The State of New York may soon require truckers to use enhanced GPS devices in order to reduce bridge strikes, a term for commercial drivers illegally operating their vehicles on banned roads. Though state officials cite public safety as the issue, trucking advocate groups say they feel they are being singled out. The Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) claims that Continue Reading

Empty Miles, a non-profit load board, is gaining momentum as its success in the U.S. will soon spread to Canada. The program, which helps reduce the number of empty trailers on the road, is paying dividends in profits and efficiency. In the U.S., the group is managed by GS1 US along with the Voluntary Interindustry Commerce Solutions (VICS), a supply-chain management company run by its members, and its efforts have
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The Federal Reserve’s latest “Beige Book” indicates mixed growth, particularly in the trucking industry, for the period ending mid-October. The report, which is published eight times a year, is a survey of the economic conditions in each of the 12 Federal Reserve Banking Districts. While increased shipments and freight volume were Continue Reading

Though they offer reduced carbon footprints and greater economy, hybrid cars and trucks, would you believe, are too good to be true? That’s according to the New York personal injury firm of Schwartzapfel Truhowsky Marcus P.C., which claims the “quietness” of these vehicles put pedestrians and bicycle riders at greater risk. A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report released this year indicated that Continue Reading

Bendix’s recently acquired tire pressure monitoring system is now available through its dealer network and independent aftermarket suppliers. By monitoring tire inflation pressures and temperatures in real time, the SmarTire system alerts drivers take action to prevent potentially dangerous problems. Using sensors inside the tire, SmarTire collects the data and Continue Reading

The industry’s third quarter earnings reports may signal that trucking has hit bottom, as freight volumes slowly rise. Though revenues aren’t moving up along with it, analysts are hopeful that will be the next step. Carriers believe that as profits increase, so will the industry but it will need a significant boost from the larger Continue Reading

Carrier is offering its customers an extra year of service on their trailer reefer units with its 2010 model year engines. Under California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations, most transport refrigeration units (TRU) operating inside California have a seven-year engine clock that starts on either the year of manufacture of the TRU or the Continue Reading

Analysts are predicting that medium- and heavy-duty truck sales are beginning a three-year period of slow, yet steady growth, which will improve as equipment overcapacity diminishes and lower used pricing increases. Record-low freight volumes have led to underused equipment, while tighter purse strings and reduced access to credit have pushed some operations to extend equipment life cycles. Trucks equipped Continue Reading

The driver pre-employment screening program to be launched by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has gained support from carriers, but caused concern among driver advocate groups. Most agree that the process will boost safety on the roads, but its ambiguity over how the information will be used stops some organizations short from backing the program. Supporters claim that this step will reward Continue Reading

Peterson Manufacturing’s expanded line of LED lights now include an accessory light for trucks and trailers. The Tunnel Light, so named for the 3-D tunnel effect it creates, are designed to illuminate and beautify features such as stainless steel air cleaners, bumpers, door panels and running boards. When the lights are Continue Reading