How Arka Express cut low-clearance trailer damage 50% with routing tech

Arka Express reduced low-clearance trailer damage by half after integrating truck-specific routing software with its transportation management system and electronic logging devices, according to the carrier's director of operations.

How much did low-clearance incidents cost Arka Express before the routing fix?

The Illinois-based carrier was seeing up to seven trailers damaged per year from low-clearance strikes, with two to three units totaled annually. Each incident cost thousands of dollars in repairs, weeks of downtime, and added risk from cargo damage and delivery delays, said Dmitry Naumov, Arka Express director of operations.

Arka piloted Trucker Path for Fleets with 25 drivers after evaluating other routing tools. Many drivers already used the consumer version of the app and trusted it. The carrier now pushes truck-friendly routes with turn-by-turn navigation through a link to its 10 Speed Transportation Management System. The integration syncs load assignments with the navigation app to automatically populate routes.

What operational gains did Arka see after deploying the routing integration?

Since implementing Trucker Path for Fleets, Arka Express logged a 50% reduction in low-clearance incidents, fewer route-related delays, reduced out-of-route miles, and fuel savings of as much as 3% through route and fueling optimization, Naumov said.

The app also integrates with Samsara electronic logging devices, syncing hours-of-service data so drivers can see remaining drive time in the navigation interface. Naumov believes the workflow simplification helps driver retention. "The app simplifies workflows for drivers by integrating truck-specific navigation with our TMS, fueling system, and Samsara electronic logging devices," he said.

Arka Express solicits driver feedback at 90 days, one year, and at exit interviews to identify retention issues. Compensation remains a concern, though the carrier pays for leave time and offers wage increases. "It's hard to pay more in a tight freight market with slim margins," Naumov said, "but when the market improves, compensation will reflect that."

What equipment standardization strategy is Arka using to control maintenance costs?

Cost control through standardization drives Arka Express's equipment strategy. The trailer fleet consists of 53-foot dry vans, primarily from Utility, with some Hyundai, Stoughton, and Wabash units.

For the past three years, the carrier has been transitioning to Freightliner tractors. About 65% of the fleet is now Freightliner, and Arka plans to convert all equipment in the next few years, Naumov said. "Working with one manufacturer gives us more buying power and simplifies maintenance and parts inventory needs."

Maintenance is handled by an independent provider owned by Arka Express, which services equipment in Illinois and at facilities in Georgia. For road service and repairs, the company relies on Freightliner dealers and Love's Travel Centers.

The single-OEM strategy mirrors what other small fleets use to reduce parts complexity and improve dealer leverage, though it concentrates supply-chain risk if Freightliner faces production delays or parts shortages.

What this means for small fleets managing bridge strikes and route compliance

Low-clearance damage is a persistent cost for dry-van fleets running mixed urban and rural routes. A totaled trailer represents $30,000 to $50,000 in replacement cost, plus the revenue lost while the unit sits in a body shop or scrapyard. Arka's 50% reduction in incidents suggests that integrating routing software with TMS and ELD platforms — rather than relying on standalone consumer GPS apps — can close the gap between dispatched routes and what drivers actually run.

The fuel-savings claim of 3% is modest but material for a small fleet. On a truck running 100,000 miles per year at 6.5 MPG and $3.50 per gallon, 3% fuel savings equals roughly $1,600 per truck annually. For a 50-truck fleet, that scales to $80,000 in annual fuel cost avoided, enough to cover the software subscription and still return a net gain.

Fleets evaluating similar integrations should confirm that the routing provider supports their TMS and ELD hardware. Arka's setup works because Trucker Path for Fleets supports API links to 10 Speed TMS and Samsara ELDs. Carriers running different platforms will need to verify compatibility before piloting. The driver-adoption factor matters — Arka's success partly hinged on drivers already trusting the consumer version of the app, which reduced training friction and pushback on the new workflow.