Fleet Equipment News

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Commercial freight transportation is a machine-based business. Highly technical equipment and advanced engineering are at the center of supply chain and require constant innovation. Transport Topics equipment coverage focuses on the machines and other physical assets that make delivery possible. It looks closely at available truck, trailer, and chassis models, developments in the engineering space, and maintenance innovations and best practices.

BusinessEquipmentLogistics

Boeing Jumbo 747s Get Extended Life as Airfreight Haulers

Interest in Boeing’s 747-400 freighter family already was rebounding last year, even as Delta Air Lines Inc. and United Continental Holdings Inc. hosted nostalgic farewell tours to mark the end of U.S. passenger service on the four-engine behemoth nicknamed the “Queen of the Skies.” With Boeing’s factory-fresh models sold out through 2021, cargo carriers are snapping up jumbo freighters that were built from 1993 to 2009 — if they can find them.

May 16, 2018
GovernmentBusinessEquipmentSafetyTCA

Millions Spent to Clean Up California’s Diesel Trucks, but Is It Enough?

This spring, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded nearly $6.4 million to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to replace older diesel trucks for those that run nearly 90% cleaner, and older farm tractors for those that meet the latest emissions standards.

May 16, 2018
BusinessTechnologyEquipment

Education, Outreach Programs Seen as Front Lines for Attracting Next Generation of Truck Technicians

When Jeff Harris, vice president of maintenance at USA Truck Inc., first started as an apprentice truck mechanic 29 years ago, he had a trade school diploma, a basic set of tools, a couple of crusty old mechanics who took him under their wing and showed him the ropes, and a desire to learn.

May 15, 2018
GovernmentBusinessTechnologyEquipmentSafetyLogisticsAutonomous

Capitol Agenda for the Week of May 14: Big Orange Cone

Downtown Las Vegas is under construction. The consistent rise in tourism and population persuaded city and state officials to invest in wider roadways, additional transit and walkability options, and improve connectivity across freight corridors.

May 14, 2018
BusinessEquipment

Johnson Controls Enters Battery Agreements with Navistar, MAN

Johnson Controls’ power solutions unit announced it has been awarded contracts to supply absorbent glass mat and flooded batteries to two heavy-duty commercial truck and bus industry leaders — Navistar Inc. and MAN Truck & Bus Co., a unit of Volkswagen AG — in an effort to meet increasing electrical demands on fleets around the globe.

May 11, 2018
BusinessEquipment

Volvo Trucks Adds Second All-Electric Truck in Europe

Volvo Trucks expanded its European push into electrification, announcing its FE electric model, intended for heavier city distribution and refuse transport operations with gross weights of up to 59,525 pounds.

May 11, 2018
BusinessTechnologyEquipment

All-Electric Trucks Present Training Challenges

All-electric Class 8 tractors can present new challenges for maintenance shops, including the training of technicians, but fleets said they expect overall maintenance requirements to decrease.

May 11, 2018
BusinessTechnologyEquipmentFuel

Charging All-Electric Trucks

As trucking fleets prepare for the availability of all-electric, plug-in Class 8 tractors, they are evaluating existing power capabilities at terminal locations and working through what’s needed for charging infrastructure to support these vehicles.

May 11, 2018
BusinessTechnologyEquipmentAutonomous

Uber to Offer Food Delivery by Drone in San Diego

Uber Technologies Inc. plans to deliver food by drone in San Diego as part of a wide-reaching commercial test program approved by the federal government May 9, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said.

May 11, 2018
BusinessTechnologyEquipment

Data Management and Cybersecurity

ATA's Technology & Maintenance Council will host the Fleet Data Management & Cybersecurity Conference, a new event to address pressing issues in fleet data management and cybersecurity, June 5-7 in Raleigh, N.C.

May 11, 2018