As a small business, have you grappled with shipping disruptions? If so, you’re not alone. According to a recent survey we conducted, 42% are experiencing inefficiencies with their operations and shipping and have goals to improve their processes.

Amazon Freight understands this challenge because we’re shippers ourselves. We know the uncertainty the supply chain delivers every day. So, when we started inviting businesses to ship with us, we looked for ways to provide better load assurance. This includes initiatives such as elevating safety, route optimization, and dedicated support along the freight journey.

Improving road (and load) safety
Enhancing safety is the most important part of what we do. From trailer loading, to driving, unloading, and final delivery, we look for opportunities to make the transportation process safer for all.

That starts with our investments in innovation to support our safety mission. For example, last year Amazon invested $200 million in technology to improve transportation safety. The resulting improvements in automatic braking, collision and lane-departure warnings, stability control, side-object detection, and more continue to enhance safety across our network.

One area we’re seeing the investments in action is at our Fulfillment Centers. Photo Validation for Trailer Release is an app-based program built to protect loads and the teams that handle them. It promotes safety by helping to ensure that every load is secured before leaving the warehouse. If cross straps are not properly installed or another load safety concern is detected, the technology will prevent the trailer from leaving its bay. This is in the interest of drivers, the load itself, and anybody interacting with the loading and unloading.

Optimizing time on the road
As a small business, you work hard to prepare products and orders. You shouldn’t have to worry about whether they will arrive in one piece. That’s why we’re here. It’s also why we offer tools to make our network flow swiftly and smoothly.

Our dynamic route planning uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to help us consistently manage disruptions. While some roadblocks are unavoidable, others can be bypassed to keep your shipment on schedule. By more accurately predicting factors such as rush hour slowdowns and road work delays, we can quickly re-direct drivers to the best possible route.

This freight technology helps to ensure loads arrive on time as often as possible and it helps us to communicate updates with shippers waiting for their loads to be delivered. Ultimately, such efficiencies can translate into costs savings for shippers.

Another way we’re helping to optimize shipments is through trailer handoffs, which lets us use multiple drivers along one load’s route. The process is very much what the name suggests—one driver hands the trailer off to another at a predetermined location along the route. This leads to faster delivery times but also allows drivers to work in familiar areas and prevents them from needing to park overnight.

Looking out for your loads
To help small businesses further optimize the shipping process, we employ dedicated freight experts who work proactively behind the scenes.

Take Dan Espiritu, an Amazon Freight Dedicated Transportation Consultant. In an interview, Dan explains that a key part of his job is “proactively meeting with my customers to find new opportunities and optimize their operations. I am constantly talking to them about areas of improvement, new lanes they can take advantage of, and how to prepare for peak season.”

What if a shipper needs further assistance? We have a proactive solution for that as well. Amazon Freight’s shipper support team is available 24/7 to answer questions and provide attentive service, helping you stay connected to your shipments.

Start shipping with us
Amazon Freight moves full truckload shipments across the United States every day through our network of carriers and Amazon-owned trailers. We carefully maintain our 60,000+ dry van trailers, and our customers can rest assured that these important freight assets are kept in top condition.

With Amazon Freight, any shipper can leverage the same world-class transportation network as Amazon. Create an Amazon Freight account to get started.