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.
Letters: Entry-Level Driver Training, Cost Containment
Readers discuss the regulatory side of entry-level driver training and the best way to maximize profit is containing costs.
March 20, 2017Editorial: A Useful Discussion on Safety
Last week, we cheered the apparent demise of a federal regulatory provision regarding hours of service. Now we’d like to salute a positive development: a recent discussion on truck safety before a Senate subcommittee.
March 20, 2017Opinion: Effectively Utilizing Telematics Solutions
The electronic logging device mandate for tracking hours of service has brought a lot of attention to truck telematics, and many experts are providing advice on how to prepare for that transition. But one aspect of telematics that few are addressing is how underutilized most existing systems are. In my estimate, only three in 10 fleets are utilizing their telematics system to the max.
March 20, 2017Truckload Driver Pay Inches Up in 4th Quarter
Salaries for truckload drivers rose at the low rate of 0.04 point in the fourth quarter year-over-year, according to the latest National Transportation Institute index (or 0.03% on a preliminary basis), the slowest in 2016.
FMCSA to Review ELDs, Entry-Level Policies at MATS
Federal trucking regulators intend to host seminars on the minimum training requirements for entry-level drivers and the implementation plan for electronic logging devices at the Mid-America Trucking Show next week.
Capitol Agenda for the Week of March 14: The View From Jim Burnley
Former U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Jim Burnley weighs in on regulations, P3s, TIGER grants and more in a one-on-one interview with TT's Eugene Mulero. Here's the week ahead for trucking on Capitol Hill.
Opinion: Eight Predictions for Our Industry
In 2008, I wrote an article where I described a future scenario in which a driver in a truck is leading a convoy of several driverless trucks. In 2011, I began predicting that we would have autonomous cars on the market and on the roadways by 2020. These predictions seem to be turning out better than my 2007 prediction that Apple would not get much market share in the cellphone business.
March 13, 2017Waymo Alleges Former Self-Driving Engineer Plotted to Sell Trade Secrets to Uber
Alphabet Inc.'s Waymo alleged a former top self-driving car engineer plotted to sell trade secrets and talent to Uber Technologies Inc., according to an updated lawsuit filed March 10 against the ride-sharing company.
California Says Autonomous Vehicles Don't Need Human Drivers
California relaxed several rules on self-driving cars as the state tries to maintain its status as a leading test bed for the future of transportation.
Replay: LiveOnWeb on Recruiting Young Drivers
Young drivers are appealing to fleets, but fleets often lose them as quickly as they find them. What new methods are fleets using in recruiting efforts? In our March 8 LiveOnWeb, hosted by Transport Topics Executive Editor Joe Howard, we looked at the challenge the industry faces in attracting young drivers to replace retiring drivers. Watch the replay.
March 9, 2017