For-hire trucking drops 3,600 jobs in September

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Record360 releases facial recognition software

Record360 announced the official release of its OFAC and facial recognition security check solution. The new addition to Record360's software allows rental and leasing firms to “stay compliant with federal law and security procedures while seamlessly moving their customers through the checkout process,” according to the company.

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Montgomery County upfits vans with XL Hybrids’ electric powertrain

XL Hybrids announced the installation of its XL3 Hybrid Electric Drive System in 15 additional passenger and cargo vans for Montgomery County, MD. The 15 upfitted Ford Transit vans have been added to 10 existing Ford Econoline hybrid vans already in use in the county's fleet.

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Electrified tandem trailer axles?

Here's a concept for you: replacing a trailer's "passive" axle with one powered by an hybrid electric package that helps captured "wasted energy" during nominal operating conditions, such as when braking, stores that energy in a lithium battery pack, and then feeds it back into an electric motor to provide extra "oomph" for getting up hills, etc. End result: an average of 30% fuel savings for a tractor-trailer, at least according to this unusual trailer axle package manufacturer, Hyllion.

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ATA Honors SmartWay and TAEC Award Winners at MC&E

ATA members are honored for excellence in the EPA's Smartway program. Photo: Evan Lockridge

American Trucking Associations recognized award recipients at the ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, honoring winners of the EPA SmartWay Excellence Award and the President's Trucking Association Executives Council Leadership Award.

ATA congratulated the 43 winners of the EPA SmartWay Excellence Awards – particularly the 15 members of ATA who were honored at the event. With the award, the EPA recognizes its top carrier partners for their commitment to an efficient and environmentally responsible freight transportation supply chain.

"EPA's SmartWay Transport Partnership is a model of industry and government cooperation," said Chris Spear, ATA president and CEO. "We hope that SmartWay will continue to be a tremendous example of how business and government can work together and how our industry can reduce fuel use and greenhouse emissions. I congratulate the industry leaders who EPA is honoring here today and especially those leaders who are part of our association."

Among this year's winners of the SmartWay Excellence Award are:

Challenger Motor Freight Inc., Heritage Transport LLC, Old Dominion Freight Line Inc., Pitt Ohio, CRST Expedited Inc., Roehl Transport Inc., Doug Andrus Distributing LLC, UPS Small Package, Swift Transportation Co., U.S. Xpress Enterprises Inc., Bison Transport Inc., Cargo Transporters, Dedicated Transport LLC, Mesilla Valley Transportation and OutWest Express LLC.

"We all depend on the freight sector, and these award-winning SmartWay carriers have demonstrated that it is possible to compete in this space while placing an emphasis on environmental integrity, allowing for reduced fuel costs which increase revenue while also lowering greenhouse gas emissions,” said Christopher Grundler, director of EPA's Office of Transportation & Air Quality.

ATA also named Brenda Neville, president of the Iowa Motor Truck Association at the 15th recipient of the President's Trucking Association Executives Council Leadership Award. The award was created by ATA ...Read the rest of this story

Kenworth Offers 52-Inch Mid-Roof Sleeper on T680 Advantage

Kenworth now offers the Kenworth T680 Advantage Package with 52-inch mid-roof sleeper for regional haul and less-than truckload operations. Photo: Kenworth

Kenworth has ntroduced the fuel-efficient T680 Advantage Package with 52-inch mid-roof sleeper for regional haul and less-than-truckload operations.

The new T680 Advantage configuration features an optimized powertrain with the 2016 Paccar MX-13 engine or Paccar MX-11 engine and Eaton Fuller Advantage series 10-speed automated transmission. This powertrain is combined with more fuel-efficient Meritor MT40-14X drive axles, rated at 40,000 pounds.

The 52-inch sleeper features aerodynamic elements to help redirect airflow around the chassis and sleeper to improve fuel economy. They include a front air dam to redirect around versus under the tractor, mini-kickout fairings to force air around the trailer and drive tires, and lower fairing extenders.

Other fuel-efficient features include Kenworth's Predictive Cruise Control, Neutral Coast, Driver Performance Assistant and FlowBelow wheel covers.

“Our expanded Kenworth T680 Advantage lineup now provides three excellent Advantage choices – day cab, 52-inch mid-roof sleeper and 76-inch sleeper – to those regional haul, LTL fleets and truck operators in constant pursuit of achieving greater fuel economy and lower operating costs,” said Jason Skoog, Kenworth assistant general manager for sales and marketing.

The 52-inch mid-roof sleeper is especially suited to regional hauling applications – including tank, bulk, flatbed, heavy haul and lowboy – where drivers may spend just two or three nights on the road during a typical week. The sleeper features a liftable lower bunk and upper storage units on the back wall with enough space for drivers to hang their clothes and jackets, plus an optional upper bunk for driving teams.

The optional passenger swivel seat expands the living space into the cab to provide more comfort for the drivers when parked. The design also provides sufficient head room for a driver or passenger up to 6-foot-4 ...Read the rest of this story

Knight Transportation, Inc. Announces Upcoming Release of Third Quarter Earnings and Related Conference Call