ATA Forms Committee On Info. Tech.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Citing the increased use of information technology within the industry, American Trucking Associations has created a new policy committee devoted to the issue.

ATA’s board of directors voted June 18 to create a new Technology & Engineering Committee that incorporates the current Technology Advisory Committee and the engineering component of the Safety & Engineering Committee. The new panel will be chaired by Don Orr, president of Roberson Transportation in Champaign, Ill.

The Technology Advisory Committee was formed in 1998 to provide guidance to ATA’s board on issues relating to information technology, telecommunications and intelligent transportation systems. The Safety Policy Committee focuses primarily on driver issues.

The mission of the Technology & Engineering Committee is to explore how technology can be used to improve highway safety, productivity, fleet operations and driver environment, said Kevin Holland, manager of technology policy at the trucking association.