Technology

MINNEAPOLIS — ABF Freight System truck driver Ralph Garcia had to make a choice between being at the hospital for the birth of his first grandson or competing here in the 2012 National Truck Driving Championships.

UPS Inc. said it has deployed a new type of “wearable” scanning system that speeds up loading of packages and delivery of shipping data to customers.

Heavy-duty truck manufacturers have improved the fuel efficiency of their tractors through a combination of new technologies, powertrain improvements, enhanced aerodynamics and efforts to reduce rolling resistance.

Rand McNally Inc. said it has upgraded the hardware for its TPC 7600 mobile communication fleet-management system.

New engine technologies and improved aerodynamics have yielded significant fuel efficiency gains for carriers running post-2010 heavy-duty trucks, but some fleet executives said they are encountering some new maintenance issues.

Cobra Electronics Corp. said it has unveiled its latest truck-specific navigation system as well as a new citizens band radio.

If an amendment to block funding for an electronic onboard recorder mandate does not make it into law, its main sponsor, Rep. Jeff Landry (R-La.), said he is prepared to do whatever he can to stop the federal government from mandating such devices.

Yes, American Trucking Associations is a staunch supporter of the federal mandate requiring electronic logging devices to monitor hours-of-service compliance for the nation’s truck drivers.

American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council will hold its 2012 Fall Meeting and National Technician Skills Competition Sept. 10-13 in Pittsburgh.

Transportation software provider Xata Corp recently cut 29 jobs in a step to “better align” its workforce with its mobile-based strategy, the company said in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing.