In-Transit Visibility

In-transit visibility is the specific window of tracking that covers the period after a carrier picks up a load and before it arrives at the delivery location. This is the phase where shippers have the least direct control and the most anxiety – your freight is on a truck (or rail car, or container) somewhere between two points, and your ability to influence the outcome depends entirely on how much you can see.

During the in-transit phase, visibility data typically includes GPS coordinates from ELD devices, carrier-reported status updates, speed and heading information, and – for temperature-controlled freight – reefer unit telemetry. The best in-transit visibility platforms display this on a map view with live locations, overlay it with the planned route and scheduled delivery window, and calculate a dynamic ETA that adjusts as conditions change. This lets logistics coordinators spot problems in real time: a truck that's been stationary for three hours at an unplanned location, a load that's falling behind schedule, or a reefer unit showing a temperature alarm.

The practical value of in-transit visibility shows up most clearly during exceptions. Without it, you find out a load is late when the consignee calls to complain or when the carrier misses the delivery appointment. With it, you see the delay developing hours in advance and can take action – notify the customer, adjust the dock schedule, or arrange a backup carrier. For shippers managing cold chain freight, in-transit visibility that includes temperature monitoring isn't just operationally useful; it's a food safety requirement that protects against spoilage claims and regulatory violations.