New “Empty Miles Service” Keeps Trucks from Traveling Empty
A report released yesterday shows that Macy’s Inc. and Schneider National are realizing both financial and environmental gains from using a new trucking system called the “Empty Miles Service.”
The Empty Miles Service matches a company’s empty return trailers with another company’s loads that can be collected and delivered along the return route. The program is offered through a collaboration of these three organizations:
- GS1 US, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the adoption and implementation of standards-based, global supply-chain solutions, and
- GS1 Canada, a member organization of GS1 that represents the interests of Canada in the continuing development of the global language of business.
More than 30 companies are currently using the Empty Miles Service. It is active in the United States, and will launch in Canada later this year.
Here are a few findings from the new report:
- Schneider National has eliminated 61.65 tons of carbon dioxide, 147.24 tons of particulate matter, and 1.47 tons of nitrous oxide while saving 5,554 gallons of diesel fuel.
- The company also has increased dedicated backhaul revenue on specific accounts using the VICS Empty Miles Service by 25%.
- In addition, Schneider National has decreased its operating costs by eliminating 11% of its empty miles and moving 22% more backhaul freight with member shippers.
- Macy’s has experienced an increase of 30 backhaul loads per week, or a projected 1,500 loads per year, at competitive market rates. In addition, for each initial lane opened, Macy’s has reduced annualized transportation costs by $25,000, on average.
“Filling empty miles with the VICS service is good for the economy, it’s good for the environment, and it’s healthy for those companies that know how to leverage it and leverage it effectively,” concludes Steve Matheys, Executive Vice President, Chief Administration Officer, Schneider National, in the report.
The full case study is available at http://committees.vics.org/communications/em_case_study_9-18/.
