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, Safety, Government, Autonomous, Fuel, Logistics, Technology

Uber Adds Trucking Brokerage Firm Amid Longhaul Push

SAN FRANCISCO — Uber Technologies Inc. hired the team behind a Chicago transportation brokerage last fall as part of an effort to break into the longhaul trucking industry.

May 12, 2017
Business, Technology, Autonomous, Government, Equipment

Rand McNally Introduces Navigation Device With Voice Assistance, In-Cab Entertainment

Rand McNally has introduced a dashboard device that combines truck navigation with an onboard SiriusXM radio, voice assistance and a built-in dash camera.

May 8, 2017
Business, Government, Safety, Autonomous

Meal, Rest Break Measure Absent From Federal Budget

A meal and rest break provision for truck drivers was not included in federal legislation approved last week that kept the federal government open, but the trucking industry is not giving up on congressional action on the matter.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
May 8, 2017
Perspective, Business, Government, Safety, Autonomous, Logistics, Fuel

Opinion: Network Analysis Takes on More Importance

We keep seeing signs that things are looking up for the trucking industry. Most of the relevant economic indicators are favorable for trucking. Commodities are getting stronger, oil rig counts are increasing and the housing recovery is persisting. At the same time, small businesses are feeling a greater sense of optimism, and improvements to the tax code may boost entrepreneurialism. Low unemployment rates ultimately will lead to higher wages, giving consumers more money to spend and putting more goods on trucks.

May 8, 2017
Government, Business, Safety, Autonomous, Logistics

Distracted Driving, Industry Regulations Top ATRI’s Research Priorities

Efforts that would minimize distracted driving and evaluate the impact of regulations on the trucking industry are high on the list of research priorities this year for the American Transportation Research Institute, the group announced May 2.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
May 2, 2017
Business, Technology, Autonomous

China’s Uber for Trucking Said to Get $156 Million in Funding

Truck Alliance Inc., an Uber-type service for trucks in China known as Huochebang, is near an agreement to raise about $156 million, people familiar with the matter said.

Lulu Yilun Chen | Bloomberg News
May 1, 2017
Business, Technology, Autonomous

Uber Demotes Man at Center of Waymo Self-Driving Car Lawsuit

Anthony Levandowski, who is at the center of Alphabet Inc.’s trade secrets lawsuit against Uber Technologies Inc., stepped down from his post overseeing self-driving car technology

Eric Newcomer | Bloomberg News
May 1, 2017
Business, Government, Safety, Logistics, Autonomous

Paper Checks Still Common in Trucking; Move Underway to Migrate to E-Payments

Many trucking and third-party logistics companies still write checks to pay their invoices, but efforts are underway to transition from pen and paper to point-and-click e-payments. If successful, it would shift decades-old business patterns ingrained in the industry.

Ari Ashe | Staff Reporter
May 1, 2017
Editorial, Business, Fuel, Autonomous, Government, Logistics

Editorial: Saving the Planet? It’s on Us

While President Donald Trump is calling for reversals of some environmental regulations, it’s important to note what isn’t changing. And that is the commitment that freight carriers, truck makers and even some shippers, such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc., are making to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

April 24, 2017
Perspective, Business, Autonomous, Government, Logistics

Opinion: Solutions to Help Eliminate Late Payments

There is nothing fun about not getting paid for the loads you have hauled. But unfortunately, every small trucking company and owner-operator will encounter clients who sometimes take 45 to 60 days — or longer — to pay.

April 24, 2017