal operations, developed a custom app with Eleos Technologies and system integrator ASR Solutions. The fleet’s F&S Connect app has a self-dispatching feature that gives drivers unprecedented control over their work.
With just a few taps, the feature allows drivers to access and assign available loads when they arrive at shipper customers. The feature was initially developed for four customers, impacting 20 drivers and approximately 20,000 loads per year. The feature has received overwhelmingly positive feedback. Drivers can instantly:
- Select loads ready to move
- Reduce idle time
- Control their workday within hours-of-service parameters
- Potentially pick up extra loads to maximize earnings
The Future of Driver Compensation
As the trucking industry seeks to address driver compensation with more holistic pay models, custom fleet apps help bridge the gap by providing greater transparency, communication, time savings, and control to maximize earnings.
Custom apps like those from Eleos Technologies are part of the solution. They deliver critical tools to drivers, inside and outside the cab, to boost productivity and increase pay and job satisfaction.
Ready to advance your trucking business? Discover how custom fleet apps boost driver satisfaction through greater productivity and earnings. Contact us today for a personalized demo to see how the technology can optimize your fleet’s performance and amaze your drivers.
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