The Northwest Seaport Alliance will release two new mobile applications, DrayQ and DrayLink, in early November as part of an effort to speed cargo flow through the ports of Seattle and Tacoma and along local freight corridors.
The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA), a cargo operating partnership between the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, will release two new mobile applications aimed at increasing drayage efficiency in early November, the ports said in a statement.
Designed in partnership with the port industry to align with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Connected Vehicle Freight Advanced Traveler Information System (FRATIS) architecture and StrongPorts initiative, the apps are part of an ongoing effort to speed cargo flow through the Pacific Northwest ports and along local freight corridors. Additional benefits of the apps could include a reduction in idling-related exhaust emissions from trucks and fuel savings for motor carriers.
Starting in November, truck drivers will be able to use DrayQ, the first mobile app on the market to use Bluetooth technology to provide real-time estimates of drayage wait times at ports and terminals, to determine the optimum time to enter a terminal and reduce the time spent in traffic, which helps reduce air emissions from idling and saves fuel.
Like DrayQ, DrayLink will provide real-time information on street and terminal wait times, but will include expanded functionality powered by Google Analytics, GPS data, and geofencing to allow users to track and record cargo moves, as well as create data reports. The app is designed to “help interconnect the drayage community by offering a single common operating tool for drivers, dispatchers, terminal operators and shippers to help move containers smarter,” said NWSA.
The plan is to work with Google to eventually leverage DrayLink’s Map API Engine app to produce wait time trend reports and predictions.
Independent truck driver Ramon Anderson explained how DrayQ supplies him with the data he needs in real time, allowing him to better plan dray moves. “In this business, time is money, and it pays to know your wait.”
“On a user’s mobile device, DrayQ lists the NWSA’s terminals and the real-time waits at each, including trends throughout the day,” added Tim Ebner, the NSWA’s liaison to the DrayQ project. “The alliance also will provide the information on its website and to both the Seattle and Washington State transportation departments.”
“DrayLink provides a single robust platform using the FRATIS model so that dispatchers and terminal operators can more effectively collaborate to better manage drayage movements,” said Ron Stuart, the NWSA DrayQ project manager. “For shippers, DrayLink provides a way to automate tracking, tracing and reporting notifications that improves overall in-transit visibility for cargo owners. For terminal operators, DrayLink can provide advanced arrival info and credential checks for faster gate transactions.”
“Some large carriers have installed GPS devices to track their vehicles and are willing to contribute sharing their real-time data feeds to benefit the overall dray industry,” said Taso Zografos of Leidos, Inc., which developed both apps. “Our approach is to do the work on our end to make it easy to receive their data feeds seamlessly and at no additional cost.
“Carriers have invested their own money in technology and as they are willing to share their data for the greater good of the industry, we feel compelled to contribute in that cause as well. The key to realizing improvement and benefits is through open collaboration and shared data usage.”
Zografos also said, “Our strategy to offer two separate apps is paving the way to accelerate adoption along two fronts: by giving port authorities a solution like DrayQ they can implement for their customers while simultaneously offering the drayage industry DrayLink that delivers functionality and benefits tailored to meet the needs of drivers, dispatchers, terminal operators and shippers.”
DrayQ and DrayLink will be available for free download for both iOS and Android smart phones and tablets.
NWSA launches mobile apps aimed at increasing drayage efficiency
