Productivity Enhancers: Oakland
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Port of Oakland launches Smart Phone Apps for Harbor Truckers
The Port of Oakland has introduced two smartphone applications that provide a tech-based calculation of harbor trucker turn times.
The apps tell drivers how long they will wait to enter marine terminal gates and how long their transactions will take. They also give shippers a glimpse of the location and productivity of the drivers they hire.
The port said it commissioned apps to meet demand for accurate measurement of cargo turn-times. It retained a company to license, deploy, and maintain the solution. It worked with the company to expand a wireless network throughout the port to more closely connect the drayage truck community with marine terminal operators, cargo owners, and other stakeholders.
The port previewed both applications last month for drivers in its Trucker Work Group and stakeholders in its Efficiency Task Force. It said the new apps can transform container shipping in a number of ways:
• Drivers and cargo owners can receive up-to-the minute information on turn times. They can now plan transactions around peak periods of marine terminal activity.
• Ports can get uncontestable data on how quickly terminals are moving containers for cargo owners. If greater efficiency is needed, the data will prove it.
• Shippers and trucking firms will be able to monitor driver location and progress in real time to improve dispatching.
"We know of no other port measuring trucker transaction times with this precision," said Port of Oakland Executive Director Chris Lytle. "This takes the myth out of measurement and gives us a window into port performance."
The Port of Oakland has introduced two smartphone applications that provide a tech-based calculation of harbor trucker turn times.
The apps tell drivers how long they will wait to enter marine terminal gates and how long their transactions will take. They also give shippers a glimpse of the location and productivity of the drivers they hire.
The port said it commissioned apps to meet demand for accurate measurement of cargo turn-times. It retained a company to license, deploy, and maintain the solution. It worked with the company to expand a wireless network throughout the port to more closely connect the drayage truck community with marine terminal operators, cargo owners, and other stakeholders.
The port previewed both applications last month for drivers in its Trucker Work Group and stakeholders in its Efficiency Task Force. It said the new apps can transform container shipping in a number of ways:
• Drivers and cargo owners can receive up-to-the minute information on turn times. They can now plan transactions around peak periods of marine terminal activity.
• Ports can get uncontestable data on how quickly terminals are moving containers for cargo owners. If greater efficiency is needed, the data will prove it.
• Shippers and trucking firms will be able to monitor driver location and progress in real time to improve dispatching.
"We know of no other port measuring trucker transaction times with this precision," said Port of Oakland Executive Director Chris Lytle. "This takes the myth out of measurement and gives us a window into port performance."
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