Technology Briefs — Feb. 21 - Feb. 26

This briefing can be e-mailed to you every week. Just click here to register.The Latest Headlines:

J.J. Keller Develops New Online Tools

J.J. Keller & Associates, which makes safety and regulatory software and manuals, released two online services Feb. 12 to help fleets better manage vehicle and driver data.The maintenance tool, known as Vehicle Management Online, allows carriers to develop maintenance checklists for trucks and then store this information online, according to J.J. Keller, Neenah, Wis. The service also sends e-mail reminders about specific deadlines and allows carriers to scan and attach documents, the company said.The other tool, known as Log Checker Online, can help fleets comply with federal hours-of-service regulations by centralizing HOS supporting document data, the company said. Transport Topics

ALK Announces Spring Update For CoPilot Live

Mapping software firm ALK Technologies said Feb. 12 its latest update of CoPilot Live will be available in the spring.ALK, Princeton, N.J., said it redesigned CoPilot 7 so it can be used on cellphones with Global Positioning System tracking capabilities. Another feature allows text directions to be converted into audible information.CoPilot 7 also allows carriers to have real-mobile data services, such as text-messaging, and to send an e-mail to a contact located with a CoPilot database.This capability allows the recipient to view a truck’s location in real time and change the destination. Transport Topics

FedEx Express Deploys Four Hybrids in Denver

FedEx Corp. subsidiary FedEx Express said Wednesday it introduced four new hybrid electric medium-duty trucks into service in the Denver metropolitan area.The hybrid was developed in cooperation with Environmental Defense and Eaton Corp., FedEx said. It will decreases soot emissions by 96% and travels 57% farther on a gallon of fuel, reducing fuel costs by more than a third, FedEx said.U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colo.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, joined FedEx in unveiling the vehicles in downtown Denver, FedEx said. Transport TopicsPrevious Technology Briefs