Canada is the second largest country in the world, but ranks only 38th in total population, meaning that there’s a lot of space for drivers to travel. In fact, only 1 million people live in the northern half of Canada, but these people still need supplies to survive. How do they get them? Well, brave souls in huge 18 wheeler trucks, of course! These drivers transverse huge amounts of Canadian terrain—frozen lakes and ice covered, unmaintained roads—in order to bring supplies to those who are in the most remote parts of Canada.
Read on to discover more information about this exciting field, and what it means for dispatch students.
Students at Dispatcher Schools Might Know Ice Road Trucking is Dangerous
Ice road trucking is one of the most dangerous jobs on the planet, which means that dispatchers working in this field have a few extra considerations to keep in mind. To begin with, consider that the average daily temperatures in the region where ice road trucking happens—the Northern half of Canada—is about -38 degrees Celsius, which will give you frostbite in about 10 minutes if there is no wind. Temperatures in the -40C to -50C range are also not uncommon. There are also whiteout conditions, where intense snow might prevent drivers from seeing the road at all. Plus, the amount of daylight that occurs up north is minimal, so often truckers, who can drive up to 15 hours a day, might have drive completely in the dark. Even the road itself might break as ice melts, which can lead to trucks falling into freezing water.
Grads of a Dispatcher Course Stay Vigilant When Working in Ice Road Trucking
Because of the dangers that come with ice road trucking, dispatchers working in this field need to be extra vigilant. If you’re dispatching a truck up North and your driver’s truck breaks down, that driver could be stuck for days, and so arctic-ready gear is a must for them to stay safe in such cold temperatures. Not only that, but these temperatures can cause steel to snap more easily, meaning the chances of your driver’s truck experiencing problems is substantially higher. Also, there is no cell reception in most areas where ice road trucking takes place, so you’ll likely rely on CB radio or satellite communications to communicate with drivers.
If you graduate from a dispatcher course and start your career dispatching ice road truckers, keep in mind the extra considerations that come with the territory and stay alert so you are ready to assist if a driver needs help.
Dispatch Course Grads Should Know Ice Road Trucking Takes a Long Time
When dispatching for ice road trucking, dispatch course graduates need to account for the slower speeds that drivers will need to follow. The average trip speed is around 24 kilometers per hour—which is incredibly slow. That slow speed is for good reason of course, as the roads used are more dangerous. However, these slow speeds lead to incredibly long journeys, which means long hours for drivers and for the dispatch course graduates who help guide them through these trips.
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