ELDs remain a top fleet issue. But managing costs and traffic congestion are up there, too.

An annual survey compiled by global software provider Teletrac Navman finds (unsurprisingly) that compliance with the electronic logging device (ELD) mandate is one of the biggest concerns of U.S. fleets at this point in time – although most of the larger ones, operating over 100 pieces of equipment, expressed the “highest confidence” in meeting the mandate's December 18 deadline.

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Stoneridge’s ELD Solution Verified By Third-Party Analyst

The Stoneridge EZ-ELD is an electronic logging device solution that has been added to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's self-certified list and verified to meet all federally mandated requirements by a third-party industry expert.

The EZ-ELD is designed for quick and simple installation and can be transferred between any driver or vehicle in a fleet with a 9-pin, 6-pin, or OBDII port. This allows for more flexibility for fleets that may lease, own or rent a vehicle to ensure compliance.

The EZ-ELD's driver interface is available through a mobile app designed for both iOS and Android devices.

In addition to being self-certified for the FMCSA's compliance list, the EZ-ELD has also been independently validated by the third-party industry expert Annette Sandberg of Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary. Sandberg has more than 20 years of public safety and law enforcement experience, serving as the FMCSA administrator from 2003-2006.

The comprehensive review of the EZ-ELD system included an analysis of the device, iOS, and Android mobile applications, and the Back Office web portal. The evaluation also involved extensive in-vehicle testing to confirm the Stoneridge EZ-ELD was fully compliant with all requirements of the FMCSA ELD Test Plan and Procedures.

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Anco Wiper Blades Fit Medium- and Heavy-Duty Trucks

Federal-Mogul Motorparts Anco Brand's wiper blade line is designed for use on medium- and heavy-duty vehicle applications.

Available through Federal-Mogul Motorparts distribution network, the Anco wiper blades come in 14 different models in a variety of sizes and applications. The blades are designed with a heavy-duty bridge design for improved mechanical strength.

The blades feature four layers of corrosion protection with galvanized structural steel, phosphate coating, E-coat, and a top coat. It also incorporates a tall wiper element and stainless-steel flexors. Saddle, hook, and side pin adaptors are included in each package to accommodate most any connection.

Size ranges available are:

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Commentary: Let’s Look More Closely at Automation in Trucking

Rolf Lockwood

Escape is impossible. The word “autonomous” is everywhere I look, and if I believed the hype in the mainstream press, I'd think that human control of cars and trucks will soon be a thing of the past.

Yes indeed, some forms of autonomous driving will find their way into trucking before long. Who knows when? Not me, but it won't be tomorrow for the mainstream freight business.

At the user level, I fear that the whole autonomous phenomenon is poorly understood, and in a conversation over dinner recently, I found that a veteran OEM engineer agrees with me. First off, in only very rare circumstances are we talking about actual full autonomy – that is, with no driver present. It is already happening in mines and in some agricultural applications, though very slowly, and it's likely to appear in container ports on very proscribed routes fairly soon.

Everywhere else, we're talking “semi-autonomous,” meaning a driver is in there – or even two as presently required in some jurisdictions. Jobs will not be lost any time soon.

The technology component is relatively easy, but not the social and regulatory sides of it all. That challenge takes “complex” to new heights.

Last-mile deliveries are a different story, and there we already see the start of jobs being lost to drones. But that's a different kettle of techno-fish.

My engineer friend and I also got to talking about platooning. Both of us registered a little skepticism there too. At best I think we'll see two-truck platoons in the nearish future – but not as near as I once thought we would. I'm not sure the benefits are sufficiently large to justify the expense and the hassle, though a “confidence report” from the North American Council on Freight Efficiency last year begs to differ.

A two-truck platoon would ...Read the rest of this story

Marangoni Names Armstrong VP of Business Development

Clif Armstrong Photo: Marangoni Tread North America

Marangoni Tread North America named Clif Armstrong vice president of business development.

Armstrong has an extensive background in the tire industry, working with Pirelli Industrial, Continental Tire, and Yokohama Tire. In his new role, he will be tasked with contributing to increasing Marangoni's market strength, market share, and customer satisfaction.

He served in a variety of executive functions including sales, marketing, operations, and developing a tire-company-owned commercial store network.

Marangoni Tread North America is a full-service supplier and distributes its retread products Ringtread (The Splice-Less Retread) and Unitread through a network of licensed independent tire dealers and retreaders throughout the United States and Canada.

Related: Marangoni Attacks Cheap Foreign Tires with 'Retread Instead' Campaign

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W.B. Mason Adds Workhorse Hybrid-Electric Step Van to Fleet

Photo courtesy of Workhorse Group

Office products dealer W.B. Mason has taken delivery of its first Workhorse electric, range-extended step van, leased through Ryder System.

The Workhorse E-Gen electric vehicle has an average range of 120 miles on a single charge and reduces vehicle emissions by 75% compared to a conventional step van, according to the company. The vehicle has a proprietary chassis design, powertrain, battery management system, and real-time Emtron telematics system.

"Adding Workhorse E-Gen electric vehicles to our fleet promotes efficiency and an even better delivery experience for our drivers and customers," Leo J. Meehan III, president and CEO of W.B. Mason.

The powertrain combines a lithium-ion battery pack and a BMW 2-cylinder gasoline engine that is used in the BMW i3 to extend the range of the vehicle. The step van will operate on electric power for the first 60 miles, and the gasoline engine can double the range to 120 miles.

Ryder is the primary distributor and provider of service and support for Workhorse's light- and medium-duty range-extended electric vehicles in North America.

"W.B. Mason is a national leader in last-mile delivery, and their sophisticated body designs demonstrate their innovation in vehicles," said Steve Burns, chief executive officer of Workhorse. "The adoption of Workhorse E-Gen step vans takes that innovation a step further with the integration of cutting-edge, sustainable electric transportation."

Related: BMW's Hybrid Tech to Power Workhorse Delivery Trucks

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Gerry Mead Joins Phillips Industries

Gerry Mead Photo: Phillips Industries

Gerald "Gerry" Mead, formerly executive vice president of maintenance at U.S. Xpress and a recent HDT Truck Fleet Innovator, has joined Phillips Industries as the executive director of innovations.

Drawing from his experience in fleet maintenance, Mead will direct and implement Phillips' product innovation initiatives and help the company meet the challenges of future trucks and trailers.

As the executive vice president of maintenance at Chattanooga, Tennessee-based truckload carrier U.S. Xpress, Mead was instrumental in the fleet's adoption of truck and trailer technologies, as well as maintenance practices aimed at reducing total cost of vehicle ownership, improving the driver experience, and advancing safety.

Mead was a 2016 recipient of the HDT Truck Fleet Innovator award and was recently named the Tennessee Trucking Association's Maintenance Professional of the Year. He is also a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.

“Our connected vehicle technologies are designed with collaboration in mind, and we're building momentum by expanding our list of supplier-partners with sensors and components that work on our platform," said Rob Phillips, Phillips president and COO. “Gerry has demonstrated through our longstanding relationship with him that he understands our objectives, and more importantly, he has the skills, hands-on experience, and industry relationships to add tremendous value."

Related: Why Innovation's More Important Than Ever

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