Transportation Technology News

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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.

GovernmentBusinessTechnology

Spending Bill Includes Extension of ELD Exemption on Livestock

Motor carriers that haul livestock will be exempted from the federal electronic logging device mandate until Sept. 30 under language included in a $1.3 trillion omnibus funding measure the U.S. House of Representatives advanced March 22.

March 21, 2018
GovernmentTechnologySafety

Federal Drug Advisory Board Discusses Proposed Hair-Testing Rule

ROCKVILLE, Md. — Members of a federal drug testing advisory board met in a closed session on March 21 to review a draft proposed rule. The rule would allow trucking companies to conduct government-certified pre-employment drug testing using hair samples, according to a top official with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

March 21, 2018
GovernmentBusinessTechnologyEquipmentSafety

Revised ELD Guidance: FMCSA Allows AOBRD Software on Fleet Expansion Trucks

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued revised guidance permitting motor carriers that were using automatic onboard recording device software prior to the effective date of the electronic logging device mandate to add trucks to their fleet without having to update those new trucks to electronic logging device software until mid-December 2019.

March 20, 2018
GovernmentBusinessTechnologyEquipmentAutonomous

Trump Infrastructure Proposal Could Fund Self-Driving Truck Lanes, DOT Official Says

Projects aimed at building dedicated lanes for self-driving trucks would qualify for funds under President Donald Trump’s infrastructure proposal unveiled last month, a top federal transportation official said March 16.

March 20, 2018
BusinessTechnologyEquipmentSafetyAutonomous

Toyota Pauses Robot-Car Program Citing Drivers’ Emotional Toll

Toyota Motor Corp. has halted tests of its “Chauffeur” autonomous driving system on U.S. public roads after a Uber Technologies Inc. vehicle operating in autonomous mode under the supervision of a human safety driver struck and killed a woman in Tempe, Arizona, on March 18.

March 20, 2018
BusinessTechnologyEquipmentSafetyAutonomous

Uber Crash Is Nightmare Driverless World Feared but Expected

Waymo recently showed a video of people riding in its self-driving minivans. They thumbed their phones, yawned and one snoozed. he message: Driverless cars are so safe, they’re boring.

March 20, 2018
BusinessTechnologyEquipmentSafetyAutonomous

Uber Death Elicits Warning From Teamsters Wary of Robo-Truckers

The largest union for U.S. truck drivers, which has taken a cautious view of autonomous vehicles, called for stronger safeguards after a self-driving SUV operated by Uber Technologies Inc. killed a pedestrian in Phoenix on March 18.

March 20, 2018
BusinessTechnology

Penske Truck Leasing Adds Digital Prompts for Maintenance Technicians

Penske Truck Leasing Co. has begun using fully digital and voice-directed truck fleet preventive maintenance processes that technicians follow when working on its fleet of more than 266,000 vehicles.

March 19, 2018
TechnologySafety

European Truckers Face Growing Theft Challenge

A global group that battles cargo theft is experiencing record growth in the take up of its supply chain security standards in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

March 19, 2018
BusinessTechnologyEquipmentFuel

Hyliion Offers Own Trucks to Customers Wanting to Test Hybrid Electric Axle

The electrification company Hyliion announced it is making its hybrid electric 6X4HE axle available to potential customers to test on the company’s own Class 8 trucks.

March 19, 2018