Smeltzer wins Young Professional Paper contest

First-place honors in the fifth annual CSCMP Young Professional Call for Papers essay competition went to Daniel Smeltzer, sales executive at logistics service provider Mainfreight USA, for his analysis of how autonomous vehicles could shape the future of supply chain management and the economy. Smeltzer was recognized during the Young Professionals reception at the 2017 CSCMP EDGE Supply Chain Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, in September.

Each year, CSCMP invites members who are 30 years old or younger to submit a paper that demonstrates their problem-solving ability and innovative thinking. This year's competition was sponsored by the online freight-matching marketplace Truckstop.com.

Smeltzer's paper touches on the trucking industry's driver shortage and how electronic logging device (ELD) regulations are exacerbating the issue. The paper goes on to explore how emerging technology, in particular autonomous vehicles, might help reduce the impact of this problem.

The winner of the Young Professional Paper contest receives a complimentary registration to CSCMP's EDGE Supply Chain Conference, hotel accommodations, and a $500 stipend.