Fleet Equipment News
Commercial freight transportation is a machine-based business. Highly technical equipment and advanced engineering are at the center of supply chain and require constant innovation. Transport Topics equipment coverage focuses on the machines and other physical assets that make delivery possible. It looks closely at available truck, trailer, and chassis models, developments in the engineering space, and maintenance innovations and best practices.
ELDs Hot Topic at MATS as April Enforcement Ramp-Up Nears
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The federal mandate of electronic logging devices has been in effect since late last year, but some truckers still have lingering questions about the finer points of the regulation as tougher enforcement nears.
Editorial: A Proper Pause for Safety’s Sake
The decision by Uber to halt testing of its autonomous trucks in the wake of a fatal accident involving one of its pilot autonomous cars was a prudent move, and one that demonstrates how the relentless pace of technological innovation sometimes needs a pause.
March 22, 2018Mack Cites Comeback of Longhaul Market in 2018
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Fleets in the longhaul segment are increasingly spurring Class 8 demand as the highway market makes a comeback, according to Mack Trucks, whose new Anthem model is aimed directly at that segment.
New Technicians Lack Skills, Fleets Find as Demand Grows
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — More technicians will be needed soon, nearly 77,000 more by 2026. However, plenty of students are in the pipeline. But questions remain about their ability to meet real-world needs in a shop, and about how to keep them once hired, experts said.
Revised ELD Guidance: FMCSA Allows AOBRD Software on Fleet Expansion Trucks
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued revised guidance permitting motor carriers that were using automatic onboard recording device software prior to the effective date of the electronic logging device mandate to add trucks to their fleet without having to update those new trucks to electronic logging device software until mid-December 2019.
CVG Reports Net Loss on Higher Revenue in 4Q, Full Year
A tax-related charge led to net losses for truck industry supplier Commercial Vehicle Group in the fourth quarter and full year despite improvement in key markets.
Trump Infrastructure Proposal Could Fund Self-Driving Truck Lanes, DOT Official Says
Projects aimed at building dedicated lanes for self-driving trucks would qualify for funds under President Donald Trump’s infrastructure proposal unveiled last month, a top federal transportation official said March 16.
Toyota Pauses Robot-Car Program Citing Drivers’ Emotional Toll
Toyota Motor Corp. has halted tests of its “Chauffeur” autonomous driving system on U.S. public roads after a Uber Technologies Inc. vehicle operating in autonomous mode under the supervision of a human safety driver struck and killed a woman in Tempe, Arizona, on March 18.
Arizona DOT Trains Mexican Fleets, Expedites Border Inspections
The Arizona Department of Transportation has significantly reduced wait times for trucks moving through border inspection facilities using training programs geared toward Mexican fleets.
Uber Crash Is Nightmare Driverless World Feared but Expected
Waymo recently showed a video of people riding in its self-driving minivans. They thumbed their phones, yawned and one snoozed. he message: Driverless cars are so safe, they’re boring.
March 20, 2018