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, Logistics, Fuel, Autonomous

Diesel Falls for 7th Straight Week

The national retail diesel average continued to decline even as crude oil futures remained above $105 a barrel.

Jonathan S. Reiskin | Associate News Editor
June 17, 2014
Business, Autonomous

‘SuperTruck’ Program on Track to Meet Fuel-Economy Goals, Report Finds

The research and development project sponsored by the Department of Energy known as “SuperTruck” is on track to meet the goal of 10-plus miles-per-gallon average tractor-trailer fuel economy, according to a new report.

June 12, 2014
Business, Safety, Equipment, Autonomous

May Truck Orders Climb 14.2%

Class 8 truck sales climbed 14.2% in May from a year earlier, offering further evidence that the industry has begun to enter a growth cycle, ACT Research reported.

Seth Clevenger | Managing Editor, Features and Multimedia
June 4, 2014
Business, Government, Safety, Logistics, Autonomous

Elephants Take Truck Odyssey from Calgary to D.C. Zoo

A pair of North American zoos used two tractors pulling drop-deck trailers to carry a trio of female Asian elephants to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., from Calgary, Alberta, quickly and in comfort.

June 2, 2014
Business, Government, Autonomous

Cass Freight Shipment Index Rises 5.5% Over April 2013

The Cass Freight Index of shipments moved primarily by truck hit the highest level in nearly two years last month, increasing 5.5% over April 2013.

May 7, 2014
Editorial, Business, Safety, Government, Autonomous

Editorial: Studying HOS

A memo from the American Transportation Research Institute last week questioning the government’s perceived safety benefits of the hours-of-service rule change likely did not surprise many in trucking.

April 28, 2014
Business, Government, Safety, Autonomous

Execs Seek HOS Change During Capitol Hill Visit

WASHINGTON — Trucking executives from Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota and Ohio asked members of their congressional delegation here April 9 to help roll back provisions of a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rule that imposes limits on truckers’ work schedules.

April 14, 2014
Business, Government, Safety, Fuel, Logistics, Autonomous

Report Calls for Separate Emissions Rule for Heavy Trucks Powered by Natural Gas

Federal regulators should develop a separate standard for natural gas-powered vehicles when they finalize the second phase of the government’s emissions reduction and fuel-efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, according to a new report by the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences.

April 14, 2014
Business, Government, Safety, Autonomous

Australian Trucking Association CEO Sees Similarities With U.S. Regulations

The head of the Australian Trucking Associations said he sees similarities in U.S. rules and that he saw “some innovative designs” in trailers at the recent Mid-America Trucking Show.

Michael G. Malloy | Web Editor
April 7, 2014
Perspective, Business, Government, Safety, Fuel, Autonomous

Opinion: Fuel-Economy Rules and Used-Truck Pricing

By now, you’re well aware of President Obama’s announcement that he will direct the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation to set the next — i.e., the post-2018 — round of medium- and heavy-truck fuel economy and emissions standards.

April 7, 2014