According to mhi.org, a brief overview of the benefits of dock equipment include:
- Communication: Lighting that indicates and directs truck drivers and warehouse personnel that it is safe to park, enter or exit a trailer
- Illumination: Lighting that extends into the trailer to help warehouse personnel as they load or unload contents
- Loading and unloading: Providing safe access by bridging the gap between the dock face and trailer, shipping container or railcar
- Safety: Preventing personnel or loads from tripping or falling through any gap between the trailer, shipping container or railcar and the dock face
- Security: Securing the transport vehicle to the building to prevent movement until the loading or unloading process is complete
- Weather protection: Protecting personnel and loads from inclement weather
