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

Trucking Fleets Report Mixed Third-Quarter Profits

Earnings reports from ArcBest Corp., USA Truck and Expeditors International of Washington presented a mixed picture of freight trends in a softening economy.

Rip Watson | Special to Transport Topics
November 9, 2015
Business, Fuel, Government, Autonomous

3Q Intermodal Freight Growth Slows to 3.4%; Fuel Prices, Capacity Stunt Domestic Business

Growth in truck-rail freight slowed to 3.4% in the third quarter, the Intermodal Association of North America reported, as domestic growth was stunted by truckers taking advantage of favorable fuel prices and capacity.

Rip Watson | Special to Transport Topics
November 9, 2015
Government, Business, Autonomous

Rep. John Lewis’ Effort to Eliminate Young-Driver Provision in Highway Bill Fails

The House on Nov. 4 rejected an effort by Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) seeking to remove a provision in a House multiyear highway bill designed to pave the way for drivers under 21 to operate trucks across state lines.

November 5, 2015
Government, Business, Safety, Autonomous

Rep. John Lewis Seeks to Eliminate Young-Driver Provision in Highway Bill

Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) is looking to replace a provision in a House multiyear highway bill that would pave the way for drivers under 21 to operate trucks across state lines.

November 2, 2015
Government, Business, Safety, Autonomous

Rep. Reid Ribble Pushes Weight Increase for Trucks in Highway Bill

States would have the option to increase weight limits for trucks under an amendment Rep. Reid Ribble is offering to the House’s consideration of a multiyear highway reauthorization bill this week.

November 2, 2015
Business, Technology, Autonomous

Firms Try to Mimic Uber for Freight Shipments; Analysts See Both Opportunities and Pitfalls

Fledgling companies are advancing the adaptation of Uber’s transportation model to arrange freight shipments, a step that experts believe offers a combination of opportunities in several trucking sectors as well as pitfalls.

Rip Watson | Special to Transport Topics
November 1, 2015
Business, Government, Safety, Autonomous

Truckload Carriers Report Higher 3Q Profits; Cautious About Future Industry Conditions

Third-quarter earnings rose at several truckload carriers amid growing caution about future industry conditions.

Rip Watson | Special to Transport Topics
November 1, 2015
Business, Safety, Equipment, Government, Autonomous

Used Truck Prices Slump at Auctions, Analysts Say

A major auction of fleet-owned, model year 2012-2013 sleeper trucks in mid-September pulled in lower-than-expected prices and may have signaled the start of a market erosion, according to Chris Visser, an analyst with American Truck Dealers.    

Roger Gilroy | Senior Reporter
November 1, 2015
Business, Government, Safety, Equipment, Autonomous

Cummins to Cut Workforce as Truck Engine Sales Fall

Engine maker Cummins Inc. said last week it would reduce its workforce by 2,000 employees, or about 4% of its global payroll, and close or restructure some manufacturing facilities as a result of lower demand for its products, including truck engines.

Roger Gilroy | Senior Reporter
November 1, 2015
Government, Business, Safety, Autonomous

Foxx 'Cautiously Optimistic' About Passage of Long-Term Highway Bill

Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx is “cautiously optimistic” that Congress will pass long-term transportation legislation in the near future.

David Elfin | Staff Reporter
October 29, 2015