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.
Uber Crash Sparks Talk of Tighter Rules for Self-Driving Vehicles
U.S. lawmakers have applied a light touch in regulating robot cars. At the national level, the Trump administration has proclaimed that driverless-car guidelines should be “entirely voluntary” for automakers, and bills pending in Congress would clear the way to putting tens of thousands of autonomous cars on the road — orders of magnitude more than the few hundred in the country today — before federal safety regulations are set.
Detroit Area’s Cutting-Edge Center for Self-Driving Vehicles Set to Open
The only engineering facility built expressly to test self-driving vehicles will officially open April 4 at the historic 335-acre Willow Run site just west of Detroit.
Opinion: Uber Restricts Driver Hours; Should Others Follow Suit?
In an effort to combat drowsy driving, Uber announced on Feb. 12 new national rules that restrict drivers to 12-hour shifts with mandatory 6-hour breaks in between. Uber will enforce the rule through a new drive-time function in its driver app, which will first warn drivers and then temporarily cut off their access to the app, which is their only conduit to receive ride requests. The Uber announcement drove a lot of media coverage, almost all of it positive, but it also left open opportunities to do more to improve safety.
Ohio Logistics Firm Buys Property in Anticipation of Autonomous Trucks
Jarrett Cos. has purchased a 53-acre property in Seville, Ohio, that it expects eventually will be used by driverless, autonomous trucks.
April 2, 2018Why Fleets Should Be Looking Beyond ELD
With the ELD Mandate deadline looming, fleets are understandably focused on ensuring they’re compliant. But many fleets are planning to minimally comply – for them, ELDs will always be a cost center. For fleets taking a long-term view, however, ELDs can mean profit.
April 1, 2018Uber Isolated by Partners and Competitors in Aftermath of Crash
Uber Technologies Inc. has found itself isolated a little more than a week after one of its self-driving SUVs hit and killed a pedestrian in Arizona.
Convoy Takes Aim at Driver Detention, Expands Connected Freight Network
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Digital freight broker Convoy is taking action to mitigate a top frustration for truck drivers — excessive wait times at shipper and consignee facilities — as it continues to expand its network of connected carriers and shippers.
Uber Exec Lior Ron Leaves an Autonomous-Vehicle Unit in Turmoil
Lior Ron, a central figure in Uber Technologies Inc.’s self-driving-truck project, left the company, said people familiar with the matter.
ELDs Hot Topic at MATS as April Enforcement Nears
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The federal mandate of electronic logging devices has been in effect since late last year, but some truckers still had lingering questions about the finer points of regulation just days before the deadline for stricter enforcement.
ELD Mandate Law Enforcement Grace Period Is Over
The three-month law enforcement grace period for trucks to be equipped with electronic logging devices is over. As of April 1, drivers caught without ELDs are due to be placed out of service for 10 hours, and may have points added to their Compliance, Safety, Accountability program scores, or could even be assessed a civil fine.