July 20, 1999 3:40 PM, EDT

P.M. Executive Briefing - July 20

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This Afternoon's Headlines:

Technology's Riding Shotgun in Transportation
What Price Safety?
Transportation Products: Transportation Evaluation
Peterbilt Pre-Owned Truck Locator a Valuable Internet Resource

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Technology's Riding Shotgun in Transportation

The percentage of commercial vehicles with onboard computer communications will reach 95% by 2006, predicts iFleet Inc. founder and chief executive officer Rusty Gordon.

The company started as Mobile Security Communications, a round-the-clock emergency telephone hot line. Today, it is adding more services, including truck tracking and theft reporting, as the information technology market for truck fleets comes of age.

Gordon adds that iFleet developers are "the first people to program hand-held systems, like Palm Pilot, or on-site inspections so people can do conditions reports."

United Parcel Service is updating its drivers' hand-held systems so they can communicate with the company database without first returning to their trucks. Gordon attributes the rapid growth of carrier communications technology to federal telecommunications deregulation and the Internet. Atlanta Business Chronicle Online (07/13/99); Ellis, Kristi Lamont

What Price Safety?

Trucks' safety potential is on the rise as better performance and warning technology become available, and legislators require noticeable trailer markings and better brakes, writes Fleet Management senior editor Carol Birkland.

Freightliner President Jim Hebe, appearing recently before the National Transportation Safety Board, proposed federal tax breaks for buyers of truck safety equipment, as is done in regard to alternative-fuel trucks.

However, Birkland writes, technology alone will not ensure truck safety. She thinks carriers need to recruit safe drivers, keep them well-trained, and pay close attention to their work performance and signs of fatigue. In addition, fleets must take care that trucks are well-maintained and repairs are meticulous. Fleet Management (07/99) Vol. 25, No. 7, P. 4; Birkland, Carol

Transportation Products: Transportation Evaluation

Shippers can now use BidPro, a new program offered by CAPS Logistics to find the most cost-efficient bids for their needs.

The program uses a Microsoft Excel data template to collect carriers' bids and input them into the calculations, which are guided by user-customized criteria. Business Geographics (07/99) Vol. 7, No. 7, P. 30

Peterbilt Pre-Owned Truck Locator a Valuable Internet Resource

Peterbilt's online Red Oval Pre-Owned Truck Locator, which can be accessed at www.peterbilt.com, allows prospective customers to browse the inventory at one or all of Peterbilt's dealers.

Users can also customize a search according to their usage needs and geographic location. Fleet Management (07/99) Vol. 25, No. 7, P. 16