A new service to optimize truck transportation and reduce empty miles has been introduced by the Voluntary Interindustry Commerce Solutions Association (VICS), GS1 Canada and GS1 U.S. The Empty Miles Service matches a company's trailers that are returning empty with potential loads that can be collected and delivered along the return route. A structured pilot program involving all functions of the service has been tested by VICS members, including several of North America's largest retailers, consumer-goods suppliers and transportation carriers. VICS members can participate in the program for $1,600 per year; non-members will be charged $1,850 per year. To help companies build a business case for Empty Miles, the development group at GS1, a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of global standards for supply-chain communications, created an ROI (return on investment) calculator, which measures direct financial benefits. The service also calculates the benefits of reduced carbon-dioxide emissions. Empty Miles features Web-based access, a secure environment for collaboration between shippers and carriers, user authentication and real-time searching for available lanes. Voluntary Interindustry Commerce Solutions Association
