Autonomous

About Autonomous News...

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.

Business, Government, Safety, Fuel, Autonomous

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.

Roger Gilroy | Senior Reporter
September 5, 2016

Daily Briefings from Transport Topics

Transport Topics has partnered with Spoken Layer to make one-minute daily briefings available on all your smart devices. Simply say “Alexa, play Transport Topics” or “Okay Google, talk to Transport Topics” to get the day’s biggest trucking headlines.

Business, Safety, Government, Autonomous

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.

David Elfin and Eric Miller | Staff Reporters
September 5, 2016
Business, Government, Safety, Autonomous

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.

Daniel P. Bearth | Staff Writer
August 29, 2016
Business, Autonomous

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.

Carolyn Said | San Francisco Chronicle
August 29, 2016
Business, Safety, Autonomous

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, 2016
Business, Equipment, Autonomous

July 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.

Roger Gilroy | Senior Reporter
August 22, 2016
Business, Safety, Government, Autonomous

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.

David Elfin | Staff Reporter
August 22, 2016
Business, Government, Autonomous

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.

Rip Watson | Special to Transport Topics
August 22, 2016
Business, Autonomous

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, 2016
Business, Autonomous

DOE 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