Since the start of the pandemic, approximately 91,000 - or roughly 6% - of the 1.52 million trucking industry workers have handed in their keys, joining the millions who have quit their jobs during the Great Resignation.
According to the American Trucking Associations, the sector has recouped some of those losses through new hires, but the US was short 80,000 truck drivers in 2021, an all-time high that could double by 2030.
One possible solution to the scarcity? Increasing the number of women in the trucking industry.
With women accounting for only 7.8 percent of all truckers, gender inclusivity in the industry is more than just good corporate policy — it's mission critical. To that end, technological advancements are driving change in order to make trucking more appealing to female job seekers.
Reducing the job's physical demands
The new generation of Mack trucks and Volvo trucks from Volvo Group North America includes a wider range of seat and wheel positions to provide the best ergonomics for every body type.
Its assisted steering system reduces steering force by up to 85%. The system can also intervene if the truck drifts out of its lane, while still allowing for consistent steering in high winds.
According to Adam White, chief engineer at Volvo Group North America, these changes help reduce mental and physical fatigue for smaller drivers weighing less than 100 pounds and larger drivers weighing more than 240 pounds. "This allows them to focus on their missions rather than having to put up with all of this physical exertion as part of their job," he explained.
Increasing transparency on the road
Women make up 75 percent of the 800 drivers in the Indianapolis-based Carter Logistics fleet.
"My goal is to raise that figure." "I'd like to get closer to 15% to 20%," said Jessica Paugh Warnke, the family-owned supply-chain management company's first female CEO last year.
Aside from the labor shortage and the desire for a more diverse organization, Warnke wants more women behind the wheel because they are generally safer drivers — according to American Transportation Research Institute research, they are 20% less likely to be involved in crashes.
However, women frequently have concerns about their personal safety on the road, which causes them to reconsider getting into a truck, according to Warnke.
While there are still safety concerns, online platforms can provide information on rest stops, pickup and drop-off locations, and road safety. Google reviews and free apps like Dock411, which gives drivers the "411" on facilities, are good sources for drivers, according to Warnke.
Drivers also use Trucker Path, which publishes an annual ranking of truck stops, and the Women in Trucking Association has Engage, a community platform where members can share advice and ask questions.
Truckers can now use these tools to assess the lighting levels at rest stops, whether the area has 24/7 staffing, and other safety-related reviews.
"This helps women on the road make better decisions," Warnke explained.
Technology as a catalyst for cultural change
Connectivity is essential for female drivers on the road because it fosters a sense of community. Female truckers now have a new opportunity to become influencers and build rapport online thanks to social media.
Clarissa Rankin, a big-rig driver with 1.7 million TikTok followers, appeared on "The Kelly Clarkson Show" last week to discuss trucking as a viable career for women.
TikTok has also been investigated by the Women in Trucking Association as a means of educating female truckers and bringing the community together. Since joining the platform in June 2021, the @womenintrucking account has grown to 2,079 followers, with women accounting for approximately 66% of the page's followers.
The most popular video, with around 20,800 views, shows Allyson Hay, a Walmart driver, performing a safety check on her truck.
"When women see other female truckers succeeding in this industry, it shows that they, too, can succeed," said Ellen Voie, president and founder of the Women in Trucking Association.
Industry leaders see a cultural shift transforming the sector as technology continues to connect the female trucking community.
"Historically, trucking was a very macho, male-dominated environment," White explained. "However, it has shifted and become much more inclusive."
"I've seen day cares pop up at big fleet offices," said Christina Ameigh, vice president of Volvo Trucks North America. That would never have happened 20 years ago."
Prime Inc., a freight transport and logistics company, has opened a driver terminal in Salt Lake City with a day care, spa, salon, and private bunk rooms.
"Large national fleets have taken the lead in increasing the number of female drivers — and they must," Ameigh says. "A diverse pool of drivers will help support the year-over-year shortages and keep the gap from widening."