hauling

Hauling is the activity of transporting goods and materials from one location to another. The term is used across industries and modes, including road transport, rail, sea, and air. It is commonly associated with freight carriers, trucking companies, and independent operators. The verb haul means to pull or carry something, which gives rise to hauling as the act itself.

Road hauling is the largest segment in many economies, using tractor-trailers that pull various types of trailers such as dry vans, refrigerated units, flatbeds, and tanker trailers. Long-haul (over-the-road) carriers usually operate between cities, while regional and local haulers work within shorter distances. Other modes include rail freight with freight cars and intermodal containers; maritime shipping with bulk carriers and container ships; and air freight using cargo planes.

Operations and regulation involve logistics planning, route optimization, load securement, and documentation. Drivers and vehicles are subject to safety and compliance rules, including licensing, vehicle inspection, weight limits, and hours-of-service restrictions. In the United States, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates commercial trucking; in the European Union, drivers' hours rules and tachographs apply.

Economic and environmental aspects: Hauling is a fundamental part of modern supply chains, influencing costs, delivery times, and service quality. Fuel efficiency, alternative fuels, and route optimization aim to reduce emissions. Technology such as GPS tracking, telematics, electronic logging devices, and intermodal data standards improve efficiency, safety, and visibility. The industry also faces labor considerations and safety risks, including driver fatigue and road incidents.