The new frontier for freight-tech is, unsurprisingly, artificical intelligence. Not a week goes by without it being mentioned as a big bet for another startup or news of how it will change the future of freight.

What’s more interesting is an emerging but clear relationship between embracing AI technologies and building a successful supply chain. According to Gartner research, top-performing organizations invest in technology at more than double the rate of their peers. The result? Optimization across supply chains and the unofficial title of “top performer.”

At Amazon Freight, we strive to fit the mold of a tech-enabled top performer. In fact, for the fourth time, we were named to the top of the FreightWaves FreightTech 25 List celebrating leading innovators in our industry.

How do we do it? By leveraging the latest technology to make our transportation network safer and more efficient.

The freight transportation ripple effect
At Amazon, over the last few years, our focus on creating efficiencies has helped us make our transportation routes more efficient and reduce millions of tons of carbon.

What does this mean for shippers? Two words: growth opportunity. By booking loads with Amazon Freight, you’ll gain access to our network and have the chance to boost value across multiple links in your supply chain.

Think of working with us as a freight transportation “ripple effect.” In the center, Amazon Freight implements technology to improve processes, enhance visibility, increase safety, and more. The impact of this approach then expands externally throughout our entire network, delivering added value to shipping supply chains across the US.

Trailer handoffs
As a result of our cross-country shipping operations, Amazon Freight trailers are often hauling long loads. We care for our drivers much like we do our customers, by doing our best to accommodate their needs and preferences. And that’s why we developed trailer handoffs, which allow us to use multiple drivers along one load’s route.

For example, imagine a load needs to be moved from Nashville to Seattle. Using the trailer handoff method, a driver in Nashville picks up the load and moves it halfway—let’s say to Denver. The Nashville driver then returns to their home base, while a Denver driver picks up the load and carries it to the Seattle destination.

It’s a simple proposition on paper, however, it requires Amazon to solve more complicated logistics equations for hundreds of thousands of loads. And that’s where technology helps us excel. With optimization and ML, we can identify opportunities for boosting efficiency across trailer handoffs and beyond. Plus, it allows drivers to spend fewer nights away from their homes and families.

Dynamic route planning
As most shippers can attest, transportation is rarely a predictable venture: Traffic jams, inclement weather, and flat tires throw curve balls into the system. Amazon deploys optimization algorithms and ML to improve trailer handoffs, and we can also predict disruptions across a particular route and more accurately plan for issues throughout the journey.

For example, we can calculate the likelihood of a driver reaching their destination on time, predict a more accurate ETA, and even determine how much confidence we should have in that arrival estimate. As disruptions occur, the information is added to our system, which quickly adapts routes for drivers. So, as much as possible, our shippers’ loads arrive on time.

Plus, it has downstream benefits to drivers. For example, if a driver’s first load is delayed, we can reoptimize the route so he or she is not spending the rest of the day rushing around and trying to catch up.

An A-eye on safety
Recently, Amazon has begun leaning into AI and computer vision (using computers to analyze images) to advance safety across shipping operations. Designed to protect loads and their carriers, our app-based Photo Validation for Trailer Release feature is being implemented across Amazon Fulfillment Centers and sort centers.

Here’s how it works:

1. A warehouse associate or team loads a trailer with its next shipment
2. Before shutting the dock door, the app prompts the Amazon associate to snap a picture of inside the trailer and complete a safety checklist
4. If the photo and questions are satisfactory, the system releases the trailer and allows the driver to start hauling
5. If the system registers a safety concern, the trailer will remain locked until the error is corrected

Let’s explore an example, where a load is not properly secured with cross straps. Like every load, the trailer photo will be sent to our model for analysis. However, in this case, the mandatory parallel straps used to secure a shipment are not detected. This will prompt the system to label the load as unsafe to depart, keeping the trailer grounded until the associate remedies the error.

If the associate needs help understanding how to fix the issue, they can refer to the app. It includes detailed instructions on properly affixing straps for acceptable transit, making safety improvements easier for all.

Join our network
Evolving technologies and optimization tools provide nearly limitless opportunities to improve supply chain ecosystems. And because Amazon Freight has externalized the Amazon network, shippers can take advantage of these growth opportunities alongside us.

Ready to get started? Let’s talk about how Amazon Freight can move your business forward. Click here to talk to our enterprise team.