Trucking is a demanding profession that requires constant vigilance and adaptability, especially when it comes to dealing with the challenges that extreme weather conditions pose. Among these, intense heat has a massive impact on truck, driver, and dispatch performance. Whether you’re a long-haul driver or manage logistics for a fleet, it’s necessary to understand how high temperatures can affect vehicles, electrical infrastructure, and even physical health. Check out this trucking 101 guide on the most common heat-related issues you should know.
Tire Blowouts
When temperatures soar, the likelihood of tire blowouts significantly increases. Heat causes the air inside tires to expand, elevating the internal pressure and exacerbating any existing weaknesses or damage. Prolonged exposure to hot pavement further deteriorates the rubber, making tires more susceptible to sudden ruptures. A blowout at high speeds can lead to catastrophic consequences, including loss of vehicle control, accidents, and potentially severe injuries or fatalities. Therefore, regular tire inspections and pressure monitoring are crucial preventive measures for ensuring safety on the road during the hotter months.
Refrigeration Unit Malfunctions
Trucks hauling perishable goods often feature comprehensive refrigeration units. Unfortunately, these, too, are susceptible to intense temperature conditions. Excessive heat can overwork refrigeration systems, pushing them beyond their designed capacity and leading to component failures, such as compressor breakdowns, refrigerant leaks, or fan malfunctions. When these units fail, the temperature inside the cargo area can rise quickly, compromising the integrity of the goods in transport and causing significant financial losses. Proper maintenance routines, including regular system checks and timely repairs, are essential to ensure that refrigeration units operate effectively even under extreme heat conditions.
Dispatcher Complications
When the power demand spikes, especially due to the widespread use of air conditioning during peak heat periods, electrical infrastructure can become overwhelmed, resulting in unexpected outages. For dispatchers, these blackouts disrupt essential communication channels, hinder real-time vehicle tracking, and compromise logistics coordination. Consequently, it becomes difficult to provide timely and accurate updates to drivers, leading to potential delays and increased operational risks. To mitigate these issues, dispatch teams must have backup power solutions and contingency plans in place to maintain operational continuity during heat-induced blackouts.
Physical Health Concerns
Extreme heat poses significant dangers to truck drivers, affecting their physical health and ability to perform their duties efficiently. High temperatures can lead to heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion or heatstroke, both of which can cause heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, and even loss of consciousness. Long hours in a poorly ventilated cab can exacerbate these conditions, making it challenging for drivers to stay focused and alert. Dehydration is another serious concern, as it can impair cognitive function and reaction times, increasing the risk of accidents. Therefore, drivers must stay hydrated, take regular breaks in the shade or air-conditioned areas, and be aware of the signs of heat-related illnesses to ensure their safety on the road.
There are plenty of myths concerning semi-truck driving in the summer, but what isn’t up for debate are the concerns that drivers and trucks face when operating in intense heat. All trucking professionals should know about the dangers and causes of these heat-related issues. With proper preventive measures and contingency plans in place, trucking companies can mitigate the impact of extreme heat on their operations, vehicles, and personnel.
