Behind the Wheel of a Self-Driving Truck
Being one of the few CDL holders with an autonomous endorsement to drive a truck with “self-driving” capabilities is a dubious claim to fame. But there it is. And why, if the truck drives itself, is there a need for a credential?
July 15, 2016Editorial: The Coming of Phase 2
Within several weeks, we could see the final form of Phase 2 of greenhouse-gas limits for heavy- and medium-duty trucks. That should not be confused with the rollout of the second half of Phase 1 GHG regulations on Jan. 1 — although the timing seems almost guaranteed to generate confusion.
July 11, 2016Congress Unlikely to Pass HOS Rest Rule by Recess
Congress is poised to adjourn for its summer break without sending to President Obama legislation that would let truck drivers avoid a rest requirement of 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. on consecutive days.
July 11, 2016Analysts See Weaker 2Q Earnings
A series of weak second-quarter earnings reports in the weeks ahead should document evidence that truck freight markets have suffered this year amid excess capacity and overstocked inventory, analysts believe.
July 11, 2016Rush Enterprises Names Michael McRoberts Chief Operating Officer
Publicly traded truck dealership Rush Enterprises Inc. announced that it had appointed Michael McRoberts as chief operating officer, effective immediately.
July 8, 2016ZF Unveils Evasive Maneuvering, Automated Highway Driving Systems
ALDENHOVEN, Germany — ZF Friedrichshafen unveiled its latest advances in automated driving technology for trucks, including emergency steering to avoid imminent collisions and a highway driver-assist system that automatically keeps the vehicle in the lane while maintaining safe following distances.
July 1, 2016Why Will the Feds Let Robots Drive Trucks but Not Trains?
Peter Mills sees an inconsistency. One arm of the U.S. Department of Transportation is recommending two-person crews be required for freight trains as another plans to spend billions to help develop driverless technology for longhaul trucks.
June 30, 2016Opinion: Pre-buying Could Cost Fleets in the Long Run
The trucking industry is notorious for pre-buying trucks before each Environmental Protection Agency-mandated change in heavy-truck engines. Many fleets do so because they are concerned about the reliability of the new technology, or they are trying to avoid the increased cost of new technology. Both are valid concerns.
June 27, 2016May Truck Sales Fall 19.5%
U.S. retail sales of Class 8 trucks in May dropped 19.5% as the downturn rolled on for a sixth consecutive month and still has not hit bottom, analysts said.
June 20, 2016Opinion: The Truck Driver Shortage Is a Myth
Truck drivers, for the most part, don’t stay with one company for long. They go elsewhere quicker than they can be replaced.
June 20, 2016