Facts and Figures: How Refrigerated Transportation Has Changed the World

commercial delivery vans in row in parking lot

Have you ever seen a food delivery truck and wondered, “How does the food stay cold?”

The answer is refrigeration, just like in your home! Refrigerated transportation exists and can help transport food from all over.

You may be curious about how it works and how it has revolutionized the way humans buy and consume food.

If so, keep reading to find out more about the history, present, and future of refrigeration in trucks and vans.

History of Refrigeration Transportation

People used to use ice and snow to cool their perishable items. However, there were problems with this–ice melting for one! The issues faced led to the invention of refrigeration in transportation methods.

In the mid-1800s, refrigerated cars started to be used to transport milk and butter. Seafood started to come right after dairy products. After successful use of refrigerated railroad cars began in 1867, more and more cities started to take advantage of the ability to move their food from one part of the country to another.

After ice cream trucks started to make their rounds in the 1920s, refrigerated trucks started to become popular. 

Of course, refrigerated transportation methods have evolved greatly since the 1800s. But the start of this revolution is important if you want to understand how impactful it still is today.

How Is Refrigeration Impacting Current Trucks and Vans?

Currently, there are plenty of box trucks, pickup trucks, and vans that offer refrigeration as a means to keep perishable foods safe during transport.

Refrigerator trucks or vans work by keeping a constant temperature for specific perishable items. In fact, these vehicles are able to keep the temperature cool by ice, mechanical refrigeration systems, or carbon dioxide.

Typically, refrigerated vehicle inserts are placed into the inside of the vehicle that will transport the perishable items.

Reliance on Refrigerated Delivery

Products that are shipped using refrigerated methods are going to be able to last longer and maintain value in transport. This is true for foods that are perishable, like dairy or produce, but it is also true for medication and other types of products.

Demand for Fresh Goods

Products that have to be in a consistently controlled temperature are going to be able to move faster between two places with refrigerated transportation methods. Items that are in higher demand, like fresh produce or fresh flowers, rely on this type of service.

Customer Satisfaction and Regulation of Shipping

Anyone that ships anything has to comply with refrigerated transportation due to regulations. If not, people won’t be happy with the quality of product they receive after the transportation is complete. And in some cases, not having proper refrigeration can even be dangerous, like in the transportation of temperature sensitive medications or food cargo that could cause food-borne illnesses.

Is Refrigeration in Transportation Here to Stay?

Yes, absolutely! With the popularity of food trucks, foods from around the country and around the world, and the demand of humans, it would be foolish for companies to go without offering this service.

The idea behind refrigerated transportation is to help transport foods that otherwise would not be able to transit from point A to point B safely and efficiently. The market for this business has increased greatly over the past 5 years and it continues to grow as popular as ever.