Technology

About Technology News...

Commercial freight transportation businesses rely on data, intelligence, and novel solutions for operational efficiency. Transport Topics technology coverage investigates available technologies, real-world applications of business solutions, and the strategies necessary for advancement. News topics focus on the latest applied science, and issues range from autonomous vehicle and robotics innovations to management software, tracking and transparency, data analytics, blockchain, and the internet of things.

Government, Business, Technology, Fuel

ATD Announces Coalition to Repeal Federal Excise Tax on Heavy-Duty Trucks

SAN FRANCISCO — American Truck Dealers announced a new industry coalition to push for the repeal of the 12% federal excise tax on heavy-duty trucks.

Seth Clevenger | Managing Editor, Features and Multimedia
January 28, 2019

QuickBooks for Trucking: Connecting QuickBooks to Your TMS

Learn how Truckbase connects QuickBooks for trucking and your TMS to help you marry your trucking-specific data in your TMS with your financial data in QuickBooks.

Technology, Equipment, Safety

Straightening the Sheet Metal

So, you just got the call that your brand-new “was-­supposed-to-last-for-a-decade” Class 8 tractor slid off into the ditch. The decisions that you make during the repair cycle for that truck may be just as important as those you made in buying it.

Jack Legler | Technical Director, Technology & Maintenance Council
January 25, 2019
Business, Technology

Ford CEO Jim Hackett, Tesla’s Elon Musk Urge Workers to Help Boost Profits

Ford Motor Co.’s Jim Hackett and Tesla Inc.’s Elon Musk are rallying the troops with similar appeals to make more money.

January 25, 2019
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
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
Business, Technology, Safety

CVSA: Mirrors Have Role in Roadside Inspections

Camera monitoring systems promise to improve highway safety by giving truck drivers better visibility around the outside of the truck, but removing the mirrors could force highway safety inspectors to change their practices, according to the executive director of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.

January 25, 2019
Business, Technology, Logistics

Google’s Bid to Battle Amazon Suffers Blow As Walmart Withdraws

Walmart Inc. has quietly withdrawn from one of Google’s marquee efforts to challenge Amazon.com in e-commerce.

January 25, 2019