10 TIPS 1 OPTIMIZE FREIGHT CONSOLIDATION.
Companies must rethink how they move goods to reduce their carbon footprint. Here’s how to achieve greener, more efficient transportation operations. Improving Supply Chain Sustainability
companies can identify high- emission routes, improve efficiency, and make data- driven decisions to lower their environmental impact. 8 UTILIZE AERODYNAMIC TECHNOLOGIES. Upgrading trucks with aerodynamic features— such as side skirts, wheel covers, and optimized trailer designs—can reduce fuel consumption by improving airflow. Low rolling resistance tires, automatic tire inflation systems, and fuel-efficient driving techniques further contribute to sustainability. 9 ENCOURAGE CARRIER SUSTAINABILITY. Shippers should partner with carriers that prioritize environmental responsibility. Many leading carriers now invest in green technology, use eco-friendly fuel alternatives, and follow strict emission reduction targets. Incorporating sustainability metrics into carrier selection criteria can drive industry- wide change.
One of the easiest ways to improve sustainability is to maximize truckload efficiency. Instead of shipping partial loads, consolidate freight to reduce the number of trips. Less-than-truckload (LTL) and shared truckload solutions help lower emissions by maximizing trailer space utilization and reducing overall mileage.
2 LEVERAGE OPTIMIZATION TECHNOLOGY. Using AI-powered routing software can significantly cut down unnecessary miles, reduce idling time, and lower fuel consumption. Dynamic routing ensures trucks take the most efficient paths based on traffic, weather, and delivery schedules, which minimizes environmental impact. 3 SHIFT TO INTERMODAL. Intermodal solutions— combining truck, rail, barge,
4 ADOPT ALTERNATIVE FUEL/ELECTRIC VEHICLES. Fleet electrification is gaining momentum as companies look to cut emissions. Investing in electric trucks, hydrogen-powered vehicles, or those running on renewable natural gas can drastically reduce carbon footprints. Many companies are also experimenting with hybrid fleets to transition more sustainably. 5 REDUCE EMPTY MILES. Empty miles—when trucks travel without cargo—waste fuel and increase emissions. Using backhaul optimization strategies and load-matching technology can help minimize deadhead miles by ensuring trucks carry cargo in both directions.
6 IMPROVE LAST-MILE DELIVERY EFFICIENCY. Last-mile logistics are one of the greatest contributors to transportation emissions. Companies can improve sustainability by using micro- fulfillment centers, deploying electric delivery vehicles, and offering customers eco- friendly delivery options like consolidated shipping or local pickup points. 7 MONITOR AND REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS. Real-time tracking tools embedded within transportation management systems allow businesses to measure emissions at the shipment level and before execution. Shippers should explore opportunities to be proactive vs. measuring results after the fact. By analyzing CO2 data,
and ocean freight—are more fuel-efficient than
relying solely on long-haul trucking. Rail, for instance, produces up to 75% fewer greenhouse gas emissions per ton-mile compared to trucking. Businesses should explore multimodal strategies to optimize sustainability and cost-effectiveness.
10 INVEST IN
SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE. Building a sustainable transportation network requires long-term investments. As the industry moves toward electric vehicles, shippers should consider setting up on-site renewable energy sources at DCs, investing in charging infrastructures, and supporting policies that promote sustainable freight practices at the governmental level.
SOURCE: KEVVON BURDETTE, CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER, PRINCETON TMX
8 Inbound Logistics • February 2025
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