Trucking’s path to sustainability isn’t straightforward, but artificial intelligence is bridging the gap between aspiration and action.
In a recent episode of Loaded and Rolling, host Thomas Wasson welcomed EROAD Chief Data Science Officer Dean Marris and Chief Sustainability Officer Craig Marris to explore the “messy middle” between sustainability and artificial intelligence in the trucking industry.
The trio’s conversation revealed how fleets are leveraging cutting-edge technology to navigate the transition to more sustainable practices while maintaining operational efficiency and profitability.
Sustainability and AI are no longer separate conversations in trucking. Together, they’re redefining what’s possible for fleets determined to cut costs and emissions without sacrificing performance.
Digital twin simulation: Testing before investing
Digital twin technology has emerged as a critical tool for fleets contemplating the shift to alternative fuels and electric vehicles. As Craig explained, these simulation models allow companies to test potential transitions without the immediate financial commitment.
Digital twins and simulation are helping fleets make the leap to more sustainable operations, whether that means electric vehicles, renewables, or both. By pulling in real routing data from transportation management systems or telematics, these tools can model different scenarios and show how those changes would play out in the real world.
These simulations reveal critical insights about which routes might be suitable for electric vehicles, what charging infrastructure would be necessary, and where the gaps exist in current planning. For regional fleets that might find pure electric vehicles impractical for longer routes, the simulations can help evaluate alternatives like hydrogen, renewable diesel, or biodiesel.
What makes these digital twins particularly valuable is their ability to provide cost projections. Fleet managers can visualize the total cost of ownership before making substantial investments, allowing for more informed decision-making about sustainability initiatives.
Dean highlighted how modern digital twins are not static models but continuously learning systems.
“The digital twin isn’t a one-off model, it keeps learning from the real routes, the weather, traffic, even charger queues. So the simulations actually stay current,” he said.
AI driving efficiency across operations
Beyond planning future fleet transformations, artificial intelligence is already making significant impacts on day-to-day operations, particularly in reducing waste across the supply chain.
One powerful use case is reducing empty miles, according to Dean. Transportation management systems and freight marketplaces now use AI to match backhaulers and pull loads based on live truck location, asset type, appointment windows, and dwell history. When paired with hours-of-service data from providers like EROAD, these platforms can generate realistic route options—not just theoretical ones.
AI is proving particularly valuable in cold chain management. EROAD’s product CoreTemp uses advanced algorithms to provide actual product temperature readings rather than just air temperature. The product also provides diagnostics that can spot patterns like frequent shutdowns or slow temperature drift.
“Shippers are wanting far better visibility on the integrity of products, and receivers want to make sure they are receiving a good product,” Craig said.
AI-fueled solutions like CoreTemp allow carriers to detect potential issues before they result in spoiled products, reducing waste and improving efficiency. Emerging technologies can algorithmically determine product temperature without requiring physical probes, while simultaneously tracking other efficiency metrics like time on stop and route optimization.
The shift to electric refrigeration units, combined with AI and other emerging technologies, is playing a major role in cutting emissions. Fine-tuning pre-cooling practices is especially important to see these gains, according to Craig. Additionally, new hybrid units can switch to diesel when electric power runs low—offering the best of both worlds.
Safety innovations through AI vision
AI also plays an increasing role in safety innovations, particularly in camera systems.
Modern multicamera setups with AI built directly into the in-cab device. Side, rear, and forward cameras feed data to an onboard computer that performs real-time object detection, classifying what it sees—cars, tractors, cyclists, or pedestrians—and mapping them into blind spot zones.
The technology is particularly valuable in urban environments where sideswipe accidents are common.
These systems also monitor for driver drowsiness and distraction by detecting behaviors like yawning and unsafe driving practices. When incidents occur, video clips are uploaded to the cloud for review and coaching purposes. According to Dean, approximately 80% of the time these recordings actually exonerate drivers rather than implicate them.
Data sharing powers collaborative progress
The final piece of the sustainability puzzle lies in collaboration and data sharing across the industry—a notable shift from just a few years ago. Today, there’s a growing willingness among stakeholders to form partnerships and exchange data in ways that simply weren’t happening four or five years ago.
Regulatory requirements are also driving this change, with states like California mandating emissions reporting for companies generating over a certain revenue threshold. Such regulations necessitate information sharing across the supply chain as shippers seek to report on both direct and indirect emissions.
As the transportation industry continues navigating this “messy middle” between conventional operations and a more sustainable future, the integration of AI with sustainability initiatives is proving to be not just environmentally beneficial but economically advantageous as well. Through digital twins, efficiency-focused AI, advanced safety systems, and collaborative data sharing, companies like EROAD are helping fleets make this transition with greater confidence and reduced risk.
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The post Technology at the crossroads: How AI and sustainability are transforming trucking appeared first on FreightWaves.
