Blog

EnRoute - May 14, 2014



Top Stories

The U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee and its transportation and infrastructure subcommittee have released the test of legislation, S. 2322 that would reauthorize the current transportation authorization law known as MAP-21 for six years at current funding levels plus inflation. FULL STORY

 

Everyone continues to seek solutions to the driver shortage and a round of new solutions has been laid out in hopes of providing a long-term fix for the driver shortage. FULL STORY

 

Senators Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) have questioned Virginia Transportation Secretary Aubrey Layne about that state's funding solution as an approach to replace the current federal fuel taxes. FULL STORY

 

TRALA held an informational webinar last week on the proposed electronic logging device rule.  The webinar provided information on the rule and discussed compliance issues for the renting and leasing industry.  FULL STORY

 
 
 

Technology Trends

 

The Vector 8100 is Carrier Transicold's new engineless all-electric trailer refrigeration unit.  The new unit is designed for supermarkets, produce warehouses, food distribution centers and other businesses that use refrigerated trailers for on-site cold storage. FULL STORY

 

SkyBitz as a Service (SBS) is a monthly subscription offered by SkyBitz that is designed to provide customers comprehensive trailer and asset information management and historical trends analytics. FULL STORY

 

Significant technological advances in Electronic Brake Monitoring are occurring in the industry and can benefit the fleet operator and vehicle inspector. FULL STORY

 

Truck-Lite Co., LLC has implemented an online series of technical courses as part of its new Truck-Lite Training Institute (TTI) Program. FULL STORY

 
  


Briefly

 

Rush Enterprises, Inc. and 3M have reached an agreement to pursue the design, manufacture and installation of a portfolio of compressed natural gas (CNG) tanks and fuel systems for use in Class 6-8 vehicles in North America. . .PeopleNet has announced integration with Valor's tire pressure monitoring system. . .Peterbilt Motors Co. has produced an app for Apple and Windows tablets that allow users to tour vehicles, browse features and specs and even select different truck colors. . .Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company has launched its 2014 Legacy Museum Trailer Tour in North America.  It consists of four interactive touchscreen monitors and audio equipment for viewing movies, photos, and browsing through Utility's historical timeline. . .Penske Truck Rental  has announced it has 85 CNG Freightliner Cascadia semi-tractors available for commercial rental use in select markets. These rental units will allow customers to field test the units and experience how they will use them within their daily business. . .Hino Trucks Class 5 195h and 195h-DC diesel electric cab-over has been approved by the New York Truck – Voucher Incentive Program (NYT-VIP). The NYT-VIP is a partnership between the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), New York State Department of Transportation (NYDOT), New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT), and CALSTART.

 

 

People 

Ed Saxman, an engineer and product manager at Mack Trucks and Volvo Trucks for a combined 44 years, has retired. . .Jeff Jones, vice president-North American Engine Business and marketing communications, has announced his retirement effective June 30, 2014.  Amy Boerger will succeed Jones and her responsibilities will include national accounts, field sales and support and the North American on-and off-highway OEM business.  Lori Thompson will assume a new position as vice president – Engine Business marketing and will have the responsibility for global marketing, marketing communications and emerging-growth opportunities.

 

  

Taking $tock

A look at truck transportation-industry Fortune 500 public companies:

Company Symbol (Click for Chart) 5/14 Close Performance
Allison Transmission Holdings ALSN $29.99 $0.01 +0.03%
Avis Budget Group Inc. CAR $55.43 $0.38 +0.69%
Cummins Inc. CMI $151.70 $1.73 -1.13%
Dana Holding Corp. DAN $21.50 $0.07 +0.33%
Eaton Corp. ETN $72.74 $0.46 -0.63%
General Electric GE $26.76 $0.16 -0.59%
Goodyear Tire & Rubber GT $24.27 $0.46  -1.86%
Navistar International Corp. NAV $34.72 $0.56 -1.59%
PACCAR Inc. PCAR $62.10 $1.29 -2.04%
Ryder R $82.92 $1.52 -1.80%

SOURCE: Yahoo! Finance

 
 

Money Matters

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Diesel Emission Reduction Program has made $9 million in grant funding available for clean diesel projects to reduce diesel pollution and emissions exposure. FULL STORY

 

Meritor has reported net income during the first three months of the year was $1 million, compared to a loss of $4 million a year earlier.  The company has stated much of the reason was due to a gain in sales, totaling $962 million, up from $54 million from the same period in 2013. FULL STORY



 

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