cameras, and anti-slip surfaces. Maintenance is another key consideration. When choosing a forklift, assess the expected lifecycle of the unit, along with the terms of warranty coverage and support services provided by the dealer. Reli- able after-sales service can greatly reduce downtime and repair costs. Cost is always a consideration when making any major purchase. Sometimes, a more expensive forklift is cheaper over time due to lower operating costs or a longer lifespan. Employee Training Programs Maximize the Benefits of Today’s Forklifts Training programs for warehouse workers will help managers achieve the greatest efficiency gains from using modern forklifts. The technological safety features that are standard for some forklifts can help warehouses reduce accidents and injuries. But workers must understand the systems and how they work. No longer a simple tool used to lift packages, today’s forklifts are an integral part of warehouse operations and an example of continued technology advances in the logistics industry. 16 American Journal of Transportation American Journal of Transportation ajot.com From an operational standpoint, autonomous forklifts are well suited to some environments but less effective in others. They perform particularly well in dock-to-stock operations, such as receiving pallets from inbound trucks and placing them in assigned rack locations. This is one of the most repetitive and high-volume tasks in many warehouses. Pulling pallets from storage and delivering them to production or shipping lines is another task that autonomous forklifts perform well. They are also effective in moving pallets from a receiving dock to a shipping dock when no storage is required. Autonomous forklifts are less effective when handling damaged or non-standard pallets. They can manage wrapped loads that overhang pallet edges or have inconsistent dimensions, but the process is slower and less reliable. Failure rates can range from 15-to-30% when autonomous forklifts handle damaged pallets. Shipping during peak times can be chaotic for warehouse managers, with trucks at non-standard angles and pallets temporarily staged in travel lanes. While it is possible to use autonomous forklifts in these situations, dock workers often move more rap- idly and with greater agility. Building outbound pallets from SKUs requires judgment regarding weight distribution, stacking compatibility, and load stability that current AI does not handle reliably. Many supply chain managers adopt collabora- tive models in which humans and autonomous fork- lifts work together. Whether warehouse employees are operating forklifts or performing other tasks in the proximity, technology advances have made the operating environment in warehouses safer. Some common features that enhance safety are advanced sensor systems that detect human prox- imity, real-time data processing capabilities, and advanced automated collision prevention techniques. These technologies go beyond traditional mech- anisms by integrating intelligent monitoring sys- tems that can predict and prevent potential accidents before they occur. Regulatory Changes Expedite the Demand for Electric Forklifts The forklift market is facing an accelerated tran- sition from internal combustion engine (ICE) models to electric powertrains. According to industry experts, over 60 percent of global volume is currently being handled by electric forklifts. However, regulatory changes are likely to expedite the adoption of electric forklifts throughout this calendar year. Today, California’s Zero-Emission Forklift Reg- ulation bans new gasoline- and propane-powered forklift deliveries. The rule covers almost 90,000 large spark-ignition trucks and is expected to lead to nationwide adoption. Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are becoming more common in electric forklifts, accounting for 49% of recent installations. They are widely con- sidered a stronger alternative to traditional lead- acid batteries. Unlike older battery technologies, lithium-ion batteries offer fast charging and maintenance-free operation, eliminating the need for battery water- ing rooms. Lithium-ion systems can now lift up to 40,000 pounds, expanding the range of applications for electric vehicles and equipment. However, Li-ion-powered forklifts carry a degree of risk due to the batteries used in the vehi- cle. If the battery cell creates more heat than it can dissipate, leading to an uncontrolled release of heat energy or runaway, resulting in fires or explosions. Thermal runaway can also result in the release of flammable and toxic gases. These incidents are rare, but when they do occur, they can be very difficult to extinguish. There are preventable measures that users may adopt to minimize the risk of forklift Li-ion battery fires. Some are as basic as only using the correct charger and always purchasing forklift batteries from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or a reputable source. Choosing a Forklift Requires the Evaluation of Multiple Factors With so many options to choose from, selecting a forklift requires both a clear plan for its use and an understanding of forklift classes. These factors help users choose the right application-driven solution that will ultimately deliver the greatest efficiencies in their supply chains. The first step in selecting a forklift is understand- ing the class system. Forklifts are divided into seven classes. The classifications are established based on fuel type, application, and key operating features. Beyond selecting the right forklift type, users must determine the maximum load capacity their operation requires. They should assess the heaviest loads handled regularly and choose a forklift rated for those weights. Because forklift capacities typi- cally range from 1,500 pounds to more than 50,000 pounds, matching capacity to operational needs is essential for safe, efficient performance. Lift height is another important factor when selecting a warehouse forklift. Facilities with low ceilings may require compact models, while high-bay storage typically calls for forklifts with greater reach. Forklift safety is critical to protect employees and inventory. Operators should select a forklift that includes essential safety features, including stabil- ity systems to prevent tipping, warning lights and alarms to alert pedestrians, speed limiters, seatbelts, retaining internal control over drivers, routing, and service levels. It is also common for a company to handle all fleet management internally, but use a third-party provider to manage data, analytics, and reporting. This option allows the company to leverage current technologies, like a Transportation Management System (TMS), without deploying additional assets. Compliance is another key reason companies outsource fleet management. Regulations and safety standards constantly evolve, and outsourced providers are responsible for tracking those changes and adjusting practices as needed. Many providers also offer training, safety inspections, and regulatory compliance support, helping reduce risk and liability. In addition to choosing the functions to out- source, companies must also select a provider. One factor to consider is the provider’s maintenance network density. A provider’s service network must cover the company’s operating area. Access to data is another factor to consider. Some provid- ers offer API connections, shared portals, or other options that provide a deeper dive into operational costs and performance, Outsourcing forklift fleet management is not for every company. However, it is one way to expand internal resources to gain operational improvements and ensure safety and compliance standards are met. As with any business partnership, a company needs to understand what it plans to achieve through out- sourcing and select the provider that best meets its specific needs. (IMPROVE – continued from page 15) (TRANSFORMS – continued from page 15) The Hyster J230-400XD electric forklifts have load capacities from 23,000 to 40,000 pounds and are powered by lithium-ion batteries. of trade through Port Laredo,” says Felipe “Flip” Romero, Senior Marketing Communications Execu- tive for the City of Laredo. “As the nation’s premier inland port, we recognize the importance of main- taining a stable and predictable trade framework that allows businesses on both sides of the border to invest with confidence. We support continued dia- logue among the three countries and remain com- mitted to working with our federal, state, local, and binational partners to ensure the efficient movement of commerce and the continued competitiveness of North American trade.” He adds, “Future improvements are designed to increase commercial processing capacity, reduce congestion, improve freight reliability, strengthen system redundancy across the international bridge network, and position Port Laredo to accommodate continued trade growth.” In addition to the World Trade Bridge Expan- sion, planning and development efforts also continue for the Laredo-Colombia Solidarity Inter- national Bridge expansion, including ongoing coordination with US and Mexican partners. At this time, City of Laredo does not have a construction start date to announce. “The Laredo-Colombia Solidarity International Bridge expansion project remains an important long- term investment that will increase system capacity, strengthen network resilience, and support future growth in cross-border trade,” Romero concludes. (FUTURE – continued from page 4) (AWARDED – continued from page 6)
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