August 1, 2010
Editor's Page
Emissions done right
Up to this point, truck emissions efforts have focused solely on the hardware, adding considerable cost to equipment. Worse, until the last round of emissions...
Management: In Box
going places
Jake Bowman has been named OE account manager for Phillips Industries, responsible for OEM sales, servicing trailers and specialty vehicles. Mitsubishi...
Management: Feature
TRANSMISSIONS: The next generation
It's about more than just delivering consistent power, performance, and fuel economy. It's about more than just relieving truck drivers of the oft-times...
Equipment: Tire Tracks
A false sense of security
It's not often that I take a stand on something, because my everyday job precludes me from saying anything too controversial. But I'm seeing more and...
IT: Fleets Online
Seeing the trees
COMPANY: Averitt Express OPERATION: Carrier providing LTL, TL, dedicated, time-critical and import/export freight transportation as well as supply chain...
Articles
Diesel prices on slow climb through 2011
After approaching nearly $5/gal. during a meteoric rise in 2008, diesel fuel prices dropped along with the economy in 2009. But since falling to nearly $2/gal. in early 2009, prices have steadily climbed, a trend that should continue through 2011, according to Neil Gamson of the U.S. Energy Information Administration...
Capacity shortage driving demand for higher weight limits
A growing shortage of freight capacity across the transportation sector – along with an increasing need to boost economic productivity – is putting more support behind legislative efforts to increase weight limits for U.S. commercial trucks...
Detroit Diesel to invest $194 million in engine plant
Detroit Diesel Corp. (DDC) will invest approximately $194 million to expand existing operations at its manufacturing plant in Redford Township, MI. The announcement was made earlier today in an all-employee meeting at the 3-million sq ft site with key Federal, State and local officials in attendance...
New truck sales: Recovery has long way to go
Sales of new trucks across the globe are projected to stay below recent “peak levels” for several years to come, according to a recent analysis That’s no surprise to truckers in the U.S., given the steep rise in sticker prices due to new emission rules along with a freight market that is still down in the dumps...
CSA 2010 details bring praise, concern
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) revealed its roll -out plan to Congress this week for its revamped safety scoring process for the trucking industry called Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010...
DTNA recalls 540 plant workers as truck demand grows
With orders for more than 21,400 EPA-2010 vehicles to date, Daimler Trucks North America is recalling 540 workers to three manufacturing facilities in North Carolina. The workers are expected to be back at work by mid-July...
Truck freight hits a flat stretch
While truck freight volumes continue to strengthen, the pace noticeably slackened in June, causing concern among some industry analysts. According to Jon Langenfeld, associate director of research at Robert W. Baird & Co., though absolute freight volumes remained solid in June, above 2007 levels, trends notably flattened as well during a month that typically experiences a spike in spot demand...
Bill seeks tighter rules on freight brokers
New legislation designed to significantly beef up regulatory oversight of freight brokers and freight forwarders operating within the trucking industry is drawing both praise and concern-- especially over a provision that substantially boosts the monetary bond brokers and freight forwarders must post to conduct business...
AASHTO: Freight industry faces infrastructure crisis
A new study says America's freight system – encompassing highways, railroads, ports, waterways, and airports – faces a massive near-term infrastructure crisis as funding has slipped well below what’s needed to maintain, much less improve, the movement of goods in the U.S...
YRC selloff continues
YRC Worldwide (Nasdeq: YRCW) announced late Friday that it has reached an agreement to sell most of the remaining operations of YRC Logistics to a private investment group for $37 million. As part of an reorganization aimed at avoiding bankruptcy, the country’s largest LTL carrier had sold off the logistics business’s dedicated contact carrier operation last November for $34 million...
Report maps road ahead for global freight transport
The next 40 years pose big challenges for the world's freight transport network. Population growth, increasing urbanization and more trade will put more pressure than ever on global cargo connections, according to a new report by the International Transport Forum (ITF)...
Survey: Fleets not yet ready for plug-in electric vehicles
Nearly 65% of 100 private and government fleets in a recent nationwide poll say they are “not likely” to purchase either a plug-in hybrid or all-electric vehicle, primarily due to a lack of data regarding operating cost, emission reductions, vehicle specifications, pricing, resale values, and fuel efficiency...
California city fleet changes oil filters
The city of Oxnard, CA, has converted its entire vehicle fleet to the microGreen Extended Performance oil filter from SOMS Technologies...
Denso has A/C for hybrids
A small, light, more efficient air conditioning system that runs on battery power has been developed by Denso Corp. for hybrid bus applications. The first application for the system is the new Hino Blue Ribbon City Hybrid introduced in late June...
ATRI: Counting carbon bears careful watching
Quantifying greenhouse gas emissions through the use of “carbon accounting” methods is an emerging issue for motor carriers—especially with shippers wanting to identify the greenhouse gas emissions generated by their supply chains. The problem, however, according to a new report, is that there’s still too much variability in both the methods and the data being used to calculate carbon emissions...
Navistar shows natural gas DuraStar, other green trucks
At the 57th annual Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference (EUFMC) being held this week in Williamsburg, VA, Navistar Inc. showcased several of its green trucks to electric utility fleet managers. The OEM displayed its new International TerraStar Class 4/5 medium-duty truck and its new all-electric eStar Class 2-3 truck and demonstrated an International DuraStar medium-duty truck equipped with a natural gas conversion powertrain...
Ford taps Toshiba to make hybrid motors
According to an Agence France-Presse news item posted today on IndustryWeek.com, Toshiba will produce high-performance drive motors for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs)...
Allison Transmission dedicates hybrid drive plant
Officials from the U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE) and Allison Transmission joined together yesterday to dedicate a new hybrid propulsion system plant in Indianapolis. The plant, which was fast-tracked with the help of a $62.8 million matching grant from DOE under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, will eventually be capable of producing 20,000 commercial-duty hybrid propulsion systems a year...
Aerodynamic trailer devices meet CARB rules
The Integrated Automated System (IAS) by Aerodynamic Trailer Systems has been verified by the EPA’s SmartWay program as generating greater than 5% in verified fuel savings, the company announced...
Electrified I-5 planned for Washington
Washington State’s electric vehicle infrastructure efforts will be getting $1.32 million in Federal Recovery Act funding, according to an announcement by Gov. Christine Gregoire. The state’s transportation and commerce departments are working together to develop an “electric highway,” an initial network of public-access electric vehicle (EV) recharging locations along Interstate 5...
NGV America likes EPA conversion proposal
NGVAmerica recently applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) proposal to streamline the process for certifying natural gas vehicle aftermarket conversions as “one of the most important steps government can take to expand the use of non-petroleum fuels...
DDC factory scores EPA energy-efficiency award
Detroit Diesel Corp.'s (DDC) engine manufacturing center in Redford, MI, became one of the first such facilities to be recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for meeting energy reduction goals laid ...
Dean Foods, Thermo King testing electric reefer unit
Dean Foods and Thermo King are working together on a prototype all-electric refrigeration system, the companies have announced. The unit, placed into service in March, is being tested at Dean Food’s Dallas-area facility...
The late-night special
Last month, New York City Dept. of Transportation commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan announced that a four-month pilot program conducted with trucking industry...
Managing fuel
Odds are that your fleet is already doing a lot to reduce the cost of fuel and help protect the company from price volatility at the pumps. Few carriers...
Cargo thieves getting savvier
According to a recent analysis of cargo theft trends in the U.S., cargo thieves are getting bolder and more sophisticated, willing to take larger risks as the average value of cargo shipments – especially those hauled by trucks – continues to climb...
Carriers can't wait for drivers
Lately, the wheels of the trucking industry have rolled into the new millennium with regulations that at one time were thought to be the future of the...
Going private in Mexico
In the spring of 2007, Gates Corp. had a special challenge. It was becoming apparent that the company's manufacturing locations for power transmission...
Know how to close
You knew they had lots of freight, but it took months just to get in the door. Once inside it was textbook Sales 101. You clinically built a relationship...
Strategy time
If you read the headlines, you might think the U.S. economy is booming and generating strong freight growth that will help carriers cure inefficiencies....
Cummins Filtration providing CV system for MaxxForce 7 engines
Cummins Filtration will supply the crankcase ventilation (CV) systems for Navistar’s International MaxxForce 7 V-8 engine platform. The CV systems are designed to help control particulate matter (PM) emissions in truck exhaust...
CSA 2010 driving interest in truck maintenance systems
Fleet owners must bear in mind that the addition of CSA 2010 and other regulations will put more focus than ever on vehicle maintenance practices. Under CSA 2010, one of the seven BASIC categories FMCSA will review carriers on is vehicle maintenance, ranging from brakes, lights and other mechanical defects to failure to make required repairs. Part of the rules will involve documenting vehicle repair histories...
Blog offers HD radiator, cooling tips
RadiatorPros, an independent supplier of heavy-duty cooling components for all brands, has created a blog offering fleet maintenance personnel objective information, tips and other useful advice on radiators, charge air coolers, condensers and coolant piping...
Haldex unveils rivet-less covers for brake adjusters
New rivet-less front and rear covers for self setting automatic brake adjusters (S-ABA) from Haldex Commercial Vehicle Systems offer correct fit with easy installation, improved performance, and extended service life, Haldex said...
“Suite” safety package for Con-way Freight
With the purchase of nearly 1,300 Freightliner Cascadia 2010 tractors equipped with an integrated suite of advanced driver alert and truck control technologies, Con-way Freight (NYSE: CNW) is taking the next step in safety with aninvestment totaling more than $100 million...
Variable speed fan drives standard on Macks
BorgWarner’s Cool Logic variable speed fan drives are now standard equipment on Mack Granite, Titan and Pinnacle models...
Regional steer tire gains MPG version
The Continental HSR2 regional steer tire has a new model that decreases rolling resistance by 15% for a 3% improvement in vehicle fuel economy, according to Continental Tire the Americas...
Kinedyne releases cargo-control catalog
Kinedyne Corp. has published the 2010 edition of its catalog of cargo control products – a high-resolution, full-color 108-pg publication featuring detailed information on new and existing products...
Vocational truck owners happier with engines
Customer satisfaction with heavy-duty diesel engines in vocation trucks is up significantly, according to the 2009 Heavy-Duty Truck Engine and Transmission Study from J.D. Power & Assoc...
SAF-Holland debuts new landing gear lines
SAF-Holland has added two lines of landing gear products to go alongside its flagship Mark V Series. The company said the new Atlas and Classic series will provide additional options when spec’ing landing gear...
Ken-Tool unveils Valve Breaker service tool
Ken-Tool has released the Valve Breaker, a service tool it said that makes removing valve stems from demounted wheels easier and safer. Using a slide ram design to drive a heat-treated punch into the valve stem seat to pop it out of the rim, the Valve Breaker makes removing the stem quick and easy, stated Ken-Tool...
Maxon, Purkeys forge formal partnership
Maxon Lift Corp. and Purkeys Fleet Electric are formalizing their decade-long informal relationship with a strategic partnership agreement that the firms say will help Maxon to offer the right liftgate for a customer’s specific application as well as the best electrical system to keep the liftgate – along with other truck and trailer accessories – up and running properly...
ConocoPhillips debuts next-gen oil for natural gas engines
ConocoPhillips has introduced a “next generation premium low ash natural gas engine oil” called EL MAR LA4EXD, and has added a “mainline low ash product” called EL MAR Low Ash to its line of Conoco natural gas engine oil offerings...
Black box data recorder
A new black box data recording system has been added to the product line of T3 Motion. The MotionTrak 300 Series can capture video footage, GPS location,...
ASE training program
CDX Automotive and MAVCC, a MultiState Curriculum Consortium and provider of career and technical curriculum materials, are joining forces to offer a...
Kenworth factory installs front-drive axles
Kenworth Truck Co. is now offering factory-installed, front-drive axles for its T270 Class 6 and T370 Class 7 medium-duty models...
GE Capital upgrades online vehicle ordering
GE Capital Fleet Services has announced a new set of features for its Online Vehicle Ordering system that are designed to further automate and streamline the ordering process...
Xantrex releases 60-amp charger
Xantrex Technology has added a 60-amp charger model to its TrueCharge 2 Battery Charger Series offerings, which also include 20- and 40-amp versions...
Pilot, Flying J complete merger
Nearly a year after reaching a preliminary agreement, Pilot Travel Centers and Flying J have completed the merger of the two companies to form Pilot Flying J, now a network of over 550 travel centers employing more than 20,000 people. Before the merger, Pilot operated 275 locations across the U.S...
Yokohama offers diverse vocational tires
Two new tires, both designed for dump trucks, have been released by Yokohama Tire Corp. The new over-the-road tires each offer a unique benefit to fleets, the company said...
Ford Super Duty chassis cabs to get Triton V10 gas power
Seeing an opportunity to improve market share, Ford Motor Co. will be offering its Triton V10 gasoline engine in its Class 6-7 medium-duty chassis cab trucks beginning with the 2012 model year...
GM’s CNG-dedicated vans available to fleets this fall
According to General Motors, it has finalized the production process for its Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-size vans. The OEM said this means it will be able to deliver to fleet customers complete vehicles with a fully integrated and dedicated CNG fuel system this fall...
Isuzu launches build of EPA 2010 engines for LCF medium-duties
Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. has announced that production has begun what it calls “the U.S. market’s first and only low-cab-forward medium-duty diesel engines to meet the newest and strictest emissions standards.” The engines are EPA 2010 and CARB HD-OBD compliant as well as Clean-Idle certified...
The I-Shift
Volvo Trucks North America first introduced its I-Shift automated manual transmission (AMT) to the U.S. market in 2007. Built off a European model designed...
The Ultra Shift
Eaton Corp. offers a range of automated manual transmissions (AMTs) spanning medium- and heavy-duty truck classes. On the heavy-duty side is the Fuller...
Allison optimized
Allison Transmission is rolling out application-specific product to better fit the needs of particular applications. This process streamlines the transmission...
More control
MANAGER: Steve Harmon TITLE: Managing director FLEET: Spartan Logistics, Columbus, OH OPERATION: Warehousing and distribution provider PROBLEM: For warehousing...
[what's new in:] Reman'd electricals
Whenever you are in the market for a starter or alternator, a number of factors must be considered: cost, reliability, availability, etc. But none of...
Flower power
When most people see an arrangement of flowers and plants such as ferns, they typically focus on the lush aromas and visual beauty of such greenery. Denny...
Surprising data
Early analysis of data conducted of 1,500 fleets with over 500,000 drivers shows that 69% of those fleets would face some sort of federal intervention...
Level of consulting services grows
Transportation software provider TMW Systems is forming a strategic alliance with KSM Transport Advisors to jointly offer beefed-up business consulting...
Meeting topic set
On Wednesday, Nov. 3, Eric Ice, FMCSA division administrator in Phoenix, will speak at the Dossier User Group annual meeting about the CSA 2010 initiative....
Creating value
When the only thing guaranteed is market uncertainty, logistics service providers (LSPs) need to turn to new technologies to deliver greater supply chain...
Maintenance checks
A series of new fleet management alerts have been added to the Telogis Fleet platform. The company said these offer maintenance managers even more visibility...
Cirrus Apps track and monitor
Three new SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) Cirrus Apps from SensorLogic offer asset tracking and monitoring solutions to provide immediate business efficiency through basic asset visibility, according to the company...
PeopleNet launches new website
Mobile computing systems maker PeopleNet is launching a new website aimed at providing a variety of educational resources to trucking firms so they can manage their operations more efficiently...
Speed monitoring
An agreement between SkyGuard and SpeedGauge will result in real-time analysis of speed data by SkyGuard fleet customers. Speed and location data collected...
Maintenance solution
A maintenance management software program designed to offer flexibility to fleets that do not need FleetNet America's FleetNet program to manage vendors...
On demand popularity grows
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) has emerged as a cost-effective option to obtain necessary software packages for many businesses in the past few years. Now,...
Head's up
As if selecting, leveraging and managing information technology weren't enough for fleet owners to deal with, now they've got to get a grip on the whole...
Trucking's roller coaster
As we near the end of summer, many of us have found our businesses on a roller-coaster ride of sorts. Things looked great early on; 2010 started with...
Two million and counting
Jackie Tennant, 62, is a 35-year veteran owner-operator with over four million miles under her belt. Leased to Intel Carriers of DeForest, WI, usually...
Volvo notches 300,000th 13-liter
The Volvo Group recently built its 300,000th heavy-duty diesel engine a 500 hp. D13 model assembled at the Volvo Powertrain plant in Hagerstown, MD. It...
A beloved Bulldog
At an antique truck show held recently in Mack's hometown of Macungie, PA, a pack of classic Bulldogs were on display. Pictured is a B61 model, one of...
Look Boss, no driver!
The days of training on how to operate forklifts around the twists and turns of trucking terminals may be numbered if a research project guided by the...
