THE IMPORTANCE OF TRUCKING
LESSON PLAN OVERVIEW
Career: Truck drivers deliver goods and materials to and from farms, plants, and manufacturers to stores, distribution centers, and companies that sell these goods
Lesson: This lesson plan provides activities for students to learn about truck driving careers and the importance of truck drivers in our everyday lives. Students will research and plan a delivery route to maximize profits and time. Students will then write a position paper on buying products online versus shopping in traditional stores and how that might affect trucking careers and the environment.
Grade Level: High School
Learning Objectives:
〉 Students will be introduced to the career of truck driving and the role truck drivers play in our daily lives.
〉 Students will learn about the variables associated with truck driving and how to strategically plan a multi-delivery route to maximize time and profitability.
〉 Students will research the pros and cons of buying goods online versus shopping in stores and malls, how shopping choices affect truck driving careers and the environment, and then write a position paper.
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- Have students debate the pros and cons of home delivery versus brick and mortar stores, the effects on the environment, or have a few students present their position paper to the class.
TEACHER GUIDE
Lesson Instructions: The following activities will help you introduce students to the career of truck driving and learn more about what truck drivers do. Begin the lesson by reading the Class Message below to your students, then have them watch the recommended career video. Afterwards, facilitate a discussion using the Class Questions listed below.
After the discussion, students will work on two activities. Each activity has a printable worksheet with student instructions and areas to record their work. Have students read their worksheets before beginning each activity.
You should also familiarize yourself with the student worksheets to provide assistance when needed, help demonstrate any procedures, and help in facilitating the discussion that ends each activity.
Class Message: Today, we are going to learn about truck drivers and the role they play in our daily lives. Without truck drivers, we would not be able to enjoy the things we use every day. Truck drivers transport and deliver practically all of the products we use - our food, clothing, appliances, and all of the things in our home and in this classroom, including this pencil! Without truck drivers, it would be very difficult to get the things we need and depend on.
In this lesson, you will learn the importance of planning and scheduling a truck route before making a delivery to save time and maximize resources and profitability. You will also research the pros and cons of online shopping versus shopping in brick and mortar stores, consider the effect on truck driving careers and the environment, and then write a position paper presenting your findings and views.
Now let’s watch this short video to learn more about truck drivers and their careers.
Truck Driver Career Video - Planning the Route (http://tn-caps.com/r/92TDV)
Class Discussion Questions:
〉 How many of you frequently order items online? Why do you order online instead of going to a store or mall? - Allow students to share their thoughts.
〉 How many of you like buying things at a brick and mortar store? Why? - Allow students to share their thoughts.
〉 What are some benefits of ordering online? - Response suggestions: saves time, it’s convenient, saves money, research and find exactly what you want, etc.
〉 Imagine a world without truck drivers. How would we get food, gas, and all of the things we need to live? - Allow students to share their thoughts.
Activities Overview: This lesson plan includes two student activities. In Activity #1, students will research and plan a multi-stop delivery route to maximize time and profitability. In Activity #2, students will research and analyze the pros and cons of buying goods online versus in traditional stores, consider the effect on truck driving careers and the environment, and then write a position paper
Read and familiarize yourself with the student worksheet for each activity.
Activity #1: Planning the Route
Students will learn about some of the variables that must be considered in transporting goods by truck and will plan a multi-delivery route that maximizes time and profitability.
Activity Instructions:
〉 Hand out the student worksheet.
〉 Introduce the activity and guide students as needed.
〉 After completion, facilitate a discussion using the questions for the activity.
Activity Results: Students learned some of the guidelines truckers must follow and considered these and other factors in strategically planning a multi-stop delivery route to maximize time and profitability.
Activity Scenario: You are a box tractor-trailer driver and must decide on the best possible route to make two deliveries to maximize time and profit using the information given.
Like other truck drivers, you are allowed a period of 14 consecutive hours during which you can drive up to 11 hours if you have been off duty for 10 or more consecutive hours prior to driving. The 14 consecutive hour driving window begins when you start work. Allow time for weigh stations, gas fill ups, and driver rest stops. Remember, you can only drive a total of 11 hours during the 14-hour period and must rest 10 hours before driving again.
You are starting a new shift. Your tractor-trailer gas tank is half full and holds 200 gallons of diesel fuel. Diesel fuel cost $2.74 per gallon. You can get 5.9 mpg at maximum trailer weight and 7 mpg when the trailer is empty. You are paid 40 cents per mile. See the diagram for tractor-trailer dimensions and weight restrictions.
Load #1 – You are transporting automobile alternators from Memphis, TN, to Chattanooga, TN. Each alternator weighs 20 lbs., is 10 in. (l) by 7.5 in. (h), and is packed in a 2’ x 2’ corrugated box with cushioning that weighs 2 lbs. per box. Each box holds 8 alternators. It takes 1.5 hours to unload the alternators at the destination.
Load #2 – For the next leg of the trip, you will pick up steel cylinders used to make alternators in Knoxville, TN and transport them to Memphis, TN. Each cylinder is 5 in. in diameter and 6 ft. long and weighs 400 lbs. They are transported on steel racks that hold 6 steel cylinders each. The racks weigh 100 lbs. each. It takes 1.5 hours to load the steel cylinders onto the truck.
Research the distance and routes and select a route for each destination.
NOTE: When selecting routes, consider hours driven (can’t exceed 11 total) and total consecutive hours (can’t exceed 14 total). After 14 hours, truck drivers must stop for 10 hours before driving again.
There are other possible options such as the shortest route vs. the fastest route. Students may choose either based on what they think is optimal, e.g. would the driver rather get there faster or take a longer route since they are being paid by the mile.
The following are the quickest, most direct routes: Memphis to Chattanooga
to Knoxville
to Memphis
Calculate the maximum weight and volume allowed for the cargo. Use the tractortrailer diagram for dimensions. Assume the tractor weighs 12,000 lbs., the empty trailer weighs 12,000 lbs., and the maximum weight of the entire loaded vehicle is 80,000 lbs.
Note: The driver will be fined if the truck is overweight.
Calculate the maximum cargo weight allowed. The weight of the tractor is 12,000 lbs. and the weight of the empty trailer is 12,000 lbs. Therefore, if the total allowable weight is 80,000 lbs., the maximum weight of the cargo is 56,000 lbs.
Maximum weight = 80,000 lbs. – 12,000 lbs. (tractor weight) – 12,000 lbs. (empty trailer weight) = 56,000 lbs.
Calculate trailer volume. V³= l x w x h
Feet: 45 (l) X 8.6 (w) X 13.5 (h) = 5,224.5 ft.³
Inches: 540 (l) X 102 (w) X 162 (h) = 8,922,960 in.
Calculate how many alternators you can carry.
Find the maximum allowable cargo weight of alternators.
First, calculate total weight of 1 box: 8 alternators per box X 20 lbs. = 160 lbs.
160 lbs. + 2 lbs. (shipping materials) = 162 lbs. per box
56,000 lbs. / 162 lbs. per box = 345 boxes (rounded)
345 Boxes x 162 lbs. = 55,890 lbs.
Find the maximum number of alternator boxes that would fit in the trailer.
V³= l x w x h
1 box: 2 ft. (1) X 2 ft. (w) X 2 ft. (h) = 8 ft.³
Volume available = 5,224.5 ft.³ (trailer volume) / 8 ft.³ = 653 boxes
How many alternators can the trailer carry?
Note: Weight is more important than volume.
653 boxes X 162 lbs. = 105,786 lbs. – exceeds weight limit of 56,000 lbs.
345 Boxes X 8 alternators per box = 2,760 alternators
Calculate how many steel cylinders you can carry.
Calculate the maximum allowable cargo weight of cylinders and racks. Each cylinder is 5 in. in diameter and 6 ft. long and weighs 400 lbs. They are transported on steel racks that weigh 100 lbs. each and hold 6 steel cylinders.
56,000 lbs. total cargo weight / 400 lbs. per cylinder = 140 cylinders
140 cylinders / 6 = 23 racks
23 racks X 6 = 138 steel cylinders. 138 X 400 lbs. = 55,200 lbs. + 23 racks X 100 lbs. = 57,500 – exceeds weight limit. Reduce number of racks by 1.
22 racks X 6 = 132 X 400 lbs. = 52,800 + 22 racks X 100 lbs. = 55,000 lbs.
Find the maximum number of steel cylinders that would fit in the trailer. V = h x ∏ x r² (use 3.14 for pi)
72” X 3.14 X (5/2)² = 72” X 3.14 X 6.25 = 1,413 in.³
8,867,880 in.³ trailer volume / 1,413 in.³ = 6,275 steel cylinders
6,275 / 6 = 1046 racks. 6275 X 400 lbs. = 2,510,000 lbs. - exceeds weight limit of 56,000 lbs.
How many steel cylinders can trailer carry?
Note: Weight is more important than volume.
22 racks X 6 cylinders per rack = 132 steel cylinders
Calculate total fuel cost. 5.9 mpg at maximum trailer weight and 7 mpg when trailer is empty. There are other possible route options. The following is based on the quickest, most direct routes.
Memphis to Chattanooga – 337 miles / 5.9 mpg max = 57.12 gal.
Chattanooga to Knoxville – 112 miles / 7 mpg empty = 16 gal.
Knoxville to Memphis – 391 miles / 5.9 mpg max = 66.27 gal.
57.12 + 16 + 66.27 = 139.39 gal. total X $2.74 = $381.93
Note: Driver would have to fill up tank in Knoxville before traveling to Memphis.
173.12 gal. X $2.74 = $474.35
Calculate driver pay. There are other possible options. The following is based on the quickest, most direct routes.
Memphis to Chattanooga – 337 miles + Chattanooga to Knoxville – 112 miles + Knoxville to Memphis – 391 miles = 840 miles
840 miles X .40 = $336
Truck driver will earn $336 for the trip.
Calculate the total expenses and cost of trip.
Calculate total driving hours and consecutive hours.
Activity Discussion:
〉 Did you exceed 11 hours of driving or 14 consecutive hours? Yes or No If not, how did you prevent exceeding the hours? - Sample answers may include: I spent the night in Knoxville for 10 hours then drove to Memphis the next day. I drove until I reached 11 hours driving time and rested for 10 hours.
〉 What happens after working 14 consecutive hours? - Sample answers may include: Driver must be off duty for 10 hours before driving again.
〉 Did anyone choose an alternate route? If so, which one and why did you choose that route? - Allow students to share their experience.
〉 What are some other cost factors associated with driving a tractor-trailer? - Sample answers may include: monthly payment on the truck, repairs and maintenance, insurance, etc.
〉 What are some factors that might affect the delivery time of the load? - Sample answers may include: breakdown, flat tire, accident, high level of traffic, road construction, weigh station backup, weather, etc.
Activity #2: Home Delivery vs Brick and Mortar Store
Students will research and analyze the pros and cons of buying goods by home delivery versus shopping in traditional stores, how shopping choices might affect truck driving careers and the environment, and then write a position paper based on their findings.
Activity Instructions:
〉 Hand out the student worksheet.
〉 Introduce the activity and guide students as needed.
〉 After completion, facilitate a discussion using the questions for the activity.
Activity Results: Students researched information on buying online vs. brick and mortar stores and learned about the effects of consumer shopping choices on truck driving careers and the environment.
Activity Discussion:
〉 How does online shopping or in brick and mortar stores affect truck driving careers? Do shopping choices have an effect on the number of 18-wheelers vs. delivery truck drivers? What are the effects? - Sample answers may include: unless shipping directly from the manufacturer, both still require the delivery of goods to the distribution center and individual stores. If ordered directly from the manufacturer, a delivery truck still must deliver the package to your home.
〉 How has online shopping affected traditional stores and malls? - Sample answers may include: Online shopping has reduced the amount of brick and mortar stores. Retailers are closing or reducing their brick and mortar stores and moving to online shopping to reduce overhead costs and meet the changing needs of their customer.
〉 What are differences in environmental costs of having goods delivered to your home versus driving to a store to shop? How does shopping online and in brick and mortar stores affect the environment? - Sample answers may include: Online shopping is better on the environment because you have a delivery truck vs. everyone driving to multiple store locations and causing more carbon emissions.
〉 What are some technological advancements that could affect the trucking industry?Sample answers may include: Driverless delivery vehicles – automated preprogrammed delivery trucks and delivery drones.
〉 What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of buying goods by home delivery? - Advantages: it saves gas; you can shop from the comfort of your home; you don’t have to search through racks of clothes; can research and find exactly what you want; etc.
Disadvantages: clothing will not fit or look good on me; hassle returning items; food may be expired or almost expired; fresh products like vegetables and fruits might be under ripe or over ripe; quality is not what I thought it would be from the picture.
〉 What are the advantages and disadvantages of buying goods at brick and mortar stores? - Advantages: you can pick out exactly what you want, try on clothes to ensure they fit and don’t have to hassle with returns, etc.
Disadvantages: the time and gas involved going to a mall or grocery store, trying on clothes in dressing rooms, have to deal with crowds, etc.
CAREER INSIGHT
Career Highlight: This lesson plan highlights some of the duties of a truck driver and their role in keeping goods and materials moving throughout the world. See the Employers in My Area section to contact businesses and organizations in your area about classroom demonstrations, on-site visits, or other additional career exposure opportunities
Featured Career: Truck Driver
Career Descriptions: Heavy and tractortrailer truck drivers transport goods from one location to another. Most tractor-trailer drivers are long-haul drivers and operate trucks with a total weight exceeding 26,000 pounds for the vehicle, passengers, and cargo. These drivers deliver goods over intercity routes that sometimes span several states.
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers typically do the following:
〉 Drive long distances
〉 Report any incidents encountered on the road to a dispatcher
〉 Follow all applicable traffic laws
〉 Secure cargo for transport, using ropes, blocks, chains, or covers
〉 Inspect their trailers before and after the trip and record any defects they find
〉 Maintain a log of their working hours, following all federal and state regulations
〉 Report serious mechanical problems to the appropriate people
〉 Keep their trucks and associated equipment clean and in good working order
Most heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers’ routes are assigned by a dispatcher, but some independent drivers still plan their own routes. When planning routes, drivers must take into account any road restrictions that prohibit large trucks. Drivers also must plan legally required rest periods into their trip.
Some drivers have one or two routes that they drive regularly, and other drivers take many different routes throughout the country. In addition, some drivers have routes that include Mexico or Canada.
Certain cargo requires drivers to adhere to additional safety regulations. Some heavy truck drivers who transport hazardous materials, such as chemical waste, must take special precautions when driving and may carry specialized safety equipment in case of an accident. Other drivers, such as those carrying liquids, oversized loads, or cars, must follow rules that apply specifically to them.
Other Names for this Career: Truck Driver, Delivery Driver, Line Haul Driver, Tractor Trailer Operator, Driver, Semi Truck Driver, Road Driver, Production Truck Driver, Over the Road Driver (OTR Driver), Log Truck Driver
EDUCATOR RUBRIC
ITEM
Writing with Focus and Organization
Does Not Meet Expectations
In response to the task, the writing contains no or an irrelevant introduction, states an unclear argument, and/or demonstrates an unclear organizational structure. The writing fails to clarify relationships among claim(s), reasons, evidence, and counterclaim(s) and contains no or an irrelevant concluding statement or section.
Language The writing illustrates little to no use of precise language and domain-specific vocabulary, utilizes no or few transitional words and phrases and does not establish or maintain a formal style and an objective tone.
Meets Expectations Exceeds Expectations
In response to the task, the writing contains a relevant introduction, states a precise claim and maintains a clear argument and utilizes adequate organizational strategies. The writing successfully clarifies most relationships among claim(s) and contains a relevant concluding statement or section.
The writing illustrates consistent command of precise language and domain-specific vocabulary appropriate to the task, utilizes appropriate and varied transitional words and phrases and establishes and maintains a formal style and an objective tone.
In response to the task, the writing contains an effective and relevant introduction, states a precise claim and maintains a sophisticated argument, utilizes effective organizational strategies. The writing effectively clarifies relationships among claim(s) and contains an effective and relevant concluding statement or section.
The writing illustrates consistent and sophisticated command of precise language and domain-specific vocabulary appropriate to the task, utilizes sophisticated and varied transitional words and phrases, and effectively establishes and maintains a formal style and an objective tone.
Development In response to the task, the writing utilizes mostly irrelevant or no evidence from the stimuli, or mostly/only personal knowledge to adequately support claim(s) and counterclaim(s). Evidence is inaccurate or repetitive.
In response to the task, the writing utilizes relevant and sufficient evidence from the stimuli to adequately support claim(s)
In response to the task, the writing utilizes wellchosen, relevant, and sufficient evidence from the stimuli to thoroughly and insightfully support logical claim(s)
ACTIVITY #1: PLANNING THE ROUTE
Introduction: Before a truck driver jumps into a tractor trailer and starts driving, there is a lot of planning that needs to occur first. For a company to maximize time and profits, they must strategically plan the delivery route to include multiple stops if possible.
Activity Description: In this activity, you will research online to develop a multi-stop delivery route using the variables outlined below to maximize time and profits.
Activity Procedure: Consider each variable in the scenario to create a multi-stop delivery route that will maximize the delivery time and the company’s profits.
Scenario: You are a box tractor trailer driver and must decide on the best possible route to make two deliveries to maximize time and profit using the information given.
Like other truck drivers, you are allowed a period of 14 consecutive hours during which you can drive up to 11 hours if you have been off duty for 10 or more consecutive hours prior to driving. The 14 consecutive hour driving window begins when you start work. Allow time for weigh stations, gas fill ups, and driver rest stops. Remember, you can only drive a total of 11 hours during the 14-hour period and must rest 10 hours before driving again.
You are starting a new shift. Your tractor trailer gas tank is half full and holds 200 gallons of diesel fuel. Diesel fuel cost $2.74 per gallon. You can get 5.9 mpg at maximum trailer weight and 7 mpg when the trailer is empty. You are paid 40 cents per mile. See the diagram for tractor trailer dimensions and weight restrictions.
Load #1 – You are transporting automobile alternators from Memphis, TN, to Chattanooga, TN. Each alternator weighs 20 lbs. and is 10 in. (l) by 7.5 in. (h) and is packed in a 2’ x 2’ corrugated box with cushioning that weighs 2 lbs. per box. Each box holds 8 alternators. It takes 1.5 hours to unload the alternators at the destination.
Load #2 – For the next leg of the trip, you will pick up steel cylinders used to make alternators in Knoxville, TN and transport them to Memphis, TN. Each cylinder is 5 in. in diameter and 6 ft. long and weighs 400 lbs. They are transported on steel racks that hold 6 steel cylinders each. The racks weigh 100 lbs. each. It takes 1.5 hours to load the steel cylinders onto the truck?
Solve the following:
Research the distance and routes and select a route for each destination.
NOTE: When selecting routes, consider hours driven (can’t exceed 11 total) and total consecutive hours (can’t exceed 14 total). After 14 hours, truck drivers must stop for 10 hours before driving again.
Memphis to Chattanooga
Chattanooga to Knoxville Knoxville to Memphis
Calculate the maximum weight and volume allowed for the cargo. Use the tractortrailer diagram for dimensions. Assume the tractor weighs 12,000 lbs., the empty trailer weighs 12,000 lbs., and the maximum weight of the entire loaded vehicle is 80,000 lbs.
Note: The driver will be fined if the truck is overweight.
Calculate the maximum cargo weight allowed.
Calculate trailer volume. V³= l x w x h
Calculate how many alternators you can carry.
Find the maximum allowable cargo weight of alternators.
Find the maximum number of alternator boxes that would fit in the trailer.
V³= l x w x h
How many alternators can the trailer carry?
Note: Weight is more important than volume.
Calculate how many steel cylinders you can carry.
Calculate the maximum allowable cargo weight of cylinders and racks.
Find the maximum number of steel cylinders that would fit in the trailer. V = h x ∏ x r² (use 3.14 for pi)
How many steel cylinders can trailer carry?
Note: Weight is more important than volume.
Calculate total fuel cost.
Calculate driver pay.
Calculate the total expenses and cost of trip.
Total Fuel Cost
Total Driver Pay
TOTAL TRIP COST
Calculate total driving hours and consecutive hours.
– Chatta. Chatta. – Knox. Knox. - Memphis
TOTALS
Activity Discussion:
〉 Did you exceed 11 hours of driving or 14 consecutive hours? If not, how did you prevent exceeding the hours?
〉 What happens after working 14 consecutive hours?
〉 Did anyone choose an alternate route? If so, which one and why did you choose that route?
〉 What are some other cost factors associated with driving a tractor-trailer?
〉 What are some factors that might affect the delivery time of the load?
ACTIVITY #2: MILES OF TRUCKING
Introduction: Throughout human history, people have found ways to locate and transport the goods and materials needed for survival. From hunting and gathering to brick and mortar stores and online shopping, people have worked to gain access to the goods and services they need and desire.
Today, we increasingly rely on the convenience of home shopping and delivery. Truck drivers not only deliver items directly to your home, they also deliver just about every raw material, piece, part, and finished product that you can think of to and from farms, manufacturing plants, distribution centers, stores, and other companies that supply and sell these goods.
Activity Description: You will research online to analyze the pros and cons of buying goods by home delivery versus shopping in traditional stores and how shopping choices might affect truck driving careers and the environment. Then write a position paper on shopping online vs. in brick and mortar stores. Include a consideration of how shopping choices affect truck driving careers and the environment. Your paper should have an introduction stating the issues and your position on them, supporting information for your position, and a conclusion to summarize your point of view on the issues.
Activity Procedure: Conduct your research online and analyze the pros and cons of buying goods online vs. in brick and mortar stores and the effects of shopping choices on driving careers and the environment. Write a paper supporting your findings?
Use this space to make research notes and an outline of your paper.
Use a computer or this space to write your position paper.
Activity Discussion:
〉 How does online shopping or in brick and mortar stores affect truck driving careers? Do shopping choices have an effect on the number of 18-wheelers vs. delivery truck drivers? What are the effects?
〉 How has online shopping affected traditional stores and malls?
〉 What are differences in environmental costs of having goods delivered to your home versus driving to a store to shop? How does shopping online and in brick and mortar stores affect the environment?
〉 What are some technological advancements that could affect the trucking industry?
〉 What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of buying goods by home delivery?
〉 What are the advantages and disadvantages of buying goods at brick and mortar stores?
