Ewan has been editor of Retreading Business since 2006 and of Tyre & Rubber Recycling since the magazine was founded. During this period he has become an expert on the global tyre recycling sector. He has many years' experience as an automotive journalist including a period at Tyres & Accessories.
Truckfly App Connects Truckers
Being a professional driver is a demanding and responsible job. An enormous increase in traffic with short delivery times, prescribed breaks and overcrowded truck parking lots build up a high time pressure.
For the Heroes of the Road: TruckFly by Michelin
A lack of recognition for the profession, despite its great importance for supplying society and the economy, does not make work on Europe's roads any easier.
Michelin has developed the TruckFly app to provide comprehensive support for truck drivers. It provides a lot of relevant information for their daily work. This includes, for example, the best fuel, eating, parking and rest areas, but also truck washing and service options, as well as loading conditions at logistics hubs.
Another important feature of the app is the integration of the locations of the association DocStop for Europeans. This is committed to providing medical care on the routes of professional drivers that is as targeted and easy to implement as possible. The DocStop locations contain detailed information on how to get there, parking options and how to contact the respective doctor. Because one thing is clear: physical health is a core criterion for safe and careful driving – and thus for overall road safety.
Large and active community
In addition, truckers can share their personal tips and ratings via the app and thus benefit from feedback from other drivers - this is particularly advantageous in international transport. TruckFly is already available in 44 European countries, is available in 21 languages and currently has 75,000 locations rated by truckers, including 37,000 parking lots, 22,000 petrol stations and 11,000 restaurants. The app has been downloaded 700,000 times since launch. Around 120,000 drivers use the services offered every month, making TruckFly a large community from truckers for truckers.
High topicality
In addition to the information that truckers share via the app, the TruckFly team updates the data daily to provide drivers with as much support as possible. For example, TruckFly forwards the information published by restaurant, service area or gas station operators from social networks so that it can be shared throughout the community. Operators are also requested to regularly update their data on the truckfly.com website. Since the beginning of 2020, there have been more than 10,000 online updates from operators. The community now adds around 70 new recommendations every month, for example, for rest stops, or gives feedback that parking lots or rest stops are temporarily closed. In addition, operators of truck stops, car parks or car washes can actively advertise their offers. Interested parties can contact TruckFly via the website.