Technology

About Technology News...

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.

Business, Technology

Wabco Agrees to Buy RH Sheppard Co. for Active Steering Capability

Wabco Holdings Inc. has agreed to acquire RH Sheppard Co. Inc., a supplier of vehicle steering capabilities, as the Brussels-based company expands its focus on self-driving commercial vehicles.

August 25, 2017
Business, Technology, Autonomous

Where Rosie Once Riveted, Vehicles Will Now Drive Themselves

Self-driving cars will begin taking test laps this December on the site of a famous World War II airplane factory in Michigan where Rosie the Riveter helped produce a shiny B-24 Liberator bomber every hour more than seven decades ago.

Keith Naughton | Bloomberg News
August 25, 2017
Business, Technology, Equipment, Safety, Logistics

Food Standards, Emission Regulations Affect Load Flexibility for Refrigerated Fleets

The nationwide growth in demand for fresher foods has contributed to a boom in the refrigerated transportation sector. But tighter food-handling standards and emission regulations are limiting the load flexibility and utilization options that carriers may have had in the past, and at a steeper cost, too.

Jim Galligan | Special to Transport Topics
August 25, 2017
Business, Technology, Equipment

FourKites, J.J. Keller Offer Integration to Enhance Load Tracking

Fleet compliance firm J.J. Keller & Associates and load-tracking provider FourKites have partnered to provide up-to-date location data to their mutual customers.

August 24, 2017
Government, Business, Technology, Equipment, Safety, Autonomous, TCA

Oak Ridge National Laboratory Eyes Chattanooga as Testing Ground for Driverless Trucking

Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s new director said Aug. 23 the lab is considering testing in Chattanooga related to autonomous driving and long-haul trucking.

Mike Pare | Chattanooga (Tenn.) Times Free Press
August 24, 2017
Government, Business, Technology, Safety

Bridge Monitoring Aided by Sensor Technology

Bridge sensor systems are becoming integrated in the engineering and construction of spans across the country to monitor everything from load stress to movement.

Marissa Gamache | Features Coordinator
August 24, 2017
Business, Technology, Equipment

Putting Paccar’s New Automated Transmission to the Test

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. — Paccar’s new automated transmissions were put through testing and demonstrations during a daylong launch event at the company’s technical center here, as media were given the chance to experience the new units firsthand.

Joe Howard | Executive Editor
August 24, 2017
Government, Business, Technology, Equipment, Safety

EPA Plan to Revisit GHG Phase 2 Raises Questions

Less than five months from the starting date of Phase 2 of the federal rule on GHG emissions from trucks, a statement from EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt on his plan to revisit the regulation’s sections on trailers and glider kits has created confusion and uncertainty.

Jonathan S. Reiskin | Associate News Editor
August 24, 2017
Government, Business, Technology, Equipment, Safety, Autonomous

Driverless Vehicles of the Future Confront Rules Written for Drivers

When the U.S. government finally got around to regulating auto safety in 1967, it insisted that every car have seatbelts and that the steering column be engineered to absorb impact so it wouldn’t spear the driver.

Ryan Beene | Bloomberg News
August 24, 2017
Government, Business, Technology, Equipment

Fuel Economy Improves for 9th Straight Year, NACFE Study Finds

Nineteen fleets tracked by the North American Council for Freight Efficiency showed fuel efficiency improvements last year, for the ninth straight year, but the gain was just 1% year-over-year as some fleets dropped certain fuel-saving technologies and as other factors such as extreme summer heat played a role in fuel consumption.

Roger Gilroy | Senior Reporter
August 24, 2017