Reimaging the freight transportation network

Rick Mihelic, president of Mihelic Vehicle Consulting, made an interesting point the other day while discussing the future of electric trucks in a conference call hosted by Stifel Capital Markets: There is no free ride in the freight business, because, at the end of the day, you've got to be able to make a profit hauling goods from Point A to Point B.

And therein lays the challenge facing not just electric trucks but any new technology trying to enter the trucking market.

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Opioid users hit the highways with fatal results

Is the driver in the next lane impaired by opioid use?

Fatally injured drivers who tested positive for prescription opioids rose seven times from 1% in 1995 to over 7% in 2015, according to a recent study from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health.

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How to keep high-mileage vehicles on the road

Even when everything is running smoothly, maintaining a fleet of high life-cycle heavy duty trucks is no easy or inexpensive task.

However, with the API [American Petroleum Institute] category change from CJ-4 to CK-4, high life-cycle heavy duty rigs using CK-4 oils can stay on the road longer by reducing the amount of costly downtime, extending oil drains and, most importantly, enhancing fuel economy.

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People make technology succeed or fail

I'm known as a technologist. Indeed, I do love technology and all it can do to improve business and the lives of people. But, I also know how hard change can be. All of you have seen how difficult it is for drivers to accept changes in the cab of the vehicle. Simple things like choosing a new seat manufacturer when you buy new trucks can be a source of frustration and complaint for many.

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The role of maintenance in spec’ing

Fleets are faced with a myriad of options when it comes to spec'ing their new vehicles. In addition to products that are currently in use, products are updated and new ones come on the market all the time.

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HDT’s Summer Videos

Kick back this Labor Day Weekend and take a look back at HDT's hottest videos shot over the lazy, hazy crazy days of summer that are now slipping away from us all for another year.

Start with our first look at Cummins' new all-electric daycab tractor beating Tesla to the punch with its demonstration vehicle dubbed the Urban Hauler EV.

We also showed you an anti-terrorism presentation from the Fleet Safety Conference where the Department of Homeland Security demonstrated possible threats that exist for the trucking industry and what fleets can do to mitigate the risk.

We also took you for a ride in Volvo's latest truck models including the VNR 300, VNR 640 and new VNL. So if you're in the office today, take a break from the heat and watch some of our cool videos.

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Get Ready for Brake Safety Day on Sept. 7

Photo: J.J. Keller & Associates

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's Brake Safety Day is set to take place on Thursday, Sept. 7 across North America.

Law enforcement agencies will conduct inspections on large trucks and buses to identify out-of-adjustment brakes and brake system and anti-lock braking system violations, as part of CVSA's Operation Airbrake Program.

This year's Sept. 7 Brake Safety Day follows up on CVSA's May 3 unannounced Brake Safety Day and replaces the seven-day Brake Safety Week campaign from previous years.

The goal of Brake Safety Day is to reduce the number of accidents caused by poorly maintained brakes on commercial vehicles by conducting roadside mechanical fitness inspections and identifying and removing vehicles with critical brake violations from the road.

The event will also feature outreach and educational efforts by inspectors, carriers, and others. Brake Safety Day activities seek to educate drivers, mechanics, owner-operators, and others on the importance of proper brake maintenance, operation, and performance.

On Brake Safety Day, inspectors will primarily conduct the North American Standard Level I Inspection, which is a 37-step procedure that includes an examination of both driver operating and vehicle mechanical fitness requirements.

Ahead of Brake Safety Day, J.J. Keller has published a free whitepaper to help carriers prepare for the event, The Importance of Brakes: Key Components, Inspection, and Maintenance.The whitepaper explains how air brakes function and details necessary measures to keep brake systems in good condition.

Bendix has also offered a series of tools and tips to prepare for Brake Safety Day.