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.

Perspective, Business, Government, Safety, Autonomous

Opinion: First TMC Meeting Proved Unforgettable

As officers of American Trucking Associations, we are tasked with guiding the professional management of ATA and representing ATA at our federation partners’ meetings and industry events. In recent years, we also have assigned an officer as steward of ATA’s most prominent and important programs. For example, First Vice Chairman Kevin Burch has overseen our industry image movement, Trucking Moves America Forward, while Second Vice Chairman Dave Manning is our officer contact for LEAD ATA, our emerging leaders program. As part of this effort, I have the honor to be the officer serving as liaison to the ATA Technology & Maintenance Council, or TMC.

August 15, 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.

Editorial, Business, Government, Safety, Logistics, Autonomous

Editorial: One Champion, But Many Winners

By the time you read this, a new grand champion will have been crowned at the National Truck Driving Championships in Indianapolis.

August 15, 2016
Equipment, Business, Government, Fuel, Autonomous

No Gender Gap in Today’s Class 8 Trucks, Tractors

When it comes to differences in average height, weight and strength of male and female Class 8 truck drivers, those differences challenge truck designers to build a vehicle that can be easily used by both genders. Those physical differences can make it difficult for drivers — male or female — to reach the pedals while seeing over the hood, or to open a hood and be able to add engine oil or clean a windshield without having to climb atop a tire.

Phil Romba | Contributing Writer
August 11, 2016
Equipment, Business, Logistics, Autonomous

Driver-Focused Designs

The annual National Truck Driving Championships kicked off Aug. 10 in Indianapolis. To coincide with Transport Topics’ coverage of the “Super Bowl of Safety,” this edition of Equipment & Maintenance Update features stories focused on drivers’ needs and concerns, including those related to comfort, safety and health.

Fran Matso Lysiak | Features Editor
August 10, 2016
Business, Safety, Logistics, Government, Autonomous

NTDC 2016 State-by-State List of Competitors

The 79th annual National Truck Driving Championships and eighth annual National Step Van Driving Championships will be held Aug. 10-13 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. Here is a list of drivers entered, sorted by the state from which they are competing.

August 10, 2016
Business, Autonomous

Kottke Trucking Purchases Walbon & Co.'s OTR Division

For-hire carrier Kottke Trucking Inc. purchased Walbon & Co. in a deal made official on Aug. 4 that will provide the refrigerated carrier new routes, tractor-trailers and a Florida terminal.

August 9, 2016
Government, Business, Safety, Autonomous

FMCSA Medical Review Board to Offer Sleep Apnea Recommendations

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s medical review board will meet later this month to make recommendations for possible changes to standards and practice for medical examiners diagnosing and treating truck drivers for obstructive sleep apnea.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
August 8, 2016
Business, Autonomous

DSV Chief Andersen Sees Driverless Trucks Within Decade

The CEO of the Nordic region’s biggest road transport company, DSV A/S, predicts the trucks he relies on can start operating without drivers within the next five to 10 years.

Christian Wienberg | Bloomberg News
August 8, 2016
Editorial, Business, Government, Autonomous

Editorial: Trade for America and Trucking

We are usually big fans of bipartisan cooperation. Democrats and Republicans should proclaim their ideals and preferences with clarity — especially during election campaigns — but after citizens vote there comes a time to get to work and start solving problems.

August 8, 2016
Business, Government, Safety, Fuel, Autonomous

Alt-Fuel Infrastructure Build-Out Paves Way For Trucks Powered by Natural Gas, DME

Growing corridors of natural-gas fueling stations, together with a scattering of other ways to power heavy-duty trucks, make up an expanding infrastructure providing alternatives to traditional diesel.

Roger Gilroy | Senior Reporter
July 25, 2016