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, Autonomous

Paccar Changes Kenworth, DAF Leadership

Truck maker Paccar Inc. shuffled the deck on the leadership of its subsidiaries, sending Preston Feight to the Netherlands to serve as president of DAF Trucks and bringing Mike Dozier home from Australia to succeed Feight as general manager of Kenworth Truck Co.

Jonathan S. Reiskin | Associate News Editor
April 19, 2016
Government, Business, Safety, Autonomous

Capitol Agenda for the Week of April 19: Addition by Appropriations?

Trucking leaders have been pressing Congress to adopt a meal-and-rest-break proposal, as well as corrective language to an hours-of-service provision in a fiscal 2016 funding law. This week, Senate funding leaders might be listening. Here's the week ahead for trucking on Capitol Hill.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
April 19, 2016
Business, Technology, Equipment, Safety, Government, Autonomous

Cass Freight Index Dips 1.5% in March from 2015 Level

Cass Information Systems’ freight index, based primarily on trucking, dipped 1.5% in March on a year-over-year basis, but gained 1.4% from February of this year.

April 18, 2016
Business, Government, Safety, Autonomous

Industry: Training Proposal to Worsen Driver Shortage

Many in the trucking industry say the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s proposed entry-level driver training rule has the potential to exacerbate the nation’s driver shortage. The rule requires that students log at least 30 hours of behind-the-wheel training time.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
April 18, 2016
Equipment, Business, Government, Autonomous

Low Material, Commodity Prices Not Translating Into Discounts for Truck, Component Buyers

If fleets were expecting to see lower prices for trucks, trailers and components as the cost of raw materials continued their downward trajectory, they may be waiting for some time if comments from industry executives are accurate.

Jim Galligan | Special to Transport Topics
April 17, 2016
Equipment, Business, Autonomous

Introducing New Vehicle Specs Hinges on Successful Pilot Review

Truck equipment and technology continue to become more complex with every model change. That’s why smart fleet managers involved in buying trucks find it critical to build one truck to a particular specification and perform a pilot review of the new equipment to verify it is built as ordered and to confirm its quality.

Todd Cotier | Chairman of Study Groups, Technology & Maintenance Council
April 15, 2016
Equipment, Business, Autonomous

Staying Safe While Inflating Truck Tires

Safety guidelines for inflating truck tires have been in place for decades, but fleets, service providers and tire makers say those best practices are no less important today for keeping technicians and drivers out of harm’s way.

April 15, 2016
Equipment, Business, Government, Autonomous

Winter Conditions Are Crucial to Truck Spec'ing for Canada

As they seek to expand, many carriers eye opportunities in new markets. One potential and unexplored area for U.S.-domiciled carriers could be north of the border in Canada, but carriers must consider truck spec’ing factors to make the most of those opportunities.

Steve Sturgess | Special to Transport Topics
April 15, 2016
Equipment, Business, Technology, Safety, Autonomous

Tech Training, No-Water Batteries, Portable Lift Systems Among New Products

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The recent annual meeting of the Technology & Maintenance Council included a spacious exhibit hall filled with vendors hoping to lure truck maintenance directors into making purchases for their shops back home.

Jonathan S. Reiskin | Associate News Editor
April 15, 2016
Government, Business, Safety, Autonomous

Fatal Crashes, Fatalities Involving Large Trucks Declined From 2013 to 2014, FMCSA Says

The number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes decreased in 2014 by 5%, to 3,744 from 3,921 in 2013, according to a report released April 15 by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
April 15, 2016