Accuride reorganizes its commercial vehicle businesses
ELDs, driver shortage projected to spur M&A activity
Are Your Tires up to the Job?
<img width="150" src="http://www.automotive-fleet.com/fc_images/articles/m-tire-man-2.jpg" border="0" alt="
To determine if your tires are up to the job you're asking them to do, you'll next to establish a consistent program to track their performance – and then follow through with it. Photo: Michelin
">To determine if your tires are up to the job you're asking them to do, you'll next to establish a consistent program to track their performance – and then follow through with it. Photo: Michelin
">Nothing matters more than proper air pressure when it comes to getting optimal service life out of your tires. But all the air pressure checks in the world aren't going to do any good if you're running the wrong tire for the type of work your fleet does.
To the untrained eye, tires all pretty much look the same. But engineers design tires to meet a wide variety of very different operational demands. Those subtle differences can come back to haunt a fleet down the road if the tire and the job it's being asked to do don't go hand-in-hand.
“I categorize fleets in two classes when it comes to tires,” says fleet consultant Bruce Stockton, a longtime fleet maintenance and equipment manager who's now president of Stockton Solutions. “I typically see serious, long-term buyers that truly practice a total cost of ownership model, and what I call ‘Savers,' fleets that are more concerned with their monthly or quarterly results and focused on current expense vs. long-term costs.”
Stockton says jokingly that Savers are basically commodity buyers that view tires as black and round. But when he considers the money fleets spend on tires today, the joke stops being funny. “Personally, I'm still amazed that more fleets don't practice best practices when it comes to their tires,” he says. And you'll see this problem in both large and small fleets.
“Most sophisticated fleets today have really dialed these operational factors in,” says Ron Greenleaf, regional manager, GCR Tire Sales and Service. “They tend to have a lot of time and money invested in choosing the correct tires for their applications, and ...Read the rest of this story
U.S. Postal Service Using VR to Train Drivers
<img width="150" src="http://www.automotive-fleet.com/fc_images/news/m-vdi-sim-training-1.jpg" border="0" alt="
Photo courtesy of VDI.
">Photo courtesy of VDI.
">The U.S. Postal Service has begun using a virtual reality-based simulator to train drivers in its Brooklyn, New York, and Tampa, Florida, districts, according to the company that provides the equipment.
The USPS, which implemented the program in 2015, has seen a 7% reduction in accidents in New York and has reduced crashes in Tampa as well, according to Virtual Driver Interactive (VDI), which provided the systems. The simulator-based training program, known as Virtual HD, has also been used by UPS.
The USPS initially implemented the program at its Triboro District, which delivers mail and parcels in the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island. Andrea Maddicks, the district's transportation manager, wanted training with "an innovative approach in reducing accidents in a cost-effective and engaging method," according to VDI.
After purchasing and implementing a VDI desktop driving simulator with the Virtual HD program, the Triboro District saw a 7% reduction in MVS driver motor vehicle accidents in 2016. The reduction continued through May.
Following the successful results in New York, Maddicks recommended that the USPS Suncoast District pilot the program. So far, the program has reduced crashes. Maddicks has now added simulation training.
UPS has worked with VDI since 2006. UPS began testing a VDI simulator in April of 2014 that was built using a graphical gaming engine.
Related: Safety Goes Virtual at UPS
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Latest Mack Updates Target Refuse Industry
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Mack Trucks LR and TerraPro models are now available with the Cummins Westport L9N natural gas engine. Photos: Mack Trucks
">Mack Trucks LR and TerraPro models are now available with the Cummins Westport L9N natural gas engine. Photos: Mack Trucks
">Mack Trucks announced updates to its LR and TerraPro models for the waste and recycling industries, offering a natural gas engine option and more ergonomic seating, and signing a deal with Lytx to explore the DriveCam in-cab camera system.
Both the Mack LR and TerraPro models are now available with the Cummins Westport L9N natural gas engine, offering near zero NOx emissions option for refuse fleets. The spark-ignited L9N is capable of running on compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, or renewable natural gas. It produces 320 hp and 1,000 lb.-ft. of torque.
The L9N is among the lowest certified NOx emissions engines available in North America, according to Cummins Westport, producing NOx emissions that are 90% lower than the current EPA limit of 0.2 g/bhp-hr. The L9N is also certified to the EPA's GHG2017 emission requirements.
“Natural gas continues to be a viable alternative fuel, providing a secure fuel supply and a steady price,” said Curtis Dorwart, Mack refuse product manager. “With the L9N, customers can take advantage of natural gas' benefits and further reduce their environmental footprint.”
Mack also introduced a new multi-position seat for the Mack LR model, aimed at boosting comfort and ergonomics for operators in the right-hand stand-up/sit down drive configuration. The seat was developed with Sears Seating and was designed and engineered specifically for the Mack LR.
“Working with Sears Seating to offer a Mack LR model-specific seat will improve the driving experience for the LR model,” said Dorwart. “The new seat is more ergonomic, more comfortable and can help improve driver productivity.”
The company has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Lytx, a provider of video-based safety systems, to explore the DriveCam in-cab camera system. DriveCam records internal and ...Read the rest of this story
U.S. Postal Service Using VR to Train Drivers
The U.S. Postal Service has begun using a virtual reality-based simulator to train drivers in its Brooklyn, New York, and Tampa, Florida, districts, according to the company that provides the equipment.
The USPS, which implemented the program in 2015, has seen a 7% reduction in accidents in New York and has reduced crashes in Tampa as well, according to Virtual Driver Interactive (VDI), which provided the systems. The simulator-based training program known as Virtual HD has also been used by UPS.
The USPS initially implemented the program at its Triboro District, which delivers mail and parcels in the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island. Andrea Maddicks, the district's transportation manager, wanted training with "an innovative approach in reducing accidents in a cost-effective and engaging method," according to VDI.
After purchasing and implementing a VDI desktop driving simulator with the Virtual HD program, the Triboro District saw a 7% reduction in MVS driver motor vehicle accidents in 2016. The reduction continued through May.
Following the successful results in New York, Maddicks recommended that the USPS Suncoast District pilot the program. So far, the program has reduced crashes. Maddicks has now added simulation training.
UPS has worked with VDI since 2006. UPS began testing a VDI simulator in April of 2014 that was built using a graphical gaming engine.
Related: Safety Goes Virtual at UPS
Follow @HDTrucking on Twitter
...Read the rest of this story
2018 Heavy Duty Trucking Exchange Applications Now Open
Applications are now open for a spot at next year's Heavy Duty Trucking Exchange networking and education event, being held May 9-11, 2018, at the Scottsdale resort at McCormick Ranch outside Phoenix, Arizona.
Heavy Duty Trucking Exchange brings together the innovative fleet executives in the heavy-duty market with top suppliers to help the development of business relationships. HDTX is a “hosted buyer event,” a concept brought to the U.S. from Europe, which allows buyers and sellers to get together in an intimate environment for structured networking, educational sessions, and social activities.
The event is designed so that fleets can exchange information, explore ideas, extend networks with each other and with suppliers. Heavy Duty Trucking magazine editors will also be on hand.
A highlight is the presentation of HDT's Truck Fleet Innovators award and a panel discussion with the 2018 honorees, moderated by one of HDT's editors.
Every HDTX participant receives a custom-made, personalized agenda that offers:
Insights and advice from leaders in the industryInteractive roundtable discussions with industry peersDynamic group presentation from industry suppliersCustom one-on-one consultation with industry suppliersUnique, engaging and memorable social functionsSolutions to your current and future challengesNo more than 50 fleet applicants will be offered a hosted trip to attend the 2018 HDTX, which includes round-trip airfare to the venue, local airport transfers to and from the venue, all scheduled meals, and receptions. So interested fleets are urged to get their applications in as soon as possible.
Fleets Can Apply HereFor more information, visit www.heavydutytruckingexchange.com.
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