Technology Briefs - Oct. 12 - Oct. 18
The Latest Headlines:
- International, Eaton Team for Diesel-Electric Pilot Program
- EPA Announces Idle-Reduction Grants
- Qualcomm to Expand Operations Center in Las Vegas
- AirIQ Closes Acquisition of Boatracs
- Connecticut to Restart Emissions Testing Program
- EPA Announces Idle-Reduction Grants
International, Eaton Team for Diesel-Electric Pilot Program
International Truck and Engine Corp. and Eaton Corp. said they were selected to manufacture diesel-electric hybrid trucks for a pilot program serving the utility industry.The program will test at least 20 factory-built International utility trucks featuring an integrated hybrid powertrain engine, the companies said in a statement.
"Together, International and Eaton are delivering an integrated solution that allows the customer to attain a 40% to 60% increase in fuel economy and exceed new standards for fuel emissions," said Kevin Beaty, hybrid business unit manager for Eaton.
International, the operating company of Navistar International Corp., said it was prepared produce diesel-electric hybrid trucks as early as 2006 if the program was successful. Transport Topics
EPA Announces Idle-Reduction Grants
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Mike Leavitt announced that the agency was awarding $1 million in grants to groups in nine states to study the effectiveness of truck-stop electrification and shore power to decrease engine idling.Once fully implemented, the grants would result in more than a thousand electrified parking spaces, EPA said.
The grants were part of EPA’s SmartWay Transport Partnership program, EPA said. Transport Topics
Qualcomm to Expand Operations Center in Las Vegas
Qualcomm Inc. said Friday it would expand its Network Operations Center in Las Vegas, which uses global positioning and other technologies to track freight transportation nationwide.The company said in a statement the center would include a research-and-development center to study the use of wireless technologies to improve highway transportation and homeland security.
The center in Las Vegas works in conjunction with Qualcomm's main operations center in San Diego and employs over 100 people. Transport Topics
AirIQ Closes Acquisition of Boatracs
AirIQ Inc. said it had completed the acquisition of the assets of Boatracs LLC.irIQ operates wireless Internet applications specializing in telematics, sending messages wirelessly to and from vehicles. Boatracs serves marine supply vessels and has an exclusive license from Qualcomm Inc. to use that company’s satellite technology.
"Boatracs' strong presence in the commercial marine industry makes this acquisition a logical step in our telematics service industry consolidation," said AirIQ President Donald Simmonds. "It represents a stable, profitable segment which we intend to grow in both existing and new market areas." Transport Topics
Connecticut to Restart Emissions Testing Program
The Department of Motor Vehicles announced Oct. 8 it would resume its motor vehicle emissions testing program Nov. 12, the Associated Press reported.Resuming the program, which had been put on hold earlier this year, would allow the state to remain eligible to receive $400 million in federal highway funds, state officials said.
State officials suspended the six-month-old emissions program in April over concerns about the accuracy of test results, improper testing and the possibility that drivers could have paid for unnecessary repairs, AP said.
DMV Commissioner Gary DeFilippo said the state would begin mailing testing notices to residents by late October. Transport Topics
