When you give up a car for transportation, you are really relying on more than just one driver; you are putting your trust in an entire logistical system that ensures the delivery is accomplished quickly, safely, and legally throughout the country.
Here at ATC Driveaway, we know that transparency is crucial. Whether you oversee a huge vehicle fleet, transport vehicles from one dealership to another, or just need to move one car from Point A to Point B, having a good idea of where your vehicle is and when to expect delivery can go a long way in alleviating anxieties.
Unfortunately, auto transport is not always the smooth operation you may expect. In fact, some of the most common misunderstandings concerning shipment tracking and delivery can lead to a slew of unexpected issues if one does not fully understand how the process works. In this blog, we’ll dispel those myths so you know exactly what to expect:
Not All GPS Tracking Works the Same Way
People frequently misinterpret how transport tracking works, expecting it to be identical to the GPS used in your personal vehicle or smartphone. Although GPS technology is used in the process, it is not as simple as many believe.
Transportation businesses employ routing systems designed specifically for large commercial trucks. These systems consider vehicle size and weight, road legality for commercial traffic, fuel planning, and delivery schedules. The idea is to plan the cheapest and safest trip for the whole consignment, not just the cheapest trip to one specific truck. This also means that the route on a map might not be the most direct path you would take in a car navigation app.
The Route Is Not Always the Shortest Path
You’d expect your automobile to be delivered by the most direct path from pick-up to delivery; but, the quickest route from point A to point B isn’t always the safest or legal.
Physical and legal constraints such as low bridge heights, restricted routes, and weight limits all influence the probable routing of the vehicle carrier.
A car hauler, for example, can tower over 13 feet tall, haul tens of thousands of pounds, yet still have to travel the longest path possible while on the road.
So if your vehicle is traveling to its destination along some convoluted and indirect path, understand that the truck is doing its very best to fulfill the delivery as quickly and as legally as it can.
Deliveries Are Not Always Direct
Another common misconception is that the package travels immediately from pick-up to delivery in one continuous shot. Most routes have more than one stop.
Carriers often run more than one vehicle each load. Your load is probably already on an established route that has more stops along the way, which could be deliveries or pick-ups. These aren’t necessarily delays. They are a part of the carrier’s philosophy for how to get multiple vehicles on a load from point A to point B. These stops reduce transit costs and make the route more economical.
This is why the delivery windows are estimates; guessing is more accurate than attempting to discern minute-by-minute movement.
Timing Depends on Real-World Operations
Shipping doesn’t follow a fixed schedule: drivers must respect driver hours regulations, be able to take required breaks and respect schedules of pickups and deliveries which rely on loading times and the time of availability of customers.
You will sometimes find your vehicle stuck and parked on the way: this might happen for various reasons, such as another vehicle that is loading or unloading, required break, bad weather conditions, time for refueling, etc.
Such breaks are routine and necessary.
This information can help to prevent confusion and unnecessary anxiety about estimated delivery times.
How ATC Driveaway Provides Visibility and Communication
At ATC Driveaway, we strive for complete openness throughout your transportation experience. Visibility is important throughout the entire process, much like when delivering a vehicle.
We provide real-time updates on eligible transports, allowing you to track the vehicle’s movement during the route. These improvements should assist to clear up any confusion and provide more accurate delivery time estimates.
Beyond the real-time updates, we also allow you to obtain them by directly communicating with us. We make sure that you are able to reach ATC via phone at any time with current shipment status.
With these two options, you’ll always be in the know of what’s going on with your vehicle transport.
Tracking is Just One Piece of the Pie
Despite all of your tracking efforts, it’s not always possible to see everything that’s going on beneath the surface. Logistics is complicated. It entails organizing drivers, delivery schedules, routes, legislation, and individual customer requirements.
This is where communication is just as important as tracking tools. You’ll receive live updates and in-person assistance as to where your shipment may be.
Final Thoughts
Car shipping is a highly strategic and orchestrated operation designed for safety, efficiency and regulatory adherence. What might look like an unplanned or spontaneous affair on your end is actually a well-oiled and structured operation based on real-world operational needs.
Being realistic about what can actually happen with regard to routing, timing and tracking, as well as how it happens, helps to alleviate stress during the auto transport process. ATC Driveaway aims to make your auto transport process as predictable and as stress-free as possible.
If you have any questions about tracking, expected delivery times or how to arrange your car’s next transport, feel free to contact ATC Driveaway and speak with one of our team members to learn how we can assist you.
