Truck Trouble: Avoiding Embarrassment with up-to-date Navigation

In 2006, driver John Atkinson set the world record for the longest “road train” by towing 113 trailers with Mack Titan prime mover for 1,474 meters. Often used in rural Australia to haul cattle, food supplies, and machinery, most of these road monsters are far smaller, though no less daunting for other drivers. As noted by Smart Trucking, working road trains delivering supplies to remote areas can be up to 53 meters in length and weigh between 80 and 120 tons.

Not surprisingly, these train truckers must be mindful of where they’re headed. Accidentally taking a wrong turn could end in disaster for the driver and serious consequences for the cargo.

While most truckers and trucking companies don’t need to worry about the risk of road trains, even typical one- or two-trailer trucks can end up in trouble if navigation tools take them in the wrong direction.

What the Truck?

So what happens if truck navigation tools can’t keep up with drivers? From out-of-date maps to poor routing choices, maps that don’t make the grade can put drivers at risk of following directions that could delay shipments and get them stuck somewhere incredibly embarrassing.

Consider low-clearance bridges. These spans are one of the most common culprits for trucks getting stuck. In some cases, issues arise because drivers ignore GPS routing and instead assume their truck is low enough to fit. Spoiler alert: If you think it might be too low to fit under, it almost certainly is.

In other situations, meanwhile, GPS tools may not be up to the task. As noted by Auto Evolution, a driver in Oklahoma recently put all his faith in his GPS to help navigate a detour. The problem? His GPS wasn’t set up for truck hauling and instead assumed he was in a car. In turn, the suggested route took him over a high-pitch railroad crossing. Not only did the truck get stuck, but an oncoming Amtrak train crashed directly into his cargo trailer. While all injuries were minor, it’s a good reminder that GPS isn’t infallible.

Keeping It Fresh

Avoiding potential issues — and embarrassment — means using a truck-specific navigation system that includes regular map updates and refreshes to ensure routes are always optimized. NNG’s iGo Navigation solution delivers route planning based on truck attributes such as road restrictions and load clearance, along with specific map visualizations that prioritize truck points of interest (POIs), plus warning and maneuver messages to help drivers select the optimal route.

Bottom line? Getting stuck sucks. Opt for always fresh truck navigation to keep trucks on the road — and on the job.

Get back on the road again with NNG. Let’s talk.

Road train in the Australian outback