​Survey Finds Professional Van Operators are Embracing Technology and Healthy Habits on the Road

January 2017

EVANSVILLE, IN… Not only are today’s professional van operators more connected through technology and social media than ever before, but they are also increasingly health-conscious, according to a new survey of 401 Atlas Van Lines PVOs. The King of the Road survey provides insights from one of the nation’s leading moving company’s van operators on their preferred brands, use of technology and healthy habits while navigating the roads.

“Our experienced professional van operators log millions of miles on the road each year and serve as the backbone of our company,” said Glen Dunkerson, chairman and CEO of Atlas World Group. “We find our King of the Road survey extremely valuable, as it offers insights into the latest industry trends and also allows our PVOs to share their expertise with others on the road.”

Highlights of this year’s King of the Road survey include:

PVOs are taking advantage of the latest technologies. Ninety-three percent of PVOs surveyed use smartphones, up from 66 percent in 2013, with the Android outpacing the iPhone (57 percent to 45 percent) as the smartphone of choice for van operators or PVOs. Verizon Wireless remains the preferred wireless network for the third consecutive survey, and PVOs continue to take advantage of the latest technology, with 56 percent of those surveyed using tablets, such as the Apple iPad and Samsung Galaxy.

In addition to using the latest gadgets, PVOs are also employing technology to stay more connected to work, family and friends while on the road, with 94 percent of PVOs accessing email daily and 93 percent of respondents saying they have access to internet daily. Nearly 75 percent of PVOs are checking social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram daily, up from 56 percent when the survey was last conducted in 2013. With many PVOs spending 40 weeks or more on the road, today’s technological advances are helping them stay connected—no matter their geographic location.

PVOs are increasingly health-conscious. Seventy-five percent of PVOs surveyed said they exercise while on the road by moving furniture, and 26 percent make an effort to walk, run or doing another workout activity while at truck spots. In addition, PVOs are making healthy eating choices while on the road. Seventy-nine percent of PVOs surveyed said they drink water throughout the day, over sugary drinks such teas, sports drinks, juices and sodas. Fresh fruit was the top choice for favorite snacks while on the road (44 percent), followed by peanuts/mixed nuts (35 percent), and Subway was the frontrunner for the favorite fast food restaurant.

Favorite brands and other highway essentials include:

·Best coffee: Dunkin’ Donuts

·Favorite hotel chains: Super 8 and Comfort Inn

·Best truck stop chains: Flying J and Petro

·Favorite on-the-road snack: Fresh fruit

·State with the best rest stops: Florida

·Most effective antacid: Tums

·Favorite on-the-road music genre: Talk/news/sports radio

·Best tires: Michelin

·Favorite motor oil: Shell Rotella

·Best tractor: Kenworth

·Favorite grocery store/supermarket: Walmart

·Most common-used smartphone: Android

·Most common-used cell service/network provider: Verizon

·Favorite electronic log devices (ELD)/telematics system: Rand McNally

The King of the Road Survey results are revealed in conjunction with Atlas Van Lines’ annual driver appreciation event, known as HYPERLINK "http://www.atlasvanlines.com/bravo"BRAVO (Boosting Recognition of Atlas Van Operators) Week, which was Sept. 26-30. This week-long event takes place at participating Atlas agencies around the United States and Canada and recognizes the hardworking PVOs who travel across the country and interact with Atlas Van Lines’ customers on a daily basis.

For more information, visit http://www.atlasvanlines.com/.