Equipment & Tech

ATLANTA — Cummins’ lightweight but powerful X12 diesel has won the annual Jim Winsor Memorial Technical Achievement Award. The honor was presented recently by a group of trucking news writers during the American Trucking Associations Technology & Maintenance Council meeting. “As in previous years, there were a number of very worthy candidates nominated by members of our awards committee, and debate was lively,” said Jim Park, chairman of the Award Committee who writes for Heavy Duty Trucking and Today’s Trucking magazines. “But in our voting, the X12 emerged as the top product from a final field of four.” The runners up were the Peterson Pulse electronic system for trailers, Stemco’s automatically deploying Trailer Tail and the Stemco-Webb Trifecta wheel hub. Weight is always an issue in spec’ing and operating trucks, especially with bulk haulers and in vocational applications, and the X12’s comparatively low weight, along with millions of miles of previous service in Asia and South America, make it a standout among diesel offerings, members of the awards committee agreed. The 11.8-liter X12’s dry weight is 2,050 pounds, 150 to 400 pounds less than 11- to 13-liter competitors, yet it makes up to 500 horsepower and 1,700 pound-feet of torque, according to Cummins. Innovative engineering trims pounds from the cylinder block but maintains high strength for long life, while advanced combustion design and effective air and fuel handling and promises high efficiency. The X12 went into North American production and became available to customers in 2018, which made it eligible for the latest Technical Achievement Award, Park said. The engine is now an option from Autocar, Freightliner and Western Star. Cummins, the industry’s sole independent engine manufacturer, won the award twice before, in 2017 for its X15 Efficiency Series diesel, and in 1998 for its Signature 600 diesel. In 2007, Cummins Filtration earned the award for its Fleetguard User Friendly filters. The Truck Writers of North America, predecessor to today’s Award Committee, gave the first Technical Achievement Award went to Grote Industries for its red LED marker lamp, a technology that has become standard on trucks and trailers and across the automotive world. Two years ago, the committee named the award after the late Jim Winsor, a 50-year veteran of the trucking trade press. He served as editor-in-chief at Commercial Carrier Journal and executive editor at Heavy Duty Trucking, and was active in the Technology & Maintenance Council and its forerunner, The Maintenance Committee. Aside from Park, members of the awards committee included John Baxter, a freelance technical writer; Tom Berg, with Construction Equipment and Land Line magazines; Jason Cannon, Commercial Carrier Journal; Seth Clevenger, Transport Topics; James Menzies, Truck News & Truck West; Jason Morgan, Fleet Equipment; Jack Roberts, Heavy Duty Trucking; John G. Smith, Today’s Trucking; Suzanne Stempinski, Land Line; and Steve Sturgess, freelance writer.  8

SAN DIEGO — TuSimple, a self-driving truck company, said it has developed a proprietary automotive-grade camera and vision system that will go into volume production in in the second quarter of 2019 that will be deployed on TuSimple’s autonomous customer fleet by the third quarter of 2019. As TuSimple’s entry into hardware design, the system offers enhanced reliability of autonomous operation and is a necessary step in the company’s quest to commercialize the first driverless truck. Featuring Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corp.’s automotive complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, the custom designed camera system allows for reliable night and low light autonomous operation. Adding nighttime operation to TuSimple’s already industry leading 1,000-meter perception system will allow fleets to increase truck utilization from an average of 50 percent, or 12 hours per day, to an average of over 80 percent. TuSimple plans to increase its U.S. fleet to 50 trucks by June, with more to follow. The camera system designed for the company’s fully-autonomous Level 4 trucks is an important component of TuSimple’s ability to scale, especially as the company moves beyond its validation phase. “Bringing reliable nighttime and low light operation to current perception systems in the market is an important step in the viability of autonomous driving, which is a strategic focus for us,” said Tsutomu Haruta, automotive business division deputy senior general manager, Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corp. “We’re pleased that TuSimple, the leading self-driving truck company appreciates the cutting-edge technology that Sony is known for.” TuSimple has leveraged Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corp.’s automotive CMOS image sensor to create a set of camera systems for short, medium and long range that use TuSimple’s software to detect and process sharp images in real-time as far as 1,000 meters away. The system addresses complex imaging challenges such as instant light changes when entering and exiting tunnels, flaring during sunrise and sunset, and headlight glare. It also handles the LED flicker created by digital signage and traffic lights. “Like human drivers, autonomous trucks’ perception systems are challenged by a wide variety of light conditions which are experienced every day while driving. We weren’t able to find a camera system on the market that fit our needs, so we created one,” said Dr. Xiaodi Hou, Founder, President and Chief Technology Officer, TuSimple. “The combined expertise of Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation and TuSimple has created a perception system that sees better than the human eye – night and day, rain or shine — in the most challenging driving conditions.” This new camera system is designed to Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL)-C, which is important for the validation of safety-related electronic systems that must be highly reliable in specific driving conditions as outlined in the ISO 26262 Functional Safety standard. As the system integrator, Sunny Optics will test the product and module, as well as develop and manufacture the automotive-grade product. Dr. Hou will discuss the new camera system as part of his upcoming presentation at NVIDIA’s GPU Technology Conference (GTC) in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, March 19, at 3 pm. NVIDIA is an investor (through NVIDIA GPU Ventures) in TuSimple and NVIDIA DRIVE technology is a critical part of TuSimple’s self-driving trucks, which will be on display at the conference exhibition. TuSimple’s trucks have a vision range of 1,000 meters—farther and better quality visibility than any other autonomous perception system today. TuSimple’s self-driving trucks utilize cameras, lidar and radar to see 360 degrees around for a pixel-level interpretation of the visible environment. TuSimple vehicles have three centimeters of control precision at all times—rain or shine. With $95 million in new funding and daily autonomous trips hauling freight, the company is on its way to achieving its milestone of first driverless operations by the end of 2020 and delivering on its goal to create a safer, cleaner and more efficient trucking industry. TuSimple officials said the company is working to transform the $800-billion U.S. trucking industry. According to McKinsey, full autonomy could reduce operating costs by about 45 percent, saving the trucking industry between $85 billion and $125 billion.

ELYRIA, Ohio — Driver-tested and fleet-proven, Bendix’s leading-edge commercial vehicle safety technologies are for the first time available through a retrofit upgrade program. At present, Bendix offers retrofits of six safety technologies. In some cases, retrofitting requires the vehicle to come factory equipped with Bendix® ESP® full-stability technology: Bendix Wingman Fusion Bendix Wingman Advanced – A Collision Mitigation Technology AutoVue 4G Lane Departure Warning (LDW) System by Bendix CVS Bendix BlindSpotter Side Object Detection System Bendix VORAD (Vehicle On-Board Radar) VS-500 SafetyDirect by Bendix CVS A slate of additional technologies, including the Bendix Intellipark Electronic Parking Brake, will continue to expand the scope of the program throughout 2019. A unique, first-of-its-kind program that enables professional installation of Bendix advanced safety technologies to upgrade vehicles that did not come factory-equipped, the Bendix Retrofit Upgrade Program features two key elements: a comprehensive website that enables vehicle operators to determine retrofit opportunities per vehicle, and an escalating network of Bendix Authorized Retrofit Dealers and Distributors (ARDs) to facilitate the professional installation. “Keeping a fleet equipped with the latest safety technology can be a never-ending challenge,” said TJ Thomas, Bendix director of marketing and customer solutions – controls. “It’s just not practical to scrap all your trucks and replace them overnight. The Bendix Retrofit Upgrade Program makes it possible to bring vehicles not originally built with selected safety systems up to speed with the latest increasingly essential systems. It helps enhance a fleet’s safety, while also contributing to an improved driver experience vehicle to vehicle.” With a phased-in introduction that began in 2017, the program has already been eagerly adopted by a growing list of major fleets across North America, with upgrade installations taking place daily. Offering 24/7/365 access with information and more, Bendix will launch a website in mid-May to serve as the hub of the Retrofit Upgrade Program: www.bendixcvsupgrade.com. The site allows fleets and vehicle operators to identify which retrofit upgrade options are available for specific vehicle make, model, and year configurations. It allows Bendix to connect registered customers with a network of Authorized Retrofit Dealers and Distributors that can assist fleets in securing Bendix retrofit installation and support. According to Thomas, “The website is the essential first step in the equation. When it comes to the complexity of safety system retrofit upgrades, there’s no margin for maybe. That’s why the ability to retrofit any Bendix safety system depends on each vehicle’s specifications; given the build variability for each OE, and the vast array of aftermarket products that can be added, additional vehicle information is required to confirm retrofit compatibility on a specific vehicle.” “Retrofitting safety systems is very technical work and care must be taken – with the help of a knowledgeable supplier – to do it properly,” Thomas said. “It’s critical that the configuration of the vehicle and the equipment already on it will integrate with the new capabilities to be added. That could mean some vehicles may be retrofit-capable, and some vehicles may not. In all cases, specialized retrofit expertise for evaluation and installation is crucial.” Bendix has established a demanding training program specifically designed to certify technicians who already meet the company’s rigorous criteria. The training involves classroom and hands-on learning – as well as mandatory ongoing continuing education instruction – to prepare technicians for the unique technical challenges associated with these systems. Only these Bendix Certified Installers – trained and assessed by Bendix – have access to all the tools and information necessary for retrofitting Bendix technologies, and only Bendix Authorized Retrofit Dealers and Distributors have access to the Certified Installers. With retrofits expected to be handled in hours – not days or weeks – the proper certification of installers is key to getting trucks on the road quickly with minimal disruption to fleet operations. Like the Certified Installers, the ever-growing network of specially authorized outlets – the ARDs – have been vetted and trained to help vehicle operators understand system availability, what vehicles are compatible, scheduling, and more. “This program is a massive step forward in terms of driver, vehicle, and highway safety, and we are already partnering with a number of major fleets across a range of vocations on retrofitting these technologies,” Thomas said. “That work helped pave the way for the full launch of the program. Additionally, with full stability a requirement on new Class 7 and 8 trucks, more vehicles will have the foundational components in place to add these advanced safety systems in the future – and that carries the potential for greater highway safety for everyone.” The Bendix Retrofit Upgrade Program also provides the building blocks for more complex, integrated safety products yet to come. “There’s a lot of enthusiasm and excitement about this program from fleets and vehicle owners alike,” said Thomas. “It offers a whole new opportunity for our customers to bolster their operations, support their driver retention programs, and enhance their bottom line. We’re proud of this effort as one more way that we’re working hand-in-hand with teams across the industry to shape tomorrow’s transportation together.” Thomas said Bendix safety technologies – including all those within the Bendix Retrofit Upgrade Program – complement safe driving practices and are not intended to enable or encourage aggressive driving. No commercial vehicle safety technology replaces a skilled, alert driver exercising safe driving techniques and proactive, comprehensive driver training. Responsibility for the safe operation of the vehicle remains with the driver at all times.        

ATLANTA — Design Interactive Inc, providers of augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) training solutions for fleet maintenance personnel, vendors and OEMs, said here at the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition that its Augmentor transportation focused, augmented reality training solution is now available on Android and iOS mobile devices. “With the new ability to use Augmentor  on mobile devices, fleets can deploy our transportation focused training solutions more quickly and effectively to their technicians,” said Matt Johnston, division head of commercial solutions for Design Interactive. “Now, content like procedures and troubleshooting methods can be accessed from mobile phones across individual shops and multiple maintenance locations. With this mobile application, fleets can use our augmented reality and video- and computer-based technologies to train technicians for a lower cost.” The new mobile applications for Augmentor include an augmented reality mode that lets technicians visualize procedure steps where they are conducted. For example, if a vehicle requires an inspection of its tires or brakes, the step is placed near or on that component or system. Users can also see 3D virtual representations of parts for reference during inspection or repairs. The mobile app also includes videos, audio messages and text instruction. For fleets, Johnston said Augmentor helps lower training, labor and parts costs, and increases vehicle uptime and shop productivity. Especially as new technologies continue increasing the complexity of the repairs, tools and skills needed by technicians, the transportation-focused solution ensures training consistency by enabling access to updated content. Design Interactive Inc (DII) develops and deploys augmented, virtual and mixed reality training and enterprise solutions for the transportation, medical, aerospace, manufacturing, and energy/oil/gas markets, as well the military. Design Interactive’s extensive research and development expertise in using augmented and virtual reality technologies delivers innovative solutions that keep people safe, improve efficiency, and achieve optimum performance. Founded in 1998 and based in Orlando, Florida, Design Interactive is a woman-owned business. For more information, visit www.designinteractive.net.    

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Michelin North America recently launched Michelin Energy Guard, a SmartWay-verified aerodynamic trailer solution kit, for use on 53-foot dry-van truckload, refrigerated-truck load and other long-haul and super-regional applications. Now, after third-party fuel testing by Mesilla Valley Transportation Solutions (MVT Solutions), Michelin officials said the Michelin Energy Guard aerodynamic solution boasts proven results: 10 gallons in fuel savings every 1,000 miles, or 8.75 percent fuel savings $3,972 in fuel saved annually per vehicle “The Michelin Energy Guard aerodynamic kit has the potential to be a game-changing solution for fleets. Its fuel savings are impressive at 10 gallons per thousand miles, or 8.75 percent. Even more impressive is the solution achieving this with no driver interaction and no moving parts,” said Daryl Bear, lead engineer and chief operating officer of MVT Solutions. Michelin Energy Guard is an easy-to-use, fuel-efficient, aerodynamic solution. Consisting of a resilient trailer skirt, trailer-end fairings, aerodynamic mud flaps and a wake reducer, the integrated kit eliminates the need for “boat tails” or combining elements from various vendors. With the biggest drag on fuel efficiency occurring at 65 miles per hour, fleets and owner-operators look for aerodynamic solutions that cut fuel costs but do not increase maintenance costs nor require driver attention and costly repairs. “Michelin looked to MVT Solutions to provide accurate, 21st-century fuel testing of our Michelin Energy Guard aerodynamic kit to prove the fuel savings achieved by this offer,” said Calvin Bradley, technical lead of services and solutions, Michelin North America. “Coupled with the fact that the kit requires no maintenance costs or driver hassles like some other systems, it can still save up to 60 gallons of fuel for fleets running coast to coast and back.” The patent-pending, fully integrated Energy Guard kit’s components are designed to complement one another, helping fleets reduce fuel consumption without increasing maintenance expenses. The kit consists of a resilient trailer skirt, designed to bend if it strikes an obstacle or debris, while the trailer-end fairings direct airflow around the back of the trailer. The wake reducer minimizes the effect of the recirculation zone behind the trailer. The trailer-end fairings and wake reducer are constantly functioning, requiring no moving parts or driver actions. The aerodynamic mud flaps reduce vehicle drag and road spray.      

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Mack Trucks displayed its second-generation zero-emission capable Class 8 drayage truck at the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Low Carbon Transportation Heavy-Duty Showcase in Sacramento, California, recently. The plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) truck, which is based on a Mack Pinnacle axle back daycab, has been operating in revenue service with a customer drayage fleet for more than 12 months. The CARB showcase features projects funded under the California Climate Investments program. Grant awardees presented key project findings, lessons learned and next steps to advance clean technology in heavy-duty applications on one of three technology panels. The morning began with a legislative press event and also included a poster session to facilitate dialogue and networking. “Mack Trucks has been a powertrain innovator for more than a century, and we’re proud to showcase our current and developmental technologies to help reduce emissions,” said Jonathan Randall, Mack Trucks senior vice president, North American sales and marketing. “Testing of this truck has allowed us to validate the emission reduction potential of the PHEV technology in combination with self-learning algorithms to control electric operation. We look forward to continuing real-world testing, as well as collaborating with CARB, SCAQMD and others.” The truck is being tested as part of a $23.6 million project led by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). The goals of the project include reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions at locations with heavy freight volumes, including ports, rail yards and the freight corridors connecting them. The truck is an evolution of the first Mack PHEV drayage truck, which was built as part of an earlier SCAQMD-sponsored project and displayed during Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo 2016. That truck underwent more than six months of successful testing in a customer drayage fleet at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Similar to the first-generation truck, the second-generation PHEV drayage truck is capable of zero-emission operation as a result of the integration of a Mack MP7 diesel engine with a parallel hybrid system and lithium-ion battery pack. Unlike the first-generation truck, which utilized geo-fencing capabilities similar to those enabled by Mack’s GuardDog Connect telematics platform to switch between zero-emission and hybrid operating modes, the second generation truck relies on an adaptive self-learning algorithm to identify and create zero-emission zones in order to maximize all-electric operation. During normal operation, the truck records the load, speed, and power and torque demand, analyzes that data and combines it with GPS location information to identify, create and store in its memory zones where the electric driveline is capable of operating in zero-emission mode. The truck learns from its operating patterns and, on subsequent trips through these zones, the truck automatically switches from hybrid operation to zero-emission operation. The driver can also use a button in the dash to manually override the mode selection if needed. This innovative, self-learning approach has enabled the second-generation truck to operate in zero-emission mode more than twice as much as the first-generation truck, which relied solely on preset geo-fences. The dramatic increase in all-electric range was achieved with no changes to battery pack size or capacity, or truck performance, Randall said.      

GALESBURG, Mich.— Power management company Eaton says it is contributing several components to truck manufacturers participating in the Department of Energy’s (DOE) SuperTruck II program. SuperTruck II is a partnership between the DOE, truck manufacturers and equipment suppliers seeking to improve freight efficiency more than 100 percent over an equivalent 2009 model, and improve engine brake thermal efficiency performance by 55 percent. The $100 million program is funded by the Vehicle Technologies Office of the U.S. DOE and industry partners. Eaton is supplying a number of leading-edge technologies that improve fuel economy and reduce emissions to Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) teams. These include a high-efficiency transmission that achieves additional fuel savings by enabling engine-off coasting and waste heat recovery; a 48-volt mild hybrid electrically regenerative accessory drive that charges the vehicle’s batteries, efficiently runs the air conditioner and other accessories, and replaces the alternator in linehaul commercial vehicles; and precise exhaust gas recirculation controllers that enable simultaneous fuel and emissions reductions. “This is a great opportunity for Eaton technologies to contribute to a program focused on improving the efficiency of commercial vehicles,” said Dr. Mihai Dorobantu, director, Technology Planning and Government Affairs, Eaton’s Vehicle Group. “We’re excited to work with several OEMs involved in SuperTruck II as we strive for a common goal of cleaner, more fuel-efficient commercial vehicles.” SuperTruck II is a continuation of the DOE’s SuperTruck initiative, which launched in 2010 with the goal to improve heavy-duty truck freight efficiency by 50 percent. The long-term objective of the project is to develop technology that can lead to cleaner, more efficient heavy-duty trucks, which haul 80 percent of goods in the United States and use about 28 billion gallons of fuel per year, accounting for around 22 percent of total transportation energy usage. In addition to the components Eaton is supplying to the SuperTruck teams, it offers several other technologies that help truck manufacturers achieve stringent upcoming fuel economy and emissions regulations. “Since 2008, Eaton’s Vehicle Group has been laser-focused on reducing emissions and fuel consumption,” Dorobantu said. “We have—and continue to develop—technologies that reduce NOx emissions and improve the overall fuel economy of internal combustion diesel engines, as well technologies for electric, hybrid and fuel cell commercial vehicles.” Several products take advantage of Eaton’s modular variable valve actuation technology, which allows OEMs to choose the technologies they want to use based on their needs. Examples of what Eaton’s Vehicle Group offers include diesel cylinder deactivation (CDA) and variable valve actuation (VVA) technologies. Both technologies can be used to reduce fuel consumption between five and 25 percent, increase the rate of aftertreatment warmup and maintain higher temperatures during load operation. CDA and VVA technologies can also be used at road loads to achieve active diesel particulate (DPF) regenerations without requiring the traditional method of dosing the diesel oxidation catalyst. Eaton’s CDA technology can operate at up to three to four bar BMEP at all speeds, which reduces emissions by improving aftertreatment thermal management while providing better fuel economy. Similarly, intake valve modulation can be used at higher loads to enable Miller cycle operation to improve engine fuel efficiency. Another technology to help on the path to regulation compliance is Eaton’s TVS EGR pump, which is designed to save fuel while meeting new global emission regulations. Eaton’s positive-displacement TVS EGR pump enables the use of a high-efficiency turbomachinery to lower engine pumping losses and increase fuel economy. The TVS EGR pump is driven by a 48-volt electric motor, making its operation completely independent from engine speed and significantly more controllable than competitive pumpless EGR systems. Additionally, Eaton’s new engine decompression brake can help OEMs with regulatory compliance. Fuel economy and emissions regulations are driving engine downsizing and down speeding in commercial vehicles, which is resulting in the need for higher braking efficiency to maintain braking effectiveness at lower speeds. Other variable valvetrain functions include early exhaust valve opening (EEVO) and internal exhaust gas recirculation (iEGR), which help heat the exhaust for improved catalyst efficiency and improved emissions. Eaton’s hydraulic lash adjuster (HLA) technology optimizes the valvetrain performance by providing precise valve seating over the life of the vehicle. Other benefits include noise reduction and service elimination for manual valvetrain lash settings. Eaton is a power management company with 2018 sales of $21.6 billion. Its energy-efficient solutions help customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power more reliably, safely and sustainably. The company is dedicated to improving the quality of life and the environment through the use of power management technologies and services. Eaton employs 99,000 people worldwide, and sells products to customers in more than 175 countries. For more information, visit eaton.com.    

Cooper Tire Launches PRO Series™ LHS Steer Tire First steer tire in Cooper’s PRO Series commercial tire line FINDLAY, Ohio — Cooper Tire has launched a new long- haul steer (LHS) tire as part of its Cooper PRO Series product line. The tire joins the Cooper PRO Series long haul drive tire introduced last year. The new steer tire will initially be available in size 295/75R22.5 with other sizes becoming available in June. The Cooper PRO Series LHS was designed from the ground up to offer low cost of ownership through long miles to removal, fuel efficiency, and design elements to help ensure uniform wear and retreadability, according to Gary Schroeder, executive director of Cooper’s global truck and bus tire business. The new tire features Cooper’s ECO (Energy Conservation Optimization) technology that combines tire design, compounding and construction to provide an ultra-low rolling resistance tire that both exceeds SmartWay standard requirements by 15 percent and meets the EPA’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions requirements set for 2021. “This steer tire is the new flagship product for Cooper commercial tires,” Schroeder said. “We know the importance of this tire position, and it’s why we designed the tire to perform at a very high level – meeting the demanding needs of long-haul fleets. We purposefully created this tire to give fleets what they are asking for – a low cost of ownership solution to reduce tire program costs and improve a fleet’s bottom line. We’re offering the tire at a price point that makes it a ‘best buy.’ Excellent performance, matched with very competitive pricing, is what fleets are looking for in tires, and we’re delivering with the Cooper PRO Series.” The Cooper PRO Series LHS provides 18/32nds of tread depth and features a wider footprint than most steer tires on the market – a full inch in many cases. “This provides better traction while promoting longer, more even wear,” said Schroeder. “And, it doesn’t sacrifice fuel economy in the process. When paired with our PRO Series LHD drive tire, that is also SmartWay verified, fleets can maximize fuel economy.” Schroeder said in order to enhance even wear, the tire has a decoupling groove to minimize shoulder wear. A unique feature on Cooper’s new steer tire is a patent-pending stone ejector design with a stepped groove wall in the tread pattern. This feature helps prevent stone drilling to ensure the integrity of the casing for multiple retreads. Helping improve tire maintenance is Cooper’s “Wear Square” on the tire’s shoulder ribs. This is a visual indicator, which shows the tread depth through five different evolving image icons. A “square” shows full tread depth, while an “L” shape shows half the tread is left. An icon also shows when the tire should be pulled for retreading. Since the Wear Square is placed on both sides of the tire, it’s also an alignment indicator. If the icons don’t match, the tire technician knows there is an alignment problem or uneven tire issue and can take corrective measures. The Cooper PRO Series LHS features four-belt steel design construction and an industry-leading seven-year, two-retread warranty. The tire is also warranted for full replacement value for the first 50 percent of treadwear. “Our warranty showcases the confidence we have in this tire,” said Schroeder. “It’s ready to perform.”    

KIRKLAND, Wash. — Kenworth, a PACCAR company, has added two new ratings for the 12.9-liter PACCAR MX-13 engine available for the Kenworth T680, T880 and W990. The PACCAR MX-13 engine brings efficiency and flexibility together into one, high-performance solution, according to Kurt Swihart, Kenworth marketing director. The first new rating of 405 hp and 1,650 lb-ft of torque provides constant power for line haul applications, enhances integration with the PACCAR Powertrain, and offers increased fuel efficiency. The second is a multi-torque 455 hp rating with 1,650/1,850 lb-ft of torque that is optimized for fuel-conscious heavy haul fleets and truck operators. This rating provides additional torque in the top two gears while pulling a load up a hill, eliminating the need to downshift. As a result, the PACCAR MX-13 engine now offers ranges of 405 to 510 hp and 1,450 to 1,850 lb-ft of torque. “These new PACCAR MX-13 ratings provide enhanced fuel efficiency and lower operating costs for our customers,” Swihart said. In addition, Kenworth now offers a variable speed fan clutch as on option for the 10.8-liter PACCAR MX-11 engine for the Kenworth T680 and T880. The clutch maximizes engine power to the drive axle, helps prevent under- and over-cooling in all climates, and provides faster warm-up and more efficient air conditioning. The PACCAR MX-11 engine features superior performance, a powerful and lightweight design, and ranges of 355 to 430 hp and 1,250 to 1,650 lb-ft of torque. “The PACCAR MX engine series has a B10 design life of one million miles in line haul applications. This means 90 percent of PACCAR Engines will log up to one million miles without a major overhaul, almost double the life of a comparable engine,” Swihart said. “The PACCAR MX engine series has been well-accepted by fleets and truck operators in the United States and Canada since introduction nine years ago.” Peterbilt, another PACCAR company, announced late last year it would offer the new ratings.        

LISLE, Ill. — Demonstrating with the company calls a relentless commitment to maximize customer Uptime, Navistar is implementing new initiatives that it says will enhance customers’ ability to keep their trucks on the road and improve their bottom line. To expedite parts deliveries to customers, Navistar is establishing a new Parts Distribution Center (PDC) in Memphis, Tennessee, while also enhancing its dealer parts inventory management system to increase the breadth of parts already on its dealers’ shelves. In addition, to facilitate optimal engine calibration, new International LT Series and RH Series models built after June with an International A26 engine will be able to make cellular over-the-air authorized updates. “We keep finding new ways to set the industry benchmark for Uptime,” said Michael Cancelliere, president, truck. “The actions we are launching will make it easier for customers to keep their trucks on the road by providing quicker access to key repair parts while enabling remote, cellular calibration of their engines for peak performance.” These new initiatives build on Navistar’s recent exclusive announcement of its partnership agreement with Love’s Travel Stops, which created the commercial transportation industry’s largest service network with more than 1,000 locations in North America. The partnership added more than 315 locations and more than 1,000 technicians to Navistar’s International service network, leapfrogging the competition while also enhancing customers’ options for same-day repairs. Also announced recently was the company’s creation of a new aftersales function to be led by Friedrich Baumann, which will manage every facet of the business after the sale of the truck, including oversight of parts and service, Uptime, warranty and dealer development. This enhanced alignment of multiple critical functions will drive improved customer Uptime. “More actions that benefit our customers will be forthcoming,” Cancelliere said. “Company innovations including OnCommand Connection remote diagnostics, Fault Code Action Plans and the Diamond Edge dealer certification program have already assured that nearly 80 percent of vehicles powered by our International A26 engine are back on the road in the first 24 hours, and our goal is to take that number even higher.” To be opened later this year, the Memphis PDC will be the company’s seventh PDC in the United States and its 10th in North America. The new PDC’s location in Memphis will enable Navistar to deliver parts the next day to over 95 percent of its dealers’ service locations. This will help assure that Navistar’s International service network, the largest in North America, will have even more expedited access to parts needed for customer repairs. “Establishing our new PDC in Memphis will allow our dealers to place emergency orders for replacement parts as late as 11 p.m. Eastern time, and receive the parts early the next day,” said Josef Kory, senior vice president, parts. “Designed with lean and highly efficient processes, the PDC will offer industry-leading cutoff times for next-day parts delivery resulting in greater Uptime for our customers.” “A later cut-off time, combined with a faster delivery time, gives me the ability to better serve my customers and keep their trucks running on the road,” said Travis Thompson, dealer principal Kory said complementing the new later cut-off time for parts orders will be new enhancements to Navistar’s retail inventory management system, which will increase the breadth of parts maintained in dealer inventories, while reducing the depth of parts dealers need to keep in stock. Having a wider array of parts on dealer shelves at the time of repair will maximize Uptime for customers. “Our new user interface has been developed to provide best-in-class parts fill rates,” said Chintan Sopariwala, vice president, Uptime initiative. “The user interface was developed working collaboratively with the International dealer network, using an algorithm that was built in house and successfully tested at multiple locations. It provides dealers with easy access through a front-end dashboard, along with an ability to dive into the details as needed.” The enhancements were piloted at seven different locations in U.S. and Canada. Every pilot location showed an improvement in dealer on-shelf parts availability, with a double-digit percentage reduction in the volume of unplanned orders, which causes Uptime delays. “Having the part at the time of repair is the key to getting the truck back on the road in the shortest possible time,” said dealer principal Thompson. “Using these enhancements, we experienced a 50 percent decline in lost sales, while also improving the percentage of trucks repaired in under 24 hours.” “The enhancements to the dealer parts inventory management system have helped us have the parts on shelf when needed and reduce the number of emergency orders,” said Michael Waters, vice president, Waters International. “The enhanced system has helped increase our fill percentage in all departments and improve Uptime for major customers.” Kory said an additional Uptime initiative will start with new trucks built after June, when all new International LT Series and RH Series models equipped with an International A26 engine will include the capability to make remote cellular over-the-air updates to authorized engine calibrations and programmable parameters. This innovation builds on International’s pioneering introduction of over-the-air calibration using a wifi signal. Remote engine calibration using cellular will allow customers to keep their engines operating with peak performance and fuel efficiency without returning to home base or stopping at a dealer location for an update. In addition, remote programming of fleets’ engine parameters enables customers to control factors that deliver performance, safety and efficiency. “With our new OTA programming capabilities, keeping your fleet at peak performance and efficiency has never been easier,” Cancelliere said. “Using these new OTA tools will help our customers achieve greater Uptime and lower their Total Cost of Ownership.” Navistar officials said these new improvements, along with the new Love’s partnership and the new Aftersales function, build on many other leadership initiatives Navistar has undertaken to enhance the speed of repair and Uptime. For example, the company now factory-installs its OnCommand Connection telematics device on all new International on-highway trucks sold in the U.S. and Canada, helping to convert unscheduled maintenance into scheduled maintenance and maximizing the time trucks spend on the road. In addition, the company and its dealers offer the OnCommand Repair Advocate program, in which repair specialists help customers stay abreast of the status of truck repairs in order to more effectively manage fleet operations for optimized Uptime. For more information, go to www.navistar.com.  

ATLANTA — The American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council Monday honored five professionals with its highest honor — the Silver Spark Plug —at the opening of TMC’s 2019 Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition. “The Silver Spark Plug is our industry’s highest honor, recognizing professional excellence in commercial vehicle maintenance,” said TMC Executive Director Robert Braswell. “This year’s winners represent the pinnacle of our industry and we are pleased to bestow this honor on them.” This year’s honorees include: Winston Minchew, training manager, Old Dominion Freight Line, Thomasville, North Carolina Dave Dettman, president, QTC Transportation Holdings, Freeport, Illinois Homer Hogg, manager, technical development, TravelCenters of America, Lakeland, Florida Joe Long, director, heavy duty business development, Old World Industries, New Fairfield, Connecticut Larry Rambeaux, national fleet and truck representative, Purkeys, Lowell, Arkansas. “I congratulate these tremendous individuals for their efforts to keep our trucks, and America, moving,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “More than half of the 7.3 million people employed by the trucking industry do something other than drive a truck, and without them, our nation’s goods don’t get to our stores, hospitals and factories. These individuals are examples to all of us in this industry and they’re to be commended.” “Only individuals who represent the best of our council in their commitment to improved engineering and maintenance standards through the development of TMC recommended practices are honored with the Silver Spark Plug,” said TMC General Chairman Jeff Harris, vice president of maintenance at USA Truck. “I congratulate all these winners for their achievement and commitment.”

ATLANTA — Peterbilt showcased its on-highway Model 579 featuring new exterior options and the proprietary PACCAR Powertrain during the 2019 edition of the American Trucking Associations Technology Maintenance Council (TMC) annual meeting in here. “Peterbilt’s presence at the TMC Annual Meeting is always an opportunity to connect with many of our loyal customers and showcase new products and services” said Robert Woodall, assistant general manager-sales and marketing. “Fleet executives and their teams come to TMC to get the latest industry insights in fleet performance and uptime. We are glad to have those conversations and highlight how our current portfolio of products and services delivers excellent performance that contributes to greater profitability for them.” The Peterbilt booth featured two Model 579s equipped with the advanced PACCAR Powertrain, Peterbilt’s most fuel-efficient option. One of the trucks was the company’s UltraLoft integral sleeper featuring the new Blackout Exterior Package. “The Blackout Exterior Package is designed to further increase the driver appeal of the Model 579 UltraLoft,” Woodall said. “The unique look of the package adds to the already winning combination of bold Peterbilt styling and superior driver comfort of the UltraLoft.” The Blackout Exterior Package includes an exclusive black effect exterior paint for the cab and sleeper, Dura-Black aluminum wheels and a black finish grille crown. The package is available for order immediately. Peterbilt customers can also order the black finish grille crown and Dura-Black aluminum wheels as standalone options with any exterior color. For more information about Peterbilt, visit www.peterbilt.com.      

ATLANTA — WABCO Holdings Inc., a global supplier of braking control systems and other advanced technologies designed to improve the safety, efficiency and connectivity of commercial vehicles, Monday introduced an integrated Active Lateral Safety technology suite to help fleets reduce accidents and increase driver control and comfort in a full range of operating environments. The new suite, which will be available later this year, integrates the company’s active steering technology with two Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) to establish a comprehensive cocoon of safety around the vehicle. The announcement came during the American Trucking Associations Technology and Maintenance Council meeting here. “By combining these technologies into an integrated safety package, we have extended the benefits of active steering to two of the most common critical events leading to accidents — drifting out of the desired travel lane and failing to detect a vehicle in the driver’s blind spot,” said Jon Morrison, WABCO President, Americas. “We are pioneering the creation of Active Lateral Safety as we did with forward safety when we introduced our OnGuard ADAS system.  Together, these solutions enhance vehicle intelligence and protection to support the overall success and safety of on-highway fleets.” The new Active Lateral Safety suite consists of three proven, integrated safety solutions from WABCO: Active steering system featuring a Sheppard hydraulic power steering gear equipped with magnetic torque overlay technology OnLaneASSIST active lane keeping assist system OnSideASSIST blind spot assist system Morrison said WABCO’s active steering technology utilizes a magnetic torque overlay to enable several new, smart features that help maximize safety, increase uptime and improve driver comfort and acceptance: Road crown compensation Wheel imbalance rejection Return-to-center Adjustable steering feel Side wind compensation Active steering damping Speed-dependent steering effort WABCO OnLaneASSIST combines active steering with a forward-looking camera for active lane correction. Rather than simply warning of vehicle drift, the system applies assistive torque to the steering wheel, when necessary, to help the driver stay in the lane. Once the vehicle is again targeting the lane center, the overlay torque is released. Drivers can override the assistive steering input at any time. Fleets also can choose to add optional video capture to the OnLaneASSIST system for increased insight to driving performance. This capability is available through the OnLane camera and affiliated SmartDrive program. WABCO OnSideASSIST provides a 160-degree range of lateral radar coverage as well as rearward reach of up to 33 feet to help drivers avoid collisions both in overtaking and lane change maneuvers, regardless of visibility conditions. It has been estimated that blind spot detection systems can prevent or mitigate up to 50 percent of driver vision-related crashes. As an added safety feature, OnSideASSIST is designed to detect the presence of another vehicle in an adjacent lane and provide a bit of resistance to the steering wheel to alert the driver when changing lanes. “WABCO is dedicated to helping fleets improve safety, uptime, on-time performance and driver retention through the mobilization of advanced vehicle intelligence. This exclusive new suite of technologies is engineered to meet the current requirements of today’s on-highway vehicles while also serving as a bridge to the autonomous, connected and electric vehicles of the future,” Morrison said.    

SUNNYVALE, Calif. — Trimble Monday introduced its new TMT ServiceConnect module, enabling fleet shops using Trimble’s TMT Fleet Maintenance (TMT) software to be connected to more than 4,500 medium- and heavy-duty service locations, including many original equipment manufacturers dealers throughout North America. By licensing the add-on module, TMT users will gain direct connectivity to thousands of service centers to ultimately get equipment back on the road faster, according to Scott Vanselous, general manager, asset management software (AMS) for Trimble Transportation Enterprise. The TMT ServiceConnect module, powered by Decisiv Service Relationship Management technology, extends Trimble’s first commercially available paperless shop solution — the Interactive Workstation (IWS )— beyond the walls of a fleet’s shop to a connected network of shops. Vanselous said this results in reduced duplication of data entry, fewer data entry errors and more accurate and complete information across the entire lifecycle of a fleet’s equipment. The new module provides more seamless collaboration between fleets and heavy-duty repair shops to: schedule repair and maintenance activities; track service status; record service, parts replaced and labor; and create invoices for the service performed. With TMT ServiceConnect, fleet operations managers are able to see the status of all equipment being worked on across service locations within the new module. TMT ServiceConnect also enables fleet maintenance shops to communicate directly with all service providers across their networks to schedule and approve repair work to be completed. “Over the last two years, we have been laser focused to deliver innovation for fleets to improve equipment utilization,” Vanselous said. “The combination of the new TMT ServiceConnect module and our fault code prediction capabilities provide fleet operations managers the ability to make more informed and faster service and repair decisions to minimize or even eliminate potential downtime.” “With TMT ServiceConnect, fleet users of TMT software from Trimble will drive asset utilization and performance through better communication and collaboration during service events,” said Dick Hyatt, president and CEO of Decisiv. “Through a more seamless connection to a network of service providers and a shared understanding of the repair status of every asset in every location, the new module brings added value to Trimble customers and expands our growing service ecosystem.” The optional TMT ServiceConnect module is expected to be available in the second quarter of 2019 from Trimble as an add-on to the TMT Fleet Maintenance software. For additional information regarding the TMT ServiceConnect module and other TMT solutions, contact a Trimble sales representative, visit www.tmwsystems.com/solutions/fleet-maintenance or call 800-401-6682.  

ELYRIA, Ohio — Currently on the road in intensive pilot programs with three of North America’s 25 largest for-hire carriers, the Bendix Intellipark Electronic Parking Brake continues to earn positive feedback from fleets and drivers alike, and will be available for OE release and retrofit installation in the fourth quarter of this year, according to officials at Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems. Rebecca Carter, Bendix product manager for specialty valves, said Intellipark offers driver-friendly operational benefits while helping prevent rollaway and runaway crashes by automatically setting the parking brakes if the driver exits the vehicle while it’s unparked. “Fleets have enthusiastically responded to this technology because it can be such a game changer when you look at how it can enhance safety and driver satisfaction,” Carter said. “Nearly 60 percent of fleet managers who participated in a Frost & Sullivan survey confirmed that they had experienced a rollaway in a 24-month period. We all know that accidents happen, but rollaways can be incredibly damaging – if not deadly – and come at a great cost to fleets in terms of money, resources, and reputation. And all because the parking brake didn’t get set properly or was released accidentally. Intellipark can help make these kinds of incidents – and their repercussions – a thing of the past. Throughout our testing, we’ve heard repeatedly that even the most experienced drivers are glad to have a backup parking brake system in place to help keep them safe.” Bendix also engineered the Intellipark Electronic Parking Brake with an eye on improving the driving experience for the men and women behind the wheel. “It just makes sense that the engineers who introduced the MV-3 dash control valve to the industry 30 years ago are now advancing parking brake technology to a whole new level for fleets,” Carter said. Gone are the red and yellow push/pull knobs known for delivering the “sting” that comes with activating a 120-psi brake: Intellipark replaces them with switches that are quickly recognized (they bear the well-known red and yellow brake valve symbols), easy to flip, and pain-free. They also clearly display the brakes’ status. “There’s a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and excitement about the brake indicator interface,” Carter said. “Drivers are now able to view the trailer parking brake status at a glance, thanks to the LEDs integrated into the switches. They’ve never been able to do that from looking at the knobs. And the ease of activation is particularly valuable to bus drivers, because the vast majority have to engage and disengage parking brakes at every stop.” Intellipark’s rollaway prevention capability is made possible through interlocks installed in critical areas such as the seat belt or cab door, which can engage the parking brake electronically if the driver exits the vehicle without setting the brake first. Fleets can also use information from the data Intellipark provides through a vehicle’s J1939 communications network to enhance their safety programs and driver training efforts. Intellipark is currently available for order, with a widespread market release planned for the second half of 2019. “Bendix’s own vehicle testing, along with the real-world experiences of test fleets, means that Intellipark has been put through the wringer for durability, extreme temperatures, vibration, thermal shock, humidity, corrosion – just about anything you can imagine out there on the road, Intellipark has been exposed to it, over hundreds of thousands of park and auto-park cycles,” Carter said. “And because of the high interest from fleets, not only are we supporting truck OEMs with Intellipark availability, but it will also be part of our Retrofit Upgrade Program portfolio beginning in October.” The Bendix Retrofit Upgrade Program is a unique, first-of-its-kind program that enables professional installation of an expanding portfolio of Bendix advanced safety technologies – including Intellipark electronic parking brake – to upgrade vehicles that did not come factory-equipped. The Bendix Retrofit Program features two key elements: a comprehensive website that enables vehicle operators to determine retrofit opportunities per vehicle, and an escalating network of Bendix Authorized Retrofit Dealers and Distributors (ARDs) to facilitate the professional installation. With a phased-in introduction that began in 2017, the program has already been eagerly adopted by a growing list of major fleets across North America with upgrade installations taking place daily. Intellipark can be used on almost any air-braked vehicle, including tractor-trailers, single-unit trucks, motorcoaches, and school buses. Bendix stresses, however, that while it is designed to help drivers mitigate a variety of unsafe situations, no technology replaces the need for safe drivers practicing safe driving habits, or the support of ongoing, proactive driver training. For more information about Bendix safety systems and technologies, visit www.bendix.com or call 800-247-2725.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Volvo Trucks’ new Parameter Plus Package allows for up to 50 parameter updates annually per covered vehicle, providing significant value to customers’ bottom lines through maximized uptime, the company said in a news release. “The Parameter Plus Package is a notable example of Volvo Trucks’ emphasis on delivering connectivity solutions dedicated to maximizing uptime for customers,” said Ashraf Makki, product marketing manager at Volvo Trucks North America. “Providing the opportunity to complete numerous parameter updates remotely per year is fundamental for certain customers to ensure their fleets reach peak performance and uptime potential.” Makki said the pace of change in the transportation industry is more rapid than ever and customers are demanding faster ways of communication through connectivity. A supplement to Volvo’s Remote Programming, the new Parameter Plus Package was designed with thorough feedback from customers to meet the demands of their applications via over-the-air (OTA) updates while significantly increasing uptime and maintaining a firm cost control. Previously parameter and software updates, where the trucks needed to be brought to the service point, could in all require two or more days of downtime, along with the added work and costs of acquiring a supplementary truck and managing driver logistics. The new Parameter Plus Package with OTA powertrain software, updates can be completed in under 20 minutes and parameter updates in under 10 minutes, Makki said. There are nearly 122,000 Volvo trucks with embedded connectivity technologies on the road today. Just a year ago, approximately 1,300 Volvo trucks were receiving OTA software and parameter updates; today, nearly 16,000 Volvo trucks are benefiting from the OTA update capabilities and the population is growing rapidly. Leveraging Volvo’s factory-built embedded telematics platform and connecting to the Volvo Uptime Center, these updates can take place during a short meal, an operational break or while dispatching a truck virtually anywhere a cellular connection is available. The embedded telematics platform also supports Volvo’s latest Remote Diagnostics, which coupled with SAS’ analytics platform, helps reduce diagnostic time by 70 percent and repair time by 25 percent. This system delivers more precise data allowing Volvo Action Service agents to pro-actively analyze trouble codes and deliver actionable information to decision-makers and repair facilities, supporting maximized vehicle uptime. Parameter updates enable owners to switch between operating modes for a multitude of optimizations including maximizing truck performance, balancing fuel usage and performance, maximizing fuel efficiency and configuring maximum road speeds. If fuel prices rise, a fleet may decide to change its trucks’ top speed settings. A fleet may also choose to switch programming on a transmission or engine to accommodate application changes, such as switching from dry bulk to liquid tankers or running multiple routes with different topographies. The multitude of parameter update options are especially ideal for companies with trucks that operate between areas governed by different regulations. For instance, trucks traveling between Ontario, Canada and the United States may require Road Speed Limit parameter changes in order to be legally compliant in Canada, while benefiting from higher speeds permitted in the U.S. “We are excited to provide customers with this new offering and look forward to continued collaboration with professional drivers and fleet managers to deliver innovative technologies that maximize uptime and enhance productivity,” Makki said. “Combining OTA updates with the new Parameter Plus Package presents fleets with potential to save several thousand dollars annually. The opportunities this technology creates and the benefits it produces are truly groundbreaking, and this is just the beginning. Volvo will continue to develop and implement advanced vehicle connectivity in pursuit of its goal of a more connected future.”    

ORLANDO, Fla. — Design Interactive, providers of augmented reality fleet maintenance and training solutions for the transportation industry, says it is utilizing its AUGMENTOR software to help inspire middle and high school students to consider careers as maintenance technicians. “We are proud to support efforts to raise awareness of career choices in transportation to students and to change the perception of parents and educators about these skilled professions,” said Matt Johnston, division head of commercial solutions for Design Interactive. “For example, Be Pro Be Proud, an initiative of the Associated Industries of Arkansas Foundation, is using our AR software in a mobile workshop that travels to high schools and middle schools so students can have a hands-on experience in professions they might consider.” Design Interactive technology will be on display at the 2019 TMC Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition next week in Atlanta in the Be Pro Be Proud mobile workshop. The trailer houses an air disc brake system inspection and assembly game driven by DI’s augmented reality software. The faster and more accurately students complete each task, the more points they earn. “While augmented reality may seem like a novelty, it is already in use by industrial firms for training and operations, and it is having a significant impact compared to traditional training methods,” Johnston said. “For transportation companies, AUGMENTOR uses virtual reality and video- and computer-based technologies to more effectively train technicians in the environment where service and repair tasks are performed. That helps lower labor and parts costs, increases vehicle uptime and shop productivity, and makes it easier to attract new technicians.” Design Interactive AR technology will be a part of Be Pro Be Proud in the 2019-2020 school year and a featured visualization when the program upgrades it mobile workshop in a 53-ft double expandable trailer. “With Design Interactive’s augmented reality software, we can inspire students to consider a future as a technician,” said Andrew M. Parker, director of governmental affairs at the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Arkansas, and the director of Be Pro Be Proud. “By presenting an interactive representation of what they can expect if they join the workforce in that vocation, we can help companies attract the next generation of technicians they need.” Launched in 2016, Be Pro Be Proud has identified 12 careers that are in high demand by transportation, construction and manufacturing companies and provides a road map for middle and high school students to go from the classroom to the training they need. Be Pro Be Proud is supported by Arkansas-based corporations, the Arkansas governor’s Workforce Cabinet and the Delta Regional Authority as its federal partner. For more information, visit www.beprobeproud.org. Design Interactive develops and deploys augmented, virtual and mixed reality training and enterprise solutions for the transportation, medical, aerospace, manufacturing, and energy/oil/gas markets, as well the military. Design Interactive’s extensive research and development expertise in using augmented and virtual reality technologies delivers innovative solutions that keep people safe, improve efficiency, and achieve optimum performance. Founded in 1998 and based in Orlando, Florida, Design Interactive is a woman-owned business. For more information, visit www.designinteractive.net.

DALLAS — Omnitracs, a provider of fleet management solutions to transportation and logistics companies, has acquired Blue Dot Solutions, a provider of cloud-based workflow software applications and platform solutions for the transportation industry. Omnitracs will integrate Blue Dot’s cloud-native MilesAhead platform and product suite into Omnitracs One. The new, unified platform will offer the industry a solution with an unparalleled ability to improve the productivity, safety, flexibility and scalability of overall fleet operations through seamless unified workflow experiences that feature modern user interfaces, visual presentation layers, and a high level of workflow configurability, according to Omnitracs CEO Ray Greer. “To serve the growing need of our customers to adapt to a rapidly changing industry we are continuously focused on driving innovation throughout the transportation industry,” Greer said. “Blue Dot is known for its best-in-class, cloud-native technologies, modern user-centric interfaces, and configurability that allows the ability to quickly map to the unique needs of differing fleets. We’re excited to welcome Blue Dot and their skilled team of experienced employees to the Omnitracs family to further underscore our continued industry leadership and shared commitment to our customers.” Developed as an integrated platform that trucking, transportation, and field service organizations can use to digitally transform their business, the MilesAhead platform and products add capabilities to the Omnitracs portfolio including: A modern driver workflow application that significantly improves the driver’s quality of life A modern back-office application that manages and enables rapid configurability of actionable workflows for fleet operations best practices A data analytics engine that brings the “connected” to fleet operations and provides unimaginable insights into your assets, drivers, and operations A centralized administration and management portal that offers unlimited configurability and control for unified workflow solutions By integrating the MilesAhead platform and products into Omnitracs One, drivers will be given a streamlined mobile user interface that will be highly intuitive, eliminate steps and wasted time spent on reporting, Greer said.  Through this acquisition, Omnitracs will set the pace for next-level driver satisfaction by easing the exhaustive administrative burden continually being placed on drivers. “Uniting MilesAhead with Omnitracs, the standard bearer of transportation technology, is the ideal outcome for our organization,” said Michael Sklansky, CEO of Blue Dot Solutions. “With MilesAhead, we are at the forefront of transportation innovation, enabling drivers, driver-managers, and other back-office personnel to simplify their daily jobs and improve operational processes, leading to increased corporate financial performance and improved driver retention, recruitment, training, safety, and job satisfaction. “We are unique in our approach to aggregating transportation data and insights and placing this information in the right hands, at the right time, with sufficient context – facilitating edge computing. By joining forces with Omnitracs, our team is well-positioned to help accelerate innovation in the transportation technology ecosystem.”  8