Technology
Commercial freight transportation businesses rely on data, intelligence, and novel solutions for operational efficiency. Transport Topics technology coverage investigates available technologies, real-world applications of business solutions, and the strategies necessary for advancement. News topics focus on the latest applied science, and issues range from autonomous vehicle and robotics innovations to management software, tracking and transparency, data analytics, blockchain, and the internet of things.
All Railroads Should Install PTC by Dec. 31 Deadline, NTSB Tells Congress
Equipping the country’s freight and commercial trains with technology designed to automatically slow down or stop trains traveling at dangerous speeds would improve safety, the head of the National Transportation Safety Board told Congress Sept. 13.
Pittsburgh to Receive Eight New Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles
Pittsburgh Parking Authority garages will see nearly double the number of electric vehicle charging stations through a gift from Duquesne Light Co.
Walmart Gives Jet.com Facelift With Eye on Urban Shoppers
Walmart Inc. has refurbished its Jet.com site to cater even more to the city dwellers who make up the bulk of its shoppers.
TMC Set to Crown Next SuperTech Grand Champ
The Technology & Maintenance Council of American Trucking Associations is hosting its 2018 fall meeting and national technician skills competitions through Sept. 20 in Orlando, Fla.
Continued Testing, Cleaner Fuel Proposed for Diesel Engines
Diesel fuel still has a large role to play in achieving greater emissions reductions in heavy-duty trucks, experts said during a recent conference in San Francisco. Separately, they urged more in-use testing of engines to verify the gains, and increased use of renewable diesel, which is chemically similar to petroleum diesel, but cleaner.
FMCSA Website Logs More Than 1,700 Comments on Potential HOS Changes
In written comments reacting to potential changes to federal driver hours-of-service rules, truckers clearly favor a potential plan by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to give them more flexibility with their driving and workday hours.
2018 Roadcheck Out-of-Service Rate Declines From Last Year
More than one of every five trucks that received comprehensive Level I inspections during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s International Roadcheck this summer were taken out of service, CVSA reported on Sept. 12. CVSA said that the out-of-service rate for the 45,400 Level I inspections was 21.6%, a decrease from last year’s 23% rate.
Brokerage Firm Tallgrass Pursues Growth Through Sales Agents
Damon Anderson is using his company, Tallgrass Freight Co., to help other freight brokers and sales agents go out on their own by providing technical support, plus insurance and fringe benefits that are usually available only from larger corporate entities.
France Mulls Autonomous Trains
As billions go into building driverless everything — from cars to buses and airplanes — France is taking a cheaper shortcut to autonomous transport.
Simulators Provide Virtual Scenarios for Real-World Autonomous Driving
Self-driving cars virtually have made every mistake imaginable inside the office of Applied Intuition. But that's a good thing, according to the autonomous technology company.
September 12, 2018