Volvo Tests Self-Driving Refuse Truck in Urban Environment

Photo: Volvo Group

Volvo Group is working with Swedish waste and recycling company Renova to test an autonomous, self-driving refuse truck in an urban environment.

The project will explore how an autonomous refuse truck can be used in a busy environment to improve traffic safety, working conditions and reduce environmental impact.

“There is amazing potential to transform the swift pace of technical developments in automation into practical benefits for customers and, more broadly, society in general,” said Lars Stenqvist, chief technology officer, Volvo Group. “Our self-driving refuse truck is leading the way in this field globally, and one of several exciting autonomous innovations we are working with right now.”

Volvo's autonomous refuse truck is designed to make driving safer in built-up areas and while backing up. Sensors on the vehicle will monitor the vicinity and stop the truck immediately if an obstacle suddenly appears in its path. The route is pre-programmed and the truck drives itself to each location.

The driver, who walks ahead of the vehicle, can focus on refuse collection and does not have to climb in and out of the cab every time the truck moves to a new collection bin.The autonomous truck also offers environmental benefits, according to Volvo. Gearchanging, steering and speed are constantly adjusted for low fuel consumption and emissions.

“One important benefit of the new technology is a reduction in the risk of occupational injuries, such as wear in knee joints – otherwise a common ailment among staff working with refuse collection,” said Stenqvist.

The joint project with Renova will continue through the end of 2017. The autonomous truck is fitted with a sensor system for identification, navigation and monitoring of the vehicle's vicinity. Most of the technology is also used in Volvo's autonomous mining truck that the company unveiled in 2016. The mining truck is undergoing tests in the ...Read the rest of this story

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The E-Hook helps solve the problem of securely stowing long and unwieldy cargo and keeping it off the floor in trailers, box trucks, service vehicles and light-duty trailers. It has a working load limit of 300 pounds and multiple hooks can be mounted to accommodate longer cargo.

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Spot Reefer Rates Hit 4-Month High as Vans, Flatbeds Slip

Graphic: DAT

The national average spot rate for refrigerated truckload freight gained 2 cents for the week ending May 13 for $1.99 per mile, the highest weekly average rate in four months, according to new figures released by DAT Solutions and based on its network of load boards.

The national average van rate was down 2 cents at $1.68 per mile, while the average flatbed rate fell 1 cent to $2.08 per mile. All rates include fuel surcharges.

Overall, the number of load posts edged down 2% last week while truck posts were up 2%. That led to lower or flat load-to-truck ratios with vans remaining and 3.3 to 1 while reefers fell 6% after a nice uptick the previous week, hitting 6.1 to 1. Flatbeds declined 6% to 36.9 to 1.

Nationally, the number of available refrigerated loads declined 1% while truck posts increased 5%. On the top 72 lanes for spot reefer freight, 51 lanes had higher rates last week despite uneven production out of Florida, shipping gaps in California, and a drop in volumes in markets near the Mexican border.

According to DAT, some key reefer lanes to watch are:

Miami outbound faded but high demand from Lakeland buoyed rates in Florida. Lakeland-Baltimore surged 40 cents to $2.68 per mile on average. Two reefer markets to watch in California are Fresno, where the average outbound rate jumped 12 cents to $2.14 per mile, and Los Angeles, also up 12 cents, at $2.57 per mile.

Nationally, the number of posted van loads and trucks each increased 1%. No major van markets made big moves, but outbound rates in Houston, $1.76 mile; ...Read the rest of this story