Autonomous
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.
Class 8 Fleet Size Grows 5.2% in 2006 as Carriers Stock Up
The number of heavy-duty trucks in use in the United States increased 5.2% to 3.51 million Class 8 commercial vehicles last year, as fleet owners stocked up on new trucks and kept more old vehicles in service, market research firm R.L. Polk & Co. said.
DOT: Border Plan to Involve Fewer Than 1,000 Mexican Trucks
Transportation Secretary Mary Peters told a congressional panel Thursday that DOT expects the pilot program involving allowing trucks from Mexico to U.S. roads will involve fewer than 1,000 trucks.
March 8, 2007ATA Pushes for Flexibility in HOS Sleeper-Berth Provisions
Truck drivers need greater flexibility within federal driver work and rest rules to allow them to select sleep times and duration based on individual need, according to a study released jointly by American Trucking Associations and a sleep research firm.
March 8, 2007Fed ‘Beige Book’ Cites Mixed Picture of Trucking
Federal Reserve districts reported some regional slowdowns in trucking in the first few months this year, the Fed said Wednesday in its latest “beige book” survey of economic conditions.
March 8, 2007Editorial: Opening the U.S.-Mexico Border
The Department of Transportation’s move to conduct a broad test of opening the U.S.-Mexican border to truck traffic is a prudent step toward honoring mutual commitments made by both nations when the North American Free Trade Agreement was ratified.
March 7, 2007Washington State Court Backs Drivers’ Overtime
In a 5-4 opinion, the Washington State Supreme Court has interpreted a state overtime provision to apply to interstate truck drivers who work in excess of 40 hours in a week, regardless of whether a portion of those working hours take place outside of the state.
March 7, 2007DOT Shows Interest in Study of Heavier Trucks’ Effect on Highways
OTAY MESA, Calif. — U.S. Department of Transportation officials said they would be interested in a potential study of larger or heavier trucks, suggested recently by the chairman of the House transportation committee.
DHS Says Security Won’t Lessen When Trucks Enter From Mexico
EL PASO, Texas — The Transportation Department’s pilot project allowing a limited number of Mexican carriers to access U.S. highways would not diminish security at the border, Michael Jackson, deputy secretary of Homeland Security, said at a Feb. 23 press conference.
Sen. Murray Sets Hearing on Border Plan
WASHINGTON — Advocacy groups and congressional leaders, citing safety concerns, questioned the Department of Transportation’s decision to allow Mexican trucks into the United States, and a key senator said she would hold a hearing on the issue.
March 7, 2007Fleets Face Few Hurdles With New Power Plants
As the trucking industry shifts to the next generation of low-emission diesel engines, some fleet maintenance managers said they have experienced few problems with the transition, which presents maintenance adjustments for heavy-duty and medium-duty trucks alike.
