Technology Briefs - Oct. 11 - Oct. 17
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The Latest Headlines:
- TransCore GlobalWave Unveils Trailer Tracker
- ObjectFX Announces New Fleet-Tracking Software
- Pennsylvania OKs Coal-to-Diesel Plant
- Ohio Man Wins TMC Technician Scholarship
- ObjectFX Announces New Fleet-Tracking Software
TransCore GlobalWave Unveils Trailer Tracker
A nearly flat transponder to track trailers, with a battery life of more than five years, was unveiled by TransCore GlobalWave Sunday at American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference & Exhibition in Boston.Powered by a lithium battery pack, the trailer and other asset-tracking devices feature an ultra-slim core modem that enables the unit to send its daily position reports and other information, said Dave Sward, general manager of TransCore GlobalWave.
The industry’s response, he said, was to ask for a very slim device that could be mounted quickly and easily to a trailer’s roof, without adding to the height of the trailer.
Sward told TT the new device is just above three-quarters of an inch tall, making it less obvious, visually, reducing the potential for theft. Daniel W. Guido
ObjectFX Announces New Fleet-Tracking Software
ObjectFX Corp. announced Monday the availability of its new FleetFX software product for visually monitoring trucks and transportation operations.Unveiled at American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference and Exposition in Boston, the company said the product is designed to give executives, managers other personnel greater visibility into their operations.
The system provides a customizable map display showing the location and up-to-the-minute status of assets such as trucks, trailers, containers, warehouses, fuel stops, repair facilities and drop yards, ObjectFX said.
FleetFX is a browser-based application that can be accessed by authorized users working in operations facilities, or from any computer with an Internet connection, the company said. Transport Topics
Pennsylvania OKs Coal-to-Diesel Plant
Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell’s (D) administration has approved construction of the nation’s first commercial plant that will convert waste coal into zero-sulfur diesel fuel and home-heating oil, the Associated Press reported.Administration officials said they will join with private businesses in a consortium that will buy most of the fuel that is produced, AP reported.
The move should qualify the project for federal loan guarantees in financing most of the $612 million project in Mahanoy Township, Schuylkill County, about 50 miles northeast of Harrisburg, officials told AP.
Language that effectively reserved the guarantees for the project was included in the federal energy law that President Bush signed earlier this year, and the assurance of in-state markets for nearly all the fuel gives prospective investors an extra margin of comfort, AP said. Transport Topics
(Click here for previous coverage.)
Ohio Man Wins TMC Technician Scholarship
Kevin Neal of Troy, Ohio, was named the first recipient of the Technology & Maintenance Council/WyoTech Diesel Truck Technician Scholarship, TMC said.The scholarship is part of an ongoing effort by TMC's Professional Technician Development Committee to promote and enhance the professionalism of commercial vehicle technicians. The scholarship is for 1,500 clock hours (nine months) attendance to WyoTech's Laramie campus.
"We were excited to find out that Kevin was already planning to attend WyoTech this October," said Mr. Warpness. "It's encouraging to find a young man of this caliber representing both TMC and WyoTech."
Neal, 18, attended a joint vocational high school and specialized in diesel engine training.
He also participated in a year-long cooperative program through which he worked 40 hours at week with Kirk NationaLease, a TMC-affiliated company. Jim Baker, his supervisor, recommended he apply for the scholarship. Transport Topics
