According to a new report, railroads are positioned to rebound faster than any other mode of shipping, both because of the wide variety of industries it supports and market confidence signaled by recent investments. The less-than-truckload (LTL) market is struggling due to low pricing, but analysts speculate that is a move to weed out the carriers who are Continue Reading

Though the year-over-year freight index is down, the Freight Transportation Services Index increased 2.9 percent since June 2009. Those gains have come since the Freight TSI’s lowest level since June 1997, which was May 2009. The index hit its peak in May 2006 with a Freight TSI of 112.9. 2009 ended with a December Freight TSI of Continue Reading

Fifth-wheel coupler manufacturer Jost believes it is closing the gap on scaling the next frontier in vehicle aerodynamics – the gap between a tractor and trailer. Its Smart Gap System (SGS), on display at the recent Technology and Maintenance Council exhibition in Tampa, automatically alters the size of the gap while the equipment is on Continue Reading

The outlook for growth in truck tonnage for 2010 is modest at best, according to trucking groups and research analysts, affected mostly by continued sluggish consumer spending and business investment. Still, they say, the trucking industry is headed in the right direction, albeit slowly. Anticipated modest increases will help move the 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

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

Despite the encouraging looks of trailer order increases, analysts say overall production is still down. October indicated an 80 percent jump in commercial trailer orders from September and a 124 percent increase from October last year. According to ATR Research Co., 70,000 semi trailers are expected to be built in 2009, increasing only to Continue Reading

Phillips Industries announced it recently released its I-Box to the aftermarket, expanding its reach since first offered for new trailers. The nosebox provides a third more working room and is designed to handle the ever-increasing electronic demands of today’s trailers. Among its features are: room for flash memory to store important trailer schematics, bills of material and Continue Reading

A public-private partnership platform has released promising road results using boat tails on trailers. The Dutch PART (Platform for Aerodynamic Road Transport) announced a 7.5 percent reduction in fuel consumption in testing conducted over the course of one year. PART’s ambition is to achieve a 20 percent Continue Reading

Beginning January 1, 2010, 2011 and later model year 53-foot trailers must comply with SmartWay regulations in the state of California. The rules apply to dry, refrigerated and curtainside van trailers, and they must be SmartWay-certified or retrofitted with equipment meeting SmartWay technical requirements and Continue Reading