electric vehicles

Industry AV Plans Should be Top Priority, According to ATA

January 14, 2022 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

American Trucking Associations is once again urging the U.S. Department of Transportation to adopt new, nationwide policies in regards to autonomous technology deployment for the transportation industry.

This call comes as USDOT begins efforts to renew its near-term strategic plan to further facilitate AV tech deployment within the trucking sector. The department has been seeking industry expert and stakeholder comments on the matter.

“Stakeholder engagement must be central to the department’s strategic plan,” ATA said. “Especially as DOT implements the programs and requirements of the [$1 trillion] Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, we note that partnerships and collaboration with [the] industry will be crucial to [advancing] productivity-boosting and lifesaving AV technologies.”

Other federal initiatives, like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s industry feedback-reliant voluntary safety self-assessment, will provide a variety of benefits to these efforts, ATA explained.

“Automated trucks present the next transformative opportunity to promote safety, improve the efficiency of freight movement and the U.S. logistics system, and maintain U.S. competitiveness in innovative automotive and mobility technologies,” said ATA in its recent letter to USDOT.

The implementation of these modern technologies should be regular and steady in order for the industry to stay on top of the latest methods of increasing productivity and safety, as well as to continuously meet constantly-changing federal standards, ATA continued.

“The trucking industry relies on interstate highways to facilitate the free flow of goods between states,“ the group explained. “Accordingly, it is important that state and local laws do not create disparities that slow the adoption of these safety and productivity-boosting technologies.”

To remain a competitive industry, regulators must stay ahead of the curve with these changes, as well.

“A clear process and standards-setting role for the federal government that precludes state efforts to regulate vehicle design is a key component of this pathway to commercialization,” said ATA.

Additionally, the department should begin working with agencies across the country to find methods of creating efficiency through performance-centric standards, according to ATA.

“Industry best practices can provide a vital technical basis to assist DOT in [the] evolution of a regulator framework,” ATA explained. “Requiring [AV] to meet a certain level of safety, rather than use any specific technology, can focus regulations on managing risk within specific operating environments.”

DOT should also invest in programs to solve congestion-related issues, ATA said, pointing to rulemakings such as NHTSA’s ‘Framework for Automated Driving Systems Safety,’ and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s ‘Safe Integration of ADS-Equipped CMVs.’ Congestion-solving investments would allow the industry to focus on major freight corridors in order to boost the flow efficiency of the nation’s goods, as the modernization and maintenance of critical connectivity points along the supply chain is currently of the utmost importance.

“We advise against federal policies that are likely to prevent or hamstring state and local agencies’ efforts to expand highway capacity,” said ATA. “This includes conditioning the expenditure of federal funds for new capacity on a showing that alternatives, such as operational strategies or investment in alternative transportation modes, are definitely ruled out.”

Currently, ATA is also calling for further interaction between DOT and the transportation industry itself in regards to next steps in implementing further low-carbon-emission tech in a manner providing proper fueling infrastructure, sufficient testing, and consideration for the needs of truckers.

ATA is also requesting that President Biden find methods of offering state and city guidance for the deployment of electric vehicles as well as overarching standards for charging stations across the country. A stakeholder group aiming to move forward electric vehicle policies should also be set forth by the administration, ATA claims.

USDOT notes that it will continue to work on objectives to “strengthen our world-class organization” through projects improving safety, equity, sustainability, and economic growth, and that it is always working toward advancing “the department’s mission by establishing policies, processes, and an inclusive and innovative culture to effectively serve communities and responsibly steward the public’s resources.”

Stakeholder and public input is requested by the USDOT regarding these plans to “invest in our transportation system to provide American workers and businesses reliable and efficient access to good-paying jobs, resources, and markets.”

A Look Back on 2021’s Top Industry Events

January 12, 2022 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

2021 was a year like no other for the trucking industry, complete with vaccine mandate debates, higher-than-ever demand from the latest surge in e-commerce, supply chain disruptions, and an ongoing need for major infrastructure improvements.

Here’s a look back at some of the most prominent news the industry saw during the second year of the coronavirus pandemic.

Supply Chain Woes Continue

Truckers and ship workers alike waited for solutions in regards to crowded ports with long pickup and unloading lines, which were often reaching numbers of nearly 100 ships waiting to unload at a time. Now, supply chain disruptions have been a common concern among industry members and the public alike, with folks constantly worried about store shelves staying stocked and members of Congress struggling to find ways to more quickly create solutions.

These issues did urge the White House, along with Congress, to negotiate new legislation aiming to improve vast amounts of American infrastructure, though.

Infrastructure Bill Passes

The $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was approved, allocating $115 billion for bridge and highway improvement projects across the nation, passed by 215 Democrats and 13 Republicans voting in its favor.

Truck Driver Shortage

The trucker shortage is still one of the most pressing issues to impact the industry, with trucking companies rolling out pay boosts and benefit improvements to incentivize more trucking candidates to come on board.

Additionally, the Biden administration announced its plans to boost retention of current truckers and recruitment of new ones with the 90-day Biden-Harris Trucking Action Plan. In the plan, carriers, drivers, and unions will be invited to listening sessions to find ways of improving trucker work-life balance, pay, and detention and delay issues. Additionally, experts will work to find ways of attracting more military veterans into the industry, supporting pilot program training and licensing for drivers between 18- and 21-years-old to drive within interstate commerce, incentivizing more women to explore careers in trucking, providing assistance to states with CDL process challenges, and creating further apprenticeship opportunities for drivers.

COVID-19 Rages On

The workforce of truck drivers has dwindled further as some catch the disease, and others leave due to health concerns or a refusal to become vaccinated. Mandatory vaccinations and testing are both in the works for the industry, especially for companies with 100 or more employees. The mandate has reached the Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments on the issue last week.

Additionally, both U.S. and Canadian governments will set forth requirements next month mandating that truckers crossing borders be fully vaccinated.

Still, freight demand is at unprecedented highs as more and more people complete most of their shopping online, a culture of e-commerce that skyrocketed at the beginning of stay-at-home orders early on in the pandemic.

Electric Vehicles Take Reign

Various truck and passenger vehicle manufacturers are expanding choices when it comes to electric vehicles, with many states beginning to mandate electric-vehicle-only manufacturing laws that will come into effect in the coming years.

With these technological changes, many truck drivers are having to learn to adapt to a plethora of new in-cab software and phone application usage while on the job–a modern shift that is believed to be causing many older truck drivers to leave the industry early.

Truck Driver Pay Expectations Reach New Heights

Carriers constantly announced pay jumps for their truckers in 2021, with many also boosting driver benefits multiple times over the span of the year. In fact, driver pay ranked third in the American Transportation Research Institute’s annual list of top industry issues.

Fleets, in a bid to retain and recruit as many truckers as needed in the midst of the driver shortage, began offering sign-on bonuses as high as $15,000, with others increasing accessorial pay and health benefits, along with various new compensation programs to give drivers more control in regards to how they’re paid.

Mitigating pay losses during long shipping and receiving wait times continues to be an issue for truckers, but Biden’s Trucking Action Plan will aim to “lay the foundation for a next-generation trucking workforce that will strengthen U.S. competitiveness and support millions of good driving jobs for years to come.”

Most Electric Vehicles Are Not as Reliable as Expected, New Report Shows

December 9, 2021 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

In a recent study by Consumer Reports, reliability around new electric vehicles isn’t as high as most people may think.

In fact, Tesla Inc.’s battery-powered electric vehicles ranked nearly last for the second year in a row in terms of consumer reliability, with Ford Motor Co.’s Lincoln division ranking even worse. Clearly, the most innovative technology doesn’t mean it’s the best–or safest–right away.

“A lot of EVs are at the high end of the market and have a lot of new tech, like new ways to open the doors,” said Consumer Reports’ senior director of auto testing, Jake Fisher. “It’s causing problems.”

Apparently, the low reliability in these kinds of vehicles doesn’t necessarily pertain to electric batteries, but rather to the technological updates manufacturers like Tesla bring into the cab to help these cars feel luxurious and innovative–such as switching typically mechanical controls for digital ones.

For instance, many electric cars have large touch screens and even informational and entertainment systems implemented in their cabs, with software updates available via download from the cloud. With all of these modern changes, many manufacturers have yet to get everything working smoothly and efficiently, according to Consumer Reports. Tesla’s Model X SUV, Model Y SUV, and Model S sedan are all below-average in their current reliability tanking.

Additionally, Volkswagen’s ID.4 EV and Audi’s E-Tron rank below average in reliability, Fisher noted. Only Ford’s Mustang Mach-E and Tesla’s Model 3 have decent rankings. Following behind are GM’s Chevrolet in 14th place, Ford in 18th, and Stellantis NV’s Jeep brand in 26th.

Still, some brands did rank particularly well, with Japanese manufacturers making up the majority of high-ranking reliable electric vehicles. In first place was Lexus, with Mazda, Toyota, Infiniti, and Buick close behind. Behind those were Honda, Subaru, Acura, Nissan, and Mini, with the only non-Japanese manufacturers in the top 10 being Buick by GM and Mini by BMW. The success of Japanese makers, Fisher said, is that they tend to implement new tech gradually with fewer major engineering changes, keeping digital difficulties to a minimum.

Of course, many of these automakers also manufacture commercial trucks, which are, of course, leaning toward electric vehicle technology lately, as well. Because of this, these reliability reports are important to keep in mind for trucking companies looking to bring new electric CMVs into their fleets.

Companies may also be jumping the gun in regards to getting their truckers into electrically-powered big rigs, noted Levinson and Stefani’s Ken Levinson. Levinson said that he supports technological innovations, especially in the transportation industry–but keeping drivers well-informed and behaving safety should always be top priority.

“It comes down to training,” he said. “There’s always going to be technological changes with trucks, but safety companies need to make sure their drivers are trained to operate these vehicles in the best and safest manner so people aren’t injured or killed. “

Although younger drivers entering the industry may feel much more comfortable and natural working with all of these tech updates within the cabs of their trucks, older truck drivers are likely to have a harder time getting used to these changes and being able to work with them easily while also operating their vehicles. This has the potential to cause a plethora of safety issues if drivers aren’t trained and ready to spend their work days in these tech-heavy cabs.

“One of the biggest issues with this new tech is that there will be distractions within the dash and console area, and many drivers need to be re-trained to make sure they aren’t distracted or confused by the technology,” Levinson continued. “They can’t be taking their eyes off of the road and harming someone.”

Sharing the road with truckers learning to operate these new kinds of trucks adds to the alertness passenger drivers need to practice while driving near them, and makes defensive driving even more imperative. Distracted and fatigued driving is already a major issue in the trucking industry; focusing on in-cab tech may exacerbate that potential truck driver distraction.

“Hiring safe drivers that are experienced, and making sure that when they are hired, they’re well-versed in safety protocols and practices, is key,” said Levinson. But passenger drivers should be extra careful around these truckers, regardless of how well-trained they may be.

First Zero-Emission Frozen Food Shipment Delivered by Albertsons and Volvo

June 21, 2021 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

“Albertsons is providing a great example of how this type of technology can reduce emissions and provide a sustainable zero-emissions goods delivery option,” said South Coast AQMD governing board member, Lisa A. Bartlett.

What she’s referring to, of course, is Albertsons Cos.’ delivery of a refrigerated grocery load with zero tailpipe emissions. This is the first delivery of its kind in the United States and was accomplished by deploying an electric Volvo truck as well as an electric Advanced Energy Machines trailer.

“Clean up on aisle everywhere,” said Volvo Trucks North American in a tweet. “Albertsons Companies is leading the way with the nation’s first 100% zero-emission refrigerated grocery delivery deploying two Volvo VNR Electric trucks, the first in their fleet.”

Albertsons, America’s second-biggest grocery chain, obtained two Volvo VNR Electric trucks for its Irvine, California distribution center, and completed a zero-emissions frozen food delivery to an Irvine store on May 28th. According to local and state environmental regulators, this delivery shows the potential for electric trucks and other environmentally-friendly transportation equipment to become more widely commercialized and make a shift in the trucking industry for the better.

“As early adopters of leading-edge technology, Albertsons Cos. continues to pursue new delivery modes that will help reduce emissions,” explained vice president of transportation at Albertsons, Tim Burke.

Additionally, electric trucking capabilities “will also provide a better working environment for our drivers and grocery store staff,” he added.

Nonprofit Calstart CEO, John Boesel, chimed in, noting how many members of the freight industry can make the switch to zero tailpipe emissions–which has only been made easier with more green transportation equipment coming available than ever before.

“When you get a major OEM and a major fleet working together on an all-electric tractor-trailer rig, it sends a strong message that the technology is mature, reliable, and ready to go,” said Boesel. “I would expect that Albertsons’ competitors will pay attention and will not want to be left behind using yesterday’s technology that is leading to climate change.”

Volvo’s VNR Electric was launched into production at its New River Valley, Virginia factory in 2020, and the company continues moving forward in the electric truck game. As of now, Volvo has 100 trucks either ordered or already in operation throughout the county, and its VNR Electric capabilities are meant for heavy hauling through regional areas. VNR Electric currently has 455 horsepower, 4,051 pound-feet of torque, and a range of 150 miles.

As part of the Low Impact Green Heavy Transport Solutions (LIGHTS) Project, Albertsons acquired these trucks, and the company’s Southern California fleet only uses Volvo Trucks–covering 335 stores in the area.

The LIGHTS Project was created through partnerships between Volvo Trucks North America, South Coast AQMD, and a dozen other organizations through a $4.8 million grant given by the California Air Resources Board. Volvo Group contributed another $36.7 million and built 25 trucks for the project’s efforts.

“We are confident that the Volvo VNR Electric Albertsons is deploying in Southern California will enable the company to not only reduce its emissions, but to make reliable daily deliveries to its grocery stores throughout the region,” explained Peter Voorhoeve, President of VTNA.

Southern California–from ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach all the way to warehouses and distribution centers 70 miles to the east–has become a hub for electric truck testing. Right now, pre-production models of the Freightliner eCascadias (built by Daimler Trucks North America) are being tested by companies such as J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc., Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc., XPO Logistics, Ryder System Inc., U.S. Foods Inc., UPS Inc., and Schneider National Inc.

Volvo has also recently acquired its biggest order on electric trucks thus far from Quality Custom Distribution. QCD, a supplier of national food service logistics services, has leased 14 Volvo VNR Trucks solely for its delivery routes throughout Southern California and will begin to deploy these vehicles from its Fontana distribution center later in 2021.

“The experience gained from this program will help accelerate battery-electric truck adoption in QCD’s fleet, as well as other last-mile delivery fleets,” said QCD senior director of strategic procurement, Mike Douglas.

Recruiting Younger Drivers and Transitioning to EVs are Main Focuses of ATRI’s Recent Study

June 19, 2021 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Finger pressing an autopilot button in a self driving car. Composite image between a hand photography and a 3D background.

The American Transportation Research Institute’s Research Advisory Committee has determined the research topics to be prioritized by the group–a list that was recently approved by ATRI’s board of directors.

The list of topics was developed and given the stamp of approval at a recent Atlanta meeting, and committee members identifying the top industry priority list components included leaders of labor unions, government officials, academics and experts, as well as trucking company executives.

2021’s top research priority? How to best recruit and retain young truck drivers–between 18 and 20 years old–into the trucking industry.

To determine the best methods of recruiting, training, and retaining young truck drivers in the industry, ATRI plans to utilize an effective case study approach. This kind of focus is aligned with the entire industry’s efforts to ease the challenge of the current truck driver shortage–a top industry issue on ATRI’s list for the fourth consecutive year.

At the end of 2018, the overall trucker shortage was estimated to reach 60,800 drivers by American Trucking Associations.

However, ATRI’s recent top-ranking focus is not just to bring about additional truck drivers, but to incentivize young workers to join the industry in regards to a “whole host of career options in the trucking industry,” explained President of ATRI, Rebecca Brewster.

“I like that [this priority] is taking a more holistic approach [toward]: How do we just get more young people into this industry and keep them here?” Brewster said.

However, it doesn’t seem that it will be enough just to drawn younger people into trucking–a method that hasn’t brought much relief to the country’s driver shortage. What needs major focus, Brewster said, are overarching retention efforts.

“It’s not just enough to come up with messaging and understanding how to make this industry appealing to them, but, [rather], how do we effectively train that cohort of individuals and how do we keep them in the industry?” she said.

Environmental topics are also priorities of ATRI, such as the need to better understand the benefits zero-emission trucks and their impact on the environment. The research that will take place around this topic will include a comparative study in regards to the environmental impact and life cycles of diesel Class 8 trucks in comparison to those of electric trucks. The study will also involve analysis of methods of operations, disposal, and manufacturing.

Additionally, as more and more trucks transition to the electric engine, ATRI has prioritized research into how best to create better truck charging infrastructure capabilities. To study this, the group will research overall grid connectivity availability, charging requirements of trucks and other vehicles, and scenarios regarding power demand and supply.

As climate change challenges and other environmental problems gain more attention and focus within both state and federal agencies, according to Brewster, 2021 is the first year that the topics of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and zero-emission truck impacts have become top priorities for ATRI. Also adding to the need for focus on these subjects is the American Jobs Plan proposed by President Biden, which suggests the allocation of $174 billion into the electric vehicle market across the country.

“ATRI’s Research Advisory Committee has identified a number of areas that are having a profound impact on the trucking industry and will continue to for the foreseeable future,” noted Sean McNally, a spokesman for ATA. “ATRI’s research is invaluable to ATA as we advocate for solutions to these challenges, so we are looking forward to the results of their studies.”

Other major areas of focus which made ATRI’s Top Priority List include an update to the group’s report from 2019 which looked into how controlled substance law changes are affecting state workforces and roadway safety. The impacts of decriminalizing drugs such as marijuana on the trucking industry have still yet to be extensively studied.

Finally, the last prioritized item on ATRI’s list is analyzing the effects of driver-facing cameras. The group intends to study their impact in regards to litigation, workforces, and overall safety for both drivers and fleets as a whole.