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.
Ready or Not, Driverless Technology Beginnings Already Here
Some consumers say they are wary of a driverless car future, but a new survey says the beginnings of the technology which will power that future are already available on most new vehicle models and many consumers are willing to pay thousands of dollars for them.
Drones That Would Augment Truck Delivery Get Test Run in Las Vegas
Drones could be routinely dropping packages out of the air as early as this December, just in time for the busy holiday season, if one company that demonstrated its technology recently in Las Vegas has its way
U.S. Xpress Sees Good Times Ahead
U.S. Xpress reached a deal to spend more than $200 million to buy 1,400 International LT semi-tractor sleeper trucks and 265 day cabs from Navistar International Corp.
‘Time to Move Forward’ on ELD Mandate, ATA's Spear Says
ORLANDO, Fla. — With the electronic logging device mandate fast approaching, the leader of American Trucking Associations emphasized that a delay will not occur, cementing the industry’s long-held view on the rule during his annual state of the industry address.
Volkswagen and Daimler Inspected by EU as Cartel Probe Widens
Volkswagen AG and Daimler AG were inspected by European Union antitrust investigators as the EU stepped up a probe into allegations the German car industry colluded on technology for decades.
MCE Panel Lays Out Trucking’s Triumphs, Challenges
ORLANDO, Fla. — The North American Free Trade Agreement needs updating, but the process appears frozen in adversarial positions, even as truckload freight has grown 4% over the past five month, panelists here said.
Human-Machine Interaction, Computing Power Key to Development of Autonomous Trucks
ORLANDO, Fla. — To pave the way for autonomous trucks, technology developers will need to refine the interaction between the human and the machine, and add more advanced sensors and greater computing power to the vehicle, experts said.
Navistar Announces Price Increases, New Services
ORLANDO, Fla. — Navistar International Corp. announced price increases of up to 2% for its model-year 2019 vehicles, citing rising commodity prices. The price increases may affect all product lines and classes of trucks and don’t single out Class 8 trucks.
Driver Shortage Returns to Top of ATRI’s Survey of Critical Industry Issues
ORLANDO, Fla. — The driver shortage has regained its status as the trucking industry’s most pressing concern for the first time since 2006, American Transportation Research Institute reported.
Autonomy Could Transform Trucking’s Future, Former GM Exec Says
ORLANDO, Fla. — Autonomous trucks could give rise to a future in which 90% of crashes are eliminated and transportation becomes dramatically more productive and cost effective, technology expert Larry Burns told industry executives here.