trucking regulations<\/a>\u00a0program designed to provide motor carriers and drivers with attention from FMCSA and State Partners about their potential safety problems with the ultimate goal of achieving a greater reduction in large truck and bus crashes, injuries, and fatalities.<\/p>\nCommodity:<\/b>\u00a0Any article of commerce, including raw material, manufactured, or grown products.<\/p>\n
Consignee:<\/b>\u00a0The person or location to whom the shipment is to be delivered whether by land, sea, or air.<\/p>\n
Container (Shipping Container):<\/b>\u00a0Standard-sized rectangular box used to transport freight by ship, rail, or highway. International shipping containers are 20\u2019 or 40\u2019, conform to International Standards Organization (ISO) standards, and are designed to fit in ships\u2019 holds. Domestic containers are up to 53\u2019 long, of lighter construction, and are designed for rail and highway use only.<\/p>\n
Distribution Center (DC):<\/b>\u00a0A location where goods and materials are stored until they are ready to be moved to their end destination.<\/p>\n
Dead-Heading:<\/b>\u00a0Operating a truck without cargo.<\/p>\n
Declared Value:<\/b>\u00a0The value of a shipment imported for resale, as declared by the shipper or owner.<\/p>\n
Dedicated Fleet:<\/b>\u00a0A group of trucks that a shipper uses solely for moving all freight. Typically comes at a higher cost but with the promise of guaranteed capacity, better and more timely service, and locked-in rates despite disruption.<\/p>\n
Dedicated Team:<\/b>\u00a0A team of drivers who take turns driving a dedicated truck.<\/p>\n
Dedicated Truck:<\/b>\u00a0Refers to a driver pulling freight for one specific customer only, where only that load is on the truck. No partial loads can be added.<\/p>\n
Department of Transportation (DOT):<\/b>\u00a0Oversees U.S. federal highway, air, railroad, maritime, and other transportation administration functions.<\/p>\n
Detention\/Demurrage:<\/b>\u00a0Charge by the carrier for excess retention of their equipment. Typically caused by untimely loading or unloading.<\/p>\n
Door-to-Door:<\/b>\u00a0Synonymous with Thru Trailer Service (TTS) but can also mean simply handling the shipment from the shipper to the consignee.<\/p>\n
D.O.T. Number:<\/b>\u00a0License administered to for-hire carriers by the Department of Transportation. (Not the same as Motor Carrier #).<\/p>\n
Double Drop:<\/b>\u00a0A flatbed with the lowest deck. Normally used for oversized or over-height loads.<\/p>\n
Dunnage:<\/b>\u00a0Filler material placed in empty spaces to keep cargo from moving or falling. Typically lumber, foam padding, or inflatable bags.<\/p>\n
Duty Status:<\/b>\u00a0Drivers must maintain a daily 24-hour logbook (Record of Duty Status) documenting all work and rest periods. It must be kept current to the last change of duty status. Records of the previous 7 days must be retained by the driver and presented to law enforcement officials on demand.<\/p>\n
Electronic Logging Device (ELD):<\/b>\u00a0Digital device that tracks applicable data for truckers, including drive time, mileage, speed and more. It is required by the ELD mandate in the US and will be required with the current implementation of the Canadian ELD mandate as well.<\/p>\n
Escorts:<\/b>\u00a0Vehicles assisting in the movement of large, over-dimensional shipments. Escorts make sure the truck has plenty of space to move and alerts drivers of a shipment coming towards them. Help stop traffic with beacon lights and\/or flags.<\/p>\n
Excess Value:<\/b>\u00a0Amount of declared value of a shipment that is above the carrier\u2019s limit of liability.<\/p>\n
Expedited Shipping:<\/b>\u00a0The process of shipping at a faster rate than normal. Usually includes team drivers, overnight, and\/or air services.<\/p>\n
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA):<\/b>\u00a0Operates within the D.O.T. with a mission to prevent commercial motor-vehicle related fatalities and injuries by enforcing safety regulations and improving safety information systems.<\/p>\n
Freight Class:<\/b>\u00a0In LTL shipping, the category of freight as defined by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association. Identifies the size, value, and difficulty of transporting your freight. This determines the carrier\u2019s shipping charges.<\/p>\n
Freight Forwarder:<\/b>\u00a0Facilitates shipping of goods for a third party. Similar to a \u2018Freight Broker\u2019 but typically handles international goods, is defined as a carrier and can be held responsible for claims and loss of cargo.<\/p>\n
Fuel Surcharge (FSC):<\/b>\u00a0The price of fuel can substantially change the cost of moving freight. Therefore, the Energy Information Administration of the U.S. Department of Energy publishes a U.S. National Average Fuel Index every week. Transportation companies will often include an FSC to the cost of moving freight either based on cents per mile or percentage of the line haul amount.<\/p>\n
Full Truckload\u00a0(FTL or FT in logistics terminology):<\/b>\u00a0Refers to the use of a full dry van, flatbed or reefer truck to move freight. Can be leveraged for smaller shipments, including LTL and parcel, provided they go through\u00a0freight consolidation.<\/p>\n
Hazmat:<\/b>\u00a0Hazardous materials as classified by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Transport of hazardous material is strictly regulated by the US D.O.T.<\/p>\n
Hot Shot:<\/b>\u00a0Smaller trailers that are pulled by larger pickup trucks. Typically 24-40\u2019 in length and cannot handle as much weight as a regular tractor-trailer. Common for moving smaller loads or LTL shipments.<\/p>\n
Hours of Service (HOS):<\/b>\u00a0Regulations that put limits for when and how long drivers may drive.<\/p>\n
Interchange Agreement:<\/b>\u00a0Agreement and\/or contract between two companies to switch or take control of a trailer in order to pick up and deliver shipments. Common along with border towns between Mexican and U.S. companies in order to cross the border.<\/p>\n
Intermodal:<\/b>\u00a0A single trailer or container that encounters multiple forms of transportation along its routes, such as truck\/ship or truck\/rail.<\/p>\n
Just in Time (JIT):<\/b>\u00a0Manufacturing system which depends on frequent, small deliveries of parts and supplies to keep on-site inventory to a minimum.<\/p>\n
Lane:<\/b>\u00a0A move from point A to point B. Many companies will have a lane that they run on a regular basis called a \u201cdedicated lane\u201d.<\/p>\n
Last or\u00a0Final Mile:<\/b>\u00a0Describes the literal last movement of an item to its final destination, maybe a parcel with multiple final mile shipments onboard or can comprise a whole load\/truck of goods, provided they are all being delivered to their final stop in the journey. Also includes a final mile to the retailer and final mile to the customer.<\/p>\n
Layover:<\/b>\u00a0When a driver is detained overnight or for a 24-hour period while waiting to pick up or deliver a shipment. Fees are usually involved.<\/p>\n
Line Haul:<\/b>\u00a0The rate per mile in dollars and cents for transporting items.<\/p>\n
Logbooks:<\/b>\u00a0Books carried by truck drivers in which they record their hours of service and duty status for each 24-hour period. These are required in interstate commercial trucking by the U.S. D.O.T. and are also known as electronic logbooks (elogs) too as part of logistics terminology.<\/p>\n
Less-Than-Truckload (LTL):<\/b>\u00a0Quantity of freight less than that required for the application of a full truckload (FTL) rate. Often a carrier will place several LTL shipments on the same truck to reduce the cost to the shipper.<\/p>\n
Managed transportation:<\/b>\u00a0A type of service, also known as transportation as a service, in which a company, usually a 3PL takes over and handles all shipping and logistics needs from tendering through final delivery.<\/p>\n
Motor Carrier Number (MC#):<\/b>\u00a0License administered to for-hire carriers by the Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA). Commonly referred to as USDOT numbers.<\/p>\n
National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC):<\/b>\u00a0A standard comparison of commodities moving in interstate, intrastate and foreign commerce. There are 18 commodity classes based on an evaluation of four transportation characteristics: density, stowability, handling, and liability. These characteristics establish a commodity\u2019s transportability.<\/p>\n
Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC):<\/b>\u00a0Type of ocean servicer that provides all services, such as forwarding, without operating the vessels.<\/p>\n
Owner-Operator:<\/b>\u00a0A truck driver who owns and operators their truck(s).<\/p>\n
Over-Dimensional (Wide Load):<\/b>\u00a0Cargo that is larger than the legally defined limits for width, length, height, and\/or weight and cannot be broken down into smaller units.<\/p>\n
Pallet Jack:<\/b>\u00a0Also known as a pallet truck, pallet pump, pump truck, scooter, dog, or jigger is a tool used to lift and move pallets. Pallet jacks are the most basic form of a forklift and are intended to move pallets within a warehouse.<\/p>\n
Parcel:<\/b>\u00a0Also known as small package, typically weighs less than 150 pounds and is the most prominent form of order fulfillment in e-commerce.<\/p>\n
Partial:<\/b>\u00a0Truck used to compile multiple shipments from several customers in order to utilize the entire truck. Due to this, transit times can be longer than dedicated truckloads due to multiple stops.<\/p>\n
Permits:<\/b>\u00a0Permission obtained from states allowing carriers to transport freight that exceeds the legal weight and size limits.<\/p>\n
Placard:<\/b>\u00a0Warning signs placed on all four sides of a trailer denoting that they are carrying hazardous materials.<\/p>\n
Proof of Delivery (POD):<\/b>\u00a0Signed documents (usually a Bill of Lading) that show a shipment was received at the delivery location. Can also be in electronic format (ePOD for reference in logistics terminology).<\/p>\n
PRO number:<\/b>\u00a0A number assigned by the carrier to reference the shipment. This is also used for tracking.<\/p>\n
Pup Trailer:<\/b>\u00a0Short semitrailer, usually between 26\u2019 and 32\u2019 long, with a single axle.<\/p>\n
Rail:<\/b>\u00a0Transportation by train, usually subject to additional criteria for timelines, load density and adjunctivity to a local rail ramp.<\/p>\n
Ramps:\u00a0<\/b>Carried by some open deck truckers to help facilitate the\u00a0loading and offloading of shipments<\/a>. Mostly found on step decks that are trying to haul cars and other drivable equipment.<\/p>\nRate Confirmation:\u00a0<\/b>A document that confirms the agreed-upon amount for the cost of service between the shipper and carrier.<\/p>\n
Reefer:\u00a0<\/b>A trailer with insulated walls and a self-powered refrigeration unit. Most commonly used for transporting food.<\/p>\n
Removable Goose Neck (RGN):<\/b>\u00a0 A specialized type of heavy-haul flatbed trailer that can provide drive-on drive-off accessibility. The trailer deck is attached to a \u201cgooseneck\u201d which can be raised and lowered then removed from the trailer for transportation.<\/p>\n
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS):<\/b>\u00a0 Type of software used that offers a subscription-based payment model and vast flexibility and scalability to enable better management and a level playing field across organizations of all sizes. SaaS-based systems can be applied to virtually any system of record or digital resource.<\/p>\n
Shipper:<\/b>\u00a0Consignor, exporter, or seller named in the bill of lading, who may or may not be the same as the party responsible for initiating a shipment.<\/p>\n
Sliding Tandem:<\/b>\u00a0Mechanism that allows a tandem axle suspension to be moved back and forth at the rear of a semitrailer, for the purpose of adjusting the distribution of weight between the axles and fifth wheel.<\/p>\n
Spread Axle (Spread Tandem):<\/b>\u00a0Tandem axle assembly that is spaced further apart than the standard spacing of 54\u201d.<\/p>\n
Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC):<\/b>\u00a0Unique 2-4 letter code used to identify transportation companies.<\/p>\n
Straps:\u00a0<\/b>Strong vinyl straps used to secure and tie down freight to a trailer.<\/p>\n
Tanker:<\/b>\u00a0Cylinder designed to haul liquids like fuel or oil.<\/p>\n
Tandem Axle:<\/b>\u00a0Pair of axles and associated suspension usually located close together.<\/p>\n
Team (Driver Team):<\/b>\u00a0Team of two drivers who alternate driving and resting. This practice is typically used for expedited shipments but will have a greater cost.<\/p>\n
Third Party Logistics\/Freight Broker:<\/b>\u00a0Individual or company that serves as a liaison between another individual or company that needs shipping services and an authorized motor carrier. Provides the necessary transportation but does not function as a shipper or carrier.<\/p>\n
Thru Trailer Service (TTS):<\/b>\u00a0When cargo remains on the same trailer during an international shipment. This is the opposite of a trans-load and is generally considered safer by most companies.<\/p>\n
Trans-Load:<\/b>\u00a0The movement of a product from one trailer to another trailer in order to keep a shipment going. This is standard practice at international U.S. borders where carriers can only operate in one country and must pass off the load to a carrier authorized to transport loads in the country of the load\u2019s destination.<\/p>\n
Truck-Mounted Crane:<\/b>\u00a0A self-propelled loading and unloading machine mounted on a truck body.<\/p>\n
Truck Order Not Used (TORD):<\/b>\u00a0When a shipper orders a truck to pick up but cancels after a truck has been dispatched. There is typically a fee associated with this.<\/p>\n
Transportation Management System (TMS):<\/b>\u00a0A system of record for tracking shipments, tendering loads and communicating with other parties in the transportation network.<\/p>\n
Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC):<\/b>\u00a0Needed to gain unescorted access to secure areas of Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) regulated facilities and vessels.<\/p>\n
Van:<\/b>\u00a0An enclosed boxlike motor vehicle having rear or side doors and side panels used for transporting goods.<\/p>\n
Warehousing:<\/b>\u00a0The locations used to physically store and stage goods prior to order fulfillment. Can be temporary, pop-up warehouses to accommodate sudden changes during demand peaks.<\/p>\n
Warehouse Management System (WMS):<\/b>\u00a0System of record for managing activities within the warehouse. Can be combined with the TMS to enable more transparency and integration, read \u201cdata sharing\u201d to improve efficiency and throughput.<\/p>\n
White Glove Logistics:<\/b>\u00a0Specialized form of order fulfillment, coming from the idea to wear a white glove to ensure damage-free delivery, and includes installation, debris removal, and extra care during delivery.<\/p>\nSimplifying Logistics Terms & Processes to Move Your Freight Forward<\/h2>\n
There is a theme throughout all the common shipping terms and abbreviations above. There are plenty of unique points and possible terms to add to this glossary. Each organization may even have different terms to describe certain parts of transportation, such as driver detention time versus ocean port demurrage charges. It\u2019s incredibly complex and subject to the nuances of global transportation management and communications.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why more organizations are turning to the experts like GlobalTranz to leverage full logistics solutions and\u00a0managed transportation services\u00a0without the headache of knowing what each item means. And by combining people with technology, it\u2019s much easier to realize profitable shipping and timely execution of loads with such a partner.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Source: https:\/\/www.globaltranz.com\/resource-hub\/transportation-terminology\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
There are many logistics terms to consider, such as last mile logistics and last mile delivery, but they end up sounding confusing because all freight has a last mile portion. It\u2019s incredibly complex and subject to the unique view of each person and how they perceive the industry. Whether you are new to the transportation…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":56258,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[277],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-56260","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-transportation-2-en","category-277","description-off"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fdlgroup.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56260","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fdlgroup.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fdlgroup.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fdlgroup.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fdlgroup.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56260"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/fdlgroup.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56260\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":56261,"href":"https:\/\/fdlgroup.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56260\/revisions\/56261"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fdlgroup.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/56258"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fdlgroup.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56260"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fdlgroup.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56260"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fdlgroup.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56260"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}