Some experts say trucker shortage is overblown

Some experts say trucker shortage is overblown

The images are startling. Cargo ships lined up offshore, waiting to dock and unload their cargo. America is in a supply chain crisis and many fingers are pointing to a shortage of U.S. truck drivers. The American Trucking Associations, the country’s leading industry trade group, estimates the driver shortage at 80,000. Business Insider recently talked…

Austin-based trucking startup hopes artificial intelligence will transform industry

Austin-based trucking startup hopes artificial intelligence will transform industry

AI Fleet, an Austin, Texas trucking startup, is banking on artificial intelligence to transform a trucking industry that is having a hard time retaining drivers and recruiting new ones. The company uses artificial intelligence technology to streamline operations and improve pain points. “Our mission is to make truck driving better. That means better for the…

Kodiak Robotics unveils next-generation autonomous truck

Kodiak Robotics unveils next-generation autonomous truck

Kodiak Robotics, Inc., an autonomous trucking company, announced its fourth-generation autonomous truck that features Luminar’s Iris LiDAR, ZF Full Range Radar, Hesai 360-degree scanning LiDARs for side- and rear-view detection, Cummins X15 Series engines, Bridgestone Americas smart-sensing tire technology, and the NVIDIA DRIVE platform. The fourth-generation trucks are expected on the road in the fourth…

ATRI analysis explores how electric vehicles can pay their way

ATRI analysis explores how electric vehicles can pay their way

A recent study by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) addresses the question of how electric vehicles will pay their fair share into the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) under the existing motor fuels tax collection method. Through a small tax on the electricity that is used in transportation, the report identifies an approach to efficiently…

Ryder and Waymo partner for national autonomous truck maintenance

Ryder and Waymo partner for national autonomous truck maintenance

Ryder System and Waymo Via have formed a partnership to provide best-in-class maintenance for Class 8 autonomous trucks to establish a national footprint. Ryder System is a leader in supply chain, dedicated transportation, and fleet management solutions and Waymo Via is the trucking and local delivery unit of Waymo, an autonomous driving developer. The two…

Former rocket scientist claims to have a solution for semi-truck rollovers

Former rocket scientist claims to have a solution for semi-truck rollovers

Mechanical engineer Steve Krug, founder of startup Axicle Engineering, developed a fifth-wheel tractor anti-roll system (TARS) that senses a tractor-trailer rollover before it happens and detaches the trailer from the tractor, allowing it to roll over on its own while keeping the truck driver safe in the cab. “Our impression of the Axicle fifth-wheel prototype…

Carriers look overseas to address truck driver shortage

Carriers look overseas to address truck driver shortage

Facing a years-long shortage of drivers, American trucking firms are now looking beyond the U.S. to put drivers behind the wheel of their semis. The reports are popping up all over the country. Bloomberg reported this week that Oklahoma-based Groendyke Transport is looking for new drivers in South Africa. The efforts to look outside the…

Infrastructure bill aims to address crumbling infrastructure

Infrastructure bill aims to address crumbling infrastructure

While Congress continues to debate a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, members of the trucking industry see the legislation as an opportunity to address the country’s crumbling infrastructure. Chris Spear, president, and CEO of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) said the bill is critical for the American economy. “It’s refreshing to see Congress do its job…

AM Best Upgrades Issuer Credit Rating of National Independent Truckers Insurance Company, A RRG

OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AM Best has upgraded the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) to “bbb+” (Good) from “bbb” (Good) and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of B++ (Good) of National Independent Truckers Insurance Company, A RRG (NITIC) (Charleston, SC). The outlook of the Long-Term ICR has been revised to stable from positive while the…

Trucking industry sees spike in unscheduled roadside maintenance in first quarter

Trucking industry sees spike in unscheduled roadside maintenance in first quarter

A report from the American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) and FleetNet America found an industry-wide increase in the frequency of unscheduled roadside maintenance occurrences in the first quarter of the year. “As the economy improves going into the second half of 2021, fleets need to be vigilant in their maintenance practices to…