Autonomous
Autonomous technologies now drive significant change in trucking and freight transportation. Transport Topics autonomous coverage provides a comprehensive look at that change. It provides the latest details on deployment concepts such as advanced driver-assist systems, transfer hubs, teleoperations, platooning and off-road automation and latest analysis of the companies who are manufacturing, adopting and investing in these technologies. Readers can follow the impact such deployment has on everything from policy and infrastructure initiatives to highway congestion, fuel consumption, fleet management, driver management and business investment.
Natural-Gas Advocates Claim Victories in Phase 2 GHG Emissions Regulation
The Phase 2 greenhouse-gas emissions final rule gave natural-gas advocates victories in how the alternative fuel is handled and how emissions of methane are regulated, they said, even as the rule forecast little chance of natural gas becoming a major fuel source for heavy-duty trucks in the next decade.
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Truck-Involved Crash Deaths Rise; Highest Total Since ’08, DOT Says
Fatalities in crashes involving large trucks rose 4.1% from 2014 to 2015, the U.S. Department of Transportation reported Aug. 29.
Regulations, Business Trends Put Pressure on Private Fleets
Operators of corporate-owned truck fleets are facing pressure to keep up with a growing number of regulations while also dealing with legal and business issues that go well beyond the traditional realm of equipment maintenance and driver management.
Otto’s Autonomous Trucks Drive Almost 24/7 to Refine Technology of Tomorrow
For now, Otto is focused on logging as many test miles as possible with its five (soon to be six) retrofitted Volvo cabs that it runs almost 24/7 on highways in the Bay Area and elsewhere.
ATA Enhances MC&E Schedule
American Trucking Associations announced Aug. 24 several additions to its annual Management Conference & Exhibition taking place Oct. 1-4 in Las Vegas.
August 24, 2016July Class 8 Sales Tumble 39.8%
U.S. retail sales of Class 8 trucks fell 39.8% in July from a year earlier, WardsAuto.com reported, as the trucking industry struggles with an uneven economy and the effects of earlier overproduction.
Canada Plans to Require Use of Electronic Logs
Truck drivers in Canada will likely soon be required to be outfitted with electronic logging devices, with full implementation of a rule expected before the end of the decade, according to a Transport Canada official.
N.Y. Teamsters Fund to Seek US Approval to Slash Retiree Pension Benefits By 31%
The New York State Teamsters Conference Pension and Retirement Fund later this month plans to seek federal approval to cut retiree pension benefits by 31%, becoming the second trucking union planning to announce that step as a way of preserving future benefits.
Uber Acquires Self-Driving Truck Startup Otto
Ridesharing company Uber said it has acquired Otto, a startup firm that is developing a self-driving aftermarket kit for heavy-duty trucks.
August 18, 2016DOE Launches SuperTruck II to Go Beyond New GHG Rule
The Department of Energy announced its SuperTruck II initiative to more than double the freight efficiency of Class 8 trucks and go beyond provisions in the new federal Phase 2 greenhouse-gas emissions rule affecting heavy- and medium-duty trucks, as well as trailers.
August 17, 2016