Nearly 200 bills are pending in state and local legislatures to ban emailing or texting while driving. Currently 19 states have already cracked down on the distracting habit, while 23 other states are debating the issue, which is blamed for 16 percent of all highway fatalities. It is likely that all states will enforce the ban, since federal legislation has been Continue Reading

A new product from Cole Hersee promises to conserve energy for heavy-duty vehicles and vehicles with ancillary on-board equipment and in-cab amenities. The SureStart Low Voltage Disconnect Switch (LVD) 48513 helps store starting power by disconnecting non-critical loads, thereby prolonging battery life by preventing damage due to Continue Reading

A “major breakthrough” in battery technology is a must to boost the demand for all-electric and hybrid electric vehicles, according to a study recently released by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Without it, the high-tech vehicles will never have a mass market appeal. The study indicated that if they higher prices had a quicker Continue Reading

With nearly $200 million in grants awarded, the truck manufacturing industry is being charged with pursuing technologies to boost fuel efficiency. Each of the nine projects funded by the Department of Energy will focus on increasing Class 8 long-haul tractor fuel efficiency by at least 50 percent by 2015. That goal is also part of what’s Continue Reading

Even in today’s eco-friendlier world, not even the assistance of the EPA could the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) get the green light on regulation changes that could help reduce emissions in North America. Apparently, national security even trumps the going green effort. At issue is Continue Reading

Four of the Federal Reserve’s 12 districts, including Atlanta, Cleveland, Dallas an Richmond, reported improved transportation activity for the period between mid-November and early January. Though its latest “beige book” reports that though the transportation sector is improving, economic activity remained low. Compiled eight times a year, beige book reports are based Continue Reading

Grote Industries’ newest lamp should shed more light on work spaces and environments common to utility trucks, fifth wheels, forklifts and off-road vehicles, to name a few. The market’s first purpose-built Hook-Up lamp, according to the company, features an advanced optical design that focuses brighter, more usable LED light across Continue Reading

An executive order prohibiting federal employees from texting while driving on the clock or using wireless devices in government vehicles officially took effect the beginning of the year. This law affects all federal employees during work hours while operating their private vehicles, or at all times if using Continue Reading

Technology may have stopped distracted driving in its tracks. As concerns have grown over the use of cell phones or diversion from the road caused by texting, many states have called for bans on the use of cell phones and other wireless communication devices. However, a number of motion-tracking technologies are Continue Reading

Though a shift to moving freight by rail is gaining steam, one analyst says that too much of a shift would actually expend more energy, rather than conserve it. A report from research firm FTR Associates urges an examination of the entire transportation system, utilizing rail to help reduce emissions and holding it to stricter Continue Reading