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CCJ Innovators: Montgomery Transport's image-based load securement app leads to more effective training, reduced claims

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CCJ Innovators profiles carriers and fleets that have found innovative ways to overcome trucking’s challenges. If you know a carrier that has displayed innovation, contact CCJ Chief Editor Jason Cannon at [email protected] or 800-633-5953.

A picture can be worth a lot more than a thousand words. It can help keep loads secure and lead to fewer claims and out-of-service violations.

That’s been the case for Birmingham, Alabama-based Montgomery Transport, which has taken an app originally designed for improving office communications with drivers and transformed it into an image-based safety tool that’s reinforcing cargo safety management and reducing claims.

In short, drivers at Montgomery Transport, a flatbed carrier with roughly 600 trucks, take pictures of their loads following securement and send them back to the office through the M1 Mobile App.

“It goes directly to safety and the individual driver managers so they can identify any problems,” said Montgomery Chief Technology Officer Chris Rhodes, adding the pictures can sometimes provide opportunities for training.

“I think it's made it a lot more effective for coaching for our safety team because, with pictures, you're able to say, ‘Change this. Do this,'" Rhodes explained. "So, it's really simplified their training roles because they can get very specific on things that need to be adjusted."

Photos also can be shared with a consignee in the oft chance securement becomes an issue.