In this month’s edition of Central Dispatch Highlights, we cover new carrier app enhancements, upcoming Premium enhancements, and more!

Premium Shippers: Are you ready for Preferred Carrier Offers? 

Starting in July, shippers with a Premium subscription can offer new loads directly to your favorite carriers, right from the Create Load page! In order to use this new feature, you’ll need to add carriers to your Preferred list in your account’s Network page. Be sure to start building your Preferred list today, so you can take advantage right away, and get shipments on the road fast with the carriers you trust! 

How to add carriers to your preferred list > 

Carriers: New mobile enhancements for loads in Not Signed status 

We’ve updated and streamlined the mobile app experience for loads in “Not Signed” status, empowering fast, informed decisions when accepting a dispatch. You’ll now see improved UI for all the screens in this workflow including Load Details, Accept Load, Decline Load, and the Offline modal. Plus, shipper details like addresses and phone numbers are now clickable for easy access in one place! 

Read more about this update > 

Carriers: View shipper cancellation percentage 

You can now view each shipper’s cancellation percentage on the shipper scorecard for greater transparency, and more informed decisions before accepting a load. Listings never assigned to a carrier are excluded from the calculation.  

Learn more > 

Your guide to User Management roles and permissions 

Have questions about User Management roles? View the full permissions breakdown by role in our latest post to assign the right access levels and keep your account secure. 

View the list > 

Carriers will now be able to accept a load or decline a dispatch in the status of Not Signed on the mobile app instead of going through CentralDispatch.com. This enables additional functions in addition to current function of updating loads and taking inspections photos.

Note: Users with a Driver role will not have access to accept dispatches on the mobile app or see loads in the Not Signed status.

Viewing Dispatch Offers from Email Notification

When a shipper sends a new dispatch offer to a carrier, the carrier is sent an email notification with a View Dispatch link.

• If the carrier has the CD Mobile App downloaded, then clicking on the View Dispatch link opens the load on the Mobile App for the carrier to Accept Load or Decline the offer.    Note: The Accept Load button will be updated to say ‘Accept Load’

• If the carrier has not downloaded the CD Mobile App, then from the email, when the carrier clicks View Dispatch, they will be redirected to the web version of the Load Details page to view the load and click the Actions menu to accept the load.

Note:  A banner will appear on the page to encourage the carrier to download the app.

Viewing Dispatch Offers on the CD Mobile App

An Accept Loads tab is available at the bottom of the CD Mobile App to display offers from shippers.

• The Accept Loads tab has a bubble displaying the number of offers.

Note: If there are no offers, then the Accept Loads tab is empty when it is opened.

From the mobile app, the carrier is able to Accept or Decline offers.

Accepting the dispatch from the mobile app

The Accept Loads tab displays a list of dispatches offered that need to be accepted or declined.

The carrier can click on the Accept Load button, the Load number, or the Decline button.

• A Not Signed status is displayed. 
  • Shipper information is presented in collapsible sections to show more/show less information for additional contact details
  • Locations are tappable to open in map view
• Vehicle info has an expandable vehicle card displaying year, make, model, and critical notes.
• View Contract Terms button is available. Contract Terms are accessible via a bottom-sheet modal triggered by a “View Contract Terms” button, rather than inline on the page.

Accept Load

If the carrier clicks the Accept Load button, then the Load details screen appears for the carrier to review and acknowledge the terms and then click Accept Load.

• Flag is displayed informing carrier that shipper requires an inspection with CD mobile app
• Pick-up and Delivery locations are tappable to open map view
• Vehicle information is expandable to view year, make, model and critical notes
• Company details include contact information for shipper, ratings, ability to mark shipper as a preferred shipper, and warnings pulled from the FMCSA checklist
• The Accept Load button is disables until the carrier has scrolled to the button of page to review all information

Result:

• A confirmation message appears confirming that the load has been accepted or the load has been declined

Offline status

• Carriers now see an offline banner with the last connection time instead of a blocking full-screen modal.
• All action buttons are disabled while the device is offline.

On the CD Mobile App under the My Inspections tab, the load is now available.

On Centraldispatch.com, on the Dispatches page, the load moves from the Not Signed status to the Dispatched status.

• If the carrier clicks on the load number on any of the offers, then the following additional information about the load displays for review.
  • Shipper Information
  • Location Information
  • Load Dates
  • Load Information
  • Vehicle Information
  • Notes
  • Contract Terms

Note: The same information that appears on centraldispatch.com when accepting a load is visible on the mobile app.

• If the carrier clicks the Accept Load button, then a confirmation that load was accepted displays.

• On the CD Mobile App under the My Inspections tab, the load is available.

• On Centraldispatch.com the load moves from the Not Signed status on the Dispatches page to the Dispatched status

• If the carrier clicks on the Decline button
  • The carrier will get a screen to confirm they want to decline the load.

• A confirmation screen will appear, and the status of the load will change from Not Signed to Cancelled. Cancelled dispatches are not visible on the CD mobile app but display on the Dispatches page in centraldispach.com.

Overview

The Find Carriers feature allows Premium Shippers to proactively identify and assign recommended carriers when a listing is not receiving enough engagement.

• Displays up to 10 recommended carriers based on internal models
• Designed to speed up dispatching and reduce time on the load board
• Available after a listing is posted

What’s New

• New Find Carriers button on the Manage Listings page
• Displays recommended carriers directly within the platform
• Allows faster assignment to a selected carrier

When to Use This Feature

• A listing is active but not receiving calls, bids, or carrier interest
• The shipper wants to proactively assign a carrier
• The shipper is a Premium Plan user

Find Carriers is NOT Available For

• Listings with non-U.S. origins or destinations
• Listings outside the supported price range (~$35–$20,000)
• Listings with a price per mile outside the supported range of $0.20–$25 (If the listing does not meet eligibility requirements, carriers will not be returned and the user may see an error message)

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Navigate to Manage Listings

1. Log in to Central Dispatch
2. Go to Manage Listings
   • Via dashboard quick link OR
   • Top navigation menu

Step 2: Locate the Listing

1. Find the listing you want to move
2. Click “Find Carriers”

Step 3: Review Recommended Carriers

• The system displays up to 10 recommended carriers based on:
  • Historical performance
  • Lane data
  • System insights
• Each carrier includes (For detailed information select a carrier from the list):
  • Company details
  • Contact information
  • Ratings / Trust indicators
• Important:
  • These are system-generated recommended carriers only
  • Shippers must verify and vet carriers independently

Step 4: Assign Load to a Carrier

1. Select a carrier from the recommended list
2. Click “Assign Load”
3. System redirects to Assign Load page
   • Shipper can view Pick-Up Location and Delivery Location information

Step 5: Complete Assignment

1. Review pre-filled details
2. Complete and confirm assignment by clicking Assign Load at bottom of the page

Economic Insights from Central Dispatch

What we’re seeing

Based on recent activity from a broad sample across the Central Dispatch marketplace, transport prices per mile have risen from ~$0.75 earlier this year to $0.90+ in May, tracking recent increases in diesel costs.

Transport pricing trend 

Transport pricing has increased steadily in recent weeks, reflecting higher operating costs driven by rising fuel prices.

Diesel vs. price per mile

Fuel costs are rising faster than transport rates, which may impact carrier margins and pricing strategies in the short term.

Monthly trends 

The sharpest increase occurred between March and May, aligning with recent diesel price increases.

What this means for you

• Transport costs remain elevated as fuel prices continue to fluctuate
• Carriers are absorbing part of the increase, rather than fully passing costs through
• Pricing conditions may remain dynamic in the near term

*Transport pricing reflects a representative sample of orders processed through the Central Dispatch marketplace and is adjusted to smooth short-term fluctuations. It may not reflect all marketplace activity. 

In this month’s edition of Central Dispatch Highlights, we cover enhancements to Price Check, new dynamic rating windows, and more!

Rating windows now align with payment dates 

We heard you: We’re moving away from fixed 14-day rating windows, to dynamic windows that adjust based on each load’s payment date. That means carriers can now rate shippers based on payment behavior and accurately capture their experience — giving everyone more clarity into each rating.  

Learn more about the update > 

See the most relevant listings with new Price Check filters

Price Check’s new comparable listing filters help you focus on the listings that matter most. Just filter by trailer type or date to see the most relevant listings, and make faster, more informed decisions! 

Learn more about the update > 

Read about our people-focused approach to AI 

We’re using new AI technology to create tools like Price Check Plus that give you clearer data and smarter recommendations, so you stay in the driver’s seat. 

Read the article >

There’s a moment every shipper and carrier knows well: The pause before setting a price or accepting a job. Is this rate too high? Too low? Will this vehicle sit on the load board for days, or get to my lot in time? Is the asking price competitive? Will it make money for my fleet? 

For years, those questions were answered using gut instinct, a handful of recent comps, and luck. But with help from new AI insights, that’s changing — and it’s changing in a way that keeps shippers and carriers in the driver’s seat. 

Pricing AI That Works with You 

Central Dispatch is built on a foundation of real transactions between shippers and carriers: Millions of moves across every state, route, and market condition. It’s a huge part of why customers trust the platform.  

Now, that same foundation of transportation data is powering something new: Price Check Plus, a tool that brings AI-driven pricing recommendations directly into the listing and load searching processes. But Price Check Plus doesn’t make decisions for you. It’s a guide — giving you clear, real-time information so you can make an informed decision with confidence and speed. 

It’s a great example of what Cox Automotive Intelligence (CAI) means in practice. It’s not automation for automation’s sake. Price Check Plus leverages AI in a targeted way to solve a specific pain point for businesses, and help them work with greater efficiency and profitability. 

How Price Check Plus Works 

When you’re listing a vehicle or evaluating a load, Price Check Plus draws on millions of historical transactions to generate a pricing range for the load, and a recommended price within that range. It also generates an estimated time to dispatch, helping you understand the tradeoff between pricing higher and waiting longer, versus pricing competitively and moving faster. 

With this information available with a single click, carriers can instantly see if a load’s asking price is competitive and decide if it’s worth it for their business, while shippers can easily balance their timing and budget needs. 

Built on the Most Complete Transportation Data Available 

AI is only as trustworthy as the data behind it, and Price Check Plus is powered by millions of real-world transactions and shipping outcomes from the Central Dispatch marketplace. Not estimates, but the actual prices loads were listed at, the prices they were dispatched at, and how long each took to move. 

That breadth of data matters because transportation isn’t uniform. Routes vary. Trailer type availability fluctuates. Market conditions change week to week. Both shippers and carriers can trust these pricing recommendations because they dynamically reflect the full complexity of what’s happening in the marketplace, not just a simplified average. 

Fewer Surprises, More Consistency 

One of the most consistent frustrations in vehicle transport isn’t the big disruptions, it’s the small friction points that add up: Conflicting information, unexpected delays, uncertainty about whether a load will move. 

Price Check Plus reduces that friction, giving both shippers and carriers access to the same quality of market data. Context becomes clearer. Timelines become more realistic. There’s less guesswork, and expectations on both sides of the transaction become more aligned. 

That’s not a small thing. Predictable outcomes build trust, and trust is what keeps a marketplace healthy. 

Human Oversight and Transparency  

It’s worth reiterating that Price Check Plus is simply a recommendation tool. The AI shows you its read of the current market. You decide what to do with that read. 

Plus, the tool doesn’t supply recommendations without context. You get full transparency into what loads and data points went into them. You can filter the comparable loads by date range, trailer type, and route, and look at each load’s listed price vs. its final dispatched price. 

AI Across the Cox Automotive Ecosystem 

Price Check Plus is just one part of a broader commitment at Cox Automotive to embed practical, outcome-focused AI throughout the tools that you rely on. Whether it’s market insights at Manheim, or transport pricing at Central Dispatch, the goal remains consistent: Clear data and smart recommendations that keep you in final control of decision-making. 

Ready to Upgrade? 

Price Check Plus is available as a standalone add-on for carriers, or as part of the Central Dispatch Premium plan for shippers. 

Current Customers 

Upgrade through your account or reach out to your Performance Manager to learn more. 

New to Central Dispatch? 

Get instant access today. 

We heard you. More fair and balanced rating windows are here! 

We’ve made an important fairness and trust improvement to our Transactional Ratings system, one driven directly by carrier feedback. 

With the introduction of dynamic rating windows, Central Dispatch now automatically adjusts the rating period based on the load’s payment terms. That means carriers can now rate shippers after payment is due, ensure ratings reflect payment behavior, and more accurately capture their experience. 

You may notice that rating windows vary from one load to another. That’s by design. Each window is tailored to match the agreed-upon payment terms, creating a more balanced and fair system for everyone involved. Most importantly, this update reflects real-world payment experiences and creates more transparency across the marketplace. 

Learn more about Transactional Ratings here. 

Learn about the authenticator app, updates to the carrier app, how to share your feedback, and more in this edition of Central Dispatch Highlights.

Securely Sign In to Central Dispatch with the Authenticator App

The authenticator app gives you a secure way to complete multi-factor authentication and access your account without having to rely on email or SMS codes.

Learn more >

Do More in the Carrier Mobile App

Carriers can now add incremental expenses and view the eBOL directly from the mobile app! This helps carriers manage invoices, add new charges in real-time, and easily and dynamically access inspection details from anywhere, while making bills more transparent for shippers.

Learn about the updates >

View Shipper Scorecards from the Search Results Page
Make more confident decisions, in fewer clicks. Carriers can now view any shipper’s scorecard from the search results page!

See how >

Share Your Feedback!

Help us shape the future of our highlights newsletter by sending us your feedback! We want to make these updates as informative and useful as possible for our customers. So suggest a topic, ask a question, or just provide general feedback.

Send your feedback >

Invoices just got easier for carriers, and more transparent for shippers. Carriers can now add incremental expenses right from the mobile app! Whether it’s an unexpected toll, storage fee, or other incidental cost, any charge can be quickly and easily attached to an invoice in real-time, ensuring all expenses are clearly documented and instantly visible to shippers. All in one centralized platform! 

No more off-platform communication or confusing bills. Carriers can just open the app, navigate to a load details page, and add a charge with a few taps. Plus, built-in notifications keep both parties up-to-date on invoice changes, while editable charges provide flexibility when updates are needed. 

In addition, carriers can now more dynamically interact with the eBOL in the Central Dispatch app, bringing the same functionality available in the web experience. Now, there’s no need to transition back and forth from the web experience to view and interact with inspection data and photos while on-the-go. 

View the step-by-step guides on adding invoices and viewing eBOL, and download the Central Dispatch mobile app today!