Equipment & Tech

GREEN BAY, Wis.  — Schneider isn’t just one of the largest trucking carriers in North America. It is a leader in utilizing new technology to improve driver experiences. Since it became the first company to incorporate two-way satellite communication systems in cabs in 1988, Schneider has been an early adopter of many technology developments. Most recently, the company began rolling out Samsung Galaxy tablet devices to its drivers to make their lives easier both in and out of the truck, according to Mark Rourke, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Schneider. Since the tablet is assigned to the driver and not the truck, every Schneider driver has everything he or she needs — from apps to news to delivery information and bonus pay statements — at their fingertips. “I like that I don’t have to write everything down — like pick up numbers and customer info. It’s all right there for me, so I don’t have to go to a truck stop to do that paperwork,” said Schneider driver Shawn Calloway. “I’ll admit, I was hesitant at first, but it’s been a great portable tool that lets me streamline my work so I can get back on the road.” Tablets also lay the foundation for future capabilities such as electronic signatures and transfer of documents, Rourke said, adding that as the technology evolves, Schneider is committed to the enhancement of the driver experience and will quickly accommodate additions and changes to the suite of new system tools. “We have upgraded the in-cab communication system and provided new capabilities outside of the truck for drivers,” Rourke said. “We’ve listened and heard from drivers on how tablets are difference makers in making their lives easier. Putting technology in the palm of a driver’s hand is one of many ways we’re enhancing their experience.” Testing of tablet-based solutions began in early 2015 with a pilot group of Schneider drivers who trialed the tablets alongside the current in-cab system. The resulting feedback noted their improved experience and elimination of the irritants of the previous processes, namely paperwork. “It’s like an electronic Swiss army knife,” Rourke said. “All the tools and apps like MyPilot, Weigh My Truck, and Schneider’s Compass are in one easy-to-use place for drivers.” Drivers are also using the tablets to: Track work Get customer information Complete training without a facility stop Look up bonus info Weather and road conditions Turn-by-turn GPS directions Read news, messages, videos and more Those interested in learning more about Schneider’s easy-to-use tablets and finding jobs with a company focused on improving the driver experience can visit schneiderjobs.com.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Mack Trucks has released “RoadLife Reunion,” the ninth and final episode of its RoadLife series on roadlife.tv and Amazon Prime Video. “RoadLife Reunion” provides a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the series, including additional footage from each episode, further acknowledging the extraordinary efforts of the hard working men and  women of the trucking industry. “Not many brands could genuinely develop a series like this, with well-known celebrity partners presented on equal footing with customers and drivers,” said John Walsh, vice president of marketing, Mack Trucks. “Mack’s unique combination of rich history, remarkable customers and talented storytellers brought us this incredible series.” “RoadLife Reunion” also features interviews with the Mack marketing team members behind the series as they share how each episode came to life from storyboarding through final production. All told, the team traveled 32,325 miles over 136 days in capturing footage for the series. The journey began in New York City, the birthplace of Mack Trucks, and continued through 31 additional cities, culminating in a reunion at Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania, where those featured in the series shared their distinct experiences. “A lot of companies talk about family, but for Mack, it’s always been real,” Walsh said. “If you do business with Mack, if you’re employed by Mack, if you’re a Mack dealer, you become part of the Mack family. And everyone who took part in RoadLife is now part of that family too.” “RoadLife Reunion,” as well as the other eight episodes in the RoadLife series, is available on roadlife.tv and Amazon Prime Video. In addition, viewers can access RoadLife bonus content on Mack Trucks’ social channels Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.  

BELLEVUE, Wash. — Three zero-emission vehicles in the form of a battery-electric Peterbilt Model 579EV; a battery-electric Peterbilt Model 220EV; and a hydrogen fuel cell electric Kenworth T680 developed in collaboration with Toyota is what Paccar brought to the table this week at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2019 in Las Vegas. CES is one of the world’s largest showcases for the latest in technological innovation. The trucks were designed for a range of applications, including OTR freight delivery, port operations and urban distribution. Visitors are welcome to climb aboard the trucks and explore the advanced powertrains at Paccar’s booth, near the Westgate monorail station. In addition, visitors to the booth can learn about other Paccar technologies such as next-generation driver assistance systems, truck platooning and in-cab human-machine interfaces. Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF are among the leaders in the development of alternative powertrain commercial vehicles. Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF are field-testing battery-electric, hydrogen fuel cell and hybrid powertrain vehicles with customers in North America and Europe. “Paccar is excited about the opportunity to create the next generation of powertrains that are environmentally-friendly and enhance our customers’ operations,” said Landon Sproull, Paccar vice president. Kyle Quinn, Paccar chief technology officer, said Paccar is investing in the latest technology across its portfolio of products, adding that the Paccar Innovation Center in Silicon Valley, California, has enhanced the company’s access to emerging technologies and talent from around the world.  

GÖTEBORG, Sweden — As previously communicated, the Volvo Group has detected that an emissions control component used in certain markets and models may degrade more quickly than expected, affecting the vehicles emission performance negatively. The Volvo Group will in the fourth quarter 2018 make a provision of $780 million relating to the estimated costs to address the issue. Volvo said in a news release that the estimated costs are based on several factors such as testing of vehicles, statistical analysis and dialogue with relevant authorities. The next step will be to define how to implement corrective actions concerning the component in vehicles affected by this issue, which will be done together with the relevant authorities. Volvo said the degradation of the component in question does not pose a product safety issue, nor does it negatively affect vehicle or engine performance in areas other than emissions control. The degradation is a result of a materials issue that occurs over time. All engines and vehicles equipped with the component meet emissions limits at delivery. The provision will impact operating income in the fourth quarter of 2018, while the negative cash flow effect will start in 2019 and gradually ramp up in the coming years. The Volvo Group said it would continuously assess the size of the provision as the matter develops.

ELYRIA, Ohio — To help fleets, technicians and owner-operators keep pace with today’s ever-advancing truck technologies, Bendix (Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems and Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake) has doubled its technical training force and enhanced its long-running in-person training programs for 2019. A new two-day Advanced Technology Training program is now available, in addition to the established three-day Air Brake Training class that has set the industry training standard for decades. Registration is open for the complete schedule of both courses, shown on the last page of this news release. The 2019 edition of the in-person Air Brake Training class, which will visit more cities and states than last year, is tailored to both new and experienced technicians. It covers the description, operation, and service elements for the total range of components found within dual air brake systems. Topics include: Fundamentals of compressed air Tactics for air system failure mode diagnosis and troubleshooting Air brake system and foundation brake components (air compressors, valves, foundation drum brakes, and air disc brakes) “The Advanced Technology Training class is an exciting new addition to our training curriculum; it picks up where the Air Brake Training course ends, covering the operation and troubleshooting of higher-level driver assistance and safety systems, as well as diagnostic software,” said Lance Hansen, Bendix North America regional vice president – fleet/trailer sales and service engineering. “As adoption of these complex technologies increases, it’s more important than ever to make sure the teams responsible for keeping North America’s commercial vehicles operating safely are equipped with the knowledge they need. Our new Advanced Technology Training is a real must for the advanced technician.” Some of the systems addressed in the Advanced Technology Training course are: AutoVue Lane Departure Warning System from Bendix CVS Bendix ACom diagnostic software Bendix ESP Electronic Stability Program Bendix Wingman Advanced and Bendix Wingman Fusion driver assistance systems SafetyDirect by Bendix CVS SmarTire and SmarTire Trailer-Link TPMS by Bendix CVS Hansen noted that class time in the Advanced Technology Training session includes in-depth, hands-on maintenance for Bendix air disc brakes and electrical diagnostics. To help address the increasing demand for service training, Bendix has doubled its technical training force. In addition, 29 Air Brake Training sessions – each conducted by a member of the ASE-certified veteran Bendix Service Engineering Team – are scheduled in 25 locations across the U.S. from February to November. The nine Advanced Technology Training courses will be held from March to December, split between Sparks, Nevada, and the Bendix headquarters in Elyria, Ohio. Per-person enrollment costs are $400 USD for Air Brake Training and $350 USD for Advanced Technology Training. Because of the quantity and complexity of the products covered, Bendix highly recommends that each student completes the Bendix Air Brake Training (three-day) class, or at minimum, the online brake school at brake-school.com, before taking the Advanced Technology Training class. “Both classes include hands-on exercises as well as classroom training and extensive visual demonstration aids. At most locations, the Bendix team will also be able to utilize operational demonstration boards that essentially put a fully operational air system right at the students’ fingertips,” Hansen said. “This training is another way in which Bendix is working with the industry to shape tomorrow’s transportation together.” Registration is free for the Bendix On-Line Brake School, which offers an extensive, regularly updated curriculum covering all aspects of electronics and air brake maintenance. Since its launch in March 2013, the training portal (www.brake-school.com) has registered nearly 70,000 users from more than two dozen countries. Class size for the 2019 in-person Bendix training courses is limited, and enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration may be completed online at www.bendix.com or www.foundationbrakes.com; by phone at 1-800-AIR-BRAKE, option 3; by email at [email protected]; or via fax (216-651-3261). For a full listing of locations and dates, click here.  

BRANCHBURG, N.J. — Kinedyne, a global designer, manufacturer and distributor of cargo control technologies, has introduced the EASE-Z Winch Bar family. The EASE-Z Winch Bar is a patented Z-shaped winch bar that rotates 360 degrees, providing greater leverage. The bar comes in one standard model and two combination versions that have modified handles that can be used to release tension on chain binders. Traditional winch bars are straight with a slightly angled tip. While effective in many cases, the bars essentially function as a classic lever and make it more difficult for users to exert the proper amount of force when in certain positions or when clearance is limited, according to Bob Dissinger, director of sales in the United States. The EASE-Z Winch Bar is different, he said. “The tough, heat-treated carbon-steel and mushroom-shaped head of the EASE-Z Winch Bar is tapered for easy insertion, and helps keep the bar seated in the winch cap, and preventing it from slipping out during revolution and when the user is applying torque,” he said. “A knurled non-slip handle with a flanged grip ring on the bar’s upper shaft helps prevent it from slipping out of users’ hands even in moist conditions.” Dissinger said the Z-shaped EASE-Z Winch Bar can be rotated up to 360 degrees, enabling users to optimally position themselves and the bar to deliver superior leverage when tensioning winch straps. The rotation of the bar without having to remove it from the winch cap eyelet provides a pivoting action that lets users quickly orient the bar as needed to avoid obstacles and to achieve optimum posture while applying up or down force. “The EASE-Z Winch Bar is the ergonomically sensible alternative to traditional straight winch bars and can be part of a fleet’s plan to reduce work-related injuries,” Dissinger said. “The contoured, extruded Z-shape, bent-bar offset design can reduce back, shoulder and arm strain by eliminating the need to exert excessive upward or downward force on the bar at awkward angles.” The bars are painted in high-visibility Kinedyne orange. Dissinger said the tool’s angled shape is more stable and is unlikely to roll away when laid on the ground or on the deck of a flatbed trailer. The EASE-Z Winch Bar is available in three models. The 80177 standard bar comes in a length of 34 inches. The 80178 combination bar has a handle with greater girth, can be used to release tension on chain binders and comes in a length of 34 inches. The 80179 combination box-end model can also be used to release tension on chain binders and comes in a length of 39 inches. Kinedyne’s broad line of cargo control, capacity and access products can be purchased through Kinedyne’s extensive distribution network, which includes thousands of outlets across North America. Users can find distributor locations near them by calling Kinedyne’s customer service department at 800-848-6057 in the U.S., 800-268-3530 in Canada and 011-5255-53184844 in Mexico. For more information, visit http://www.kinedyne.com.    

KIRKLAND, Wash. — The Kenworth W990, the new long-hood conventional tractor, is now available for order. “The Kenworth W990 leverages the 67-year evolution of the iconic W900 platform to provide Kenworth customers with a product that captures the pride, image, freedom, and spirit of trucking; and continues Kenworth’s tradition of offering driver-focused trucks,” said Kurt Swihart, Kenworth marketing director. Designed to maximize performance in over-the-road and vocational applications, the Kenworth W990 is available in day cab, 40-inch flat top, and both 52-inch and 76-inch mid-roof sleeper configurations. The W990 is standard with the proprietary Paccar Powertrain consisting of the PaccarMX-13 engine rated up to 510-hp and 1,850 lb-ft of torque, 12-speed Paccar automated transmission and Paccar 40K tandem rear axles, Swihart said. The W990 offers numerous options. Special comfort and style options include the W990 Limited Edition black interior, and the Driver’s Studio package of premium options that create a luxurious home on the road living experience. The W990 is standard with Kenworth TruckTech+ remote diagnostics system. A Kenworth W990 video is available (www.youtube.com/KenworthTruckCo). The video features the W990’s contours and chrome accents; comfort, functionality and lifestyle features of the W990 Limited Edition interior; and the driver-focused smooth ride. “The Kenworth W990’s outstanding performance, lifestyle amenities and classical styling truly makes it The Driver’s Truck,” Swihart said. The Kenworth W990 begins production in January at the Kenworth assembly plant in Chillicothe, Ohio. To learn more about the W990, contact a Kenworth dealer. A downloadable brochure is available on Kenworth’s website at www.Kenworth.com/trucks/w990.

PITTSBURGH — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has approved Uber’s request to resume testing of autonomous vehicles on public roads in the Pittsburgh area.The approval, effective Monday and lasting for one year, comes about nine months after one of Uber’s autonomous test vehicles hit and killed an Arizona pedestrian. Testing was suspended after March 18 crash in Tempe, Arizona.Uber can test throughout Allegheny County, where Pittsburgh is located. Its vehicles must have at least one human backup driver and two if the company plans to go over 25 miles per hour (40 kph), department spokeswoman Erin Waters-Trasatt said. Uber spokeswoman Sarah Abboud confirmed the approval but declined to say when the testing would resume. The ride-hailing company had previously said it wanted to resume testing in a Pittsburgh entertainment, shopping, office and residential area called the Strip District, where its automated vehicle operations are located. Speed limits on most roads in the district are no higher than 25 mph, and it has narrow roads, railroad tracks, potholes and numerous pedestrians that present challenges for self-driving vehicles. Uber also has said it would test only during daytime hours and not in inclement weather. The company filed an application to restart testing back in November, as it issued a lengthy safety report pledging to put two human backup drivers in each vehicle and take a raft of other precautions to make the vehicles safe. Company officials have acknowledged they have a long way to go to regain public trust after crash that killed Elaine Herzberg, 49, as she crossed a darkened Arizona road outside the lines of a crosswalk. Police said Uber’s backup driver in the autonomous Volvo SUV in Arizona was streaming the television show “The Voice” on her phone and looking downward before the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board said the autonomous driving system on the Volvo spotted Herzberg about six seconds before hitting her, but did not stop because the system used to automatically apply brakes in potentially dangerous situations had been disabled. A Volvo emergency braking system also had been turned off. Among the other precautions, San Francisco-based Uber will keep the autonomous vehicle system engaged at all times and will activate Volvo’s automatic emergency braking system as a backup. In addition, Uber is requiring more technical training and expertise of employees sitting behind the wheel of the vehicles, according to a 70-page safety report the company released last month. Pennsylvania law doesn’t allow testing of autonomous vehicles without human backup drivers. Google’s Waymo has carried passengers without human drivers in the Phoenix area, but recently backed off of that and is only ferrying passengers with human backups. General Motors’ Cruise Automation expects to carry passengers without human backups next year. Later Uber will pursue bringing its self-driving cars back to public roads in Arizona, California and Toronto, Ontario, its other test sites. Arizona suspended the company’s permission to test after the crash.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Daimler Trucks North America said Thursday that Detroit Connect Analytics has extended its services to additional truck models and can also be added to vehicles in the aftermarket. Analytics is now available to order as a new truck option or in the aftermarket on the new Freightliner Cascadia, original Cascadia and Western Star 5700 truck models spec’d with Detroit engines. Detroit Connect Analytics automatically translates critical fuel consumption and safety data into interactive and easy-to-understand reports that provide actionable insights for increased vehicle and fleet performance. “We understand data is essential to making smart business decisions in todays connected world, but the abundance of data can be time consuming for our customers to study and put into action in their fleets,” said Jason Krajewski, director of connectivity for Daimler Trucks North America. “Expanding the services to other models and to the aftermarket allows fleet managers to spend less time crunching numbers and more time focusing on vehicle and driver performance across their fleet.” Depending on the truck model, customers can opt for either fuel performance reports, safety reporting or fuel performance and safety reporting. Through a dedicated section of the Detroit Connect portal, customers will not only have access to the performance data for a single vehicle but they will also be able to understand the performance of their entire fleet. Fuel performance reports interpret a variety of factors that impact fuel economy, such as engine speed, idle time, cruise control usage, engine power, integrated powertrain performance and driver interaction. The automated reports provide customers with more than just basic fuel economy data. The reports offer fleet managers insights into their vehicles’ performance and highlight driving behaviors that are affecting that performance so they can make informed decisions on how best to improve their operations. Safety reporting collects data from events such as collision mitigation braking, lane departure warnings and distance violations from the safety system on the vehicle, such as Detroit Assurance, and converts it into safety reports, helping customers visualize these events either across their fleet or for a specific trip or vehicle. Onboard sensors capture events 15 seconds before to 15 seconds after they occur, further highlighting what fleet managers should focus on to help improve driver behavior. “Our experts have developed algorithms that transform data into deep, actionable insights that can have a significant impact on uptime and the bottom line,” Krajewski said “Together with our fuel-efficient on-highway truck models and Detroit powertrains, Detroit Connect Analytics adds a new dimension to the powerful combination that DTNA provides to help customers optimize their cost of ownership.” For the original Freightliner Cascadia and Wester Star 5700, Detroit Connect Analytics is delivered through the Zonar VTHU platform. “By offering the advantages of Detroit Connect Analytics through Zonar telematics, users will be empowered with a growing amount of actionable data to proactively manage their engines and drivers while increasing the uptime of their vehicles,” said Gary Schmidt, vice president of business solutions at Zonar. “We are excited to support Detroit Connect Analytics through our strategic alliance with DTNA to help more fleets maintain a high level of fleet performance and safety while on the road” Analytics is part of the Detroit Connect suite of connected vehicle services, which also includes Detroit Connect Virtual Technician and Detroit Connect Remote Updates. All Detroit Connect services are accessible via the Detroit Connect portal. Through the portal, fleet managers can access vehicle fault event and performance data and deepen their knowledge about their fleet health. For more information on Detroit Connect, go to www.DemandDetroit.com/Connect.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Continental, a global supplier of systems, components and tires to automobile and truck manufacturers, and the manufacturer of the VDO RoadLog Electronic Logging Device, said Thursday its VDO RoadLog Office Solo ELD software is now compatible with Apple computers and laptops. VDO RoadLog Solo customers can now perform USB key synchronization on modern Apple computers and laptops having macOS Sierra (version 10.12 or higher), Apple Computer’s Mac OS X operating system for Macintosh desktop, laptop and server computers. The customer’s computer or laptop must also have an available USB port and broadband internet access. VDO RoadLog Office Advanced and Premium continue to be available on almost any machine running the latest version of a major web browser with internet access, according to Jay McCarthy, VDO RoadLog marketing manager. “We are happy to be able to offer this new Apple compatibility to our customers,” McCaarthy said. “Many owner operators and fleets are interested in synchronization to Apple computers and laptops, and we are now able to offer an easy way for them to connect these devices. For those who may be using other ELDs, this is yet another reason to make the switch to the VDO RoadLog ELD solution.” More information about the VDO RoadLog Office Solo ELD software and its compatibility with Apple computers and laptops as well as pricing and payment options on VDO RoadLog products, can be found at www.vdoroadlog.com. VDO RoadLog ELD is offered without monthly fees for basic services. For owner-operators and fleets who want advanced features, VDO RoadLog ELD Plus adds cellular connectivity for text-based messaging, driver monitoring, remote load and trip management, and enhanced fleet management capabilities for an affordable monthly fee per vehicle. Continental employs more than 244,000 people in 61 countries and markets.

WASHINGTON — Navistar is recalling certain almost 21,000 2019 International HV, MV, 2018-2019 HX, LT, RH, LoneStar, ProStar, WorkStar, and 2018 TranStar automated manual transmission vehicles, equipped with certain Eaton ECA heavy-duty truck clutches, according to a notice from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. An internal component in the clutch assembly may fail, possibly resulting in unintended vehicle movement, the NHTSA notice said. Navistar will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the Transmission Control Module (TCM), free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 18, 2019. Owners may contact Navistar customer service at 800-448-7825. Navistar’s number for this recall is 18518. NHTSA’s campaign number is 18V826000. Owners may also contact NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 800-424-9153) or go to www.safercar.gov. The following models are included in the recall: International HV 2019 International HX 2018-2019 International LoneStar 2018-2019 International LT 2018-2019 International MV 2019 International ProStar 2018-2019 International RH 2018-2019 International TranStar 2018 International WorkStar 2018-2019

PORTLAND, Ore. — A new roof fairing is now available for Western Star 5700XE 82-inch ultra-high roof sleeper models. The roof fairing maximizes aerodynamics for the largest sleeper available from Western Star, providing “superior fuel efficiency without sacrificing comfort and space,” according to Samantha Parlier, vice president, marketing and product strategy for Western Star Trucks. Designed and tested in the Daimler Trucks North America proprietary, state-of-the-art wind tunnel, the roof fairing optimizes airflow across the trailer gap and sides to reduce drag. The new roof fairing has been designated as SmartWay Certified by the Environmental Protection Agency. SmartWay is a voluntary program for the transportation industry that is comprised of companies committed to reducing emissions and eliminating waste. Several 5700XE configurations with full aerodynamics packages are already SmartWay certified. “We’re proud of our participation in the SmartWay program and are dedicated to providing new solutions that benefit both our customers’ bottom lines and the environment,” Parlier said. “Western Star Trucks and Daimler are deeply committed to manufacturing products that improve freight efficiency and reduce fuel consumption.” The 5700XE was designed with efficiency as a priority with standard features such as an aerodynamic hood, roof, chassis and cab fairings that reduce drag. And, when spec’d with Detroit powertrain components – such as Detroit engines, the Detroit DT12 automated manual transmission and Detroit axles – “the 5700XE delivers the performance and efficiency customers demand,” Parlier said For more information about Western Star, go to www.WesternStarTrucks.com. Western Star Truck Sales, Inc., headquartered in Portland, Ore., produces custom trucks for highway and vocational applications. Western Star is a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America LLC, which produces and markets Class 5-8 vehicles and is a Daimler company, the world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer.

GREENSBORO, N.C. —  Volvo Trucks said Wednesday that it would introduce all-electric Volvo VNR regional-haul demonstrators in California next year, operating in distribution, regional-haul and drayage operations. Sales of the VNR Electric in North America will begin in 2020. “We are proud to announce the Volvo VNR Electric, designed to support cities focused on sustainable urban development and fleets operating in a range of regional-haul and distribution operations,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America. “The Volvo VNR Electric leverages the versatility of the new Volvo VNR series with a proven fully-electric powertrain and represents a strategic stride toward a comprehensive electrified transport ecosystem. Cities prioritizing sustainable urban development can leverage electrified transport solutions to help improve air quality and reduce traffic noise. Cleaner, quieter, fully-electric commercial transport also creates opportunities for expanded morning and late-night operations, helping cut traffic congestion during peak hours.” The Volvo VNR Electric demonstration units will be based on the proven propulsion and energy storage technology currently being used in the Volvo FE Electric, and builds on the Volvo Group’s accumulated expertise in electrified transport solutions. Sister company Volvo Buses has sold more than 4,000 electrified buses since 2010. “The Volvo VNR is ideal for applications like heavy urban distribution, drayage and other regional applications where electric trucks will first have the greatest impact,” said Johan Agebrand, Volvo Trucks North America director of product marketing. “The VNR series has received tremendous industry acceptance since its April 2017 introduction and the addition of an all-electric powertrain provides even greater opportunities to expand its footprint in the regional-haul market.” Introduction of the Volvo VNR Electric models are part of an innovative partnership, known as LIGHTS (Low Impact Green Heavy Transport Solutions) between the Volvo Group, California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), and industry leaders in transportation and electrical charging infrastructure. “The LIGHTS project is a truly unique opportunity to showcase a holistic approach to electrification of the freight transport industry as we handle ongoing challenges including electricity generation and battery optimization,” Voorhoeve said. “We appreciate that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the SCAQMD have recognized our leadership and trusted us to oversee this project that will ultimately result in the commercialization of fully-electric heavy-duty trucks. In addition to introducing the VNR Electric, through LIGHTS we will bring a complete sustainable freight solution with end-to-end electrification coordination with our many partners.” “Electric trucks bring many unknowns and our holistic focus through the LIGHTS project will help our fleet partners transition securely and smoothly based on their individual needs regarding driving cycles, load capacity, uptime, range and other parameters,” Agebrand said. “Within the project we’ll look at everything from route analysis and battery optimization to servicing and financing. We always aim to offer high uptime and productivity.” CARB has preliminarily awarded $44.8 million to SCAQMD for the Volvo LIGHTS project.  The Volvo LIGHTS project will involve 16 partners, and will transform freight operations at the facilities of two of the United States’ top trucking fleets.  Volvo LIGHTS is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment – particularly in disadvantaged communities.  

ELYRIA, Ohio — Technically, no, winter’s not here yet. But in the practical sense, the season’s dropping temperatures, snow and ice are already impacting large parts of North America, so it’s time to make sure trucks and fleets are prepared. This installment of the Bendix Tech Tips Series offers 12 pieces of air system, electronics and wheel-end advice to help keep your vehicle in good operating condition as things get frosty.  Air Systems (Tips from Richard Nagel, Bendix director of marketing and customer solutions, Charging) Keep it dry: Moisture in the air system can condense and freeze, increasing the odds of brake and valve malfunctions. If the air dryer cartridge hasn’t been replaced lately, now is the time to do it. Bendix recommends oil-coalescing cartridges like the PuraGuard, since oil aerosols passed into the system can be particularly harmful. Check the dryer’s purge valve for corrosion or grit accumulation and replace it if necessary. Corrosive road chemicals can damage the purge valve and putting in a new one as a safeguard is a relatively quick and simple bit of preventive maintenance. Manually drain the air tanks to start the season: Today’s vehicles use compressed air for more non-braking functions, including automated manual transmissions (AMTs), advanced safety systems, and emissions controls. Draining every three months is generally sufficient for typical line haul trucks, but more often – monthly or even weekly – is recommended for vehicles with high air demand, like vocational trucks. Unless it’s an emergency, avoid using de-icing solutions on an air system: They can corrode O-rings and valve seals. (If one must be used, limit the exposure to as small an area as possible and keep an eye on the affected parts.) Electronics and Controls (Tips from Fred Andersky, Bendix director of marketing and customer solutions, Controls) Remember that driver assistance technologies – like stability and collision mitigation – rely on maintenance of lower level systems like tires and the brakes to ensure performance in the field. Maintaining these systems is especially critical in winter when electronic systems may be called on more often to help mitigate crashes. Check tires for adequate tread depth and proper wear, and wheel-ends for tight bolts and cracks. Run a diagnostic check to make sure tire pressure monitoring systems are operating properly. Internal and external temperature swings, along with slick road conditions, make running on the right tire pressure exceedingly important in the winter. Keep external cameras and radar sensors – forward-mounted collision mitigation units, for instance – clear of snow and ice by checking them immediately prior to getting on the road. Check connections to ensure they are secure and water tight. Salt and other road chemicals can cause corrosion, which can ruin connectors and components.  Wheel-Ends (Tips from Keith McComsey, Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake director of marketing and customer solutions, Wheel-End) Check air brake chamber housings for corrosion – or damage that could allow corrosive materials to take hold – and ensure that dust plugs are properly installed. On drum-braked wheel-ends, lubricate the automatic slack adjusters, clevis pin connections, cam tubes, shafts, and bushings. Lubrication is an effective tool for combatting corrosion, since it keeps moisture at bay. On wheel-ends with air disc brakes, check the guide pins and inspect the boots for tears or punctures that could permit corrosion of the caliper within. Replace any pins or boots as needed. Verify that the shear adaptor cover is in place and fully seated. Ensure free movement of air disc brake pads in the carrier – remove them and clean the carrier surface with a wire brush, if necessary – and make sure that the brake moves freely on its guidance system. Winter hazards can ruin a driver’s or fleet’s day – and they don’t always take the form of things like blizzards or icy roads. But maintenance and upkeep efforts in the shop and on the road can keep vehicles running smoothly and safely. Information in the Bendix Tech Tips series can be found in the Bendix multimedia center at knowledge-dock.com. Further instructional videos and interactive training on air systems, electronics and controls, and wheel-end technologies are available at the Bendix On-Line Brake School, www.brake-school.com. For more information on wheel-end and air dryer maintenance, contact the Bendix Tech Team at 1-800-AIR-BRAKE.

BLOOMFIELD, Conn. — Jacobs Vehicle Systems has introduced Active Decompression Technology (ADT) that enables heavy-duty commercial vehicles to benefit from an engine stop-start system and eliminating engine-shake at both start-up and shutdown. In addition to improving fuel economy and reducing emissions, ADT also improves cold engine starts, reduces loading and wear on engine components during start-up, and makes start-up faster. Jacobs’ ADT device incorporates valve actuation technologies proven over many millions of miles and can be cost-effectively added to many engine platforms, according to Steve Ernest, vice president of engineering and business development. “Stop-start engine technology, which automatically switches off the engine when it would otherwise be idling, is widely adopted by automotive manufacturers, however, it is less common in heavy-duty commercial vehicles,” Ernest said. “This is largely because of the intrusive engine and cabin-shake experienced whenever a heavy-duty diesel engine starts or stops, and because of the cost of technologies needed to mitigate increased wear-and-tear on the starter motor, ring-gear, and battery. ADT significantly reduces these issues.” Ernest said extensive testing had shown that ADT reduces the magnitude of engine-shake during shutdown by 90 percent, which is when vibrations transmitted to the cabin are of greatest frequency and strength. This has the additional benefit of preventing disturbance to drivers sleeping in cabs overnight when there are automated engine starts and stops to maintain battery charge. The ADT device is automatically activated by the engine control unit (ECU) whenever the engine shuts down or starts up, and works by keeping the engine valves open and the cylinders decompressed. “When switching off the engine, it coasts to a smooth shutdown without causing the cab to shake,” Ernest said. “When starting up, the engine is kept in a decompressed state which decreases cranking torque by 40 percent and allows the engine to spin up to twice its normal speed for smoother starting, faster priming of the fuel system, and decreased wear on the starter gear, fly wheel and other components. This can also allow the use of smaller and lighter batteries, cables, and starter.” By enabling the engine to be turned-over while decompressed, ADT also improves start-ups in cold temperatures by enabling the engine to reach its critical compression ignition speeds. When combined with supplemental air inlet heaters, ADT also enables the engine cylinders to be pre-warmed without the engine load from compression; especially useful when freezing temperatures have reduced battery levels. When high cranking speed is reached, the engine compression is reactivated and cylinder-fuelling begins. “ADT is another development of Jacobs’ well-proven valve actuation technologies to deliver another set of benefits,” Ernest said. “Some OEMs will be interested in ADT because it enhances vehicle refinement by eliminating engine-shake and cabin-shake. Other customers – particularly those whose vehicles endure heavy stop-start cycles – will welcome the reduced component load, fuel economy and emissions advantages.” The launch of ADT follows the recent introduction of two other new applications of Jacobs’ valve actuation technology: 2-Step VVA (variable valve actuation) and CDA (cylinder deactivation technology). The 2-Step VVA system on the intake valve manipulates the timing of valve-closing to optimize compression ratio versus load, and improve emissions. When applied to the exhaust valve, the timing of the valve opening is modified to improve transient turbocharger response and to keep the aftertreatment system hot during low load operation. CDA disables the opening of the intake and exhaust valves of non-fueling cylinders to achieve higher exhaust temperatures in the operating cylinders, reducing emissions, and increasing exhaust temperatures for improved SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) efficiency. Operating fewer cylinders enables large engines to have the fuel economy of smaller engines. To learn more about ADT click here.      

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Continental, a global supplier of systems, components and tires to automobile and truck manufacturers, and the manufacturer of VDO RoadLog ELD said Tuesday that the latest versions of the company’s VDO RoadLog ELD and RoadLog Office fleet management and reporting software are fully compliant with Transport Canada Regulations for Hours of Service tracking and reporting. The latest release of RoadLog ELD software provides all of the features required by Transport of Canada regulations including Canada HOS North and South of 60N with printout, Canada recap, automatic US-Canada border crossing recognition with automatic HOS change (with manual override), and Canada DVIR pre-trip/post-trip recording with printout, plus the Canada HOS ferries exemption, oil field permits, and daily off-duty deferral, according to Joe McCarthy, Continental’s VDO Roadlog marketing manager. “Compliance with Transport of Canada ELD regulations has been a challenge for both ELD manufacturers and drivers,” McCarthy said. “We’re happy to say that we now offer a solution that solves all the issues on both sides of the border.” In addition to providing compliance with Canadian regulations, VDO RoadLog solves many of the problems that drivers and fleets have experienced with “bring your own device” solutions, McCarthy said. “VDO RoadLog ELD is a dedicated device, hardwired to the vehicle, and this eliminates the possibility of Bluetooth connectivity issues seen with many smartphone and tablet based solutions,” he said. “With RoadLog, drivers don’t need to use their personal data plan for HOS tracking or worry about having their phone tied up with maintaining compliance. Roaming charges, data overages, and hidden fees simply are not a factor with RoadLog.” VDO RoadLog ELD works with the online tool, RoadLog Office, to provide complete reporting and fleet maintenance capabilities. McCarthy said VDO RoadLog was one of the first stand-alone ELDs offered in North America, providing an affordable, simple, and secure solution for mandate compliance and reporting. VDO RoadLog ELD is offered without monthly fees for basic services. For owner operators and fleets who want advanced features, VDO RoadLog ELD Plus adds cellular connectivity for text-based messaging, driver monitoring, remote load and trip management, and enhanced fleet management capabilities for an affordable monthly fee per vehicle. More information about VDO RoadLog can be found at www.vdoroadlog.com.

LOWELL, Ark. — J.B. Hunt Transport Services said Tuesday it will launch a technology collaboration with project44 (p44). The company will integrate the p44 advanced visibility platform into J.B. Hunt 360 to provide customers with real-time, seamless access to shipment information regardless of carrier, eliminating the need for multiple carrier data integrations, according to Shelley Simpson, executive vice president and chief commercial officer of J.B. Hunt.. “The challenges our customers are facing today require greater visibility into their transportation network,” Simpson said. “By integrating project44 technology within J.B. Hunt 360, customers can view and manage multi-carrier freight from a single platform, helping them streamline operations and meet their supply chain goals.” J.B. Hunt 360 provides businesses and carriers with the opportunity to engage in a marketplace for freight matching, gain visibility into their operations within the supply chain, and access features that automate day-to-day efforts, Simpson said, adding that the addition of project44’s technology to J.B. Hunt 360 will further the platform’s ability to generate cost savings, increase efficiency, and improve service levels. Simpson said project44 is among the world’s leading advanced visibility platforms for shippers and third-party logistics firms. “To ensure fast and frictionless onboarding for J.B Hunt’s growing customer base, project44 has prebuilt connections to thousands of global multimodal carriers and ELD/telematics devices,” she said. “This one-to-many model delivers access to high-quality data in real time and provides users with deep insights. The collaboration with project44 is an important move as J.B. Hunt looks to expand the capabilities and service offerings of its technology platform, Simpson said. In August, the company launched a rewards program for third-party carriers and their drivers through Carrier 360 by J.B. Hunt, the digital component of J.B. Hunt 360 designed to help carriers save money, spend more time driving, and have an overall better experience. Both are part of the company’s ongoing effort to leverage experience and technology to create the most efficient transportation network in North America. J.B. Hunt has a continued commitment to developing innovative solutions that address the supply chain’s evolving digital needs, Simpson said. In 2017, the company announced a five-year, $500 million investment dedicated to creating disruptive technology and enhancing operating systems and infrastructure. The investment is advancing J.B. Hunt’s ability to see deeper within the supply chain, add new automation capabilities, and draw top talent in technology, engineering, data science, and logistics. “J.B. Hunt continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible within the transportation market by investing in innovative technologies that deliver seamless, digital service on a large scale,” said Jett McCandless, CEO and founder of project44. “Their confidence in project44 demonstrates the importance of connecting, automating, and providing visibility into key transportation processes and further reinforces the tremendous opportunity that exists for organizations that digitally transform and modernize their operations.” McCandless said project44 is among the world’s leading advanced visibility platforms for shippers and third-party logistics firms. project44 connects, automates and provides visibility into key transportation processes to accelerate insights and shorten the time it takes to turn those insights into actions. “Leveraging the power of the project44 cloud-based platform, organizations are able to increase operational efficiencies, reduce costs, improve shipping performance, and deliver an exceptional Amazon-like experience to their customers” he said, adding that project44 is connected to over 175,000 carriers worldwide and having comprehensive coverage for all ELD and telematics devices on the market, project44 supports all transportation modes and shipping types. For more information, visit www.project44.com.