Ellen Voie (Voy-a) is an internationally recognized speaker and authority on gender diversity and inclusion for women working in non-traditional careers in transportation. She has been invited to speak to audiences in Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, France, Mexico, and Canada, in addition to being a popular speaker at conferences throughout the United States. Voie founded the Women In Trucking Association in 2007, and currently serves as the nonprofit organization’s President & CEO. The Women In Trucking Association was formed to promote the employment of women in the trucking industry, to remove obstacles that might keep them from succeeding, and to celebrate the successes of its members. Voie also currently serves on the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee (MCSAC) to provide recommendations and advice to the FMCSA on motor carrier safety programs and motor carrier safety regulations. Voie’s background in the trucking industry began as the assistant and later Traffic Manager for a steel fabricating plant in the upper Midwest. She then worked as a dispatcher for a grain hauling carrier before becoming co-owner of a small fleet. After starting a family, she used her background to become a freelance transportation consultant to carriers in Wisconsin, licensing and permitting trucks for more than 16 years. Voie also served as the Executive Director of Trucker Buddy International, Inc., a pen pal program between professional drivers and elementary students. Voie holds a Master’s in Communication degree from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, where she completed her Thesis research on the complex identities of women married to professional drivers. She also hold a degree in Traffic and Transportation Management from LaSalle Extension University. Voie has earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential from the American Society of Association Executives, the leading authority in association management.

Columnists,Ellen Voie |
March 22, 2023

The trucking industry has traditionally been male-dominated, with women making up a small percentage of truck drivers and other industry professionals. However, technology is helping to break down barriers and create new opportunities for women in the trucking industry.

Safety Technology

Safety technology is one of the most significant areas of innovation in the trucking industry. Advanced safety features such as collision avoidance systems, lane departure warnings, and adaptive cruise control are becoming increasingly common in modern trucks. These features are designed to help prevent accidents and make the roads safer for everyone.

The American Transportation Safety Institute found that male commercial drivers are twenty percent more likely to be involved in a crash than their female counterparts. This is true for every statistically significant area, including intersections, night driving and around curves.  Women are more risk averse, and safety is a high priority for female truck drivers.

GPS Tracking

GPS tracking is another technology that is transforming the trucking industry. GPS technology allows trucking companies to track the location of their trucks in real-time, providing accurate information about the delivery status and estimated arrival time. This information is invaluable for fleet management and can help to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

For women, GPS tracking can be particularly helpful in improving safety. GPS technology allows trucking companies to monitor the location of their drivers, making it easier to locate them in case of an emergency. It also enables drivers to navigate unfamiliar routes with confidence, reducing the risk of getting lost or stranded.

Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs)

Electronic logging devices (ELDs) are now mandatory for all truck drivers. These devices are designed to record driving hours and ensure compliance with federal regulations. They also provide a wealth of data about driver behavior, such as speeding and hard braking, which can be used to improve safety and efficiency.

For women, ELDs can be beneficial in several ways. First, they provide a transparent record of driving hours, which can help to ensure fair pay and prevent overwork. Second, ELDs can help to prevent fatigue-related accidents by monitoring driver behavior and alerting drivers when they need to take a break.

Online Training Programs

Online training programs are becoming increasingly popular in the trucking industry. These programs provide drivers with access to training and certification courses from anywhere with an internet connection. Online training programs can be especially helpful for women who may have other responsibilities or commitments that make attending in-person training difficult.

Online training programs can also help to reduce the gender gap in the trucking industry by providing women with access to the same training and certification opportunities as men. This can help to level the playing field and create new opportunities for women in the industry.

Trucking Apps

There are now many trucking apps available that are designed to make life on the road easier for truck drivers. These apps can help with everything from finding rest stops and parking to managing routes and expenses. They can also provide valuable information about weather, traffic, and road conditions, making it easier for drivers to plan their journeys.

For women, trucking apps can be particularly beneficial in improving safety and comfort on the road. For example, some apps offer real-time alerts about potential hazards, such as severe weather or road closures. Other apps provide information about the availability of women-only restrooms and other amenities that can help to make life on the road more comfortable.

We embrace the way technology is transforming the trucking industry in many ways, making it safer, more efficient, and more accessible for women. Advanced safety features, GPS tracking, electronic logging devices, online training programs, and trucking apps are just a few of the technologies that are helping to break down barriers and create new opportunities for women in the industry.

This was written using technology with the assistance of the AI platform ChatGPT

Please follow and like us:
error
fb-share-icon
Tweet
fb-share-icon

Ellen Voie (Voy-a) is an internationally recognized speaker and authority on gender diversity and inclusion for women working in non-traditional careers in transportation. She has been invited to speak to audiences in Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, France, Mexico, and Canada, in addition to being a popular speaker at conferences throughout the United States. Voie founded the Women In Trucking Association in 2007, and currently serves as the nonprofit organization’s President & CEO. The Women In Trucking Association was formed to promote the employment of women in the trucking industry, to remove obstacles that might keep them from succeeding, and to celebrate the successes of its members. Voie also currently serves on the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee (MCSAC) to provide recommendations and advice to the FMCSA on motor carrier safety programs and motor carrier safety regulations. Voie’s background in the trucking industry began as the assistant and later Traffic Manager for a steel fabricating plant in the upper Midwest. She then worked as a dispatcher for a grain hauling carrier before becoming co-owner of a small fleet. After starting a family, she used her background to become a freelance transportation consultant to carriers in Wisconsin, licensing and permitting trucks for more than 16 years. Voie also served as the Executive Director of Trucker Buddy International, Inc., a pen pal program between professional drivers and elementary students. Voie holds a Master’s in Communication degree from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, where she completed her Thesis research on the complex identities of women married to professional drivers. She also hold a degree in Traffic and Transportation Management from LaSalle Extension University. Voie has earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential from the American Society of Association Executives, the leading authority in association management.