Understanding Capacity Constraints

摘要

Q: Why are capacity constraints an industry-wide issue? A: Tightening capacity is an issue across the nation, with the industry rapidly approaching 100-percent active truck utilization. Historically, when the industry has experienced capacity constraints, we were able to purchase or obtain the extra capacity. Right now though, there is no extra capacity to purchase. That means shippers have to pay more than their competitors, or find the perfect match between a carrier that has needs in the exact lane the freight is moving. More significantly, the capacity issue is not because of tractor truck availability. Many shippers say they pass by truck yards and see trucks just sitting there-but this is where we need to educate them. Trucks sitting in a yard is about active utilization, and for most of the larger truckload carriers, 10 percent of their fleet is sitting empty right now.