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Phone app tells truckers how long it will be to get in, get on with it and get out

A MOBILE phone app developed for the Port of Oakland now tells truckers how long they'll wait to enter marine terminal gates and how long transactions are taking.

The port said its DrayQ feature is available at Apple and Google app stores at no charge, reports the American Journal of Transportation.

"There's no more guesswork for truckers picking up or delivering cargo in Oakland," said port maritime director John Driscoll. "Now they can plan their days with real-time information."

The port said DrayQ will display how long it takes to enter terminal gates. It will also calculate how long drivers must wait to complete transactions. The times will appear on mobile phone screens much like freeway drive-time signboards.

For the first time, truckers and dispatchers will have a precise measure of how long a terminal transaction takes. If it's too long, drivers can plan around slow periods.

Cargo owners and terminal operators will now have accurate data to determine if containerised shipments are being efficiently processed. If they're not, the data can help pinpoint where operational changes are needed.

DrayQ was developed for the Port by Reston, VA-based Leidos. It relies on Bluetooth, GPS and WiFi technology to measure truckers' progress through the port. Automated DrayQ readers anonymously track every truck in the port whose driver carries a cell phone.

Leidos officials are at marine terminals today introducing harbour truckers to the app. They said their goal is to have 3,000 drivers download it by June.