Equipment

About Equipment News...

Commercial freight transportation is a machine-based business. Highly technical equipment and advanced engineering are at the center of supply chain and require constant innovation. Transport Topics equipment coverage focuses on the machines and other physical assets that make delivery possible. It looks closely at available truck, trailer, and chassis models, developments in the engineering space, and maintenance innovations and best practices. 

Technology, Equipment, Safety

Diesel Engine, Drivetrain Spec’ing Prove Crucial

Careful attention to diesel engine and drivetrain spec’ing is essential to ensure that Class 8 trucks have the highest productivity and lowest cost per mile for their specific applications.

John Baxter | Special to Transport Topics
January 25, 2019

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.

Technology, Equipment, Safety

The Savings of Truck Safety Technology

The rising cost of maintenance for Class 8 trucks needs to be weighed against safety and operational benefits, according to a recent study by the American Transportation Research Institute.

Phil Romba | Contributing Writer
January 25, 2019
Business, Technology, Equipment, Safety, Fuel

Testing Fuel-Saving Technologies

As fleets know, many variables can affect test results for truck fuel-saving technologies and practices.

January 25, 2019
Business, Technology, Equipment, Safety

Keeping an Eye on Truck Parts and Safety

The new year has arrived, and so has this first-quarter 2019 issue of Equipment & Maintenance Update. The two cover stories of this E&MU reflect in-depth features on timely issues and news developments that likely are to be of interest to those operating in the realm of trucking equipment and maintenance.

Fran Matso Lysiak | Features Editor
January 25, 2019
Government, Business, Technology, Equipment, Safety, Top 100

Fleets Eye Camera Systems to Replace Mirrors

Camera monitor systems designed to replace a truck’s conventional side mirrors are getting favor­able reviews from drivers, according to exec­utives at fleets that are testing the new technology, which also recently received a nod of approval from federal regulators.

January 25, 2019
Government, Technology, Equipment, Safety

Freight Railroads Record Progress on PTC Implementation, AAR Says

Large freight railroads functioned with the use of automatic braking technology for 83.2% of miles required by law, the Association of American Railroads announced Jan. 24. That proves the Class I railroads met 2018 requirements, and they are expected to finalize the implementation of positive train control technology by the final deadline of Dec. 31, 2020.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
January 25, 2019
Business, Technology, Equipment

Truck OEMs, Suppliers Look to Online Growth, 3D Printing

Equipment and component manufacturers in the trucking industry are looking to expand their online presence and also see potential in 3D printing, both of which could help them reach more customers, they said.

Mindy Long | Special to Transport Topics
January 25, 2019
Business, Equipment

Ford Ranks as Revenue Heavyweight Among US Companies

Ford Motor Co.’s haul from selling just pickups and commercial vehicles rivals household-name companies including IBM and Boeing.

January 25, 2019
Business, Technology, Equipment

Parts Demand Is Surging

A growing economy and strong new truck sales have increased demand for aftermarket parts, creating supply chal­lenges. Truck manufacturers and component ­suppliers said they’re working to alleviate pressure on the industry by expanding offerings, ­improving distribution channels and using predictive forecasting tools to get ahead of demand.

Mindy Long | Special to Transport Topics
January 25, 2019
Business, Equipment, Safety

Tackling Electrical Systems

Technicians often don't troubleshoot a truck's electrical system to the extent they could, according to a recent assessment by the Technology & Maintenance Council of American Trucking Associations. Here's why.

January 25, 2019