From mud maps to apps - how Viva Energy and Shell get drivers where they’re going

Over the past 110 years, Australian commercial road transport has seen a lot of change – but Shell branded fuels have been there to support them along the way. One of the more significant changes in the industry is how long-haul drivers navigate this vast continent.

Australia’s network of over 350,000 km paved, and 550,000+km unpaved roads, criss-crosses the nation. Hauling freight from one side of the country to the other can take drivers five days or more, particularly across remote areas. Over the years, a significant portion of Australia’s freight has been hauled by owner drivers – a trend that started after WWII when ex-servicemen bought old military trucks to start their own businesses.

So, how have drivers navigated our wide brown land over the last century? It all started with the humble mud map – a rough map sketched out with landmarks, distances, and road condition updates.

Former driver and Fuel Operations Manager at Road Trains of Australia, Glenn Scott, says that, with no professional maps or now GPS, mud maps were critical to a smooth run.

“It would be: drive down this road until you see the big tree, then turn left and go for 57km until you see three mailboxes on the right,” he said.

“It was more than just where to go; we’d share information on driving conditions and things to watch out for, like a corner with dips that could tip you over, or a tricky river crossing.”

Most drivers were old hands at managing the trusted Ausway, Melway, Gregory’s and UBD street directories to find their way through capital cities – as well as the foldout maps of surrounding regional areas across entire states.

Street directories are now relics that can fetch high prices as vintage collectibles. The navigation information that was previously shared on mud maps is now readily available at the touch of a button via GPS and route planning apps.

GPS uses complex algorithms to evaluate route variables such as tolls, traffic and weather conditions to create an optimum route. Route planning apps take this a step further by considering fleet-specific variables such as driver schedules, cargo capacities and delivery windows.

This level of route optimisation is vital to owner driver profitability, increasing productivity and reducing costs.

The Shell Truck Atlas is an interactive tool that helps owner drivers locate truck-friendly service stations within the Shell branded and Liberty retail networks. These sites are tailored specifically for the road transport industry, with features like:

• Faster refuelling with high flow diesel pumps
• Healthy food options
• Showers
• Laundry facilities
• Truck parking & canopies
• Driver lounges
• Open longer hours (often 24hours)

There are also a number of Shell branded unmanned sites servicing commercial vehicles only in remote areas, featuring less queuing and outdoor payment terminals (OPTs).

Supporting the latest in route optimisation technology, drivers can use the menu in the Shell Truck Atlas to find the truck stop services they need and download a file for their route planning system.

Plan your next trip with Shell Truck Atlas.