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The winter of 2013-14 was one of the coldest on record and dropped the 10th largest snow cover on the U.S. since 1966, according to the Rutgers University Snow Lab. The wintry weather disrupted much of the nation’s freight transportation network and created a “target rich” environment for cargo theft, according to insurance industry officials. Trucks…

With fuel efficiency continuing to be a critical element in trucking, industry giant Mack Trucks says its’ focus is to help reduce customer operating costs through a series of technological investments and advancements now on the marketplace. “Customers need trucks that maximize their ROI,” said Stephen Roy, president of Mack Trucks North American Sales and…

Walmart, Peterbilt, ROUSH, Great Dane and Capstone Turbine were among the innovators who unveiled new technology at the recent Mid-American Trucking Show. Walmart showcased its futuristic Walmart Advanced Vehicle Experience (WAVE), a prototype tractor-trailer combination that features leading edge aerodynamics, an advanced turbine-powered range extending series hybrid power train, electrified auxiliary components, and sophisticated control…

In addition to new technology and business practices unveiled at the recent Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky, the trucking industry lifted the curtains on its new “Trucking Moves America Forward” (TMAF) image and marketing campaign. The goal of the campaign, according to industry officials, is to market trucking to potential drivers, impart to the…

With an abundant supply of natural gas, many U.S. trucking companies are looking at alternative fuels to power their trucks. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and biodiesel fuels made from corn, soybeans and other natural oils or animal fats are the most popular. Another contender in the alternative fuels race is electricity….

United Parcel Service (UPS) is making the move to propane to fuel its fleet of delivery vehicles in selected markets. UPS bought 1,000 package delivery propane trucks and is building 50 fueling stations at UPS locations, all of which will cost around $70 million. Operations will begin by mid-2014 and be completed early next year,…

Ryder System, one of America’s leading trucking firms, has partnered with non-profit Women in Trucking to improve working conditions for women truckers through redesigns of truck cabs. The collaboration is aimed at improving working conditions for female drivers and enhancing safety through ergonomic truck cab designs that address the unique challenges women face when operating…

Officials from the American Trucking Associations (ATA) recently criticized President Obama’s proposed 2015 budget because it favors rail and intermodal freight movement over highways and trucking. “The administration’s proposed budget misses the mark when it comes to the transportation needs of the U.S. economy,” said ATA President Bill Graves. “It provides no real funding solutions for…

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) held a public listening session in late February to gain input on the agency’s 2014-18 strategic plan and both the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) were quick to weigh in. “Public feedback will assist the agency in preparing to meet the…

A new research white paper released by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) suggests that drivers who received targeted simulator training had fewer safety incidents over time, but those effects dissipated after one year. The report, Safety Impacts of Truck Driver Simulator Training, investigated the effectiveness of using customized truck driving simulators to target specific driving…