A surprise national brake safety inspection day on May 3 netted nearly 12% of commercial vehicles inspected with brake violations, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance announced this week.
Calling it the “most innovative, most exciting trucks from Volvo in 20 years,” Volvo Trucks North America officially took the wraps of its updated VNL family of trucks.
When the U.S. auto industry came roaring back to life, it was a boon for carriers who made their business hauling autos and related products. But as sliding sales in 2017 show, nothing lasts forever. And it’s possible that the future is even murkier for carriers who rely on the auto business for their livelihoods.
Someday real soon, vehicles will self-diagnose themselves, order the repair parts, and maybe even replace the part themselves. Vehicle maintenance is already partially of the way there. but the U.S. Marines are going a step further.
Surprisingly, a new survey from SOTI has found that nearly 70% of transportation and logistics executives have not grasped the importance of rugged handheld mobile devices in the field.
Multiple reports have indicated that Walmart has threatened to withhold business from any trucking company that continues to haul goods for Amazon. Walmart has denied making any such threats, but the mere suggestion of it raises questions that carrier executives need to address.
Are you ready for electric vehicles? A new report from Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) says that electric vehicle (EV) sales will account for 33% of all light-duty vehicles on the road by 2040.
It’s so simple, that it’s somewhat surprising someone has already come up with the idea. Einride, a Swedish startup, has developed an electric-powered, self-driving box on wheels. The T-pod made its debut this week with a promise to revolutionize cargo movement.
Following a disappointing retreat in orders in May, Class 8 truck orders rose in June according to data just released. That reinforces the outlook for the remainder of 2017 as many of the orders are for fourth quarter delivery, according to FTR.
Shut downs of operating systems due to cyberattacks are complete handicaps for logistics companies and lead to significant amounts of lost business as well as productivity. But can they be prevented?
The trucking turnover rate at truckload fleets remains near historical lows, but it did tick up a bit in the first quarter of 2017, said the American Trucking Associations.
The Indian trucking market is not unlike that of the U.S. Technological change is happening, albeit a little slower in India, Numadic is one company that is trying to quicken the speed of change.
The Department of Transportation has revised and renamed its FASTLane program to “align [projects] with national and regional economic vitality goals and to leverage additional non-federal funding,” it said.
Blockchain is a technology that is rapidly growing in many industries, and its potential to disrupt traditional work flows in transportation is large. This graphic illustrates some of the potential areas where blockchain can be used to improve operations.
The first unofficial pictures of Waymo’s self-driving truck have emerged, creating a stir among the companies racing to become the first to make a production autonomous truck available.
According to research from KPMG and HfS Research, more companies than ever are outsourcing their supply chain and logistics services as the job of moving product becomes more complicated.
Stanford researchers have successfully charged an object while it was in motion, potentially leading to in-motion charging of vehicles in the future. “The hope is that you’ll be able to charge your electric car while you’re driving down the highway,” says Shanhui Fan, professor of electrical engineering at Stanford.
Researchers from the National Academies of Science, following a mandate from Congress, have recommended changes to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Compliance, Safety, Accountabilty (CSA) program.
Fatigued and drowsy driving remains a major cause of vehicle accidents in the U.S., but as yet, the only solutions have been lane departure warning systems and in-cab, driver-focused camera systems which many drivers don’t like for their intrusive nature. A Hong Kong team is trying to change that.
Founded in 2013, KeepTruckin set out to make it easier for drivers to legally log their hours. The startup has since expanded from its free, smartphone-based ELD to creating a hardware telematics platform. A recent round of investor funding is reaffirming its approach.
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg visited the Iowa 80 truck stop last week, taking time to talk to truck drivers and learn about life on the road. Also, Amazon wants to build a drone platform, a lack of warehouse space and J.B. Hunt tests augmented reality.
TaaS seems like another in a long line of acronyms that have infiltrated the transportation industrypromising to disrupt the world as we know it. But what is TaaS, and why will this be an acronym that might deliver on its promise?
The Los Angeles Times Editorial Board has weighed in on the port truckers’ strike taking place in Los Angeles and Long Beach. Its opinion: clean up emissions at the ports, but don’t put the financial burden to do so on truckers.
Seven fleets will participate in the North American Council for Freight Efficiency’s Run on Less program to showcase the benefits of fuel-saving technologies.
DAT has been one of the leading data providers for load and rate information for years thanks to its large database. Now, the company’s data is being used in even more ways, reinforcing the value the overall dataset provides.
Facing increasing pressure from investors, Uber CEO and co-founder Travis Kalanick stepped down Tuesday night from the $70 billion ride-sharing and transportation company.
Teamsters union Local 848 has initiated a strike at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach today to protest what they say is misclassification of their employment as independent contractors.
After a few years of “rest” XPO Logistics is again in acquisition mode. CEO Bradley Jacobs, speaking at a supply chain conference in Chicago, says the company is looking for potential takeover targets, including options in Europe.
As the industry prepares for the December enforcement of the electronic logging device rule, there remains one area of the law that continues to create confusion for drivers – personal conveyance. What is personal conveyance and why does it cause so many problems?
Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed in a Bloomberg interview on Tuesday that the company is working on autonomous technology, further fueling speculation that the software giant is developing a self-driving Apple car.
In Pakistan, drivers care so much for their trucks that they turn them into works of art. Also, NATSO opposes rest stop privatization plan, working with robots and the path to better trade deals.
Claiming the upcoming ELD mandate violated the 4th Amendment, OOIDA had asked the Supreme Court to hear the case. The Court has declined to do so, allowing the rule to go into effect in December.
In its latest State of the Freight webinar last week, FTR experts laid out their expectations and timelines for freight disruption, and as expected, sections were devoted to NAFTA and autonomous trucks.
By using the technology already built into smartphones and focusing on drivers rather than vehicles, a new mobile application from global fleet safety company GreenRoad is aiming to increase driver safety and fleet efficiency without the need for hardware.
Do you have money to invest? If so, Martin Tillier has some advice: the time may be right to invest in trucking and logistics company stocks. Tillier notes that money spent on infrastructure will improve the fortunes of an industry that counts infrastructure as a critical piece to getting its job done.
On Tuesday, during the company’s shareholder meeting, Tesla founder Elon Musk updated investors on a number of initiatives and pushed back against critics of the Tesla Semi electric truck. Also, when is a fuel tax on a fuel tax, and inside the supply chain’s tech revolution.
Since 2010 EPA emissions regulations went into effect, it has been said that in some areas of the country, the emissions released by heavy-duty trucks are actually cleaner than the air they are emitted into. But a new study by researchers at UC-Riverside calls that into question.
Many larger carriers already require their drivers to use ELDs, but for smaller carriers that make up the majority of the industry, the implementation of ELDs and their associated cost could be a game-changer. This infographic highlights some of the key facts around ELDs, their impact on operations, and potential solutions to mitigate those impacts.
Walmart is testing a program where store associates will deliver online purchases, which could have a major impact on package delivery companies. Also, Waymo is testing a self-driving truck and monthly freight index climbs.
Kenco Group is known for its logistics services, but it is also becoming known for its innovation. Inside the Kenco Innovation Lab, next-generation solutions are being developed for today’s logistics companies.
A petition has been filed asking EPA to reconsider its Phase 2 GHG rules based on a procedural step that may have been missed. Also, spot rates climb and cargo theft remains a top concern.
Headlines are declaring the death of the truck driver at the hands of the autonomous truck. But what if that doesn’t happen? Looking deeper into reports of job losses finds that significant impacts are likely 20 years away – if at all.
J.B. Hunt is investing $2.75 million in the University of Arkansas for creation of the J.B. Hunt Innovation Center of Excellence. The center will allow students to work with J.B. Hunt employees to solve real-word supply-chain problems. Also, tips on surviving a ransomware attack, consumer spending rises, and if there are so many jobs available, where are the workers?
McKinsey & Company has recently issued a report on potential impacts to the trucking and rail freight industries in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The report, “Four forces to watch in trucking and rail freight,” identifies critical structural issues that executives must pay attention to in the immediate future.
Deutsche Post DHL Group in cooperation with AXIT recently held a live demonstration of how a must-have repair part could be manufactured and delivered to its end user in a single day thanks to technology.
The improvements in 3D printing technology has boosted the hopes that one day supply chains will become shorter as products are printer on-demand in close proximity to end users. Deutsche Post DHL Group and IT logistics provider Axit recently showcased how replacement parts could be produced and shipped in the same day.
A Chinese e-commerce company wants to make deliveries weighing as much as 1 ton with drones. JD.com is already delivering smaller packages in rural villages. Also in the news, FMCSA officials will be meeting to discuss regulatory relief for the industry and GM is facing allegations it used defeat devices to bypass diesel emissions regs on its pickups.
If it seems that freight brokerage – both digital and traditional services – are popping up on a daily basis, it could be because they are, or it at least it seems that way. Digital freight matchers (DFMs) include familiar names such as Convoy, CargoMatic, Haulfox and HaulHound. But what if you want to enter the space? Here are some tips on how to be successful as a DFM.
Flatbed hauler Daseke has decided to put some stock in its employees – literally. The publicly held company announced it will set aside 1 million shares of common stock with a current value of $9.9 million for employees. Also, a list of the world’s largest transportation companies and news on a lawsuit involving Swift.
While FMCSA’s electronic logging device (ELD) rule seems like a done deal, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) has not thrown in the towel quite yet. Also, Republicans continue pushing for border adjustment tax, tonnage falls, and a new approach to truck safety.
Since its founding, LinkeDrive has become synonymous with driver performance coaching. Its PedalCoach product has helped thousands of drivers achieve higher fuel efficiency and boost safety performance. It turns out, though, that the data it is generating has a lot more potential.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is again delaying a rule that many in the industry asked for – entry-level driver training. Also, a look at what life is like on the road for drivers, battery technology could extend vehicle range and UPS to add peak seasonal volume charges.
While Congress and the states kick around proposals to increase funding for infrastructure, Robert Atkinson, an opinion writer for The Hill, has backed the idea of charging big rigs taxes based on the number of miles they drive.
Volvo Group and recycling company Renova are testing a self-driving refuse truck in Sweden that uses sensors that continuously monitor the vehicle’s path and stops the truck immediately if an obstacle appears. Volvo released a video of the vehicle in action.
The expansion of fuel cell trucks is continuing, with an announcement from Ballard Power Systems that its 85-kilowatt fuel cell engine will power a Class 8 Kenworth drayage truck at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Also, Uber Freight launches, a fuel tax hike is still on the table and Amazon pushes furniture.
Any trucker knows the importance of directions. Have the right ones, and there is a good chance you can arrive on time. But incorrect directions, and not only will you be delayed, but your employer may be out money for that late arrival. A new app is hoping to change that.
Volvo Group is testing a self-driving refuse truck. The truck allows a driver to walk behind the vehicle collecting refuse container. Also, it may be easier to test truck drivers for sleep apnea following a court ruling and the prospects for industry growth are perking up.
“If the thesis is that all of these small carriers who’ve been running illegally will be put out of business were they to comply with this mandate, there is no incentive for them to comply.” That is part of the reasoning that Stifel analysts have used to suggest the ELD mandate will not drive up shipping rates.
Good morning. Hope the roads are clear where you are today. As it turns out, that is not often the case for many of us. The American Transportation Research Institute reported that congestion on U.S. roadways cost the trucking industry $63.4 billion in 2015 and resulted in 996 million hours of lost productivity, which is equal to 362,243 truck drivers sitting idle for an entire year.
FedEx said it was victimized by the massive cyber attack on Friday that hit businesses in an estimated 100 countries. Also, more venture capital money is flowing into trucking and 3-D printers may be altering the movement of freight in the near future.
A Court of Appeals has granted a 90-day delay requested by EPA and NHTSA in a lawsuit brought by the Truck Trailer Manufacturer’s Association over the government’s Phase 2 Greenhouse Gas regulations. EPA requested the delay in part so that it can review the rule, throwing some uncertainty into implementation of the rule.
In a connected society, the transparency of items moving through the supply chain is a critical component of shipping best practices. From manufacturer, to trucking company, to end customer, the tracking of goods ensures timely delivery and top customer service ratings. OmniTrails is poised to lead to next revolution in this arena with its micro-location tracking solutions.
Ready or not, truck platooning is inching closer to reality. And it offers a real chance at fuel savings. Research suggests that trucks running in platoons can save between 4% and 10% in fuel depending on their position in the platoon. Read more about how Peloton is moving the industry closer to vehicle platoons: Peloton set to debut truck platoons later this year.
UPS conducted a drone delivery test in February in Lithia, FL, with Workhorse Group, an Ohio-based battery-electric truck and drone developer. Workhorse built the drone and the electric UPS package car used in the test. Read more about how last-mile delivery is changing: R2D2 may make your next delivery.
Unlike autonomous vehicles, a driver remains in ultimate control of a truck while in platoon formation. Because of this, it is likely that two-truck platooning will be available to fleets later this year.
Much has been written about Tesla’s electric truck project and while opinions vary on the viability of a heavy-duty electric semi, some are wondering if the truck is only a vehicle to reach a different end game for Elon Musk.
Toyota Motor North America announced its Project Portal hydrogen fuel cell powertrain this week. The engine produces 670 hp. and can pull an 80,000-lb. pound, the company said. Vehicle tests will take place at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, hauling cargo between the two sites.
This Week in Trucking, the CEO of Old Dominion Freight Line suggests boosting federal fuel taxes to pay for infrastructure improvements and Texas is the first state to require ELDs for intrastate commercial drivers. Also, Toyota unveils a hydrogen fuel cell Class 8 tractor.
While life on the road can be difficult for many truck drivers, it’s not made any easier by the demands from carriers looking out for the bottom line. That’s why One20 has been busy building a series of products and services designed with the truck driver in mind.
For anyone in the trucking industry, there is one constant: change. Rates change. Customers change. Freight flows change. But why is there so much change? This graphic answers some of those questions.
Is the trucking industry over-regulated? Good luck finding anyone in the industry that would say no. But ask which regulations should be repealed and chances are each one will be mentioned at least once. But will repealing regulations actually make the industry safer?
Trucking fleets have been hit with a series of equipment price increases in recent years due to new government regulations, including thousands of dollars for tractors due to greenhouse gas regulations. The new electronic stability control regulation, though, may be one where the benefit far outweighs its minimal cost.
Since last summer, Elon Musk has been teasing Tesla fans with word the company is building an electric “semi truck.” What form, shape and size that truck will take is still under wraps, but at least now we have a more definitive timeframe.
There is a lot of fear among drivers that they are being displaced by autonomous vehicles, and plenty of companies building these vehicles are looking to do just that. But one company is approaching the autonomous space with an eye on keeping drivers employed and improving their lives.
The upcoming electronic logging device (ELD) rule is a great example of the type of mandated technological change coming to the trucking industry, and yet it serves as a great reminder of the importance to perform due diligence before adopting such technologies.
This week in the Week in Trucking, we look at improving truck orders and optimism among carriers, why consumer GPS devices don’t work in trucking, GE’s approaching to training workers and how one carrier is finding success by offering its drivers video.
The transportation industry is ripe with startups hoping to be the one that disrupts a $726 billion industry, but without help, most don’t last. Dynamo is a Chattanooga-based venture capital firm that specializes in the logistics space and is helping a few of these startups gain a solid foothold in transportation.
In a world which carriers want to be paid quickly for their services, brokers have long turned to factoring as an option. Technology, though, is changing the payments business, and that means quicker payments for carriers and more cash flow flexibility for brokers.
Unlike some technologies, blockchain technology is not likely to displace many workers in the trucking industry. It does promise, however, to streamline financial operations and compliance reporting to make those operations more seamless, potentially saving fleets tens of thousands of dollars.
In this week’s edition of the Week in Trucking, a major bridge collapse in Atlanta will cause traffic nightmares for months and the trucking industry sees a significant drop in driver turnover. Also, are regulations forcing trucking companies to run unsafe trucks?
Once a disparate group of entities, the modern supply chain is becoming more akin to a well-oiled machine thanks to technological advances. As it becomes more digitized, the business case for blockchain technology becomes more powerful.
“The potential here is phenomenal. The match between what blockchain offers and the industry pain points is incredible,” says Bridget McDermott, vice president of Blockchain Business Development for IBM. So what exactly is blockchain?
Blockchain is a relatively new term used to describe a series of distributed databases that act as a tamper-proof, verifiable ledger. As with any new technology, blockchain has its own terminology. Here is a listing of some of the most important terms and their meanings.
While most people assume that drones will someday be making home deliveries, there are other possibilities including droids and even mobile parcel lockers. Whatever method or combination of methods are chosen, though, last-mile delivery may never be the same.
In this week’s edition of The Week in Trucking, the trucking industry gets an audience with President Donald Trump, drivers may not be needed in California, are robots are set to take over warehousing and FMCSA pulls a controversial safety-focused rule.
Since the dawn of the shipping industry, brokers, carriers and shippers have struggled with rate price swings, sometimes due to conditions outside their control, such as weather or politics. TransFX, a Chattanooga-based company located in Freight Alley, is trying to help change that by offering “freight futures contracts.”
As the next generation of the Fuller and Quinn families take on leadership roles of U.S. Xpress, data is becoming more important than ever. Eric Fuller, who succeeds his father Max as CEO, says that technology is poised to change the industry in ways never before imagined.
With truck driver turnover approaching and even surpassing 100% at times, costing carriers thousands of dollars to replace them, many fleets are doing what they can to keep their current drivers. This includes increasing pay and benefits, but one company thinks it has a better way and it starts with communication.
Amazingly, there’s one area of the country where more than 80% of the nation’s freight travels through on its way to its final destination. It’s not Chicago, New York or Dallas. It’s not even in the center of the U.S. Meet Freight Alley.
A University of Michigan study found that only 9.7% of those surveyed said they have no concerns about fully autonomous vehicles. But what about driving alongside an 80,000-lb. autonomous big rig? These are already being tested on roads and could be operational within five years. Is the industry ready for the disruption autonomous trucks will cause?
While much attention has been paid to autonomous trucks recently thanks to startup companies such as Otto, Embark and Startsky Robotics, many forget that the first company to test an autonomous vehicle in highways was truck manufacturer Daimler Trucks North America. Here is a look at the Freightliner Inspiration.
In a world of volatile diesel fuel prices that rise and fall on a daily basis, the biggest operational variable for any trucking fleet is not within their control. Nikola Motor is promising to change that with its hydrogen-powered electric tractor. U.S. Xpress, is one fleet that believes the future may be hydrogen.
For anyone involved in the movement of goods, weather plays a great unknown. It can cause delays and even cancelled orders, which means lost revenue. But one company is trying to help identify potential weather issues so vehicles can be safely rerouted.
The required implementation of electronic logging devices later this year has created plenty of worry within industry circles. Beyond the logistics of installing the devices, though, carriers and shippers need to be worried about the business impact: specifically lost productivity and rising rates.
Those on both sides of the freight business have struggled for years with volatile shipping rates. Contracts get locked in for months or more with no assurance that the contract will reflect current prices when loads are delivered. TransVix believes part of the solution to this problem is the creation of a Trucking Futures Exchange.
From drones to the Internet of Things (IoT), technology is pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the world of business. It is no different for transportation entities, especially shippers and carriers who are embracing technology while remaining mindful of ever-slimming margins.
Steve Sashihara, CEO of Princeton Consultants, recently spoke about disruptive technologies and Big Data in the transportation space. Here are 9 areas of impact he identified. Each slide represents the belief that industry stakeholders surveyed have in digital disruption. (Click the arrow to scroll through).
