Technology Briefs - March 1 - March 7
The Latest Headlines:
- Terion Adds Solar Option to Trailer-Tracking Technology
- Qualcomm, IDSC to Provide In-Cab Fuel Services
- Clean Air Group Urges Funding Diesel Retrofits
- Wabash to Invest in New Trailer Lines
- Wright Express Adds Online Payment Feature
- Manugistics Adds Business Units, Reaffirms Transportation Focus
- Qualcomm, IDSC to Provide In-Cab Fuel Services
Terion Adds Solar Option to Trailer-Tracking Technology
Terion Inc. announced Monday it added a solar-charging technology option to its trailer-tracking FleetView system.Solar power can extend battery life by an average of three times between charges and can double the overall life of batteries used to power the system, Terion said. Terion is the market-share leader by number of units, with more than 80,000 systems in operation.
Most untethered trailer-tracking systems' standard battery recharges, usually done through cab power systems when trucks are running, last about 30 to 120 days.
Qualcomm, IDSC to Provide In-Cab Fuel Services
Qualcomm inc. said Monday it had teamed with software maker Integrated Decision Support Corp. to launch in-cab fuel services for fleets.Qualcomm said the service will give pricing information at truck stops near a driver’s location, while a trip-planning service provides a complete fuel optimization plan including routing, recommended stops and purchase quantities.
"At a time when fuel prices are threatening to erode industry profits, these services greatly enhance the value [for] our customers,” said Norm Ellis, vice president of transportation and logistics for Qualcomm Wireless Business Solutions.
Qualcomm provides in-cab communications and trailer-tracking systems and IDSC provides fuel-optimization services. Transport Topics
Clean Air Group Urges Funding Diesel Retrofits
An advocacy group called for federal and state funding to retrofit older diesel engines, saying reduced diesel emission would save lives.The Boston-based Clean Air Task Force, which promotes clean-air policy, released a report on diesel emission Feb. 22.
“Reducing diesel fine-particle emissions 50% by 2010, 75% by 2015 and 85% by 2020 would save nearly 100,000 lives between now and 2030,” the report said, using figures based on government emission data and public health studies.
Environmental Protection Agency regulations require sharp reductions in diesel-engine emission in 2007, with even tighter standards in 2010.
Conrad Schneider, CATF advocacy director, said not all 13 million diesel engines in use in the United States would need retrofits, which cost $5,000 to $7,000 per vehicle. Transport Topics
Wabash to Invest in New Trailer Lines
Trailer manufacturer Wabash National Corp. said late Tuesday its board approved a $60 million investment in new technologies to replace four trailer assembly lines.The board approved $10 million, the first of four phases of a $40 million multi-year program for the new lines, the company said.
Wabash estimated each new line would save $7 million a year.
The board also approved $20 million for engineering and business process systems improvements, Wabash said.
This investment in our production capabilities will help to revolutionize trailer manufacturing, incorporating the use of technology proven in the automotive industry,” Chief Operating Officer Dick Giromini said. Transport Topics
Wright Express Adds Online Payment Feature
Wright Express, a provider of payment processing to the fleet industry, said Wednesday it added an online payment feature to its Web site, eliminating the need of mailing a check.It said in a statement the service would be available to the Wright’s private label and co-brand partners, as well as fleets using the Wright Express Universal Card.
Wright said the electronic payment system uses encrypted bank account information to ensure safety. Transport Topics
Manugistics Adds Business Units, Reaffirms Transportation Focus
Supply chain technology firm Manugistics Group Inc. said Wednesday it had created new business units for the retail and consumer-goods sectors.Each specialized group will have separate sales, pre-sales, industry marketing and client service units, the company said in a statement.
In a separate release Thursday, Manugistics reaffirmed its commitment to the transportation and logistics sectors.
Manugistics said it aimed to help customers deal with tightening freight capacity, hours-of-service rules and other operating expenses that are driving up freight costs. Transport Topics
