Oct 26, 2023

Food Purchasing Habits at Truck Stops

We surveyed our community of truck drivers to learn about their food purchases at truck stops.

Safe Alternatives for Truckers’ Pain Management Every job has its pros and cons, which also applies to truck driving. The main demerit of any trucking job is physical – the discomfort and pain that often come with the countless hours spent sitting in the cab. Because different parts of a trucker's body are exposed to various pains, it is important to find safe and effective alternatives for pain management. Let’s delve further into the more common physical pains a trucker is exposed to and how to manage each safely. Common Pain Concerns Many Truckers Face Working in an environment that requires you to sit for long hours has to have some effects on your body. This is the plight of many truckers. Some of the pain concerns include: ● Back and Neck Pain There is an alarmingly high number of truckers who suffer from back pain. Neck and lower back pain are more common because truckers sit for extended periods. Other causes include using improper lifting techniques and poor posture while driving. ● Wrist Pain Truckers suffer from wrist and hand pain because of the repetitive and extended pressure applied to their nerves. This discomfort is further exaggerated by keeping the wrist in one position as you drive and many times can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. ● Shoulder Pain Driving for long hours puts truckers at risk of shoulder pains and irritations, including bicep tendonitis and rotator cuff injuries. ● Headaches Truck drivers can experience severe headaches due to tension on the nerves at the base of their skull. Tension can be created by a number of factors including the daily task of managing the road safely. Luckily, all these pains are manageable and treatable with the right methods. How to Manage Pain While Working Long Hours We have already established that a trucker is more susceptible to various pains due to the nature of their work. That is why they need to find ways to manage the pain before taking medication. The few things they can include in their daily routine to help with different pains include: ● Lumbar Support Pillow Investing in a good quality lumbar support pillow will go a long way in preventing the dreaded back pain. Truckers can couple this with a good seat cushion to enhance comfort and promote good posture. ● Mirror Positioning Truckers that ensure their mirrors are positioned correctly are less likely to suffer from neck strain. <a href="https://thechilterncentre.co.uk/2019/12/03/driving-posture-do-you-sit-correctly-in-your-car/">Chiltern Health Centre</a> suggests all drivers should “…stretch yourself up and make your spine as tall as possible sitting in an ideal posture. Set the rearview mirror so you can just about see the traffic behind you. This will help to correct your posture every time you look in your rearview mirror, because if you slouch you will not be able to use the rearview mirror.” Mirror positioning is a simple solution to managing core, back, and neck pain. ● Wrist Braces and Stretches By wearing a wrist brace, truckers can ensure their wrist is not in one position for too long. The other great way is to stretch the hand and wrist regularly. Flexion stretches, lifts, and hand squeezes done frequently have also proven to alleviate wrist discomfort. ● Taking Regular Breaks and Sleep Sometimes, acting before it strikes is the best way to prevent pain. Truckers who take breaks, make the most of their down time, focus on getting good rest and stretching can help release built-up tension. Adequate rest is crucial in pain management, especially for truckers. Sleeping on a mattress and pillow that provides extra support to the neck, spine, and legs is also advisable. Safe Alternatives for Pain Management It is always a good idea to try pain management methods with fewer side effects. Here are some safer alternatives for pain relief that truckers can use: ● Exercise A few stretches before and after driving around for hours can do wonders in keeping pain in check. Truckers are advised to try different forms of exercise to reduce pain incidences. Some workouts drivers can try include stretching, bending, and pelvic lifts. Be sure not to overexert with the exercises because it could lead to more damage. ● Ice and Heat Packs A simple yet highly effective pain management alternative is using ice and heat before and after a shift. Physicians recommend that truckers place cold packs on sore areas after a shift to soothe the nerves and reduce irritations. Afterward, they can put a heat pack to relax the affected area. ● Pain Relievers Truckers can sometimes do all the right exercises and preventative measures but still fall short in managing their body aches. It is wise to try different pain-relieving medications to see which works best for you. You can use topical creams and gels, which work by penetrating the skin. Truckers can use <a href="https://www.thecbdistillery.com/blog/how-to-take-cbd-oil-a-beginners-guide/">THC-free CBD oil</a> for even faster pain relief, which works better and has longer-lasting effects. Being pain-free can be a reality for truckers if they adhere to the recommendations listed above. However, in the event self-administered care does not produce adequate results, it is recommended drivers pursue advice from a doctor. Free <a href="https://www.smartandsimple.com/partners/trucker-path/">teleheath options</a> are available that truckers can consider.

Sep 19, 2023

Trucker Path Increases Load Exposure for MercuryGate TMS Customers Digital integration enables greater and more efficient access for brokers to nearly 1 million Trucker Path app users PHOENIX – August 29, 2023 – Trucker Path, a subsidiary of leading global SaaS provider, Moatable, Inc. (NYSE: MTBL) and the most comprehensive and relied upon mobile app for North American truckers, announced today that a direct connection for digital load posting is now providing brokers using MercuryGate software with increased exposure for their available loads to North America’s largest carrier community. “With a direct digital load posting integration via API we are facilitating greater access, faster transactions, and enabling several new features for brokers using MercuryGate,” said Chris Oliver, CMO at Trucker Path. “Our collaborative integration increases the exposure of available loads to qualified capacity, streamlines freight matching, and drives time savings and efficiency -- creating additional revenue generating opportunities for both sides of the transaction.” For carriers using Trucker Path’s TruckLoads digital freight exchange the new MercuryGate integration provides the ability to quickly and easily view available loads, the opportunity to book loads instantly, and the capability to communicate with brokers directly via their MercuryGate TMS where they spend the majority of their time. “MercuryGate’s Smart Transportation platform is intentionally designed so that our users can seamlessly leverage the most effective transportation management tools to meet their business needs,” said MercuryGate Chief Strategy Officer Jeffrey Varon. “We’re pleased to advance our partnership with Trucker Path and make it easier for brokers and carriers to instantly connect freight with available capacity. As a result, our customers can cover more loads, fill more empty miles and eliminate time-consuming procurement processes that drive up cost.” This API connection allows MercuryGate users to quickly and easily post available loads to the Trucker Path community representing nearly a third of North American carriers. With direct API digital load posting these brokers are able to expand their load visibility and form relationships with Trucker Path’s carrier network. TMS providers and brokers interested in integrating with Trucker Path can email brokersoftware@truckerpath.com. About MercuryGate MercuryGate provides powerful transportation management solutions proven to be a competitive advantage for today’s most successful shippers, 3PLs, brokers and carriers. The comprehensive Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) product suite natively supports all transportation modes and segments, generating value for its users through improved cost, productivity and efficiency using artificial intelligence (AI),machine learning (ML) and connected technologies to adapt and automate transportation management functions. Learn how MercuryGate makes shipping intelligent, simple, sustainable and transformative for customers at www.mercurygate.com. About Trucker Path Phoenix-based Trucker Path is the provider of a wide range of truck driver-centric mobility products. A subsidiary of leading global SaaS provider, Moatable, Inc. (NYSE: MTBL),the Trucker Path app is currently in use by nearly 1 million professional truck drivers. Offering best-in-class navigation with truck-optimized routing, the Trucker Path app also provides access to vital up-to-date information about truck stops, real-time parking availability, fuel prices and discounts, weigh station statuses, and truck scales and wash locations. The company also offers TruckLoads, a digital freight exchange that connects drivers, carriers and brokers; and COMMAND™, the industry’s first and only Operations & Driver Relationship (ODR) platform that provides small to mid-size fleets with the necessary driver and TMS technologies to successfully run a fleet. For more information, visit www.truckerpath.com. Media Contact: Susan Fall LaunchIt Public Relations 858-490-1050 susan@launchitpr.com

Aug 30, 2023

Women in Motion and Trucker Path Join Forces to Enhance Safety and Convenience at Truck Stops Austin, Texas – Today, American Trucking Associations' Women in Motion proudly announces a strategic partnership with Trucker Path, a significant stride towards addressing and improving the concerns of women while on the road. “ATA is committed to bringing more women into our industry and addressing their concerns. This partnership between Women in Motion and Trucker Path is a way to address one of the persistent concerns women in trucking express – safety,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “Helping women drivers identify truck parking facilities with essential amenities like well-lit parking, bathroom access and on-site security will play a role in addressing this longtime challenge for our industry.” Through this new partnership with Women in Motion, Trucker Path will be adding a number of features to its existing mobile app that will help women identify and locate facilities that have seven specific features: • Lighted parking • Lighted bathroom access • Lighted lounge areas • Lighted shower facilities with 24/7 access • Lighted laundry facilities with 24/7 access • Round-the-clock maintenance • Onsite security Facilities with all seven will be marked with the Women in Motion logo. Drivers will be able to provide updates on the condition of these amenities through the Trucker Path mobile app. “We are thrilled to introduce this innovative feature to our platform, a decision that deeply resonates with our commitment to inclusivity,” said Trucker Path CMO Chris Oliver. “Through our platform, women can seamlessly identify stops along their routes offering amenities catering to their needs, all while accessing real-time information on parking availability. Moreover, they can contribute valuable comments and reviews that will serve as a valuable resource for fellow women drivers. We eagerly anticipate our continued growth alongside Women in Motion as we collectively endeavor to make our industry more inclusive and welcoming for all.” “Women in Motion and ATA have made increasing access to safe truck parking a primary mission, so helping women find those facilities while on the road is the next logical step in our furthering that mission,” said Women in Motion Co-Chair Sarah Rajtik, ATA Executive Vice President of Human Resources, Operations and Industry Affairs. “We’re proud to announce this partnership here, and we are looking forward to continuing our important work to make the trucking industry safer and more inclusive.” To learn more about Women in Motion, visit <a href="https://www.trucking.org/WomenInMotion">https://www.trucking.org/WomenInMotion.</a> <a href="https://www.trucking.org/">American Trucking Associations</a> is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation’s freight. Follow ATA on <a href="https://twitter.com/TRUCKINGdotORG">Twitter</a> or on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/truckingdotorg/">Facebook</a>. <a href="https://truckingmovesamerica.com/">Trucking Moves America Forward</a> Contact: Sean McNally 703-838-1995

Oct 15, 2023