The value of low rolling resistance trailer tires
For many years, tire manufacturers have been promoting the fuel-saving potential of their low rolling resistance products. Their claims, based on sound research, indicate that tire rolling resistance accounts for a significant percentage of fuel consumption. Their case for adopting low rolling resistance tire technology becomes even stronger when you consider that, under the EPA
Getting the most value from your vocational fleet
As light- and medium-duty work trucks become more complex, well-written specifications are increasingly important for avoiding costly mistakes. That is the key message in an article by Christopher Lyon, director of fleet relations at NTEA, as part of the organization’s efforts to provide resources for improving operational efficiency and fleet performance. Efficient vocational vehicle specifications
Brown Transportation invests in equipment and people
It’s not unusual to hear trucking companies talk about how they provide high-quality service to customers, and that they strive everyday to meet their needs and expectations. In the case of Brown Transportation, those goals are being met with an apparently successful approach. “We’re very diverse, which helps us weather any changes in the business
Sweet rewards: Sugar Foods Corp. is using technology to operate safely and efficiently
Trucking operations measure success in many ways, and for Sugar Foods Corp., the numbers paint a very favorable picture. The private fleet, for example, has a 94.5% on-time delivery rate, an empty mileage rate of only .01% and driver turnover of less than 10%. The Sugar Foods fleet has also been recognized by the National
Covering fatigue risk, safety systems and more at EUFMC
The educational program for the annual Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference (EUFMC) is based heavily on input from attendees and is designed to address the informational needs of utility fleet professionals. Therefore, it came as no surprise that the 2017 conference included several sessions on safety-related topics. Addressing an issue that is common in all
How Melton Truck Lines improves operations, enhances safety
“We don’t make equipment decisions without taking financial considerations into account, but we always look first at the safety and driver benefits a technology may offer,” says Russ Elliott, senior vice president of operations for Melton Truck Lines. “ROI is important but it’s not generally our first concern. “It’s not getting any easier to find
Adding it up: The benefits of fleet electrification
A longtime innovator in the adoption of alternative fuel technologies into its fleet of nearly 14,000 vehicles, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is also leading the charge when it comes to fleet electrification. The natural gas and electric utility company, based in San Francisco and serving nearly 16 million people in Northern and Central
How the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York’s fleet helps those in need
“We watch our bottom line like any other business,” says Mark Quandt, executive director of the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. “As a non-profit agency, it’s just as important for us to make cost-effective fleet decisions as it is for companies that use trucks in for-profit businesses with pick-up and delivery operations, or
A clear view: Meeting new FMVSS 111 rearview camera requirements
In the works since the passage of the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act of 2007, the newly enacted update to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 111 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sets new rear vision system requirements for vehicles with a 10,000-lb. or lower Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. Information
How Central Freight Lines built an optimum LTL, distribution network
In mid-February of this year, Central Freight Lines announced plans to purchase Wilson Trucking, effectively expanding its terminal network by 50% and extending its operating area to include the entire southeastern U.S. and Puerto Rico. “The Wilson Trucking network of 26 terminals in the southeast matched up with our western and southwestern footprint of 56
Using telematics to improve fleet utilization
While fleets have a vast and increasing amount of data at their disposal for making more informed equipment and maintenance choices, information only enables improvements in efficiency and productivity if it’s truly actionable and is presented in a context where it can be used effectively and strategically. “Only by leveraging the right technology can you
Covering all bases: GM adds a Class 6 medium-duty model
With seven straight months of year-over-year market share gains through March of this year, GM’s commercial truck business has been growing steadily. Recently, Chevrolet announced it is expanding its range of trucks with a new dock-height Class 6 model. The 2018 Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 6500XD, expected to be available by the end of the
