������ý

Today’s fleets are increasingly shifting toward LED headlights, not only for truck drivers’ safety but also to improve maintenance and the overall operation of the truck, industry experts said.

The trucking industry needs to hire about 30,000 maintenance technicians to keep up with demand.

With the increasing complexity of modern trucks and an even higher premium placed on drivers’ time, Glen McDonald, maintenance director at Ozark Motor Lines, knew he needed to maximize shop labor and move trucks through his fleet’s maintenance shops more ­quickly, all of which required an updated approach.

Ryder System Inc.is one company whose fleet maintenance technicians are using mobile lifts to get under big rigs.

Although trucking is undergoing rapid advancements in technology, Jeff Harris, the new general chairman of American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council, said the industry needs to get “back to the basics” when it comes to repairing equipment amid a massive industry shortage of technicians.

ATLANTA — The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. announced a new subscription-based mobile tire management program, Tire Optix. It is intended to help fleets add consistency to the process of managing a top cost across their entire network.

Some 41 people have earned the American Road and Transportation Builders Association’s safety certification designed for transportation project professionals so far in 2018.

Video telematics provider Lytx reported it signed a number of major clients last year, including Walmart Inc. and U.S. Xpress Enterprises, an indication of the growing acceptance by fleets of installing cameras on their trucks as a way to reduce accidents, increase road safety and track driver behavior.

ATLANTA — Peterson Manufacturing Co. introduced an intelligent trailer system that the company said brings expanded connectivity and telematics capability to trailers.