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Whether you're a businessperson or a consumer, we're all dependent on transportation to get us and the items we sell or pay for, from point A to point B. Even if you ordered same-day or two-day shipping, there isn't an absolutely guarantee that your package will arrive on time. Companies as well as customers are beholden to the country's infrastructure and the trucking, railroad and airline industries. 

Sometimes, delays in shipping times are out of our control, i.e. severe weather that comes out of nowhere. But with the help of predictive modeling software and the big data it examines, all three modes of transportation can avoid accidents and other issues that delay the pace of commerce. 

"Analytics helps transportation industries get people and products to their destinations on time."

Looking for failure
IBM's Big Data and Analytics Hub blog reported more companies in the trucking, train and plane sectors are adopting analytics platforms to predict potential problems with their fleets. Therefore, they can anticipate failure before it even occurs. As the cost of 18-wheelers rises, trucking companies must find a cost-effective way to extend the life of the current fleet of big rigs they have. Enter analytics. Trucking Info noted more businesses use data analysis to make better decisions regarding deliveries or rerouting drivers so they can head delays in shipments off at the pass

Having access to real-time data gives a trucking company more time to ensure a backup vehicle is sent out or a new driver picks up the slack. 

Maintaining safety
Analytics can also take the health of each truck into account. Instead of guessing if the vehicle can make the trip, or if it will break down based on the number of miles it has, data analytics takes a whole host of factors under consideration to make accurate predictions. 

Employing analytics to predict when maintenance is needed isn't solely used in the trucking sector. Railroad systems in the United Kingdom are currently examining ways they can use predictive modeling tools, Engineering and Technology wrote. By using the data gathered from sensors on train cars, railroad companies can potentially minimize accidents and ensure trains and their contents get to their destinations on time.

Airlines want in on predictive analytics, too, especially since delays and grounding jets cuts into their bottom lines. According to IBM, more airlines want to use big data to assess each part of their planes for wear and tear so they can better guarantee safe flights.

Big data and analytics not only help retailers and consumers, but also the industries tasked with getting the products to them.