We know it’s not easy to keep up with everything that happens in the world of trucking. So here are the biggest stories from November focused on the latest truck trends, all in one place.
5. The ELD Mandate is fast approaching
The FMCSA’s ELD Mandate is imminent, taking effect on Dec. 18. With that being the case, it made the perfect time to debut Future Focus, FE‘s new technology-focused video series. The first episodes zero in on the ELD Mandate, with part one going over the basics of what you need to know, and part two conducting an interview with PeopleNet’s Eric Witty for a deeper understanding of the mandate. Watch both below.
4. The next piece of the autonomous truck puzzle is steering systems
On the road toward an automated truck, the majority of trucks ordered today are already outfitted with automated manual transmissions that offer adaptive cruise control to maintain a safe following distance. We have collision mitigation systems that can apply the brakes to help prevent or minimize the severity of an accident. The next piece of the autonomous truck puzzle is steering systems. Like all automated systems, it begins with baby steps.
ZF recently put Editor Jason Morgan behind the wheel of ReAX, its hydraulic electric steering system, in which an electronic motor provides the required assist to the hydraulic steering system. Watch the video below.
3. Fleets continue to deal with issues from the DPF and aftertreatment system
“Aftertreatment systems have led to a significant reduction in the emissions pouring from the engine. However, they’ve acquired a reputation as a thorn in fleets’ sides thanks to significant maintenance costs. With this in mind, the newer ATS systems have been optimized and improved to avoid these kinds of problems, and there are also measures fleets can take on their end to help prevent DPF issues.”
Senior Editor Alex Crissey takes a look at those DPF issues and their potential fixes.
2. The technology conversation is moving from what we can do to what we should do
“Visions of trucking’s future are as nuanced as those who dare to picture it. The possibilities of today’s truck equipment technology serve as a sort of trucking Rorschach test—where one person looks at automated trucks and imagines a world without professional drivers, and others look at that same technology and can’t imagine that there wouldn’t be a driver there to monitor the system. But that’s a topic for another column. For the time being, let’s consider the topic of automation and safety.”
Jason Morgan begins a series of columns where he’ll delve into the various depictions of trucking’s future as seen by the industry’s equipment leaders, starting with Volvo Trucks’ vision of a zero-accident future.
1. Electrification continues to be the biggest story in the trucking world
We don’t see this trend going away anytime soon. Electrification was all the rage at the ATA show in Orlando, as detailed in our video. Additionally, Seth Skydel writes about the growing demand for upfitted electric drive systems here; while we talk to Cummins about the Aeos electric concept truck. Oh, and you may have heard about this one: Tesla announced a fully electric Class 8 truck to be available in 2019.
