Equipment & Tech

ORLANDO, Fla. — A Florida man says the autopilot feature of his Tesla vehicle failed to detect a disabled car on a highway, leading to a collision that left him with permanent injuries, according to a negligence lawsuit filed Tuesday. Shawn Hudson said in the lawsuit filed in state court in Orlando, Florida, that Tesla made false statements about the autopilot safety on his Tesla Model S. It’s the second such lawsuit in as many months. A Utah driver filed a similar complaint last month. Hudson and his attorney said at a news conference that Tesla lulls drivers into a false-sense of security that the cars can drive themselves when the autopilot function is used. But when there is a danger on the road, drivers have no time to react, they said. The company says, “‘We told you, we’re going to drive you … Don’t worry about the road, watch it, but we’re also going to put this giant 20-inch screen right here with Web-browsing capabilities so you can be distracted the entire time … but if you crash, that’s your fault,’” said attorney Mike Morgan. Hudson said he suffers pain from fractured vertebrae and has some cognitive problems since the accident two weeks ago on the Florida Turnpike. Hudson, who lives in Orlando but has a two-hour commute to Fort Pierce for his job as the general manager of a Nissan dealership, said the autopilot feature appealed to him because he could get some work done during his commute. Hudson had his hands on the wheel as the car traveled 80 miles per hour but he also was looking at his phone in the moments before his Model S slammed into the unoccupied Ford Fiesta, he said. “I was looking up, looking down, looking up, looking down, and I look up and the car is disabled in the passing lane,” Hudson said. “When you’re traveling that fast, it’s like hitting a wall.” A Tesla spokeswoman said in an email there’s no reason to believe the autopilot feature malfunctioned and that drivers should always maintain control of the vehicle when using the autopilot function. The spokeswoman, who didn’t want her name used, said the car was incapable of transmitting log data to Tesla, which prevented the company from reviewing what happened in the accident. “Tesla has always been clear that Autopilot doesn’t make the car impervious to all accidents, and Tesla goes to great lengths to provide clear instructions about what Autopilot is and is not,” the spokeswoman said. Hudson’s attorneys said there is a disconnect between the official company policy and what salespeople tell customers in showrooms. “What they say to federal regulators is very different from what you hear on the Tesla lot,” Morgan said. “It’s very different from what Mr. Hudson was told when he was buying his car.”  8                  

SAN FRANCISCO — The robotic car company created by Google is poised to attempt a major technological leap in California, where its vehicles will hit the roads without a human on hand to take control in emergencies. The regulatory approval announced Tuesday allows Waymo’s driverless cars to cruise through California at speeds up to 65 miles per hour. The self-driving cars have traveled millions of miles on the state’s roads since Waymo began as a secretive project within Google nearly a decade ago. But a backup driver had been required to be behind the wheel until new regulations in April set the stage for the transition to true autonomy. Waymo is the first among dozens of companies testing self-driving cars in California to persuade state regulators its technology is safe enough to permit them on the roads without a safety driver in them. An engineer still must monitor the fully autonomous cars from a remote location and be able to steer and stop the vehicles if something goes wrong. California, however, won’t be the first state to have Waymo’s fully autonomous cars on its streets. Waymo has been giving rides to a group of volunteer passengers in Arizona in driverless cars since last year. It has pledged to deploy its fleet of fully autonomous vans in Arizona in a ride-hailing service open to all comers in the Phoenix area by the end of this year. But California has a much larger population and far more congestion than Arizona, making it even more challenging place for robotic cars to get around. Waymo is moving into its next phase in California cautiously. To start, the fully autonomous cars will only give rides to Waymo’s employees and confine their routes to roads in its home town of Mountain View, California, and four neighboring Silicon Valley cities — Sunnyvale, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, and Palo Alto. If all goes well, Waymo will then seek volunteers who want to be transported in fully autonomous vehicles, similar to its early rider program in Arizona . That then could lead to a ride-hailing service like the one Waymo envisions in Arizona. But Waymo’s critics are not convinced there is enough evidence that the fully autonomous cars can be trusted to be driving through neighborhoods without humans behind the wheel. “This will allow Waymo to test its robotic cars using people as human guinea pigs,” said John Simpson, privacy and technology project director for Consumer Watchdog, a group that has repeatedly raised doubts about the safety of self-driving cars. Those concerns escalated in March after fatal collision involving a self-driving car being tested by the leading ride-hailing service, Uber. In that incident, an Uber self-driving car with a human safety driver struck and killed a pedestrian crossing a darkened street in a Phoenix suburb. Waymo’s cars with safety drivers have been involved in dozens of accidents in California, but those have mostly been minor fender benders at low speeds. All told, Waymo says its self-driving cars have collectively logged more than 10 million miles in 25 cities in a handful of states while in autonomous mode, although most of those trips have occurred with safety drivers. Waymo contends its robotic vehicles will save lives because so many crashes are caused by human motorists who are intoxicated, distracted or just bad drivers. “If a Waymo vehicle comes across a situation it doesn’t understand, it does what any good driver would do: comes to a safe stop until it does understand how to proceed,” the company said Tuesday.                        

AUSTIN, Texas — Volvo Trucks has revealed the new Xceed fuel efficiency package for Volvo VNL 760 and VNL 860 models operating in dry van and refrigerated trailer operations. The new fuel efficiency package will be available for order beginning in January 2019 for 2020 models. Volvo made the announcement here this week at the American Trucking Associations Management Conference & Exhibition. “The new Xceed fuel efficiency package is the most efficient package Volvo has ever offered for the VNL series, and it’s tailored for our large sleeper models operating with dry van and refrigerated trailers, which make up more than three-quarters of the trailers used in on-highway operations,” said Johan Agebrand, Volvo Trucks North America director of product marketing. Agebrand said the Xceed fuel efficiency package improves fuel efficiency by up to 11 percent when compared with Volvo’s Fuel Efficiency Plus specification. Xceed is 3.5 percent more efficient than the Fuel Efficiency Advanced specification, which was Volvo’s most efficient offering prior to the new Xceed fuel efficiency package. “The Xceed package bundles our most efficient features to help simplify the truck spec’ing process and ensure critical components of the fuel efficiency equation aren’t overlooked,” said Allison Athey, Volvo Trucks North America product marketing manager. “The Xceed packages for our VNL 760 and VNL 860 represent a systems approach, building on our learnings from the SuperTruck projects and engineering expertise, to ensure we’re including important components that work together to help maximize efficiency.” The naming structure of the Xceed fuel efficiency package reflects several key components contributing to its unprecedented efficiency: X – XE powertrain packages, including Volvo I-Shift automated manual transmissions C – turbo Compounding E – Extended fairings E – ground Effects D – Volvo D13 engine “Our Xceed package combines key lightweight options with our most efficient drivetrain and aerodynamic setups for the intended applications,” Athey said. “The Xceed package is all about freight efficiency, so we’ve included lightweight components to help maximize payload capacity while reducing fuel consumption.” The Xceed package provides dedicated wheelbase options to ensure the optimal trailer gap of around 44 inches for dry van or refrigerated trailer applications. Lightweight components like a horizontal exhaust system, a dedicated rear axle, limited fuel tank configurations, lightweight fifth wheels, aluminum chassis components, and more help reduce the weight of the VNL models by up to 950 pounds. “Spec’ing correctly for an application is a vital first step toward maximizing fuel efficiency,” Agebrand said. “With the Xceed fuel efficiency package we’re providing that starting point, but it’s equally important that those maintaining and driving the trucks follow best practices to help ensure their equipment is operating at peak fuel efficiency throughout its life. We can’t overlook the importance of preventative maintenance, updating software, monitoring alignment and tire pressure and driving for maximum efficiency.”                        

SAN ANTONIO — During 2018 Pressure Systems International (P.S.I.) is commemorating the 25th anniversary of its development and introduction of the first automatic tire inflation systems (ATIS) for commercial vehicles. P.S.I. and its partners celebrated the milestone during the annual Fleet Technology Event co-sponsored by Meritor and P.S.I. held here October 9-10. During the past 25 years, P.S.I. has taken ATIS from a technology newcomer to being a popular feature specified on over 65 percent of trailers built in North America today, according to Jim Sharkey, vice president–global sales & marketing.  P.S.I. has set the trend and remains the market leader with over 1.4 million systems and with customers in over 45 countries, it is the only global ATIS solution, he said.. P.S.I.’s ATIS for trailers, chassis and dollies automatically adds air to the tire as the vehicle is rolling down the highway whenever the tire pressure drops below the tire’s cold pressure setting. A warning light typically located in front of the trailer is illuminated when air is being added to one or more low tires. The system has been specified by most of the top 100 fleets, with an ROI that has been validated to be typically less than one year, Sharkey said, adding that the payback comes in the form of fuel economy, reduced tread wear, fewer roadside calls, and lower labor costs.  Other key benefits include reduced CSA point violations, increased safety and improved efficiency of equipment and driver hours of service, he said. Sharkey said P.S.I. made the system even better in 2005 when it released the patented ThermALERT feature, which is the only wheel end thermal event warning system of its kind.  Since that time, it has become so widely specified that it has been made a standard feature in 2018. Additionally, P.S.I.’s ATIS has the ability to tie into trailer telematics systems that send a signal directly to maintenance when the warning light is illuminated. P.S.I.’s ATIS is also marketed and distributed in North America by Meritor as the Meritor Tire Inflation System (MTIS). Pressure Systems International is a global provider of automatic tire inflation systems, tire pressure monitoring systems and related products for commercial trucks and trailers. It is a privately held company based in San Antonio and exports to 45 countries including China, India, South America, Africa, Australia and Europe. For more information visit their website www.psitireinflation.com.                            

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Averitt Express, a Tennessee-based transportation company, has always supported military veterans as they transition to civilian careers and now, the company says it will begin a new on-the-job training (OJT) diesel mechanic program for veterans and family members with Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits. This OJT program is part of Averitt’s commitment to hiring 1,200 additional veterans by 2020, adding to the hundreds of veterans the company currently employs, according to Laura Wettack, personnel manager for Averitt. “At Averitt Express, we believe that every veteran deserves to work in a supportive environment with a company focused on his or her success,” Wettack said. “We’re proud to honor veterans and their families by helping them embark on fulfilling second careers. We are always looking for ways we can bring veterans into the Averitt family and our GI Bill OJT diesel mechanic program does exactly that.” Individuals selected for the OJT diesel mechanic program will be trained by Averitt’s shop leaders, maintenance coordinators and experienced technicians on everything from basic computer skills to assisting with in-depth repair on tractor/trailers. The program offers paid clock hours, raises based on experience level and an option for a four-day work week. Eligible applicants must qualify for Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits. As part of the OJT program, these individuals will receive a full 12 months of on-the-job training and are eligible to earn up to $1,140 per month tax free through the GI Bill in addition to weekly Averitt pay. Benefit checks are paid directly from the Department of Veteran Affairs, typically four to six weeks after training begins. Averitt pay for the OJT program starts at $10.75 per hour and eventually hits $18.30 per hour at month 11 and $21.50 per hour after month 12. Benefits at Averitt Express include family and individual medical coverage options; dental and vision plans; paid orientation with free lodging, transportation and meals; company-paid life insurance and short-term disability benefits; paid holidays after 90 days; paid time off; uniform program; and profit sharing. To apply for Averitt’s GI Bill OJT diesel mechanic program, visit www.averittsaultesyou.com or call 800-283-7488. Established in 1971, Averitt Express is a provider of freight transportation and supply chain management with international reach to more than 100 countries. The company specializes in delivering customized solutions with a single source of accountability for service offerings that include cross border/domestic offshore, dedicated, expedited, intermodal, international ocean/air, local customization, less-than-truckload, PortSide, transportation management, truckload (dry van, flatbed, refrigerated, brokerage), warehousing and value-added services, including a centralized call center, strict performance metrics and an ongoing focus on green/sustainability efforts. Averitt’s technology offerings include a full suite of web-based shipping tools, electronic data interchange (EDI), and transportation and operations management systems. For more information, call 800-283-7488 or visit www.averittexpress.com.

KIRKLAND, Wash. — Kenworth is offering new colors and interior stylings on its flagship on-highway Kenworth T680 and vocational leader Kenworth T880 models. The new choices will also be available with the newly introduced Kenworth W990. The new color options will be available with both Diamond VIT and Vantage interiors on trucks produced starting in the new year. “Our design team created some new color schemes that give our cabs a nice new refresh,” said Kurt Swihart, Kenworth marketing director. “We’ve always built the world’s best trucks, and that applies to our interior packages as well. We’re excited about the new color combinations and expect they will further separate the Kenworth product from the competition in terms of quality, driver comfort and overall market appeal.” The new colors include a black dash top and updated hydrographics accent trim panels. The door pad trim colors are updated to match, providing a nice contrast. Seats undertook the biggest visual change with new seat color and pattern options. Seat covering choices – standard cloth, DuraSupreme, Ultraleather and leather (two-tone) — are now available in slate gray or tan. Trim accent colors are offered in two trim levels, Diamond VIT and Vantage, both in slate gray or tan color options.

VANCOUVER, Wash. — Instructional Technologies (ITI), providers of training solutions for the transportation industry, and Netradyne, a provider of artificial intelligence (AI) technology focusing on driver and fleet safety, have launched the first automated training system in the transportation industry with GetGo Transportation, a for-hire fleet located in Toledo, Ohio. The system uses driver trends based on non-urgent alerts generated by Netradyne’s Driveri safety program, which are then translated into course assignments by ITI’s Sentix Pro LMS system. “Like most smaller fleets, our training resources are lean,” said Rob Wayne, GetGo’s director of safety and recruiting. “Valuing our drivers means respecting their time and abilities. Combining these two systems lets us be incredibly targeted in our training. We don’t blanket drivers with a one-size-fits-none training approach. Driveri and ITI’s ProTREAD training let us help each driver as individuals to improve their specific skills.” “The computer vision and AI of the Netradyne system are astonishing,” said Dr. Jim Voorhees, CEO of ITI. “They automatically generate data about driver behavior for every second the driver is on the road, not just when there’s a big jolt or a near-rollover. Those deep trends give us more to work with in terms of assigning more relevant courses. Plus, with measurable events, clients can demonstrate the effectiveness of the training.” “ITI’s extensive training catalog created an opportunity to our customers to provide individual best practices training,” said Adam Kahn, VP fleet business of Netradyne. “The flexibility of the system enables fleets the opportunity to create a program that is right for their drivers and for their fleet goals.” The system currently pulls 19 different measurable factors from the Driveri system, including following distance, hard-braking, overspeed percentage, traffic light violations, U-turns, high-G maneuvers and more. Clients are able to set thresholds during timeframes that can trigger assignments. “The system can be as simple or complex as the client wants,” said Aaron Purvis, CTO of ITI. “We’re also able to make assignments based on the bottom 10 percent in any particular category, for example. And we can limit and prioritize triggers, so a driver isn’t flooded with assignments. The open API allows us to create new types of assignment triggers, so other telematics and camera providers can provide this kind of closed-loop training as well.” Purvis said ITI is known for its highly effective mastery learning training strategy, an instructional method by which the student must ‘master’ each subject before moving to the next subject. The online strategy is proven to improve employee safety behaviors and provide defensible proof that students have mastered a topic. With ITI, fleets have the flexibility to use off-the-shelf PRO-TREAD lessons, engage ITI’s PRO-SERVICE team to develop customized content, assign, schedule and track training via the Sentix LMS, and use ITI’s secure hosting services for their own content.    

AUSTIN, Texas — Trimble and Pulsar Informatics said they will collaboration to deliver a new fatigue monitoring and risk management solution for the transportation industry, available as part of Trimble’s Safety Analytics dashboard. The fatigue risk management solution enables fleets to understand how fatigue is directly affecting individual driver behavior and provides information about driver fatigue levels as well as historical data to coach and prevent potential fatigue risks in the future, Trimble and Pulsar officials said. The announcement came during the American Trucking Associations Management Conference and Exhibition. Driver fatigue is among the top causes of large truck crashes with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration estimating that driver fatigue may be an associated factor in 13 percent of accidents involving a commercial truck. While trucking companies carry insurance coverage, if a fatigued driver causes an accident in the course of employment, the carrier can be held responsible. Similarly, carriers may also be held accountable if a fatigued driver does not follow federal regulations on rest breaks. “Driver fatigue is a top concern for fleets and by collaborating with Pulsar to integrate fatigue monitoring into our Safety Analytics dashboard, carriers will receive data to help improve driver coaching and potentially protect fleets from liability,” said Jim Angel, vice president of video intelligence solutions for Trimble Transportation Mobility. “Our Safety Analytics dashboard is designed to make risk management decisions easier for fleets by sampling data that’s already being collected and is not intrusive to drivers.” Trimble’s Safety Analytics dashboard aggregates driver data across an entire fleet to highlight drivers in need of coaching. With the integration of Pulsar’s Trucking Fatigue Meter™ technology, the dashboard will use Hours of Service and Trimble’s Onboard Event Recording (OER) data to identify driver sleep and fatigue risk patterns that lead to degraded performance. By providing a clear representation of this information, fleet managers and safety managers have an enhanced ability to coach the driver and assess the situation to potentially prevent a safety incident. Pulsar’s fatigue monitoring solutions have been developed with funding from the U.S. Department of Navy, the FMCSA, NASA, Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Department of Defense and other prominent government organizations. Pulsar has commercial products serving the aviation, petrochemical, and trucking industries; all mission critical and safety centric workplaces. “Pulsar Informatics is excited to combine our deep expertise in fatigue risk management with Trimble’s unmatched knowledge of the transportation industry,” said Daniel Mollicone, PhD, CEO of Pulsar Informatics. “Together, we can provide fleets with a unique solution to help managers identify and mitigate risks that can protect drivers and carriers while also improving safety on the road for everyone.” For more information about Trimble Safety Analytics, visit https://mobility.trimble.com/fleet-solutions/video-safety-solutions.

AUSTIN, Texas — Mack Trucks says the company is now delivering even more benefits to customers from its Mack GuardDog Connect telematics-based solution with help from analytics provider SAS. The partnership with SAS allows Mack to more effectively analyze the data flowing from GuardDog Connect that guides the uptime decision-making, according to David Pardue, Mack vice president of connected vehicles and uptime solutions. Mack made the announcement during the American Trucking Associations Management Conference and Exhibition that ends here Tuesday. “With SAS solutions, we’re able to see patterns in our data that we were not seeing previously, allowing us to even more efficiently and effectively maximize uptime for our customers,” Pardue said. SAS helps customers transform volumes of data into intelligence that lead to better decision making. With a proven track record of working with industry-leading companies, SAS is providing Mack cutting-edge tools to develop an advanced analytics approach to managing customer uptime. “SAS helped Mack build a scalable, flexible, enterprise-wide analytics system that enables the company to act upon signals from the telematics system in ways that exceed the expectations of Mack’s end customers: trucking companies,” said Bill Roberts, SAS director of IoT. “The system uses analytical techniques including visualization, machine learning and artificial intelligence to interpret streaming GuardDog Connect data and drive action when specific conditions arise.” The enhancement of GuardDog Connect with SAS is just one of many updates Mack has made to increase uptime for customers, Pardue said. Mack Over The Air, rolled out earlier this year, enables remote software updates for powertrain components and vehicle parameters on trucks equipped with Mack 2017 or newer engines. In addition, Mack continues to expand its network of Mack Certified Uptime Centers. Featuring dedicated “uptime bays” for vehicles requiring shorter repairs, Mack Certified Uptime Centers help streamline the repair process, resulting in a 50 percent reduction in repair times that are four hours or less. Mack currently has 132 Certified Uptime Centers across North America. Pardue said unplanned downtime is one of the single largest costs heavy-duty trucking customers face, reaching upwards of $2,000 per day a truck is down. Mack GuardDog Connect helps reduce downtime by proactively monitoring fault codes that could potentially shut down a truck or lead to an unplanned visit to the dealer. When GuardDog Connect detects an issue, it notifies Mack OneCall agents at Mack’s 24/7 Uptime Center even before a driver realizes there is a potential problem. The OneCall team quickly diagnoses the issue to determine the best course of action. If a repair is needed, proactive repair scheduling and parts confirmation is done, all while the truck remains on the road. Mack GuardDog Connect is standard on all Mack Anthem, Pinnacle, Granite, LR and TerraPro models. Mack currently has more than 70,000 connected vehicles on the road.   8

SAN ANTONIO — The new Vector 8611MT, a multi-temperature trailer refrigeration unit, will enable a trailer to be divided lengthwise into two refrigerated compartments. Introduced recently by Carrier Transicold at the Distribution Solutions Conference of the International Foodservice Distributors Association, the Vector 8611MT unit incorporates two evaporators and fans for two-zone cooling without requiring a separate remote evaporator. “The Vector 8611MT unit harnesses the innovative Vector platform to create a highly efficient, high-performance unit for center-divide trailers where the perishable and frozen compartments are side by side,” said Patrick McDonald, product manager, trailer products, Carrier Transicold. “The all-electric architecture of the Vector series enables the unit to independently manage the two zones more simply and efficiently than mechanically interconnected competitive units.” The Vector 8611MT unit will especially appeal to food service and grocery distribution operations for the flexibility it offers in creating center-divide configurations, McDonald said. “Uniquely, our split evaporator design creates a 15-inch-wide area for center-wall placement, providing a more efficient accommodation of pallets that allows up to 17 percent more cargo than competitive systems requiring trailers to be divided precisely down the middle,” he said. As with other units in Carrier Transicold’s Vector platform, the new unit features E-Drive all-electric technology, in which the diesel engine runs a 21 kVA electric generator that powers the refrigeration system. Vector units have built-in electric standby capability, so when parked for loading, unloading or staging, they can be operated via an electric power source, providing full refrigeration capacity while eliminating refrigeration unit engine noise, emissions and fuel consumption. McDonald said the innovative Vector 8611MT unit architecture eliminates most refrigerant valves and significantly reduces the number of braze joints and potential refrigerant leak points compared to mechanically interconnected competitive models. Uniquely, he said, the Vector 8611MT unit has independent air control, enabling it to optimize airflow and pulldown to both zones. If heating is required, it has the advantage of consistent electric heat, rather than hot gas heat. This reduces system complexity and enables the unit to shut down the compressor and other refrigeration components when heating is required, greatly reducing the power load on the engine, resulting in further fuel savings. The Vector platform’s reduced system complexity also simplifies diagnostics and maintenance requirements for service technicians. For additional details on the Vector 8611MT trailer refrigeration unit, which will be commercially available in the first quarter of 2019, contact a member of  Carrier Transicold’s North America dealer network.

GREEN BAY, Wis. — With its “strong” focus on prioritizing efficiency and sustainability, Schneider has been recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency with its ninth SmartWay Excellence Award. The company has also been named to its second consecutive EPA SmartWay High Performers list. The SmartWay Excellence Award is recognizing Schneider for outstanding leadership in freight supply chain environmental performance and energy efficiency, according to Bill Wehrum, EPA assistant administrator of the Office of Air and Radiation. The award is the EPA’s highest recognition for organizations that significantly reduce the environmental impacts of the freight sector and is reserved for the best of SmartWay’s partners. “Today, the EPA is honoring top-performing SmartWay Carrier Partners with this year’s 2018 SmartWay Excellence Award for their leadership in moving more goods with less fuel,” Wehrum said. “These companies inspire others in the freight sector to invest in innovative technologies and business practices that save fuel while reducing costs and protecting the environment.” Schneider has also been named to the EPA’s SmartWay High Performer list, which recognizes transportation companies that are a step ahead in meeting the challenges of the sustainable goods movement. This designation has been earned by Schneider each of the two years since it was established. Schneider was recognized for its ability to improve fuel efficiency and reduction of carbon emissions, according to Steve Matheys, executive vice president and chief administrative officers at Schneider. As one of only nine multimodal carriers to make the list, the award establishes Schneider as a sustainability leader in the trucking and logistics services industry, he said.. “Over the past four decades, Schneider has been committed to fuel efficiency, freight consolidation and energy conservation,” Matheys said. “By investing in green technologies and collaborating with research and environmental groups, we are improving our sustainability practices and the industry as a whole. These measures not only benefit our customers and our business, but they also protect the precious natural resources we all share.” As part of its sustainability efforts, Matheys said Schneider has spec’d an array of fuel-efficient features, and continues to develop even more in its mission to improve an environmentally friendly fleet. Metheys suggested that shippers taking the first step toward building a greener supply chain learn what to look for in a transportation provider by checking out the white paper “The Importance of Being Green.” As a charter member of the SmartWay Transport Partnership, Schneider joined forces with the EPA and other businesses committed to reducing the supply chain’s effect on the environment by improving efficiency and supply chain sustainability. Since the program began in 2004, Schneider and its fellow SmartWay partners have saved a total of 215.4 million barrels of oil and $29.7 billion in fuel costs, while reducing carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and particulate matter by over 103 million metric tons. This is the equivalent of eliminating the annual energy use in over 14 million homes. To learn more about Schneider’s commitment to running an environmentally friendly fleet, visit www.Schneider.com/sustainability.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Canada — Switchboard, an ELD provider, has formed a new partnership with Drivewyze. Along with its initial goal of offering free Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration compliance through its electronic log, Switchboard has evolved its Switchboard Android app to now provide a spectrum of features that include advanced fleet management solutions, according to Sagar Malhi, chief technology officers of Switchboard. “Today, by integrating with Drivewyze Pre-Clear weigh station bypass technology, we are taking a step further in creating a better experience and ecosystem for or customers,” Malhi said. Drivewyze is a provider of mobility-based weigh station bypass solutions, and its integration with Switchboard provides all-in-one ELD and weigh station bypass convenience, Malhi said. “It’s a technology marriage that simplifies life for our customers,” he said. “We’re growing our ELDs with fleets and owner operators, and Drivewyze continues to expand its coverage though the United States and Canada. Our partnership helps keep our customers moving and delivering freight. Weigh station bypass saves a lot of time and money for our customers.” According to Brian Heath, president and CEO of Drivewyze, the integration with Switchboard provides a new option for easy access to the Drivewyze bypass service. “By integrating Drivewyze into their application, Switchboard is providing its customers with yet another great productivity tool, and a cost-effective solution that will improve bottom lines. We’re proud to be part of their solution,” he said. Health said the new Drivewyze PreClear app integration offers several conveniences: More bypass opportunities than any other weigh station bypass service Bypass opportunities at more than 700 weigh station sites in 43 states and provinces “Heads Up” warnings for weigh stations not currently served by Drivewyze Works on the same mobile devices carriers and drivers use to run Switchboard – no additional transponder required Quicker load delivery and reduction in time spent in inspection lineups Improved road safety, avoiding lane changes and traffic merges Saves time, money and hassles Learn more about Switchboard at www.onswitchboard.com. To learn more about Drivewyze, visit www.drivewyze.com.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Volvo Trucks North America says it is further strengthening its portfolio of uptime-boosting services by enhancing Remote Diagnostics with an advanced analytics platform from global analytics leader SAS. SAS’ best-in-class analytics support Volvo’s artificial intelligence efforts and provide even greater capabilities for Remote Diagnostics users, allowing for more precise analysis and decision-making, according to Ash Makki, Volvo Trucks North America product marketing manager. “Working with SAS has helped us further refine our uptime-enhancing Remote Diagnostics through greater processing power to the data behind diagnostic codes,” Makki said. “We’ve been able to expand the parts and trouble codes we monitor and recognize situational patterns that help us improve accuracy and obtain better insight into root causes. These enhancements ultimately mean Volvo Action Service (VAS) agents receive more precise data that allows them to better analyze trouble codes and provide actionable information to decision-makers and repair facilities, helping maximize vehicle uptime.” “Machine learning and artificial intelligence are areas we’re putting a lot of emphasis on right now, utilizing the SAS platform,” said Conal Deedy, director of connected vehicle services for Volvo Trucks North America. “We’re uncovering hidden insights in our data and merging that with the truck knowledge from our engineering group. Together we are in a much better situation to understand exactly what the data is telling us and integrating it into the Remote Diagnostics service. We are already seeing the benefits and the future is extremely exciting. With the SAS platform in place, Volvo can  process millions of records  in real-time,  expanding Volvo’s Remote Diagnostics capabilities, which on average helps reduce diagnostic time by 70 percent and repair time 25 percent.” Jason Mann, SAS vice president of IoT, said Volvo Trucks and SAS have worked together to create a robust, flexible analytics system. “Trucking is a key part of the global logistics system that makes our economies work. Improving performance and lowering costs helps everyone across the value chain,” he said. “Using a variety of analytical techniques from SAS to extract value from IoT data flowing from each vehicle, Volvo Trucks delivers for its customers — literally and figuratively.” Since 2013 all Volvo trucks with Volvo engines have come standard with factory-installed telematics hardware that provides connectivity for Remote Diagnostics, Volvo’s proactive diagnostics and monitoring of critical engine, transmission and aftertreatment trouble codes. Upon detecting a code, sensors on the truck collect streaming data in real-time to provide context. Data points and operating conditions, like truck location, altitude, ambient air temperature, truck gear, RPM level and torque load help give the information needed for more precise diagnosis. The same standard connectivity hardware powering Remote Diagnostics also allows customers to perform powertrain software and parameter updates over-the-air with Remote Programming, which helps improve uptime and vehicle efficiency without taking the truck out of service. Remote programming of software and parameter updates provides a significant time savings when compared with the 2.3 day industry average when a truck arrives at a bay, is plugged in, and manually receives updates. Deedy said support for Volvo trucks is provided 24/7 by highly trained VAS agents, who monitor critical vehicle codes. ”If an issue is detected, VAS agents will assess the severity and provide the vehicle’s designated contact with actionable information to determine whether to keep operating the truck or take it for immediate service,” he said. “All details from the service process are captured and tracked through ASIST, Volvo’s online service management and communication platform. This gives the driver, customer contact and dealer real-time visibility to case status, repair scheduling, and parts and service bay availability. Remote Programming updates are also facilitated by VAS agents.” For more information, visit www.volvotrucks.com.    

COLUMBUS, Ind. — U.S. and Canadian Natural Gas Class 8 truck retail sales rose 13 percent in 2017, but shed 28 percent year-to-date through August 2018, according to a recent quarterly report (Natural Gas & Alternative Fuels Quarterly) released by ACT Research. Year-to-date sales at this point in 2017 were flat year-over-year. “On a nominal basis, natural gas retail sales are down about 600 units for the first eight months of 2018 on a year-over-year basis,” said Ken Vieth, senior partner and general manager at ACT Research. “Based on news released in the popular press, natural gas vehicle purchases continued to be dominated by refuse fleets, as well as transit and school bus operators.” Vieth said with the narrowed fuel price spread between diesel and natural gas, it really isn’t surprising that sales of natural gas units softened. “That said, it is important to remember that the conversion of a fleet from diesel to natural gas doesn’t rest entirely on the savings of fuel,” he said. “Natural gas offers more consistent fuel pricing and is one way fleets can meet more stringent environmental requirements, particularly where RNG is available. “Transportation power is no longer a one-size-fits-all proposition. All viable commercial vehicle power alternatives, from diesel and NG to EV of all kinds, must now be considered to accurately measure potential cost savings, while meeting future emissions.” For more information on ACT or the Natural Gas and Alternative Fuels Quarterly, please visit http://www.actresearch.net/altfuelquarterly. 8    

GREENSBORO, N.C. — All Volvo truck owners in the U.S. and Canada with GHG 2017 Volvo engines equipped with Volvo’s factory-installed connectivity hardware are now eligible for software and parameter updates with Volvo’s remote programming. Users can perform updates anywhere in the U.S. and Canada where a cellular connection is available, and at the discretion of the vehicle’s decision maker. “Working directly with Volvo fleets and owners of all sizes and applications to implement Remote Programming has proven to us that the connectivity service makes a difference to our customers and their operations,” said Ashraf Makki, Volvo Trucks North America product marketing manager. “We’ve received strong acceptance of the technology and update process from professional drivers and fleet managers alike, who have embraced remote programming as a faster, more efficient way to help ensure trucks are updated with the latest software to support peak performance and maximum uptime.” Owners of eligible Volvo trucks can register their trucks for remote programming through a simple registration portal. “We’re encouraged by the results and customer feedback from our initial introduction of Remote Programming, so we invested in the resources needed to help ensure the entire population of Volvo trucks with GHG 2017 engines could reap the uptime and efficiency benefits,” Makki said. “Updates are performed during a driver’s lunch break or when the truck is back at a depot, providing significant benefits as opposed to taking far more time for a planned stop at a service center or taking a computer out to the truck.” Remote programming of software takes less than 20 minutes, providing significant time savings when compared with taking trucks out of service to perform needed updates. Makki said to date, remote programming has already added thousands of days of uptime while increasing truck performance. “In addition to software updates, remote programming can deliver multiple parameter packages to allow owners to change between operating modes for optimal fuel efficiency and preferred operating configurations,” he said.    

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Mack Trucks has expanded its Mack Over The Air (OTA) software and vehicle parameter capabilities with even more available updates for Mack customers with 2017 GHG Mack engines and factory-installed hardware. Mack also simplified registration with a new online portal resulting in a quicker, streamlined process for eligible customers to sign up for the service. “Customers who utilize Mack Over The Air have noticed a significant improvement to their uptime because they can have software updates performed and vehicle parameters set while the driver is parked at lunch or at the home location,” said David Pardue, Mack vice president of connected vehicles and uptime services. “The end result is the customer saves time and money.” As part of the enhancement, parameter kits were expanded to include fuel performance – which offers three options: performance, balanced and economy. The system enables customers to set the parameter for the desired outcome with one simple selection.  The expanded parameter kits are covered under the two-year initial offer (two parameter changes per year). Packages are available to extend beyond this time. Mack Over The Air was launched in February 2017 with two categories of software updates – one for powertrain components, and the other for vehicle parameters, such as road speed. Mack Over The Air improved performance particularly for customers with trucks changing duty cycles regularly depending on economics, load type and geographic area. Software updates take less than 20 minutes; parameter updates take less than 10 minutes. Updates can be completed anywhere in the U.S. and Canada where a cellular connection is available. Mack GuardDog Connect telematics hardware enables Mack Over The Air to deliver these updates to customers with minimal interruption. GuardDog Connect is standard on every Mack model equipped with a Mack engine. The telematics service offers proactive monitoring and repair planning, enabling real-time diagnosis of issues, scheduling of repairs and confirmation that needed parts are in stock and ready to install. Combined with Mack ASIST and Mack’s live OneCall uptime agents, GuardDog Connect delivers the right mix of people and technology to provide decision-critical information to maximize customer uptime. Mack’s uptime functions are based in Greensboro, N.C. at the Mack Uptime Center, a 123,000 square-foot facility housing personnel from every customer support function. Through the latest telematics, communications and case management tools, the Uptime Center allows Mack uptime agents to work through cross-functional teams and address customer needs quickly and efficiently.

AKRON, Ohio — The 24/7 Goodyear-Fleet HQ Emergency Roadside Service program recently helped the 2 millionth truck that has contacted it for assistance return to service, a major milestone for the program, which The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company introduced in 2008. “Over the last decade, trucking operations of all sizes and configurations – including some of the industry’s largest fleets – have entrusted their road service calls to Goodyear,” said Johnny McIntosh, general manager, commercial services and solutions. “The Goodyear-Fleet HQ Emergency Roadside Service program has helped minimize expensive downtime for fleets, enabling these operations to deliver the goods and services that keep our economy and way of life rolling.” McIntosh said the 24/7 Goodyear-Fleet HQ Emergency Roadside Service program is an important part of Goodyear’s Total Solution of products, reliable services and fleet management tools, delivered by the nationwide Goodyear Commercial Tire & Service Network, which consists of more than 2,300 Goodyear Commercial Tire & Service Centers (CTSC) and independent, authorized Goodyear commercial tire dealers. Through the program, truck drivers whose rigs have been immobilized by tire issues contact the 24/7 Goodyear-Fleet HQ Solution Center, where trained agents who are familiar with their tire requirements immediately capture vital information, including the location of the vehicle. Goodyear agents then identify a CTSC or independent Goodyear dealer, dispatch a road service technician to the truck, and coordinate with the technician throughout the process. That technician will evaluate the truck’s tire situation and help return the vehicle to service quickly and efficiently, while targeting a total roll-time of two hours or less. Truck drivers and fleet logistics coordinators can contact the 24/7 Goodyear-Fleet HQ Solution Center by dialing a dedicated number (1-866-FLEETHQ) or using the Goodyear Road Service App, which instantly connects to Goodyear agents with the touch of a mobile phone or tablet screen. “Helping a truck return to service requires the rapid and precise mobilization of resources and people, and is not a simple task,” McIntosh said. “The unprecedented achievement of helping two million trucks return to service is a testament to the power of the 24/7 Goodyear-Fleet HQ Emergency Roadside Service program, the scope and capabilities of the Goodyear Commercial Tire & Service Network, and Goodyear’s commitment to helping lower our customers’ operating costs.” To learn more, visit www.goodyeartrucktires.com.      

GOTHENBURG, Sweden — The Volvo Group said Tuesday it had detected that an emissions control component used in certain markets with stringent emissions standards is degrading more quickly than expected, reducing its ability to convert nitrogen oxides (NOx) as efficiently as intended, which in turn could cause the engines or vehicles to exceed emissions limits for NOx. The investigation so far indicates that the degradation does not seem to affect all vehicles and engines in the same way and to the same extent, the company said in a news release. The company is now in the process of informing the appropriate authorities in various markets, and beginning discussions regarding remediation plans. The degradation of the component 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 largest volume of potentially affected engines has been sold in North America and Europe. A full analysis of the issue and plans with regulatory authorities are not completed and the company is therefore not yet able to estimate the volume of engines or vehicles that may need to be addressed. Consequently, it is not possible to assess the financial impact at this stage; however the cost to redeem the issue could be material. The Volvo Group, which employs almost 100,000 people, has production facilities in 18 countries and sells its products in more than 190 markets.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Love’s Travel Stops now offers its own private label diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) for auto diesel and professional driver Customers. The product is available at all travel stop locations and comes in a value size 2.5 gallon container. With this new product addition, Love’s is the only travel stop to have its own privately labeled DEF product. “Our Customers desire value and automotive products with a label they can trust,” said Wade Hollis, senior category manager for Love’s. “By working with our sister company, Musket, to develop a DEF product that performs as well or better than the bulk DEF product we have at our diesel island pumps, we’re able to garner that trust and quickly get our Customers back on the road.” Love’s also carries other proprietary branded products such as Love’s automotive oil, Love’s automatic transmission fluid and Love’s power steering fluid. Love’s has long produced its own bulk DEF product, which is available at the diesel island pumps for professional drivers. Over time, Love’s made the decision to add DEF to its list of self-branded products due to high demand from its customers.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Thursday released new federal guidance for automated vehicles, advancing its commitment to supporting the safe integration of automation into the broad multimodal surface transportation system. The guidance “Preparing for the Future of Transportation: Automated Vehicles 3.0” (AV 3.0) builds upon — but does not replace — voluntary guidance provided in “Automated Driving Systems 2.0: A Vision for Safety.” “The safe integration of automated vehicle technology into our transportation system will increase productivity, facilitate freight movement and create new types of jobs,” said Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao. AV 3.0 incorporates the results of extensive stakeholder engagement to provide updated voluntary guidance and policy considerations for a range of industry sectors, including manufacturers and technology developers, infrastructure owners and operators, commercial motor carriers, bus transit, and State and local governments, Chao said. AV 3.0 supports the safe development of automated vehicle technologies by: Providing new multi-modal safety guidance Reducing policy uncertainty and clarifying roles Outlining a process for working with USDOT as technology evolves Specifically, the new AV 3.0 guidance provides several updates to the department’s initiatives relating to automated vehicles, by: Stating that the department will interpret and, consistent with all applicable notice and comment requirements, adapt the definitions of “driver” or “operator” as appropriate to recognize that such terms do not refer exclusively to a human, but may include an automated system. Identifying and supporting the development of automation-related voluntary standards developed through organizations and associations, which can be an effective non-regulatory means to advance the integration of automation technologies. Affirming that the Department is continuing its work to preserve the ability for transportation safety applications to function in the 5.9 GHz spectrum. AV 3.0 also announces and discusses several upcoming rulemakings and other actions being taken in the near future by the department’s operating administrations, including: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will request public comment on a proposal to streamline and modernize the procedures it will follow when processing and deciding exemption petitions. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will initiate an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to address automated vehicles, particularly to identify regulatory gaps, including in the areas of inspection, repair, and maintenance for ADS. The Federal Highway Administration announces plans to update the 2009 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), taking into consideration new connected and automated vehicle technologies. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is initiating research to develop and demonstrate a concept of operations, including system requirements, for the use of automated and connected vehicles to improve safety of highway-rail crossings. The Maritime Administration (MARAD) and FMCSA are evaluating the regulatory and economic feasibility of using automated truck queueing as a technology solution to truck staging, access, and parking issues at ports. The Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Administration (PHMSA) is researching the ability to enable the digital transmission of information to first responders before they arrive at an incident that involves hazardous materials. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has published a five-year research plan on automating bus transit. The draft Guidance will be published in the Federal Register for public review and comment. More information on the Department’s work on automated vehicle systems can be found at www.transportation.gov/av.