Author: Vitaliy Dadalyan

New tool offers better toll visibility for fleets

ATLANTA. HELP Inc., the non-profit provider of PrePass, introduced a tolling data analytics tool to assist companies monitor and manage their toll transactions.

The system, called INFORM Tolling, provides analytics so customers can see where truck tolls are being assessed, and confirm they are getting the best rates possible. It also identifies fraudulent charges and alerts when there are toll violations.

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Kalmar opens terminal tractor test track

Kalmar Ottawa, part of Cargotec, opened its new test track at the Terminal Tractor Competence Center in Ottawa, KS. The track is the first testing facility specifically for terminal tractors.

At 0.75 miles, the track was constructed with reinforced concrete to handle loads up to 80,000 lbs. The track's dog bone shape features two loops connected by a quarter mile straight.

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TMW Systems names new VP of development

Timothy Tarbet to oversee TMW.Suite Solution development.

Timothy B. Tarbet, a global IT executive with more than 25 years of experience in enterprise software development, was named vice president of development by TMW Systems. Tarbet will work with software leaders and developers across the TMW enterprise. He will be guiding the development of the company's advanced TMW.Suite transportation management system (TMS).

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Stoughton unveils PureBlue refrigerated trailer

New model will be available next year sometime in the beginning of the first quarter.

ATLANTA. As part of a longer-term strategic growth initiative, Stoughton Trailers is rolling out a new refrigerated trailer model dubbed “PureBlue” to broaden its product line so it can make inroads with larger customers.

“Large customers have mixed fleets of dry van and refrigerated trailers; you can't bid for that business unless you have both. The two are tied together,” Ted Leroy, product manager for Stoughton, explained to Fleet Owner.

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ELDs, safety technology and the effect on fleet insurance costs

Although the insurance industry expects to see a reduction in accidents and fleet risk with ELD implementation, it's too early to determine how those devices will impact premiums.

ATLANTA. As a fleet owner, you've installed electronic logging devices (ELDs) and other safety technologies throughout your entire fleet. Now your insurance premiums will automatically decrease, right?

Not necessarily, explained Harry Storck, global fleet technical specialist at AIG.

Storck, speaking to attendees at TU-Automotive's Connected Fleets conference here in Atlanta, discussed the insurance carrier's perspective on how connectivity is changing the landscape of commercial fleets.

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Fleet Owner 500 awards highlights top private fleets

Award ceremony shines spotlight on the role of private fleets in the trucking industry.

ATLANTA. The inaugural Fleet Owner 500 awards were handed out during a reception held here in conjunction with the first-ever North American Commercial Vehicle (NACV) show – awards designed to highlight the role of private fleets in the trucking industry and the U.S. economy.

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Meritor Offers Improved Version of Air Disc Brake

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Meritor's optimized EX+ air disc brake

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Meritor's optimized EX+ air disc brake

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ATLANTA – Meritor announced its EX+ air disc brake for tractors and trailers has been optimized to reduce product weight and total cost of ownership. The optimized EX+ will be available to OEMs in 2018.

"We're focused on product development to make air disc brake sytems more lightweight and cost effective," explained T.J. Reed, vice president, front drivetrain, North America, at the North American Commercial Vehicle Show. He pointed out that Meritor has been designing and manufacturing brakes for more than 100 years. "You may think of Meritor as a drivetrain or axle company, but ... we had first axle brake integration program right before WWI."

Meritor engineers reduced the weight of the caliper by 10 pounds without offsetting any brake performance, Reed said. "We are so confident that we improved the warranty to 5 years/500,000 miles for linehaul applications."

The gear-synchronized, twin-piston design of the new EX+ delivers even force across the brake pads simultaneously, resulting in better performance and uniform pad wear. The EX+ optimized ADB offers shorter and smoother stopping distances and reduced brake fade. A patented double-sealing technology minimizes water exposure to seal the EX+ for life. It simplifies pad service steps – including 30-minute pad changes – and lowers maintenance costs with faster inspection and repair times.

"Fleets are beginning to see the benefits of air disc brakes, especially in safety and performance," said Chris Villavarayan, president, Americas for Meritor. "We have validated the EX+ in the most severe conditions to deliver superior performance and lower lifecycle costs."

Reed also noted that Meritor air disc brakes are compatible with most collision mitigation systems currently on the market. Fleets can also specify drum brakes on rear axles and ADBs on the front.

Meritor's improved standard warranty now offers coverage of five years and 500,000 miles for ...Read the rest of this story