Trucking in the 21st Century

The 21st century has long been seen as a time when technology — flying cars and tricorders, moon colonies and household robots — would change our lives. What is often overlooked is the fact that times of technological innovation also can spark disruption and upheaval in long-established industries and companies. It would seem the trucking industry has reached that point.

In its annual State of Logistics Report released last summer, the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals observed that the transportation and logistics business is entering a new era. “Disruptive” forces such as the Internet of Things, big data, autonomous vehicles and robotics, and 3D printing, along with operational factors such as increasing regulations, driver shortages, increasing customer and shipper demands, and infrastructure constraints, “will evolve at breakneck speed and threaten to fundamentally change the rules of the game.”

Andrew McAfee, an MIT scientist who studies how technological progress changes business, the economy, and society, observes, “Technology is moving faster than just about anything else these days.” He says you can break the changes down into three main areas:

1. Sensors and electronic control units are now on nearly any piece of equipment. “It's getting very cheap to do that.”

2. Once you've equipped something with sensors or an ECU, it has the ability to provide data. “We finally have real artificial intelligence that can take all that data, see patterns in it, make predictions based on it, and provide another source of intelligence in addition to human beings.”

3. “We now have networks that go all around the world and connect human knowledge, artificial intelligence, and all of this smart equipment,” a phenomenon also known as the Internet of Things.

“The very freight trucks move in certain sectors is changing as new logistics models emerge and gain traction,” says Sandeep Kar, global VP of automotive ...Read the rest of this story

DOT Report Reveals $926 Billion Infrastructure Need

Photo: Evan Lockridge

The nation's highway and transit systems need to overcome a nearly trillion-dollar investment backlog, according to a new report on the state of America's transportation infrastructure commissioned by the Department of Transportation.

The report, 2015 Status of the Nation's Highways, Bridges and Transit: Conditions and Performance, identified an $836-billion backlog of unmet capital investment needs for highways and bridges.

Conditions and Performance is a biennial report to Congress that provides information on the physical and operating characteristics of the highway, bridge and transit components of the nation's surface transportation system.

“We have an infrastructure system that is fundamental to the nation's economic health, and it needs greater attention and resources,” said Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx. “Improving our nation's roads, bridges, and transit helps create jobs, connects communities and ensures that our nation is equipped for the future.”

Addressing the growing backlog while still meeting other needs over the next two decades will require $142.5 billion in combined transportation spending from state, federal and local governments.

In 2012, the most recent year for which the report's data was available, federal, state and local governments combined spent $105.2 billion on infrastructure– 35.5% less than what was needed to improve highways and bridges.

“The case for more investment in our nation's transportation system is clear,” said Federal Highway Administrator Gregory Nadeau. “A strong transportation system will make businesses more productive and freight shippers safer and more efficient while improving America's quality of life.”

The report also indicates a $26.4-billion need per year to improve the condition of transit rail and bus systems. In 2012, total spending to preserve and expand transit systems was $17 billion. The report indicates that if spending were to remain at the $17-billion level, overall transit system conditions are expected to decline over the next 20 years. This would increase the transit system ...Read the rest of this story

TFI Int. (TransForce) gets into medical last-mile biz

Volvo recalls 6,000 trucks

Volvo Recalls Over 6,000 Trucks Due to Potential Brake Issue

Volvo Trucks North America has issued a recall of certain VNL, VNM and VNX truck models to addess incorrect software for controlling the electronic air dryer that may result in oil and water contaminating the brake system.

The recall affects 6,127 vehicles manufactured from April 11, 2012 through September 30, 2016 with an electronic air dryer. These trucks include VNL and VNM of model years 2013-2017 and the 2017 VNX.

The defect stems from incorrect parameters used to control the cycling of the electronic air dryer. The parameters were set to low at 1/3 of the required volume of air to purge the desiccant. As a result, more condensation may occur and be passed through the air system.

That can allow oil and water to contaminate the brake system, which would affect brake performance over time and in certain conditions, such as cold weather. The repair involves reprogramming the vehicle control module with the correct parameters for the air dryer and may also include replacement of the air dryer filter.

There have been no reports of accidents related to the defect, which was discovered in Oct. 216. After an investigation, Volvo informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that a voluntary safety recall would be conducted to address the issue.

Volvo has already notified dealers of the issue and will mail notifications to owners on or before Feb. 17, 2017. Repair instructions are also tentatively scheduled for release by Feb. 17.

Related: DOT Declares Volvo Steering Defect Recall 100% Complete

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XPO Scores Cummins Supply Chain Contract

Transportation and logistics solutions provider XPO Logistics has been awarded a supply chain contract from Cummins to support its global customer base with parts distribution.

XPO will operate Cummins' primary parts distribution center starting this month, managing approximately 800 workers and over 2,700 orders shipped daily.

The one-million square foot facility in Memphis, Tenn., distributes component parts, rebuild kits and remanufactured engines as the principal restock hub for North American and global Cummins warehouses.

XPO will provide custom-designed technology for parts stocking and control, fulfillment, shipping, and returns management. The Cummins facility in Memphis employs more than 1,600 across its remanufacturing and distribution operations.

“The employees and the important work they do each day at our distribution center is critical to the success of our customers and to Cummins,” said Clarence Carr, director, Memphis Distribution Center, Cummins. “We will work with XPO to ensure that the operations and the work environment continue to be of the highest quality and something we can all take pride in. We will continue to look for new and innovative ways to improve our work and our services.”

Related: XPO Logistics Sells Truckload Operations to TransForce

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Werner Enterprises Transports New Sandhill Crane Viewing Blinds