Vlad Skots Built Motion TMS to Give Small Truckers Big Tools
The U.S. trucking industry generates over $1 trillion in economic activity each year. But while it plays an outsized role in powering the economy, the structure of the sector tells a more fragmented story. As of early 2024, more than 95% of motor carriers operate 10 or fewer trucks, and around 16% of all drivers are independent owner-operators. These small and mid-sized fleets are indispensable to national freight movement, yet they often lack access to the technologies and infrastructure that larger carriers take for granted.
In response to this imbalance, USKO Inc. developed Motion TMS, a Transportation Management System built from real-world operational needs. Designed with smaller operators in mind, Motion TMS brings together mission-critical functions like dispatch, compliance, document management, and financials into one platform. Tools like these could help independent fleets not only stay competitive but scale more sustainably.
Empowering Smaller Fleets Through Smart Tech
Running a small fleet today often means juggling dispatch calls, DOT paperwork, route planning, driver support, and invoicing, all with limited administrative staff and tight margins. A system like Motion TMS is designed to streamline these core operations. By integrating route planning, safety compliance, document processing, and real-time load visibility, platforms like this offer smaller carriers the kind of operational backbone typically reserved for national fleets.
For many operators, this kind of digital consolidation can be the difference between operating reactively and planning proactively. These tools allow businesses to function with greater agility, better resource allocation, and real-time accountability. Yet without sacrificing their independence.
'We didn't build Motion TMS sitting in an office. We built it while running trucks, fixing problems, and dealing with real chaos. It's a tool made by people who've lived it. It helps small fleets move faster, spend less, and stay in control. Big companies had the tech for years. Now we're giving it to the ones who actually move America. This is a shift in power.' Vlad Skots, CEO, USKO Inc.
Managing Costs in a Volatile Environment
Cost pressures in trucking remain high. According to RTS Inc., in 2023, average operational costs per mile hit $2.27, driven largely by fluctuations in fuel, equipment prices, and driver wages. For smaller fleets that lack the purchasing power of large enterprises, every inefficiency hits harder. Systems like Motion TMS aim to ease this burden with features like optimized dispatching, mileage tracking, digital compliance alerts, and same-day driver payouts.
For drivers, the app-based interface simplifies their daily experience, providing real time access to documents, load details, and earnings.
Adapting to the Future with Predictive Tools
According to Geotab's 2024 industry report, 65% of carriers plan to adopt AI-powered tools within the next two years to enhance logistics performance. Motion TMS is currently developing AI-enabled dispatch and predictive load planning features that could bring automation to everyday logistics decisions, from optimizing truck routes to preventing scheduling conflicts and reducing empty miles.
'This shift toward AI-integrated platforms is about equipping operators with insights they can act on faster and with more confidence, not removing human oversight,' underpinned Vlad Skots.
Demonstrated Results Across Fleets
Motion TMS has been tested across USKO's owner operators fleet of 3,000+ vehicles, including sprinter vans, straight-, and semi-trucks. Over a two-plus-year period now, the system has proven its capacity to scale while maintaining operational clarity and user simplicity.
For other carriers, that means the platform is already built to handle the pressure and complexity of national freight operations, and can be tailored to suit smaller businesses with minimal learning curves.
A Broader Industry Impact
Even as the number of active motor carriers dropped 3.7% in 2024, freight demand rose — shipments were up 9% in Q2 alone — and kept rising ever since. The ability to handle more freight with fewer resources makes software like Motion TMS not just essential but inevitable.
At a time when the market is calling for more efficiency and stronger logistics infrastructure, platforms like Motion TMS offer one possible path forward. The question isn't whether technology will redefine trucking. It's who will have access to it.
Vlad Skots, a former truck driver turned disruptor, is CEO of USKO Inc., a global logistics firm. He is also the visionary behind Motion TMS, a platform designed to help small and mid-sized fleets operate more efficiently in today's transportation economy.
Disclosure: USKO Inc. stands to benefit commercially from the adoption of Motion TMS.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
17 hours ago
- USA Today
Vlad Skots Built Motion TMS to Give Small Truckers Big Tools
The U.S. trucking industry generates over $1 trillion in economic activity each year. But while it plays an outsized role in powering the economy, the structure of the sector tells a more fragmented story. As of early 2024, more than 95% of motor carriers operate 10 or fewer trucks, and around 16% of all drivers are independent owner-operators. These small and mid-sized fleets are indispensable to national freight movement, yet they often lack access to the technologies and infrastructure that larger carriers take for granted. In response to this imbalance, USKO Inc. developed Motion TMS, a Transportation Management System built from real-world operational needs. Designed with smaller operators in mind, Motion TMS brings together mission-critical functions like dispatch, compliance, document management, and financials into one platform. Tools like these could help independent fleets not only stay competitive but scale more sustainably. Empowering Smaller Fleets Through Smart Tech Running a small fleet today often means juggling dispatch calls, DOT paperwork, route planning, driver support, and invoicing, all with limited administrative staff and tight margins. A system like Motion TMS is designed to streamline these core operations. By integrating route planning, safety compliance, document processing, and real-time load visibility, platforms like this offer smaller carriers the kind of operational backbone typically reserved for national fleets. For many operators, this kind of digital consolidation can be the difference between operating reactively and planning proactively. These tools allow businesses to function with greater agility, better resource allocation, and real-time accountability. Yet without sacrificing their independence. 'We didn't build Motion TMS sitting in an office. We built it while running trucks, fixing problems, and dealing with real chaos. It's a tool made by people who've lived it. It helps small fleets move faster, spend less, and stay in control. Big companies had the tech for years. Now we're giving it to the ones who actually move America. This is a shift in power.' Vlad Skots, CEO, USKO Inc. Managing Costs in a Volatile Environment Cost pressures in trucking remain high. According to RTS Inc., in 2023, average operational costs per mile hit $2.27, driven largely by fluctuations in fuel, equipment prices, and driver wages. For smaller fleets that lack the purchasing power of large enterprises, every inefficiency hits harder. Systems like Motion TMS aim to ease this burden with features like optimized dispatching, mileage tracking, digital compliance alerts, and same-day driver payouts. For drivers, the app-based interface simplifies their daily experience, providing real time access to documents, load details, and earnings. Adapting to the Future with Predictive Tools According to Geotab's 2024 industry report, 65% of carriers plan to adopt AI-powered tools within the next two years to enhance logistics performance. Motion TMS is currently developing AI-enabled dispatch and predictive load planning features that could bring automation to everyday logistics decisions, from optimizing truck routes to preventing scheduling conflicts and reducing empty miles. 'This shift toward AI-integrated platforms is about equipping operators with insights they can act on faster and with more confidence, not removing human oversight,' underpinned Vlad Skots. Demonstrated Results Across Fleets Motion TMS has been tested across USKO's owner operators fleet of 3,000+ vehicles, including sprinter vans, straight-, and semi-trucks. Over a two-plus-year period now, the system has proven its capacity to scale while maintaining operational clarity and user simplicity. For other carriers, that means the platform is already built to handle the pressure and complexity of national freight operations, and can be tailored to suit smaller businesses with minimal learning curves. A Broader Industry Impact Even as the number of active motor carriers dropped 3.7% in 2024, freight demand rose — shipments were up 9% in Q2 alone — and kept rising ever since. The ability to handle more freight with fewer resources makes software like Motion TMS not just essential but inevitable. At a time when the market is calling for more efficiency and stronger logistics infrastructure, platforms like Motion TMS offer one possible path forward. The question isn't whether technology will redefine trucking. It's who will have access to it. Vlad Skots, a former truck driver turned disruptor, is CEO of USKO Inc., a global logistics firm. He is also the visionary behind Motion TMS, a platform designed to help small and mid-sized fleets operate more efficiently in today's transportation economy. Disclosure: USKO Inc. stands to benefit commercially from the adoption of Motion TMS.
Car and Driver
3 days ago
- Car and Driver
Cars' Forward Blind Zones Are Worse Now Than 25 Years Ago: Study
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has developed a new way to measure a driver's outward visibility from a vehicle. DOT researchers used the method to examine the change in what a driver can see out of multiple generations of popular vehicles produced over the past 25 years. The results show that, for the selected vehicles (Chevrolet Suburban, Ford F-150, Honda Accord and CR-V, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Toyota Camry), the outward view has decreased. When we review a new vehicle, we pay close attention to how easy or difficult it is to see out of, and that information makes it into everything from road tests to comparisons to our buyer's guide. But even our exhaustive test regimen doesn't spit out a quantifiable value for outward visibility. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has a new method to look at what drivers can't look at, and the results of a DOT study using the method suggest that things have gotten worse over the past quarter-century. The IIHS came up with an easier way to repeatably measure and compare what a driver can see in a 180-degree forward-facing view out of a vehicle. The method involves a special portable camera rig that captures a driver's view. That image is then processed to determine what percentage of the road in a specified radius is visible, and what's blocked by the vehicle's A-pillars, hood, and side-view mirrors. The result is an aerial view of where the driver's vision is obstructed—the blind zone—as well as a percentage of the surrounding area that's visible. Previously, this task required either access to engineering drawings or a specially prepared area in which to take measurements. Researchers can also use lasers for this, but, according to the IIHS, that method doesn't capture zones blocked by side-view mirrors or the wide bases of a vehicle's A-pillars. For the study, researchers with the U.S. Department of Transportation's Volpe Center used the IIHS method to examine every generation of some popular vehicles sold between 1997 and 2023. The models chosen were the Chevrolet Suburban, the Ford F-150, the Honda Accord, the Honda CR-V, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the Toyota Camry. The analysis measured how much of a 10-meter radius is visible to a driver; this distance was chosen because that's approximately how much space a driver needs to react and stop when traveling at 10 mph. The study also measured visibility between 10 and 20 meters from the vehicle. The biggest model-specific difference was observed with the Honda CR-V. In a 1997 model, the researchers measured 68 percent visibility, while the 2022 came in at just 28 percent. In a 2000 Suburban, the study measured 56 percent visible area within the 10-meter radius, but in a 2023 model it was down to 28 percent. The study concluded that higher hoods on newer versions of both models had the biggest impact on outward visibility. The F-150 started out with low visibility (43% for a 1997 model) and also declined (36% for the 2015 version). The two sedans in the study saw the least regression: A 2003 Accord was measured at 65 percent visibility, with the 2023 close behind at 60 percent, and the Camry went from 61 percent for the 2007 model to 57 percent for a 2023. Results for visibility between 10 and 20 meters were mixed, with some improving and others decreasing over subsequent generations. The study also notes that, during the same time period, pedestrian and bicyclist deaths on U.S. roads increased dramatically—37 and 42 percent, respectively. While this is not conclusive evidence across the industry, the results from these representative vehicles suggest an overall decline in outward frontal visibility. The study also notes that, during the same time period, pedestrian and bicyclist deaths on U.S. roads increased dramatically—37 and 42 percent, respectively. There's likely at least some causation with that correlation, even when you consider the addition of features such as automated emergency braking that are meant to intervene and prevent such collisions. Anecdotally, it's pretty clear that it has gotten harder to see out of new vehicles over the years. We're now at a point where technology like digital rearview cameras is augmenting—or, in the case of the rear-window-less Polestar 4, replacing—what a driver can see from the helm. This, along with features such as blind-spot monitoring, seems to have emboldened designers to further shrink the glass on a vehicle and worry less about what parts of the body obstruct the outward view. While we welcome this new measurement technique developed by the IIHS, it's interesting to note that some of the group's own ratings may also play into this reduction in forward view. Enlarging A-pillars, along with increased use of high-strength steel, is one way automakers improve a vehicle's crash performance, especially in rollover testing. Those changes, of course, have the negative downstream effect of obstructing a driver's vision. The Volpe Center researchers conclude that this new measurement method shows promise, and they believe the trend of worsening outward visibility warrants further study. David Gluckman Contributing Editor Ever since David was a wee Car and Driver intern, he has kept a spreadsheet listing all the vehicles he's driven and tested. David really likes spreadsheets. He can parallel-park a school bus and once drove a Lincoln Town Car 63 mph in reverse. After taking a break from journalism to work on autonomous vehicles, he's back writing for this and other automotive publications. When David's not searching for the perfect used car, you can find him sampling the latest in gimmicky, limited-edition foodstuffs.
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Associated Press
Air is Money: Underinflated Tires Cost U.S. Drivers $18.6B Each Year, Firestone Estimates
NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- American drivers overspend approximately $18.6 billion annually on fuel because nearly half are driving on underinflated tires, according to a report released today by Firestone Complete Auto Care (Firestone)1. As summer driving season begins, the company estimates drivers could take an extra 500-mile road trip with the money they may save by properly inflating their tires each year2. The survey from America's largest network of automotive service providers is based on data collected from the 9.7 million cars serviced at the more than 1,800 Firestone stores between June 2024 and March 20253. Underinflated tires can increase rolling resistance, which may require a vehicle to use more gas to move forward. Underinflation could also result in accelerated tire wear and increased vehicle emissions. 'Paying attention to your tires saves money, helps the planet, and keeps you safer on the road,' said Melissa Vaglio, vice president of retail operations, Bridgestone Retail Operations. 'Proper tire inflation is one of the simplest ways to keep more money in your wallet. We encourage drivers to lean on us as a trusted neighbor for a free inflation check and air top-off, early and often.' In its official report, " How to Get Money from Thin Air: The Hidden Benefits of Proper Tire Inflation,' the tire and automotive service provider outlines surprising findings, including: Firestone recommends drivers check their tire pressure monthly, as well as before long trips or when carrying an extra load, using a tire pressure gauge. In addition to potential savings at the pump, proper tire inflation pressure can help maximize vehicle performance, improve steering and handling, avoid irregular tire wear, and may extend tire life. Drivers can find the correct tire inflation information for their vehicle in the vehicle owner's manual or on the tire information placard located in the driver's side door panel. Drivers can visit any Firestone Complete Auto Care location for a free tire pressure check and air inflation9. For store hours and more information, visit To learn more about how tire air pressure can help drivers save money and download the full report, visit 1 Based on the data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics March 2025 unleaded premium per gallon (BLS), DOT NHTSA report, DOT FHWA 2023 HSS, FCAC 1p, calculated as follows: 273,486,407 Total Data Set Vehicles (DOT FHWA 2023 HSSS) multiplied by 16.69 Average Gallons Wasted Per Vehicle (DOT FHWA 2023 HSSS) multiplied by $4.08 Average Gas Price (BLS). 2 Based on data from the DOT NHTSA report, DOT FHWA 2023 HSS, FCAC 1p, DOE 2025, calculated as follows: 18.4 Average Wasted Gallons by Vehicle Type multiplied by 27.83 Average MPG results in 512.03 miles. 3 Based on Firestone Complete Auto Care first-party (FCAC 1p) data from June 1, 2024 to March 2, 2025, excluding Alaska, Maine, Utah, and Vermont, as FCAC does not have service centers in these states. 4 Based on FCAC 1p data (excluding states without FCAC service centers), calculated as follows: 4,030,986 Vehicles with Air Pumped by FCAC divided by the number of 9,687,710 Total Vehicles Seen at FCAC. 5 Based on FCAC 1p data, calculated as follows: Volume of Air Added to Vehicles divided by the Number of Vehicles Needing Air. 6 Based on FCAC 1p data. 7 Based on the Department of Energy's 2025 Datasets for All Model Years (DOE 2025) and FCAC 1p data. 8 Based on wasted gallon input of 4,564,488,132.83 (where 1 gallon of gasoline is equal to 0.009 metric tons of carbon dioxide) into the US Environmental Protection Agency Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator found at: 9 No purchase necessary. About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.: Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is the U.S.-based subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, a global leader in tires and rubber, building on its expertise to provide solutions for safe and sustainable mobility. Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Bridgestone Americas employs more than 45,000 people across its worldwide operations. Bridgestone offers a diverse product portfolio of premium tires and advanced solutions backed by innovative technologies, improving the way people around the world move, live, work and play. About Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC: Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC (BSRO) is headquartered in Nashville, Tenn. and operates the largest network of company-owned automotive service providers in the world — more than 2,200 tire and vehicle service centers across the United States — including Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus, Hibdon Tires Plus and Wheel Works store locations. Credit First National Association and Firestone Complete Fleet Care operations are also part of BSRO. BSRO is a member of the Bridgestone Americas family of companies. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Bridgestone Retail Operations
