Technology Briefs - Aug. 30 - Sept. 6

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The Latest Headlines:

• First Fleet Corp. Starts Private-Fleet Telematics Study
• NDC Adds to Warehousing Operations
• More Consumers Shifting to Fuel-Efficient Vehicles

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First Fleet Corp. Starts Private-Fleet Telematics Study

In response to rising fuel prices, First Fleet Corp. said Wednesday it had begun an 18-month fuel economy study to gauge the effects of telematics technology on private truck fleets under "real world" operating conditions.

The industry market segments participating in the study are grocery, manufacturing, fuel and retail distribution.

"Private truck fleets are under pressure to stop the bleeding and improve their fleets' fuel consumption," said John Flynn, First Fleet’s chief executive officer.

"Our goal is to study their use consumption patterns with new onboard telematics technology [to] help them define new strategies for achieving better fuel economy, whether it's through new equipment specs, improved driving methods, reduced idling time, driver training or enhanced maintenance practices,” he said.

In the study’s first phase, First Fleet will have nearly 200 trucking telematics devices installed in a large cross-section of Class 8 tractors in 10 participating private truck fleets. Transport Topics

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NDC Adds to Warehousing Operations

Distribution and warehousing company National Distribution Centers said it acquired the New Concord, Ohio, operations of third-party logistics provider General Warehouse and Transportation, which is headquartered in Chicago.

NDC said it purchased the facility to add to the warehousing needs of its parent company, NFI Industries, which owns truckload carrier National Freight.

NFI ranks No. 37 on the Transport Topics 100 list of the largest U.S. and Canadian trucking companies. It said it operates a total of 120 locations, has about 4,100 employees and had more than $600 million in annual revenue last year. Transport Topics

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More Consumers Shifting to Fuel-Efficient Vehicles

Soaring fuel prices are pushing car buyers into more fuel-efficient vehicles, according to results from a public opinion poll and a forthcoming study by the Polk Center for Automotive Studies.

The study found consumers were telling auto manufacturers that they want fuel-efficient vehicles, that they were reducing how much they drive, and that they would factor the price of gas into decisions concerning both the timing and type of vehicles they purchase.

The study said consumers recognized that they have choices when facing increasing fuel expenses. The easiest choice, driving less, was a potential solution for 59% of respondents, it said.

A total of 500 vehicle owners, age 21 and older from across the United States, participated in the study. Transport Topics

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