Dead cats bouncing—statistically speaking

I know that I learned in college that even if you've just flipped a coin 10 times and it came out heads each time, the next time you flip, it still has a 50-50 or 50% chance of being heads again. My gut refuses that logic and wants to believe it's something like a 90% chance it will be tails. It's as if I started out saying, what are the chances of getting heads 11 times in a row. That likelihood is only 0.05%. So my gut wants to believe it's even 99.5% chance it will be tails next.

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Aljex releases AP solution for transportation industry

Aljex Software has released a new Accounts Payable (AP) solution catered specifically to the needs of the transportation industry. Aljex provides web-based TMS for brokers, carriers and third-party logistics providers.

The new AP solution is crafted to organize and automate the payment process in a state-of-the-art user interface. It is integrated directly into Vision, Aljex's flagship product, and can also integrate as a back-end solution for third-parties looking to streamline their accounting.

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Commentary: Economic Growth Springs Back to Life

In a scene in the movie Crimson Tide, the Navy submarine U.S.S. Alabama has lost power and continues sinking. As it drifts deeper and deeper, with crew members feeling the end of their lives in sight, suddenly propulsion is restored. That's when one crew member says, “We're living, gentleman. We're living.”

Well, ladies and gentlemen, in case you haven't been keeping up with current economic events, we are indeed living.

Just look at what happened with the nation's gross domestic product growth in the third quarter of the year. This widest measure of economic health expanded at its best rate in two years, a 2.9% annual pace, compared to barely over 1% in the first half of the year and better than a 2.5% improvement forecast by a panel of economists.

While it's not time to break out the champagne and celebrate, it's certainly reason to at least breath a sigh of relief after feelings of uncertainty that have plagued anyone who watches the economy.

This surge was not unexpected, but the question is, will it continue?

At the American Trucking Associations Management Conference & Exhibition in Las Vegas in October, during a session hosted by ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello, guest Diane Swonk, analyst with DS Economics, said the economy was at a “turning point,” explaining business conditions were expected to rebound from earlier “subpar growth.”

As she predicted, consumers in the third quarter continued to spend. Also, job growth has been fairly strong, although Swonk believes there are still people sitting on the sidelines, meaning it could grow more and push the economy into an even higher gear. Others, such as Costello, expect job growth to decelerate at some point.

Separately, in discussing the third quarter GDP results, RBC Economist Nathan Janzen noted that some areas of the economy that had been pulling down overall ...Read the rest of this story

FTR: Trump Impact Minimal in Short Term

President-elect Donald Trump  Image via Twiiter @realDonaldTrump

Economists with freight transportation forecasting firm FTR are convinced that the election of Donald Trump will not much move any economic needles much for at least six months. Not because the 45th President of the United States won't accomplish anything right away, but because the wheels of government don't spin any faster for a new Administration.

“There will be little near-term change in FTR's outlook for the U.S. economy, as budgets are set and policies are intact until late 2017,” pointed out Noël Perry, transportation economist at FTR, in a post-election commentary piece. “There is the possibility of additional caution by consumers and businesses until the new administration sets policies.” He noted as well that any policy change typically takes a year or longer to fully implement.

FTR sees President-elect Trump focusing first on pushing through a significant tax cut, repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act and filling the Supreme Court vacancy. “Each of those issues are big enough to occupy the majority of legislative time.” Trump no doubt will also assess the trade agreements he faulted so heavily during his campaign. But given that a trade with any of our major partners would not benefit them or the American consumer, such talk augurs for “more smoke and mirrors than substance.”

Trump's impact will likely be felt more substantially and sooner on regulations and enforcement. According to FTR Partner and Senior Consultant Larry Gross, look first for the loosening of environmental controls on coal and oil exploration and piping.

“The coal situation won't change much due to economic pressure from natural gas, but, for instance, pipelines stalled in the Plains region could get a boost of activity soon," said Gross. "Second will be a reversal of the stiffening of National Labor Relations Board action of many ...Read the rest of this story

ampCNG signs fueling agreement with US Foods

ampCNG, a provider of compressed natural gas (CNG) infrastructure and fueling solutions for the heavy-duty commercial trucking industry, today announced a fueling and station agreement with US Foods, one of the country's largest foodservice distributors. Under the deal, ampCNG will build a public-access fueling station in Buda, TX, to serve US Foods, the station's anchor tenant.

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Dana Rolls Out Spicer Electrified E-Axle Portfolio

Image: Dana Incorporated

Dana Incorporated has introduced the Spicer Electrified portfolio of fully integrated motor, control, and e-drive technologies designed to advance electric propulsion systems.

Spicer Electrified builds on research that Dana has conducted in electric driveline technologies and complements the company's battery-cooling solutions offered under the Long brand portfolio.

“Dana has a unique ability to leverage knowledge across multiple end markets, and we are confident that our investment and research will benefit the advancement of technology for the entire mobility industry,” said James Kamsickas, Dana president and CEO. “The Spicer Electrified strategy will build on Dana's experience and successes, while further accelerating electric driveline technology and real-world applications over the next decade and beyond.”

Currently in production, the Spicer EV Drive for electric vans manages speed and torque from the e-motor to the wheels. Planned for launch in 2018, Dana's e-axles for electric transit buses and city delivery vehicles feature a fully integrated motor and gear box and leverage the company's experience in chassis drivetrain applications.

Dana is also working with automotive manufacturers to develop all-wheel-drive (AWD) e-axles that deliver superior performance, packaging, and reliability while meeting customer demand for AWD functionality paired with traditional front-wheel-drive hybrids.

“Our Spicer Electrified brand is the result of a comprehensive strategy to leverage Dana's experience and research across all vehicle markets to accelerate the introduction of cleaner, more efficient drivetrain components for electric and hybrid vehicles,” said Bob Pyle, president of Dana light vehicle driveline technologies.

Related: What's Available in Hybrid and Electric Drive Systems

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Omnitracs: Veterans Make Safe and Reliable Truck Drivers

Photo: U.S. Department of Transportation

Independent research conducted by software provider Omnitracs finds military veterans to be safer and have fewer terminations than the average truck driver.

On average, veterans had 42% fewer accidents than non-veteran drivers while achieving 98% more miles driven. Veterans were also found to have 59% fewer voluntary terminations and 68% fewer involuntary terminations.

Omnitracs conducted the study because veterans who served in active duty at any time since 9/11 are, unfortunately, unemployed at a higher rate than the national average, 5.8%. However, the trucking industry is in the midst of a driver shortage and turnover rates are also at an all-time high.

Omnitracs CEO John Graham, a Navy veteran, said that he feels an obligation to help other military veterans find opportunity in an industry that needs them.

“I spent 10 years in the Navy on ships, operating around the world. I worked in organizations where I was concerned with logistics, and logistics management,” said Graham. “From my standpoint, it was a great training ground for me on a lot of the skills that I learned for transportation, for the industry, but also for technology.”

According to Omnitracs, military service makes veterans uniquely suited to work as truck drivers because of similar conditions and preparation that the two occupations share. Veterans and their families are accustomed to long stints away from home and have experience working in stressful environments. They are also trained to follow orders with precision and reliability and are prepared to make decisions and work autonomously without close supervision. Veterans are often fast learners who adapt well to change and military service grooms veterans for roles in leadership and mentorship.

The federal government has simplified the transition to the transportation industry for veterans, expanding its waiver program to allow states to waive the skills portion of the CDL ...Read the rest of this story