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.
Opinion: Urbanization’s Effect on the Supply Chain
For the first time in almost 100 years, the rate of urban population growth has outpaced suburban growth. Americans are flocking to urban areas in large numbers — especially younger workers, or millennials, who view city living as a way to reduce commuting time and transportation expenses. At the same time, we are seeing the deindustrialization of center cities and changes to consumers’ lifestyle preferences.
May 29, 2017Telematics Providers Going Mobile to Expand Capabilities Outside of Cab
The mobile device revolution, started by the release of the first Apple iPhone 10 years ago this summer, has transformed the way fleets communicate with their drivers. For many years, fleet telematics relied solely on proprietary, fixed-mount units in the cab to serve as driver interfaces, but today many telematics vendors offer fleets the ability to communicate with their drivers through mobile devices, ranging from personal smartphones to proprietary tablets that can be easily removed from the cab.
Smarter Cars Paving the Way for Robot Vehicles
Advanced driver-assistance features increasingly are embedded in cars you can find parked in dealers’ lots. Luxury makers such as Tesla and Mercedes-Benz began including them a few years ago, but now they have trickled down to many mass-market models, sometimes as options, sometimes standard.
Did Your Package Get Dumped in Transit? Via Cloud, Now It Can Tell You
After Intel Corp. couldn’t find a device that indicated when sensitive chip-making machines tilted too much during shipping, the company decided to build one.
Capitol Agenda for the Week of May 23: A Vow From Rep. Graves
The Trump administration is unveiling its fiscal 2018 budget request right before we all hit the road for Memorial Day and get stuck in that bumper-to-bumper traffic. But relief is in sight if Rep. Sam Graves has anything to say about it. Here's the week ahead for trucking on Capitol Hill.
Velociti Expands Missouri Headquarters
Velociti, a transportation technology company, is expanding its Riverside, Mo., headquarters by 33,000 square feet.
May 23, 2017Uber Launches Freight App, Extends Reach Into Trucking
After surging to prominence with its ride-hailing app for car passengers, Uber Technologies Inc. is targeting trucking as its next big venture.
Replay: LiveOnWeb Infrastructure Week Reporter Roundtable
As Infrastructure Week wraps up, TT Congressional Reporter Eugene Mulero was joined by three Capitol Hill watchers to assess what was accomplished in a special Reporter Roundtable edition of LiveOnWeb. Watch the replay.
May 19, 2017Uber Threatens to Fire Anthony Levandowski
Uber Technologies Inc. threatened to fire the man at the center of its legal battle with Alphabet Inc., telling its top driverless technology engineer, Anthony Levandowski, to either deny taking files from his former employer or turn them over.
Daimler Trucks North America Opens $18.7 Million Truck Proving Grounds
MADRAS, Ore. — Daimler Trucks North America opened its $18.7 million High Desert Proving Grounds here May 18. It will enable the parent of Freightliner and Western Star Trucks to do more broad-based vehicle testing not far from its Portland headquarters.