Freight, orders and optimism continue to populate the minds of many carrier and shipping executives these days as more data points suggest the economy is continuing to improve. And it’s optimism that even uneven retail sales and consumer confidence can’t hide.
The on-again, off-again saga over the electronic logging device rule is back on again after language was inserted into a House appropriations bill this week directing FMCSA to review the rule and make a determination if the rule should be delayed or changed.
A world with zero fatalities caused by road accidents sounds pretty idealistic — but is it realistic? The communities around the world backing the Vision Zero initiative think so.
Blockchain is a technology that is rapidly growing in many industries, and its potential to disrupt traditional work flows in transportation is large. This graphic illustrates some of the potential areas where blockchain can be used to improve operations.
Many larger carriers already require their drivers to use ELDs, but for smaller carriers that make up the majority of the industry, the implementation of ELDs and their associated cost could be a game-changer. This infographic highlights some of the key facts around ELDs, their impact on operations, and potential solutions to mitigate those impacts.
In 2015, the trucking industry experienced over 996 million hours of delay because of congestion, which is equivalent to 362,243 commercial truck drivers sitting idle for an entire working year, at a cost of $63.4 billion. Here are some more facts about congestion.
The recent surge in U.S. oil drilling has helped keep gas and diesel prices depressed, despite oil production cuts by OPEC. This infographic provides a quick glimpse of what is happening in the sector.
There has been a narrative in the U.S. that retail is dying a quick death. The reality is that is just not true. So far in 2017, there have been nearly as many store openings announced as store closings. This FreightWaves infographic details some of the trends in retail and how trucking is responding.
From Chattanooga to Birmingham, from Memphis to Atlanta, Freight Alley is home to a growing number of freight and logistics companies. But who is calling the area home? You can read more about Freight Alley here: When freight moves it moves through Freight Alley. This graphic is updated as new companies are identified. To see the most updated map, click the graphic.
To highlight the impact weather can have on trucking, and to highlight their new partnership, TransFX, which is seeking to offer trucking freight futures contracts, and Riskpulse, a supply chain risk analytics firm, have produced an infographic that provides a few surprising facts about weather-related delays.
For anyone in the trucking industry, there is one constant: change. Rates change. Customers change. Freight flows change. But why is there so much change? This graphic answers some of those questions.
Starting with just two trucks in Joplin, MO, in 1951, Contract Freighters Inc. (CFI) built a reputation for quality service, professional drivers, and being a good community partner. Today, CFI – after several name and ownership changes in the past 15 years – is reconnecting with the Joplin community and its customer base. The truckload carrier is home, even though it never left.
Unlike autonomous vehicles, a driver remains in ultimate control of a truck while in platoon formation. Because of this, it is likely that two-truck platooning will be available to fleets later this year.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been teasing audiences for months on the company's secretive electric truck project. At a TED Conference in Vancouver, Musk posted this shadowed picture of what the truck may look like.
Whether you are a large or small trucking company, or even a driver, there is a lot to like about President Donald Trump's proposed tax plan, even if many of the specifics are lacking at this point.
FEATURED CONTENT
C.H. Robinson's second quarter earnings report missed Wall Street estimates, in large part because of the rise in spot rates in the quarter which compressed margins, even though the company reported a rise of truckload and less-than-truckload volume.
Do you drive a little faster than the law allows? If you are in the Southeast this week, be aware. Police in five states are looking for speeders as well as distracted and impaired drivers as part of an enforcement push.
Freight, orders and optimism continue to populate the minds of many carrier and shipping executives these days as more data points suggest the economy is continuing to improve. And it’s optimism that even uneven retail sales and consumer confidence can’t hide.
While platooning vehicles are close to real-world operation, the world itself may not be ready for them. According to a guide for legislators created by the Competitive Enterprise Institute, the varied nature of state laws may limited where platooning vehicles may operate.
Google Glass, those futuristic glasses created by Google a few years ago are back. Discontinued after meeting with only minor success despite great introductory fanfare, they have now made a reappearance with a focus on corporate America.
The on-again, off-again saga over the electronic logging device rule is back on again after language was inserted into a House appropriations bill this week directing FMCSA to review the rule and make a determination if the rule should be delayed or changed.
A world with zero fatalities caused by road accidents sounds pretty idealistic — but is it realistic? The communities around the world backing the Vision Zero initiative think so.
The long-awaited U.S. outline for the goals of a renegotiation of NAFTA has been unveiled, and there are few surprises in the 17-page document. The document outlines the U.S. top priority of shrinking trade deficits with Canada and Mexico.
Last week, Volvo Trucks announced that it would soon be adding Apply CarPlay to its lineup as an optional package. More connected trucks will soon become commonplace, and maybe in the commercial transportation space, technologies such as this, Android Auto and WiFi will be welcomed additions.
Starting with just two trucks in Joplin, MO, in 1951, Contract Freighters Inc. (CFI) built a reputation for quality service, professional drivers, and being a good community partner. Today, CFI – after several name and ownership changes in the past 15 years – is reconnecting with the Joplin community and its customer base. The truckload carrier is home, even though it never left.
Fleets outfitting their tractors with 6x2 axle are still finding benefits, but adoption of the configuration has been slow according to a North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) and Carbon War Room update to its 2013 Confidence Report on 6x2 axles.
This week kicked off a series of 16 customer and dealer events at Volvo’s new Customer Center here. It was one of several big news events for the company – the others being an update on its new VNR regional tractor model which was introduced in April, and the first unveiling of an updated VNL line.
According to a report in a German newspaper, Daimler has now been swept up in the emissions cheating scandals that have been raging across Europe in recent years.
As much of the world is progressing towards Industry 4.0, Japan is going a step further. In its recently released Growth Strategy 2017 report, the county puts technological achievements, such as autonomous trucks and drone deliveries, on the fast track as it seeks to develop Society 5.0.
A surprise national brake safety inspection day on May 3 netted nearly 12% of commercial vehicles inspected with brake violations, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance announced this week.
Calling it the “most innovative, most exciting trucks from Volvo in 20 years,” Volvo Trucks North America officially took the wraps of its updated VNL family of trucks.
Volvo Trucks this week introduced its updated VNL series, provided additional updates on its recently introduced VNR series, and showed off its new Customer Center at its growing Dublin, VA, facility.
Amazon Prime day yesterday represented a real test for the e-commerce giant’s logistics and supply chain. In addition to its contracts with FedEx, USPS and UPS – which all will have a busy couple of days to meet all these Prime orders - Amazon’s fleet of planes will be busy moving goods around the country.
When the U.S. auto industry came roaring back to life, it was a boon for carriers who made their business hauling autos and related products. But as sliding sales in 2017 show, nothing lasts forever. And it’s possible that the future is even murkier for carriers who rely on the auto business for their livelihoods.
Someday real soon, vehicles will self-diagnose themselves, order the repair parts, and maybe even replace the part themselves. Vehicle maintenance is already partially of the way there. but the U.S. Marines are going a step further.
Surprisingly, a new survey from SOTI has found that nearly 70% of transportation and logistics executives have not grasped the importance of rugged handheld mobile devices in the field.
Multiple reports have indicated that Walmart has threatened to withhold business from any trucking company that continues to haul goods for Amazon. Walmart has denied making any such threats, but the mere suggestion of it raises questions that carrier executives need to address.
Seeking to build “greater lane density to improve utilization and yields through more efficient dispatch and capacity allocation,” Heartland Express Inc. announced it is acquiring Interstate Distributer Co. (IDC) of Tacoma, WA, from Saltchuk Resources.
Are you ready for electric vehicles? A new report from Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) says that electric vehicle (EV) sales will account for 33% of all light-duty vehicles on the road by 2040.
It's so simple, that it's somewhat surprising someone has already come up with the idea. Einride, a Swedish startup, has developed an electric-powered, self-driving box on wheels. The T-pod made its debut this week with a promise to revolutionize cargo movement.
Following a disappointing retreat in orders in May, Class 8 truck orders rose in June according to data just released. That reinforces the outlook for the remainder of 2017 as many of the orders are for fourth quarter delivery, according to FTR.
Shut downs of operating systems due to cyberattacks are complete handicaps for logistics companies and lead to significant amounts of lost business as well as productivity. But can they be prevented?
The trucking turnover rate at truckload fleets remains near historical lows, but it did tick up a bit in the first quarter of 2017, said the American Trucking Associations.
The Indian trucking market is not unlike that of the U.S. Technological change is happening, albeit a little slower in India, Numadic is one company that is trying to quicken the speed of change.
The Department of Transportation has revised and renamed its FASTLane program to “align [projects] with national and regional economic vitality goals and to leverage additional non-federal funding,” it said.
C.H. Robinson's second quarter earnings report missed Wall Street estimates, in large part because of the rise in spot rates in the quarter which compressed margins, even though the company reported a rise of truckload and less-than-truckload volume.