ATRI: The driver shortage is the trucking industry’s biggest concern
The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), a not-for-profit trucking industry research institute, unveiled its top ten industry issues report, headed by the driver shortage in the top spot. The significant need for qualified drivers to meet the nation’s growing freight demand surged six spots in the annual survey to top the list of concerns this
The driving factor: Kenworth stays focused on driver-centric features
Standing in the center of Kenworth’s massive booth at the equally massive Mid-America Trucking Show, it wasn’t hard to pick out the OEM’s primary focus: the driver. You know there is a driver shortage threatening the industry, so we won’t rehash the numbers. The OEMs are also all too well aware of the impact.
How USA Truck is filling driver ranks
While actively addressing driver retention needs with new equipment, specifications and other benefits and programs, USA Truck is simultaneously focused on recruiting drivers. One approach it is taking, for example, is to pay for 15 qualified applicants to complete a five-week Commercial Driver’s License training program. Announced earlier this year, the USA Truck Career Launch Program
USA Truck’s comprehensive approach to streamlining operations, improving retention and lowering costs
As one of the nation’s largest over-the-road truckload carriers, USA Truck is constantly on the lookout for ways to make life on the road less stressful and more productive for the approximately 1,750 drivers it employs. In many cases, that approach pays other dividends for the fleet as well. For many years, for example, USA
Balancing act: Sleepers keep drivers comfortable while the fleet stays efficient
Driver retention is one of the biggest issues facing fleets today. There simply aren’t enough drivers to go around, and it’s impacting the bottom line. With that being the case, fleets have been going out of their way to provide drivers with all the creature comforts they require, in order to ensure that they stay
Blue Flash Express breaks the driver turnover cycle
For Blue Flash Express Vice President of Operations Jason Aguillard it was about stopping a cycle—new trucks with the right specs would lower maintenance and fuel expenses, improve retention and cut the cost of recruiting and training drivers. “Now we have more money to increase pay for drivers, which further enhances the company as a
Don’t sit idly by: Putting idle reduction solutions to work saving money, retaining drivers
Trucks are made to be in motion. When efficiency is judged by MPG, the truck’s worst fuel efficiency is when the truck sits still. Idling burns fuel and can lead to increased maintenance issues. That’s why a number of idle reduction solutions are gaining ground with fleet managers aiming to lower diesel usage costs and
Equipment that drives retention
While you may be able to spec the most efficient truck the world has ever seen, designed to reap the benefits of unprecedented fuel economy, it would all be for naught if there weren’t an operator to drive it down the road. The looming driver shortage cloud is growing darker month by month. The latest
Empire Express deploys technology and the right equipment, fields trained drivers to meet expectations
Empire Express has always had an excellent long-term safety record, says Tim Gatlin, president and chief executive officer of the Memphis-based general commodities and contract carrier. “As a specialist in hauling hazardous materials and time sensitive freight,” he adds, “we’re always looking for ways to refine our practices and improve our performance.” A good deal
Detroit driver training video available
A new driver training video for the Detroit DT12 Automated Manual Transmission has been released by Detroit Diesel Corp. Designed for drivers to watch before they drive a truck equipped with a DT12 for the first time, the video covers functions and features of the transmission such as eCoast and Active Driveline Protection.