Outpost launches gate automation platform

Platform reduces costs by 70% while improving security with AI and computer vision technology

(Photo: Outpost)

Outpost has announced the launch of its gate automation platform with the technology now available to shippers, enterprise fleets, and terminal operators across the U.S. The truck terminal and automation company has more than 20 truck terminals and drop yards.

Outpost’s gate automation platform uses computer vision and AI to reduce gate operating costs by 70% while capturing 99.9% of gate events with its data. Before bringing the platform to market, the company tested the technology, logging more than 1 million gate events at its locations.

“Outpost is taking the pain out of gate operations,” said Ryan Gass, vice president of safety, terminal management, security and facilities maintenance at Werner Enterprises, in a press release. “Our drivers get through faster, our teams have better visibility, and our equipment is more secure. Using the platform at Outpost and our own terminals gives us cleaner data, faster terminal throughput, and a unified view of our fleet across Werner and Outpost sites. They’re setting a new standard for how all modern facilities should run.”

Gate operations have long been treated as a cost center in the supply chain, with Outpost estimating that staffing a single gate 24 hours a day, seven days a week can cost around $25,000 a month, according to Outpost data. Despite the costs, most facilities struggle with accurate visibility and to measure equipment inventory and conditions.

Manual check-ins and yard checks are a mainstay for yard operations. Another challenge is guard turnover, which is estimated to be around 100% to 300%, according to the Service Employees International Union.

Nationwide, the press release notes this can cost more than $6.7 billion a year. That estimate was collected by a combination of Outpost analysis of facility labor cost benchmarks and national terminal counts derived from government and proprietary data.

Gate security and combating freight fraud are also mentioned, with one-third of cargo thefts occurring at warehouses and distribution centers in 2024, according to Overhaul’s 2024 Cargo Theft Report.

“Outpost’s mission is to build the backbone of freight. Extending our technology footprint from our own properties to our customers’ terminals is the next logical step in achieving that mission,” said Greg Akselrod, Outpost chief technology officer. “By linking carrier terminals and drop yards into a single operational network, we’re enabling a new level of visibility and coordination across the freight ecosystem, turning the gate from a cost center into a strategic control point.”

Upcoming FreightWaves Events
Compliance

Brokerage Compliance Symposium

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Awards

F3 Awards Dinner

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
FreightTech

F3: Future of Freight Festival

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

October 27, 2026 – October 28, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Compliance Brokerage Compliance Symposium Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
Awards F3 Awards Dinner Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now

Thomas Wasson

Based in Chattanooga, Tenn., Thomas is a writer and trucking analyst at FreightWaves. He reports on emerging truck technology trends and hosts the Truck Tech and Loaded and Rolling newsletters and podcasts. Previously, he worked at the digital trucking startup aifleet, Arrive Logistics and U.S. Xpress Enterprises. While at U.S. Xpress, he focused on fleet management, load planning, freight analysis and truckload network design.