Technology

Garmin International announced last week a global positioning system navigator that it said is its first portable navigation device designed exclusively for the trucking industry.

Several companies that blend diesel exhaust fluid, the urea solution used in truck engines with selective catalytic reduction systems, have had their blends certified by the American Petroleum Institute.

The ability to track the location and contents of trailers, in theory, can help carriers haul more goods in fewer trailers.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration released the results of a study led by the American Transportation Research Institute that quantifies the potential return on investment offered by three types of onboard truck safety systems.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last week took the first step toward creating a national cap-and-trade system, proposing a new rule that would establish a federal system for reporting carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gases produced by large stationary and mobile sources.

The Environmental Protection Agency will require onboard diagnostics systems on at least one engine family per manufacturer starting in 2010.

Gary Weilheimer and Tom Tranovich, who have more than 40 years combined transportation experience, said they are opening linked non-asset-based businesses to serve the logistics industry.

PeopleNet, Chaska, Minn., said Feb. 24 it launched its tethered trailer-tracking system, known as Trailer ID.

Mobile communications provider Xata Corp., Minneapolis, said Feb. 24 it had integrated ALK Technologies’ CoPilot Truck navigation system into its Xatanet and MobileMax software.

President Obama called on Congress to approve legislation creating a cap-and-trade system aimed at reducing carbon emissions. Obama spoke on Feb. 24 to Congress in a joint session and invited spectators, who included the chairman of American Trucking Associations.