After remaining flat in 2015-16, the average fleet fuel economy for the nation’s top fleets improved in 2017, according to research conducted by the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE).

It’s no surprise that truck drivers who travel during peak times face slower average speeds and that more flexible HOS regulations could not only speed those travel times, but also would not impact the miles drivers cover in a day, according to ATRI.

John Henry, director of sales for ZED Connect, explained to FreightWaves how the evolution of the company is developing to deliver vehicle data solutions centered around what its parent company Cummins knows best – engines.

Cashflow Corner presented by TriumphPay …Regular budget forecasting can help businesses better manage their cash flow and help identify potential revenue problems.

Joe DeLorenzo, director of the Office of Enforcement and Compliance for FMCSA, went through some of the common problems the agency is seeing since the ELD mandate went into effect, and there have been plenty.

If there is just one word that can best sum up the official Listening Session on hours of service (HOS) that FMCSA held on Friday at the Great American Trucking Show, it would be flexibility.

While technology startups have jumped into trucking with the latest and greatest solutions, the old guard, if you will, has not been sitting idly by. This week at the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas, C.H. Robinson is showing drivers its Navisphere apps and how they can help drivers and small fleets find freight success.

FreightWaves spoke to a few of the presenters offering solutions to get some tips on what drivers might be able to do to maintain a healthier lifestyle.

A mileage-based user fee pilot program using Azuga technology is helping to prove the viability of mileage-based vehicle taxes.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is moving forward with plans to solicit public comment on current hours-of-service (HOS) regulations.

For those in the trucking industry, Mack Trucks – with its 111-year heritage – is certainly an iconic brand. For new Mack Trucks President Martin Weissburg, that was reinforced over the past four years as he led Volvo Construction Equipment in Europe.

More than a year after it built a large following through its app for drivers, Uber Freight is now turning the spotlight on shippers. The company today announced the launch of Uber Freight for Shippers, a desktop-based app platform that provides direct access to carriers and more transparency into shipments.

Cashflow Corner presented by TriumphPay …If you are a smaller company – be it a carrier, owner-operator, broker or shipper – are you really safe from a cyberattack? Here’s what you can do to protect yourself.

Low-speed vehicles are not often considered when companies are looking for commercial vehicles, but upgrades to a line of electric compact utility vehicles could change that.

Toyota has unveiled its second-generation hydrogen-electric truck, which builds upon the success of the first model that has been hauling live loads in the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

While carriers and shippers can’t change the weather, they can learn to work with it – or at least around it. That’s where the expertise of a company like AccuWeather comes in handy.

FMCSA has agreed to implement a series of actions as it works toward the possible implementation of a more data-driven to identifying at-risk carriers for intervention.

Realizing the need for its customers to have easy access to and use of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the future, Penske Truck Leasing has joined the global Charging Interface Initiative e.V. association.

Cashflow Corner presented by TriumphPay …Running under your own authority offers plenty of challenges, but some would have it no other way. One of the biggest challenges is finding freight.

Solar fields are being used by RLS Logistics to provide power for its cold-storage warehouses, but that is really only approach the company is taking to build greener and more sustainable facilities.

Land O’Lakes is moving Purina Feed loads via the Uber Freight app along several lanes, including one in Texas where 100% of the loads are posted to the app.

Workhorse Group, a technology company focused on offering sustainable mobility solutions, announced a new public offering of its common stock to raise additional funds as it works towards profitability.

Uber shut down its self-driving truck platform last week but promised in an exclusive interview with FreightWaves that Uber Freight was not going anywhere. Today, the company has not only confirmed that promise, but it has doubled down on the future of Uber Freight.

Cashflow Corner presented by TriumphPay …Short-term insurance plans can be a life saver during gaps in coverage, but with new rules allowing them to extend up to 3 years, it’s important to understand what they cover and what they do not.

So much for the summer doldrums. New truck orders, which typically take a dip in the summer months as both carriers and OEMs reset for the fall, hit a new all-time high in July, according to the latest data from ACT Research.

Schneider National became the latest carrier to announce that it has benefited financially from the strong pricing and capacity squeeze when it announced its second-quarter operating revenues were up 15% year-over-year.

Truck drivers involved in certain behaviors are more likely to have a future crash, ATRI research has concluded.

Tolls once graced Connecticut highways until the mid 1980s, but the state is now looking at bringing them back to increase revenue. The state trucking association says it is the wrong approach.

Cummins Inc. announced record earnings for its second quarter this morning, and that news was immediately overshadowed by an engine recall that has already impacted 230,000 vehicles and now will encompass an additional 500,000 heavy-duty truck models.

Toyota Motor has been testing a Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell truck in port operations in California, but yesterday it took that program to the next level with introduction of Version 2 of the truck with more range and other features.

Fuel remains among the largest costs for both carriers and shippers but based on the current practice of using a fuel surcharge to mitigate volatility in pricing, both parties remain at risk of ending up on the losing end of the deal.

Used truck prices in June were changed little month-over-month, but posted a 15% increase over June 2017, according to ACT Research.

Rush Enterprises posted an increase in second-quarter revenue buoyed by strong used-truck sales and significant growth in its aftermarket business, which accounts for 64.8% of the company’s gross profits.

Growth in its dedicated and ChoiceLease programs drove a strong second quarter for Ryder System (NYSE: R), helping the leasing and rental giant surpass earnings expectations for the second straight quarter.

Despite repeated efforts, confusion still reigns when it comes to hours-of-service compliance and when drivers can use personal conveyance or the agriculture exemptions available.

Cashflow Corner presented by TriumphPay …During a period of crisis in their lives, truck drivers often have nowhere to turn. But, there are several charities available to assist during these emotional times.

Family owned TEC Equipment operates 26 Mack and Volvo truck dealerships in five states. In June, the company opened a $30 million location in Fontana, CA. Here is a look at that facility.

Covering 14 acres, TEC Equipment’s new Mack/Volvo dealership in Fontana, CA, is designed to improve customer service and features many driver amenities.

Mack will now offer the Lytx DriveCam safety program as a pre-wire option on Granite models, joining the TerraPro and LR cabover models offering the option.

Cashflow Corner presented by TriumphPay …When owner-operators and small fleets make the decision to expand their businesses by adding trucks and people, they often turn to the online payroll systems to pay them.

A revenue increase boosted earnings for J.B. Hunt Transport Services (NASDAQ: JBHT), as the carrier reported second-quarter net earnings of $151.7 million, or $1.37 per share, versus second-quarter 2017 net earnings of $97.9 million, or 88 cents per share.

Following the publication of a National Academy of Sciences (NAS) report last June that recommended changes to the way the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) records and displays SMS data, the agency has decided to scrap proposed changes.

While there is a lot of noise surrounding tariffs and potential trade wars, it probably isn’t enough to derail the economy and the red-hot freight environment.

One of the largest wasted revenue opportunities for carriers in freight movement is when trailers move less than full. FR8Star has introduced a new partial load service to help change that.

To help alleviate the growing technician shortage, Mack Trucks and Volvo Trucks are partnering with local colleges to develop training programs.

The American Trucking Associations and three Northeast-based motor carriers have sued Rhode Island over the implementation of truck-only tolls, claiming they are discriminatory and violate federal commerce laws.

Cashflow Corner presented by TriumphPay …Weigh station bypass systems are an often-overlooked way for drivers to save both time and money.

Hyliion has taken steps to help secure its pipeline of technology with the acquisition of Gentherm’s battery division and strategic partnerships with Toshiba and Dana Corp. as it seeks to further its hybrid-electric technology.

Dock411 says that 60% of truckers visit a new location each day and 70% have lost time because of unfamiliarity with a location. But that is only half the story. Once at a facility, many locations do not have amenities such as bathrooms for drivers.

Home delivery of items that require someone to be home to accept the package is one of the most frustrating parts of the online experience for many. Package.AI believes involving the consumer sooner in the process can improve that process.

A USDOT 3-year pilot program would allow drivers under the age of 21 and holding a military CDL to drive interstate commerce when sponsored by a participating trucking company.

Cashflow Corner presented by TriumphPay …Drivers can potentially benefit from added flexibility by utilizing the current split sleeper provision allowed under hours-of-service laws.

SOURCE: FREIGHTWAVES SONAR DISPLAYING THE CASS FREIGHT VOLUME INDEX 2018 is shaping up to be the highest freight volume market in over a decade according to the Cass Freight Index […]

Solar power may not be the cure-all for reducing fuel costs, but it can provide assistance and achieve payback in relatively short time if used in the right applications.

Understanding hours-of-service and ELD regulations and their exemptions can help fleets better manage driver’s time.

To successfully market a new or existing product, a company needs the right mix of product innovation, marketing, sales and promotional efforts. Some companies are finding that outsourcing some or all of these functions can provide many benefits over in-house teams.

Third-party supply chain provider NFI along with Penske Truck Leasing will take delivery of and test Daimler Trucks North America’s (DTNA) electric vehicles.

As Trump continues to ramp up protectionist tariff talk and suggesting that imported autos and auto parts will be next, the U.S. auto industry is collectively saying, thanks, but no thanks.

XPO Logistics announced this morning that it will be adding augmented reality to its Ship XPO platform, giving end customers the opportunity to visualize how items such as sofas, beds and appliances, will look inside their home.

Cashflow Corner presented by TriumphPay …Market conditions might make the timing right for truckers set a more fuel-efficient vehicle speed.

Think government regulations are just a drain on your finances? Think again. Today, savvy fleets are using government regulations such as the hours-of-service rules to their advantage — but how?

The constant criticism by President Donald Trump of the United States Postal Service’s package delivery deal with Amazon is manifesting itself in other ways as the administration recommends restructuring the Postal Service, possibly into a privately held corporation.

Ford Motor Co. and Volkswagen AG announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to potentially develop commercial vehicles as part of a strategic alliance.

Penske Logistics has reached agreement in principle to acquire Epes Transport Systems, of Greensboro, NC. The deal, expected to be finalized in the next few weeks, will add over 1,200 units to Penske Logistics.

Shrugging off any potential disruption due to trade war, FedEx Corp. executives were upbeat about the outlook for 2019 for both the general economy and FedEx’s operating units during its fiscal 2018 fourth-quarter and year-end earnings call on Tuesday.

Cashflow Corner presented by TriumphPay …For some owner-operators, Obamacare provided a path to insurance coverage. For others, the mandate was government overreach. This is starting to change, but what is not is the increasing costs of health care.

Alleging that Prime Inc. put female truck drivers in harm’s way, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed suit this week against the carrier, alleging Prime did not take adequate steps to prevent sexual harassment of a female truck driver.

Retail sales rose 0.8% in May, beating economist estimates of 0.4% and showing that economic growth still has some room to expand.

There is now a bill in both the House and Senate that would repeal the 12% excise tax on new trucks and trailers.

After leveling off in April, pricing in the trucking industry rose again in May, with local trucking prices posting their largest month-over-month gain in the post-recession era with a 1.7% increase, according to May Producer Price Index.

Efforts are being made to exempt livestock and certain agricultural haulers from ELD and hour-of-service rules, but a trucking group and safety advocacy organization are fighting back.

Ag haulers are not only dealing with ELDs and hour-of-service uncertainty, but tariff talk is clouding the future outlook as well.

Navistar has rolled out a series of new products in the last few years and the strong overall economy is helping the once-beleaguered truck maker rebound with another strong performance in its second-quarter earnings, beating Wall Street estimates.

The world of transportation is changing and changing fast. After decades of little innovation, the past five years or so have ushered in a sea change and it will profoundly impact the way people and goods move.

Cashflow Corner presented by TriumphPay …Unless you are one of the many drivers who have proclaimed the next three days as vacation days, there is a good chance you will run into an inspection somewhere. If so, will you be prepared?

Hyperloop is just one of the technologies that is looking to change the way goods and people move over the next 30 years.

No longer just a tire company, Michelin is quickly becoming a “solutions” company as it positions itself as a business its customers can rely on regardless of their needs.

Given just 3 minutes to make their pitch and an additional 2 minutes to answer judges’ questions, 15 startup companies did their best to show judges at the Movin’ On conference why their solutions will change the market.

Most may not associate the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) with freight movement, but the organization is working hard to change that and the industry, launching a new transport decarbonization tool on Wednesday.

According to experts, platooning is a “now” technology ready for commercial operations, but there is still some resistance and operational challenges that must be overcome.

Michelin made a statement on Wednesday at the Movin’ On 2018 conference in Montreal when it announced its goal of recycling 100% of all tires globally by 2048 and using 80% sustainable materials in the production of those tires, also by that timeframe.

The future of mobility is going to require government regulation, according to panelists at the opening session of the Movin’ On by Michelin conference in Montreal.

Cashflow Corner presented by TriumphPay …If your ELD provider suddenly shuts down service and goes out of business, do you know what to do?

Investors are flocking to the freight industry with million-dollar investments for startups, but what do those investors look for in companies before making an investment?

A panel of financial experts were mixed when asked whether the industry would see higher spot rates one year from now, but continued capacity issues was not in debate.

In times of mass disruption, it is often only after industry emerges out the other side that it realizes it’s been disrupted.

The final session of Demo Day on Tuesday at FreightWaves’ Transparency18 conference did not disappoint, building on the success of the first three sessions and closing out the day, which ended with a BBQ sponsored by Triumph and a performance from the Emerald City band for attendees.

If there was one obvious theme of the second demo period at FreightWaves’ Transparency18 event on Tuesday, it was blockchain. Six of the nine presenters in the session demonstrated solutions that involved blockchain technology.

Cashflow Corner presented by TriumphPay …If you’ve fueled up your truck recently, you know that the cost is climbing. Fortunately, there are some driver behaviors that can be changed to minimize fuel usage.

Less than one week after announcing it was selling many of its business entities to TruckThat, One20 has said it will cease supporting its electronic logging device (ELD) as of June 18, 2018.

Obtaining data that is both clean and usable remains a challenge for the industry, one that blockchain is promising to solve.

As blockchain technology works its way into the transportation ecosystem, there is remains plenty to learn about its potential, but its success will depend on multiple parties working together.

BiTA announced it would be forming Think Tanks to help identify industry pain points that blockchain could help solve. The Alliance also said the first BiTA Standards should be out before the end of 2018.

The new Blockchain in Supply Chain Alliance (BiSCA) is designed to meet the needs of supply chain participants looking for education and guidance on the development of blockchain standards.

Target’s Restock program is a direct competitor to Amazon Prime Pantry, and now the retailer is rolling out the program nationally with free shipping and next-day delivery for all Redcard purchases.

For some customers in the Cincinnati area, their packages are now being dropped on their doorsteps – literally.

As fleets adopt more advanced safety system, the issues of initial and ongoing driver training become the primary vehicle to the success of those system.

Trucking interests, led by LTL carriers, have been pushing legislation that would allow 33-foot double trailers on American roadways. Opponents are ramping up efforts to stop it.

The Freight Movement is in partnership with Arrive Logistics …Moving freight to its final destination starts with the ability of a shipper or broker to find available capacity. That load tendering process is rapidly changing.

Cashflow Corner presented by TriumphPay …One of the most costly tasks for small companies is chasing down accounts for payment, which is why many smaller fleets and owner-operators turn to factoring companies.