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.
Adoption of Downspeeding 'at a Tipping Point,' Report Says
Commercial vehicle powertrains that combine lower engine speed and faster rear-axle gear ratios — known as downspeeding — are proved to save fuel, especially in longhaul applications, and likely will be a key to helping equipment manufacturers meet new federally mandated fuel-efficiency standards, according to a report issued Oct. 28 by the North American Council for Freight Efficiency.
October 28, 2015Convoy Debuts, Aiming to Be the Uber of Trucks
Trucking isn't the first thing that comes to mind when considering industries ripe for disruption.
Wal-Mart Seeks to Test Drones for Home Delivery
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. applied to U.S. regulators for permission to test drones for home delivery, curbside pickup and checking warehouse inventories, a sign it plans to go head-to-head with Amazon in using drones to fill and deliver online orders.
Orders for Business Equipment in US Unexpectedly Decline
Orders for business equipment unexpectedly declined in September as tepid global markets gave American companies little reason to expand.
October 27, 2015Navman Wireless Releases New GPS Platform
Fleet telematics provider Navman Wireless has released a new GPS software platform, Navman Wireless Director.
October 26, 2015Airport for Drones Moving Freight Planned in Rwanda
Rwanda may become the base for a network of so-called droneports for remote-controlled aircraft to deliver urgent cargo to remote parts of the tiny country known as the Land of a Thousand Hills.
Lytx Upgrades Video-Based Safety System That Monitors Driver Fatigue, Distraction
Lytx Inc. said it is upgrading its DriveCam video-based safety system with a new service aimed at helping fleets prevent distracted and fatigued driving.
Workhorse Group to Begin Testing Delivery Drone
Workhorse Group Inc. said it won Federal Aviation Administration approval to test its unmanned aircraft system called HorseFly, which is designed to fly to and from the company’s electric delivery vehicle.
October 15, 2015Platoons of Autonomous Trucks, Driverless Buses to Shape Singapore's Future
Singapore unveiled its public transport future, and it was a vision of passengers commuting in driverless buses along roads and freeways populated by platoons of autonomous trucks following a single driver.
October 13, 2015Railroads Seek Reprieve to Install PTC Systems
Efforts are being made in Washington to address the Dec. 31 deadline for U.S. freight railroads to comply with a federal mandate to finish installing the crash-avoidance technology known as positive train control.