Freight transportation markets inched closer to equilibrium in August, according to data compiled in the Logistics Managers’ Index (LMI). The Tuesday report displayed a reading of 60.5 for transportation capacity during the month, which is still well into expansion territory but the slowest growth rate logged since April 2022. The subindex was 5.1 percentage points […]
High detention times have plagued the industry for years. The impact that wait times have on carriers and drivers – including lost time, money and safety – are well documented. Shippers, however, continue to have misconceptions about wait times and their overarching impacts on the industry as a whole. “The first is the misconception that […]
In January 2020, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rolled out the federal Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. This electronic database was designed to track commercial driver’s license (and permit) holders who have tested positive for prohibited drug or alcohol use, as well as refusals to take required drug tests, and other drug and alcohol violations. […]
Truckload freight volumes fell last month and national benchmark spot rates for dry van and refrigerated loads retreated from their gains in June, reported DAT Freight & Analytics. The DAT Truckload Volume Index (TVI), a measure of loads moved during a given month, was lower in July for all three equipment types: Van TVI was […]
Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) has opened a new parts redistribution center in Whitestown, Ind. The company says the 605,000 sq.-ft. facility will help it replenish its 10 parts distribution centers in the U.S. and Canada, with more efficient and timely parts deliveries. The new facility also expands DTNA’s overall parts distribution network to nearly […]
There’s lots to digest in this week’s trucking economic report. Motive says that industry exits in the U.S. are now reaching into the realms of larger-sized fleets, affecting operations with five trucks or more. To date, it’s predominantly been single-truck operators that have packed it in or rejoined partnerships with larger fleets. Meanwhile, those relying […]
Simard Transport has added four Freightliner eCascadias electric Class 8 trucks to its Quebec fleet. It called on Hydro-Quebec subsidiary Cleo to provide the charging infrastructure, consisting of two Detroit eFill 120 kW and two ABB DC wallbox 24 kW chargers. The trucks themselves have 438 kWh of battery capacity and power equal to 470 […]
Truck driver training schools must navigate a difficult future as increased operational costs bite into revenue and prospective students shop for lower-fee options. Operating in Ontario’s trucking heartland, Mississauga-based Richards Truck Driving School is witnessing declining student enrolment over the past few months. Operations manager Radek Rogowski says he charges $7,700 for the MELT (mandatory […]
If the last couple years of snarled supply chains, equipment shortages, and inflation have taught us anything, it’s that the trailer has always been an underappreciated asset. While fleets have been quick to adopt truck technologies that can improve productivity and uptime as well as visibility into location, the adoption of such technologies on trailers […]
U.S. regulators are looking to require automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems on heavy vehicles in a bid to reduce the number and severity of rear-end crashes. News of the initiative emerged June 22 in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). […]
