Patent ID: 7273172

Claim:
A system for automating inbound and outbound tractor/trailer exchange procedures at a staging area in which drivers drive tractors pulling detachable trailers in and out of said staging area, said system comprising: an information management system for processing data associated with the operation of said staging area; a driver's terminal operable to convey information to the driver of a tractor-trailer while in a position to drive said tractor-trailer; said driver's terminal configured for sending a first signal to said information management system upon the crossing of an outer geofence, said first signal indicating that said tractor-trailer is inbound to said staging area and is within a first proximity to said staging area defined by said outer geofence; pursuant to the receipt of said first signal, said information management system configured for creating a driver's dispatch comprising instructions for instructing the driver where to position said trailer upon arrival at said staging area; said driver's terminal configured for sending a second signal to said information management system upon the crossing of an inner geofence, said second signal indicating that said inbound tractor-trailer is within a second proximity to said staging area defined by said inner geofence; and pursuant to the receipt of said second signal, said information management system configured for sending said driver's dispatch to said driver's terminal so that said driver can proceed in accordance with said instructions upon arrival at said staging area.