• Transportation

Driver wages: The elephant in the room

by Ray Haight

I have been asked to take on this subject on many times by various readers and although I have touched on it on and off over the years on numerous…

Traffic Unjammed: Off-peak deliveries can make a difference

by John G Smith

Suppose they had a rush hour and nobody came. As strange as the concept sounds, this essentially describes the ultimate goal of off-peak deliveries - the route planning strategy that schedules shipments at times when there is less traffic on the road. There are significant savings to be realized by those who embrace the idea.

Surprise! Cummins goes electric

by Rolf Lockwood

COLUMBUS, IN - In a dramatic demonstration of technological agility, Cummins finished off a press conference here yesterday by unveiling its all-electric, zero-emissions class-7 tractor. Obviously, it's a first for the 98-year-old diesel manufacturer that wants to become known as a powertrain provider, not an engine builder. It was a surprise to many, even to those of us who knew electric power was in the cards at Cummins, as well as being a small slap in the face to Tesla, which has been threatening to introduce an electric tractor next month. Called the 'AEOS' electric commercial vehicle demonstrator, and built by Roush on what seems to be an International ProStar base, it's a working 4x2 regional hauler, not just a concept shell. Cummins sees its role in vocational applications like urban delivery, port drayage, and terminal container handling. It's claimed to achieve over 30 miles per gallon in diesel-equivalent terms while accelerating 25-35% faster than the same tractor powered by an 11- or 12-liter diesel (depending on rear-axle ratios, of course).

• Transportation

The truck as a member of the team

by James Menzies

I recently spent a couple days in sunny California, talking connectivity with members of Daimler Trucks North America and its Detroit Connect team. It’s no secret that today’s trucks are…

• Transportation

Stop criticizing and start coming up with good solutions

by Roger McKnight

The critics are annoying because they’re so critical. They point out, with an over bearing pride of their ocular skills, that there’s a hole in the bucket but then they…

• Transportation

Should crude oil from Alberta be refined in Alberta?

by Roger McKnight

Shortly before the demise of the Alberta Conservative dynasty when they were morphed out – or is it smurfed out – of office by a then and still now palpitating…

• Transportation

The quest for Wally World inside the world of crude oil refining

by Roger McKnight

It’s with the threat of a tsunami of frustration, impending doom, and boredom that I will attempt to lighten this discussion by using personification to capture your interest, thus preventing…

Headlights Again: Now digital

by Rolf Lockwood

A few months ago I wrote a couple of times about headlights, complaining that the standard lamps offered in most vehicles -- from cars to heavy trucks -- are insufficient. Meaning, it's too easy to over-drive your lights at what are pretty ordinary speeds nowadays. The light just isn't thrown far enough down the road, reducing the ability of a driver to see far enough ahead to avoid an obstruction and maybe a catastrophic accident.

Printed to Go: 3D printing will transform your access to truck parts

by John G Smith

Distribution centers and jobbers couldn't possibly afford to stock every single part that a truck owner might need at a given point in time. The massive inventory would tie up far too much space and capital. The best they can do is play a numbers game, focusing on parts used in the widest volume of vehicles, and trying to limit investments in the components that are likely to gather dust on a storage rack.

• Transportation

Still the best job in the world

by Harry Rudolfs

I spent over a month digesting a New York Times article on trucking lifestyles: “Truckers Feel like Throwaway People” The sub-heading was: “Truck driving, once a road to the middle…

• Transportation

Need and want

by Ray Haight

I heard a phrase the other day and it set my mind to digging deeper into the thought. The individual I was with was talking about his wife’s shopping addiction…

• Transportation

The spec’ing process has evolved, and you must too

by James Menzies

If you’re still spec’ing trucks the way you used to do it 10 years ago, chances are, you’re doing it all wrong. Powertrains have advanced substantially, especially over the last…

Volvo Pushes Forward

by Rolf Lockwood

Volvo has been mighty busy of late. Back in late April it chose our very own Expocam truck show in Montreal to unveil its new and long overdue VNR regional tractor. Promoted as the "shape of trucks to come," it was joined this week by another much updated truck, the long-haul VNL, replete with all manner of safety technology as standard equipment.

• Transportation

The continuing struggle over energy in North America

by Roger McKnight

If you want to make a blurry TV picture less blurry, you just have to adjust the contrast. But if you try messing with the colours, then you’ll forget…

• Transportation

Will Uber take control of the market for freight matching services?

by Dan Goodwill

Freight matching services or “freight exchanges” have become one of the hottest topics in Freight Transportation over the past few years. Venture capital funds, private investors and others have poured…