HDT Talks Trucking

Tammie Dean has an advantage when recruiting and mentoring women drivers at Lily Transportation: She's experienced life on the road as a female driver. On this episode of HDT Talks Trucking, HDT's Deborah Lockridge talks to Tammie about an initiative she started to help recruit and support women drivers, called Lily Ladies.Learn More About Attracting and Retaining Women Truck DriversLily Ladies Steer Women Truck Drivers to Success Q&A: NTI's Leah Shaver on What's Keeping Women Out of Trucking (Or watch the video interview with Leah Shaver)ATRI's New Strategies to Attract Women Drivers

How is a new Volvo heavy-duty truck like your smartphone? After Volvo Trucks North America launched the all-new Volvo VNR regional truck, HDT's Deborah Lockridge chatted with Johann Agebrand, director of product marketing, about the newest Volvo Connect updates.​What you'll learn in this episode of HDT Talks Trucking:How Volvo Trucks' new VNR and VNL models use automatic over-the-air software updates to boost uptimeHow fleets can schedule software updates just like on a smartphone—during breaks or overnightWays the Volvo Connect portal helps fleets customize and manage vehicle parameters remotelyThe most commonly updated parameters

Chicago's Connor Hudziak had never driven a real truck before. However, the young man loved playing "American Truck Simulator" after school and work. Connor never dreamed his passion for the computer game would help him win a trip to Western Star's Star Nation customer appreciation event in Bend, Oregon -- or that the professional truckers there would change his life forever.

What's the best path to decarbonization for your trucking fleet? The North American Council for Freight Efficiency is looking at the "messy middle" of alternative fuels and drivetrains for long haul in this year's Run on Less. North American Council for Freight Efficiency Executive Director Mike Roeth joins HDT Editor & Associate Publisher Deborah Lockridge to talk about NACFE's Run on Less - Messy Middle and a new definition of "long haul." * Sponsored by: Shell Multi Service Fuel Card * Battery-electric trucks, fuel efficiency, biodiesel, renewable diesel, natural gas, renewable natural gas, hydrogen for fuel cells or internal combustion engines.... what's right for YOUR trucking operation? Defining Long Haul & the “Messy Middle”Challenges with Range-Limited TechnologiesWhat is Run on Less: Messy Middle?NACFE's New Definition of Long HaulCharging Constraints in Real-World OperationsBattery Electric Trucks & High Mileage UseTotal Cost of Ownership for Electric TrucksExplaining the “Messy Middle” White PaperIndustry-Wide Challenges & OEM DecisionsRegulatory Changes & Market DynamicsGrowth in Renewable Fuels (RNG, RD, BD)Battery Tech Advancements & Fast ChargingDetails of the 2025 Run on Less Program

Learn how Atlas World Group creates high-performing teams by teaching employees how to look at different points of view.  Kelly Cruse, VP of Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer for Atlas, joins HDT's Deborah Lockridge to talk about the trucking and logistics company's award-winning program. Sponsored by:Shell Multi Service Fuel Card In this episode, we explore how Atlas World Group developed and implemented a meaningful diversity, equity, and inclusion training program that earned it the ATA Change Leader Award in 2024. Learn how company-wide training focused on recognizing bias and fostering a sense of belonging across the organization. Discover how this initiative led to policy changes, such as paid parental leave, improved building accessibility, and inclusive workplace design.Watch the video interview on Truckinginfo.com.

Renewable natural gas is, well, a natural when it comes to replacing diesel as a clean fuel for truck fleets. Hexagon Ability's senior vice president, global sales and marketing Americas, tells HDT Talks Trucking why. Eric Bippus thinks that a new era of "common sense" in Washington could help fleets adopt one of the cleanest and most diesel-like fuels available for trucks today.

Jamie Hagen has gone from being a fleet driver to a small fleet owner. He's also become a well-known social media trucking influencer with an insider relationship to Mack Trucks in the process. And he's learned some valuable lessons about trucking along the way. (Pssst! He's also been given a sneak-peek at the new Mack Class 8 truck coming soon!)

There are some important issues in trucking -- such as cargo theft, human trafficking, truck parking -- where working with law enforcement can help get things done.That's why the American Trucking Associations created the Law Enforcement Advisory Board. HDT's Deborah Lockridge talks to Mark Savage, chair of the board and director of connected truck solutions for Drivewyze.In This EpisodeWhat is the Law Enforcement Advisory Board?Help for truck parking shortageHow LEAB is addressing cargo theftWorking with law enforcement on human traffickingTips on working with law enforcement#trucking #humantrafficking #truckparking #cargotheft

Renewable natural gas is an amazing clean fuel. It can deliver diesel-like range and performance on the highway, while emitting vastly reduced tailpipe emissions. So why won't environmental regulatory agency approve it as a practical solution to help fleets move away from diesel toward cleaner fuels? HDT sat down with Chad Lindholm, executive vice president, sales, for Clean Energy for some perspective on the future of RNG in heavy-duty trucking applications.What You'll Learn in This Episode of HDT Talks Trucking: Why long-haul trucking has a ZEV problem Why RNG might be an extremely viable fuel for long-haul trucking What emissions advantages does RNG offer over diesel fuel? Do regulators have a bias against internal combustion engines? Why RNG might be a clean-fuel game-changer for fleets Where does RNG come from? What RNG engine options are available today? How do RNG-fueled engines perform? What are the acquisition and operational costs of running RNG as a truck fuel? What can trucking do to convince regulators to accept RNG as an approved clean fuel for fleets?Learn More About RNG as a Truck Fuel:⁠The Case for RNG in Trucking⁠⁠Is CARB Snubbing RNG?⁠⁠Trucking's Emissions Cold War Turns Hot⁠⁠NACFE: RNG is a Viable Short-Term Clean Truck Fuel

A small group of women in trucking and logistics have founded a nonprofit organization to help human trafficking victims. HDT Editor and Associate Publisher Deborah Lockridge talks to Gift of Freedom co-founder Sharon Siar about the initiative, its inspiration, its goals, and how people can help. "We're just taking it one step at a time, and one child at a time, because that's what our focus is, is just helping a child just recover and live a normal life free of abuse." In this episode: The lack of post-rescue services for trafficking survivors The Founding of Gift of Freedom The role of transportation in human trafficking Trafficking isn't just cartels The mental toll on child human trafficking victims What Gift of Freedom is doing How people can support the organization Raising awareness among families and communities Working with trucking and transportation groups

Volvo Trucks sees autonomous trucks as an entirely new mode of freight transportation. Sasko Cuklev, head of Volvo Autonomous Solutions, and Jason Gillespie, senior director, continuous improvement and innovation, DHL Supply Chain, talk about the two companies' new autonomous trucks initiative in Texas and why it is an important milestone in the development of self-driving trucks.  Sponsored by: Apollo Tires Cat Scales Learn More About Autonomous Trucks Why Volvo Sees Autonomous Trucks as an All-New Freight Transportation Mode California Governor Vetos Autonomous Truck Ban Bill Study Group Issues Autonomous Truck Development and Deployment Guidelines Autonomous Shock Waves Start to Hit Home

Meet Kaitlynn Aikin – a 20-year-old diesel technician at Southeastern Freight Lines who is challenging stereotypes and inspiring the next generation of female technicians. Sponsored by Apollo Tires HDT's Deborah Lockridge talks to this young star diesel technician about how she is thriving in a field where fewer than 5% of diesel technicians in trucking are women. Learn More: Finding and Keeping Tomorrow's Truck Technicians Tapping Sources of New Technicians: Veterans and Women Diesel Tech Advocates for Women in the Truck Shop

Artificial intelligence: What is it, and how can it help trucking fleets? Penske experts share insights from their work with AI, both as a tool for customers and in their own shop and operations. This episode of HDT Leadership Insights is produced in partnership with, and sponsored by, Penske. HDT's Deborah Lockridge explores AI with Penske's Tim Haynes and Samantha (Sam) Thompson in this episode of HDT Leadership Insights. What You'll Learn: What is Artificial Intelligence Particularly Good At? The Rise of AI Tools like ChatGPT AI in the Shop: Predictive Maintenance, Guided Repairs AI in route planning, cost management, and fleet optimization. About Penske's Catalyst AI Platform Why Data Quality is Vital for AI Models Addressing Myths About AI in Trucking #trucktech #truckingbusiness #artificialintelligence Learn More about Artificial Intelligence: Dynamic Fleet Benchmarking with Penske's AI-Driven Management Platform What Smarter Computers and AI Mean for Predictive Maintenance Understanding AI in Trucking

Tolls are becoming a serious management issue for fleets across North America. But new toll verification technologies can help fleet managers bring order to chaos.    Chandler Love, senior product manager, tolls, PrePass, talks about how new GPS-enabled toll verification technology works. And how it can save fleets money, time and hassles dealing with today's toll-heavy roadways. Sponsored by: PrePass In this episode: The Rise of in Tolling in North America Assuring accuracy in a chaotic tolling environment What about toll fraud? How does GPS toll verification work? Finding a toll management partner for fleets What tolling issues are fleets reporting? PrePass Weight Station bypass technologies How tolling disrupts fleet operations

Explore how trucking fleets can deal with shifting emissions regulations and plan for adoption of zero-emission trucks as HDT's Deborah Lockridge talks to Lacy Robertson, Director of Sustainability Solutions & Public Policy with Rush Enterprises. Sponsored by: CAT Scale Apollo Tires In This Episode: Meet the Expert: Lacy Robertson Navigating Complex Emissions Regulatory Landscapes How CARB Regulations Affect Fleets and Dealers California's Advanced Clean Truck regulations Strategies for Managing Regulatory Uncertainty The Shift to Electric Vehicles The Role of Incentives and Grants Leasing vs. Buying in Uncertain Times Final Advice for Trucking Fleets

Helping lawmakers and regulators understand the trucking industry is vital on important topics ranging from electric trucks to independent contractor misclassification. David Heller with the Truckload Carriers Association recently spoke to HDT's Deborah Lockridge about the group's annual Call on Washington. Here are the highlights in this Short Takes version of HDT Talks Trucking.

How are truck makers using artificial intelligence to change how fleets keep their trucks on the road and generating revenue? To learn more, HDT executive editor Jack Roberts sat down with Volvo Trucks North America connectivity expert Magnus Gustafson at the recent American Trucking Associations' Management Conference and Exhibition for this episode of HDT Talks Trucking. Sponsored by: CAT Scale & Apollo Tire Learn More About AI and Predictive Maintenance: Volvo Trucks Debuts AI-Enabled Blue Service Contract at ATA What Smarter Computers and AI Mean for Predictive Maintenance Understanding AI in Trucking In this Episode, You'll Learn About: AI's Role in Truck Maintenance How Volvo is Applying AI to Predictive Maintenance  Maximizing Uptime and Reducing Costs Maintenance Based on Truck Usage  Difference Between Preventive and Predictive Maintenance  How Volvo's Fleet Management Process Works AI as an Aid, Not a Replacement  Future Potential for AI in Trucking Using Data to Improve Truck Specs and Performance

Get a peek at some technology that may soon make its way into the trucks you buy as HDT's Jack Roberts shares insights from the big IAA commercial vehicle show in Europe. Sponsored by: CAT Scale and Apollo Tires On this episode of HDT Talks Trucking, HDT's Deborah Lockridge and Jack Roberts talk about the biggest trends from around the globe showcased at IAA. Learn More: ZF Debuts Hybrid Truck Transmission at IAA A Zeppelin's-Eye View of IAA 2024 [Photos] PepsiCo Looks to Scale Tesla Semi EV Operations Beyond California Mahle Showcases ZEV Innovations at IAA 2024

Just how far will Foodliner stretch its oil drain intervals? Can Roehl Transport master artificial intelligence? Meet two of HDT's Truck Fleet Innovators on this episode of HDT Talks Trucking. Sponsored by CAT Scale HDT's Deborah Lockridge talks to two HDT Truck Fleet Innovators, Kyle Neumann of Foodliner and John Paape of Roehl Transport, during Heavy Duty Trucking Exchange. In This Episode: Kyle Neumann's trailer innovations at Foodliner Foodliner's extended oil drain intervals How Neumann fosters innovation at Foodliner John Paape and Roehl Transport's custom IT The importance of partnerships in innovation AI and the importance of clean data  What's next for Roehl?

Why aren't trucks as safe as airplanes? Should motor carriers be required to carry more insurance? On this episode of HDT Talks Trucking, Deborah Lockridge talks to Lane Kidd of The Trucking Alliance about an essay he wrote on trucking's duty to public safety. This episode sponsored by CAT Scale In this episode: Can you compare trucking's safety record to the airline industry's? The Trucking Alliance's ambitious goal to eliminate truck crash fatalities. Emerging technology advancements like autonomous trucks and collision mitigation systems Raising minimum insurance requirements for motor carriers — pros and cons The problem with so few motor carriers having safety ratings from FMCSA If victims of truck crashes were adequately compensated, would litigation drop?

When is trucking going to climb back up the back side of the latest cycle? How can trucking fleets do a better job of preparing for these ups and downs? On this episode of HDT Talks Trucking, HDT's Deborah Lockridge talks to Brian Holland, president and CEO of Fleet Advantage, for a mid-year look at the state of the economy and the trucking industry — and some advice on making fleet purchasing decisions based on data and total cost of ownership. In this episode of HDT Talks Trucking: Are we at the bottom of the freight cycle? What fleets need to look at to be better prepared to deal with freight cycles Have private fleets fared better than for-hire fleets? When are things going to get better? Preparing for upcoming emissions regulations and sustainability strategies The importance of a long-term strategy for fleet equipment procurement What about a pre-buy before those emissions regs kick in? The role of data in smart fleet procurement Artificial intelligence and trucking

The infrastructure needed to support California's hydrogen economy is not going to sprout up from the ground by itself. Calstart is supporting that growth through programs like Zero-Emission Commercial Vehicles (EnergIIZE) Hydrogen funding lane. The program is intended to support ydrogen medium- and heavy-duty as well as offroad vehicle infrastructure.  Kelly Ratchinsky, Calstart's technical project manager for hydrogen infrastructure, shares her insights with HDT equipment editor, Jim Park. Ratchinsky outlines what she envisions the future of the medium- and heavy-duty transportation industry will look like using hydrogen powered vehicles. 

Learn what the Next Generation in Trucking Association is doing to bring more drivers and technicians into trucking as a first career choice.   One of the biggest challenges trucking fleets face is finding good drivers and diesel technicians. For various reasons, from regulations to insurance to a lack of awareness of trucking-related careers, it's often a second career choice rather than one young people might pursue right out of high school. On this episode of HDT Talks Trucking, HDT's Deborah Lockridge talks to Lindsey Trent, president and co-founder of the Next Generation in Trucking Association, about how her group is working to change that. Learn More About Bringing Younger People Into Trucking  Younger Driver Pilot Program Drops 2 Controversial Requirements HDT Talks Trucking: Inside a High School Truck Driver Training Program 3 Things That Attract Younger Truck Drivers to a Fleet 6 Practices to Recruit Younger Truck Drivers High School Teacher Honored for Truck-Driving Curriculum

Hydrogen is widely thought of as the ideal energy source for long-haul trucking. It will take trucks places batteries can only dream of today. Renewable sources of hydrogen promise carbon-free, zero-emissions energy for trucking. We seem to be on the cusp of a new era; truly clean, green trucking. Or are we? Dr. David Cebon has very strong opinions on the use of hydrogen as a heavy-truck energy source. He doesn't think it will work, and he backs his position with science and economics. David is a professor of mechanical engineering at Cambridge University in England and a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.  

Is artificial intelligence the next big leap in truck driver recruiting and retention technology? Communicating with drivers on the road has come a long way since the days of pay phones, and it looks like AI will help take it even further. This episode of HDT's Leadership Insights video podcast is produced in partnership with, and sponsored by, Tenstreet. HDT's Deborah Lockridge talks to Tenstreet CEO Tim Crawford about the current state of the driver market, how mobile technology is affecting trucking, AI-powered navigation combined with messaging, and more, including: What's going on in the truck driver market What can motor carriers do? What problems can connecting navigation, geofencing, and mobile communication technology address for drivers? Could this communication tech backfire and replace the important human touch? How Tenstreet is using generative AI What motor carriers should look for when implementing this or other new technology Learn More About Using Technology in Driver Recruiting and Retention  Why the Human Touch is Still Important in an Age of AI About Tenstreet's AI-Powered Solutions How Trucking Fleets Can Use Custom Apps to Preserve the Owner-Operator Model

Heavy-duty truck batteries are often overlooked — until a driver goes to crank up the truck and it won't start. In an age where nearly every system on a truck is “smart,” can technology help? This episode of HDT's Leadership Insights is sponsored by, and produced in partnership with, EnerSys, manufacturer of Odyssey Batteries. HDT's Deborah Lockridge talks to Daniel Jones, applications field engineer for Enersys, for insights into questions such as: Why is it so hard to figure out when a battery is near the end of its life? What shortens battery life? What can a "smart" battery do?

The National Transportation Institute's Leah Shaver challenges some conventional thinking about women in trucking, from behind the wheel to the board room, in this episode of HDT Talks Trucking. Shaver is president and CEO of the National Transportation Institute, which recently surveyed women about the challenges they encounter in the trucking industry — and she has some ideas on what motor carriers can do to address them in this interview with HDT Editor and Associate Publisher Deborah Lockridge. It starts, she says, by addressing the barriers we've built for working moms, finding creative solutions to childcare, and overhauling the structures we've built to train industry newcomers. Learn More About Advancing Women in the Trucking Industry NTI Survey Shines a Light on the Hurdles and Opportunities to Advancement for Women in Trucking Real Talk: The One Vital Element We Must Get Right As an Industry for Women to Join us and Excel Trucking and Women: Difficult Discussions a Must for Moving Forward

The automotive cybersecurity landscape is evolving, movingbeyond mere ransomware attacks on fleets. While that is something to be guarded against, hackers can now weaponize connected vehicles in ways that sooner or later will compromise safety. Software defined vehicles and unsecure APIs and mobile services are opening new attack vectors for the bad guys to exploit. And new vectors are opening every day. Upstream Security's president of North American operations, Hiam Kantor, joins HDT Equipment Editor Jim Park to discuss the scope of the problem, and look at what needs to be done to keep the Black Hats at bay.  Watch this Episode of HDT Talks Trucking to Learn: The scope of the cyber security threat How hackers are getting around built-in security features How these hacks can impact safety  New attack vectors coming through APIs and mobile services The emerging threat to electric vehicles How some vehicle owners are hacking into their own vehicles to jailbreak them   More About the Newest Cybersecurity Threats Upstream Security Upstream Security's Global Automotive Cybersecurity Report Additional News Stories on Vehicle Hacking Keep the Hackers Out: How Trucking Companies Can Up Their Cybersecurity Game ORBCOMM ransomware attack causes trucking fleet management outage Teen hacker says he's found way to remotely control 25 Tesla EVs around the world Hacker Exploits Sirius XM Flaw to Remotely Unlock, Honk Horn on Cars  Hackers caused a massive traffic jam in Moscow using a ride-hailing app

With more attention being paid to Scope 3 emissions, may need to take a more proactive approach and a deeper dive into your company's operations to attract and keep customers.   On this episode of HDT Talks Trucking, HDT's Deborah Lockridge talks with one fleet that's ahead of the curve in meeting shipper demands for more sustainable transportation. Shawntell Kroese, AVP of Sustainability and Sales Operations, Werner Enterprises, talks about the company's ambitious emissions-reduction goals, how it's working on getting there, what Scope 3 emissions are, why fleets need to be paying attention, and advice on where to start.  Links Regulators Aren't the Only Factor Driving Decarbonization EPA's Scope 3 Guidance Werner's ESG Progress HDT Emerging Leader Leads Werner Diversity Efforts

We are seeing a distressing increase in the number of truck rollover crashes these days. And while they are fewer in number, the number of runaway truck crashes on mountain grades remain a problem. What's behind the increase isn't completely clear, but many believe it's a lack of driver training and understanding of vehicle dynamics. Brian Bullock, the founder Road-Aware Safety Systems, has been studying such crashes for years. He has a pretty good handle on the problem, and he's bringing a solution to the table. He joins HDT Equipment Editor Jim Park to discuss drivers' apparent lack of awareness of vehicle dynamics (and in some cases of proper and safe driving techniques), and to explain how to solve this problem.

We are seeing a distressing increase in the number of truck rollover crashes these days. And while they are fewer in number, the number of runaway truck crashes on mountain grades remain a problem. What's behind the increase isn't completely clear, but many believe it's a lack of driver training and understanding of vehicle dynamics.   Brian Bullock, the founder Road-Aware Safety Systems, has been studying such crashes for years. He has a pretty good handle on the problem, and he's bringing a solution to the table. He joins HDT Equipment Editor Jim Park to discuss drivers' apparent lack of awareness of vehicle dynamics (and in some cases of proper and safe driving techniques), and to explain how to solve this problem. More About Preventing Vehicle-Dynamics Related Crashes   Road-Aware's home page Mountain Driving 101 video series, featuring Equipment Editor Jim Park   How a well-designed driver safety program will pay dividends

Truck driver log falsification violations can lead to out-of-service orders, fines, bad federal safety scores, failed DOT audits, civil penalties, even nuclear verdicts. What can motor carriers do?  Log falsifications were the fourth most common driver-related violation discovered in roadside inspections from 2019 to 2023. And they're the second most common violation discovered in compliance reviews of motor carriers. Brandon Wiseman, president of Trucksafe Consulting, explains why — and what trucking companies can do about it — in this episode of HDT Talks Trucking.    LINKS:   Trucksafe: Controlling Driver Log Falsifications https://www.trucksafe.com/post/controlling-driver-log-falsifications   Personal Conveyance: Is it Worth It? https://www.truckinginfo.com/10180899/personal-conveyance-is-it-worth-it   4 Ways to Know if Personal Conveyance is Being Used Correctly https://www.truckinginfo.com/10129772/4-ways-to-know-if-personal-conveyance-is-being-used-correctly   5 Enforcement Metrics Fleets Should Monitor https://www.truckinginfo.com/10157156/5-enforcement-metrics-fleets-should-monitor

Did you know that your fleet's driver manuals and policies could become the detonator of a nuclear verdict against your trucking company? We'll learn more about this plaintiffs' attorney tactic from trucking attorney Doug Marcello in this episode of HDT Talks Trucking. This episode is sponsored by Scraper Systems Snow Removal by Rite Hite If you're concerned about how to defend your company against aggressive plaintiffs' attorneys who target trucking, you've probably heard of the “reptile theory.” But there's another type of attack that has gotten less attention, and it means your safety manuals and policies could be a goldmine for them – and a landmine for you. HDT Editor & Associate Publisher Deborah Lockridge talks to Doug Marcello, longtime trucking attorney with Saxton & Stump, and chief legal officer for Bluewire, about what he calls the “Rules of the Road” tactic.

Microgrids, sometimes called distributed energy resources, are local sources of electricity operating separately from the utility grid. They typically produce electricity from renewable sources such as wind and solar, but they can also be powered by hydro, natural gas, hydrogen, or even small modular nuclear reactors.  This episode of HDT Talks Trucking is sponsored by Scraper Systems Joshua Goldman, vice president of E-mobility at microgrid and DER deployment advisor Xendee, says off-grid energy sources offer resiliency from power outages while helping to level the cost of electricity supplied by utility companies. Could a microgrid kickstart your transition from diesel to BEV?   Watch this Episode of HDT Talks Trucking to Learn: What are microgrids?  Using energy stored during the day to charge trucks at night Practical applications for fleets using microgrids Selling stored energy back to the grid Navigating the design/build process How to plan for future growth What are the first steps toward energy independence? Take your microgrid to the next level.   More About Microgrids  Microgrid Resources Coalition The National Renewable Energy Laboratory Xendee A. Duie Pyle's microgrid Challenges of Charging Commercial Trucks

One Energy is an industrial power company and installer of on-site, behind-the-meter, wind energy systems. In early October, the company unveiled its first 30 megawatt battery-electric truck charging site. The site is fully developed, energized, and waiting for its first fleet customers in Findlay, Ohio. This episode of HDT Talks Trucking is sponsored by: CAT Scale — Learn more about its ⁠⁠WeighMyTruck app.⁠⁠ And by ⁠⁠Scraper Systems⁠⁠ snow removal One Energy is a Utility 2.0 company. It sits between the consumer and the utility company, and because it's more agile than a utility, it can make this happen. Fast. One Energy went from shovels in the ground to flipping the proverbial switch, in just eight months. One Energy CEO, Jereme Kent joins Jim Park to talk about the project, its potential and why he chose to build this facility in Findlay Ohio. In this episode: The difference between a utility company and Utility 2.0 Why Findlay Ohio could be an ideal site for a megawatt charging hub Why did One Energy not build this site in California? Are Findlay's colder winters a barrier to success?   Is it okay to charge trucks in a coal-powered state like Ohio? How electricity costs will affect fleets' operating margins  How a megawatt charging hub works Is this concept the truckstop of the future?

Meet Sarah Cates. She's the rock-star safety director at Thomas E. Keller Trucking of Defiance, Ohio. Her bosses love her. Her drivers love her. And she's the recipient of HDT's 2023 Safety & Compliance award, sponsored by J.J. Keller & Associates. Cates has been the director of safety for only three years, but her success in totally transforming the company's safety culture prompted not one, but two, of her colleagues to nominate her for the award. This episode of HDT Talks Trucking is sponsored by: CAT Scale — Learn more about its ⁠WeighMyTruck app.⁠ And by ⁠Scraper Systems⁠ snow removal Cates transformed the safety culture at the company, implemented driver-facing, AI-based camera safety systems without losing any drivers, and slashed its crash indicator score. All that and more during a period when the company grew from 100 to 300 trucks. In this episode: What makes Sarah Cates tick How she transitioned from Logistics to Safety The key to earning drivers' respect The right way to introduce controversial technologies How to develop a camera privacy policy How she manages a multi-generational workforce

What can trucking fleets do now to transform their operations and be ready to take advantage of the next freight upturn? HDT's Deborah Lockridge talked to Tom McLeod about why this is the right time for a tune-up. This episode of HDT Talks Trucking is sponsored by: CAT Scale — Learn more about its WeighMyTruck app. And by Scraper Systems snow removal When freight is slower, it's a great opportunity to work "on" your business rather than just "in" your business. Tom McLeod, founder and chief executive of McLeod Software, talks about ways to give your fleet a tune-up. “Once you really look at the numbers, you will almost always be surprised at what's in there, and that's golden.” In this episode: Get educated on new technologies How software will be affected by electric and autonomous trucks Are you getting the most out of your software? Using data to improve your fleet's operations

Having a truck placed out of service during a roadside inspection means unhappy drivers and customers, truck downtime, expensive repairs, fines, and dings on your safety score. What if someone other than a DOT inspector had noticed the problem? This episode of HDT Talks Trucking is sponsored by Scraper Systems And by CAT Scale. Learn more about its WeighMyTruck app Listen to this episode of HDT Talks Trucking to learn how you can use same defect-detecting mindset that inspectors use. John Seidl is vice president of risk services at Reliance Partners, the owner of transportation consulting company Trucking Wins, and a former Wisconsin State Patrol roadside inspection officer. Links for more information:  Reliance Partners Trucking Wins Safety Consulting 2023 North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria (Handbook & Pictorial) Why do Brake Defects Put so Many Trucks Out of Service? Behind the Scenes at a Weigh Station

Trucking has a parking problem. The number of trucks seeking parking exceeds the number of available spaces. Projections suggest the number of trucks requiring overnight parking will grow significantly in the coming years. The federal government has pledged close to $1 billion to develop additional truck parking. Will that be enough? Will those spaces come soon enough? This episode of HDT Talks Trucking is sponsored by Double Coin And by CAT Scale and its WeighMyTruck app. Jim Ward, president of the Truckload Carriers Association, joins HDT Equipment Editor Jim Park to discuss the scope of the problem, some potential solutions, and the thorny issue of paying for parking. Watch this Episode of HDT Talks Trucking to Learn: The scope of the parking shortage The cost of lost productivity and operational inefficiencies How a lack of parking affects safety  Government funding to build more parking Where parking is needed most acutely Redesigning rest areas for better utilization The benefits of paying for parking Should carriers co-develop their own parking sites? ATRI's Research on Truck Parking Top 20 Dangerous Highway Ramp Spots For Truck Parking Commentary by Jim Park: Of Course Trucking Should Pay for Parking

Bison Transport is arguably the safest large fleet in North America. Bison has taken home the Truckload Carriers Association Grand Prize fleet safety award for large carrier fleets for 13 years in a row. The company has won top honors no less than 16 times in all. In this episode, you'll meet one of the architects of Bison's safety master plan, Garth Pitzel. This episode of HDT Talks Trucking is sponsored by Double Coin And by CAT Scale. Learn more about its WeighMyTruck app. Bison Transport is a big believer in leveraging technology to improve safety, but the real focus of the safety program is the driver. Garth says when fleets talk about protecting their assets most people are referring to the truck, the trailer, and the customer's freight. “At Bison, we talk about protecting our people. When the driver makes it home safely from trip so does the truck, the trailer, and the customer's freight.”

Trucking fleet owner John Vaccaro became a big believer in automatic emergency braking, dashcams, and other advanced safety systems after he nearly lost his business due to what could have been a so-called nuclear verdict. This episode of HDT Talks Trucking is sponsored by Double Coin. Are automatic emergency braking systems ready for prime time? As the comment period wraps up on the federal government's proposal to make AEB mandatory, HDT Talks Trucking brings you Deborah Lockridge's interview with John Vaccaro of Bettaway. Topics in this episode include: John Vaccaro's nuclear verdict nightmare Investing in advanced safety systems New Freightliner Cascadias with Detroit Assurance 5 Driver reaction to new safety system Dashcam advances Safety beyond technology A culture of safety Dig Deeper into AEB, ADAS, and Nuclear Verdicts How a Trucking Company Fought Back a Nuclear Verdict Are ADAS and AEB Finally Ready for Prime Time? How to Make Automatic Emergency Braking Right For Your Fleet

Understanding what your drivers are experiencing and how they feel about their jobs is critical to keeping them happy. Happy drivers tend to stay put. This episode is about the importance of opening up communication channels with your drivers – and keeping them open. This episode of HDT Talks Trucking is sponsored by Double Coin. Automated dispatch systems may be more efficient than direct two-way conversations, but they make the transaction impersonal. A few lines of text on a screen offer few clues about how the other party is feeling. The driver might be happy today, but ready to head for the door tomorrow. How will you ever know if you never actually talk to them?  In this episode, Max Farrell, the CEO of Workhound, joins HDT's Jim Park to discuss the importance of communication and keeping channels open to employees, including: Creating a Real-Time Feedback Loop Between Workers and the Company Why Praise is Critical Opening Up Communication Channels Identifying Micro Issues for Macro Changes Driver Feedback and Troublesome Customers Why Resolving Issues Pays Dividends Honest Feedback: Gift or Insult? Why Two-Way Autonomous Chats Work Learn more about driver communication at HDT's Truckinginfo.com website: 3 Ways Fleets Can Improve Driver Communications How Cowan is More Efficiently Connecting Truck Drivers and Dispatchers How Fleets Can Benefit From Mobile Apps More from Workhound Why Driver Feedback is the Key to Driver Retention 2023: Annual Trends Report

The softer freight market has made truck drivers more likely to seek greener pastures. What can fleets learn about recruiting and retention from job application data? This episode of HDT's Leadership Insights video podcast is produced in partnership with, and sponsored by, Tenstreet. Make driver communication more transparent, effective and easy at Tenstreet.com.  HDT Editor and Associate Publisher Deborah Lockridge talks to Tenstreet founder Tim Crawford about what trends his company is seeing in job driver applications, with some advice on how to use that information for better driver recruiting and retention. What is driver application data showing about the state of the industry? Are drivers moving away from something or to something? When the grass on the other side of the fence is more attractive. How often does the average driver get into the job market? What does the data mean for recruiting and retention? Why it's so important to be clear and transparent with current and prospective drivers How job-hunting varies for more experiened drivers Don't let problems in your recruiting process keep a good driver from applying again. 5 Ways Fleets Can Compete for Truck Drivers in a Tough Labor Market Drivers: Hire Fewer, Keep More From the HDT Archives (2007): Recruiting In The Information Age

Today, clean diesels make up 57% of the commercial vehicle population. That's nearly double where we were a decade ago. And it's a 10% jump over this time last year. So what's going on? This episode of HDT Talks Trucking is sponsored by Double Coin. The march toward a low-carbon, low emission future has been slow and technically challenging. But we are making progress. The population of near-zero emissions diesel technology trucks continues to grow. Equipment Editor Jim Park talks with Allen Schaeffer, the executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum about the progress industry has made over the past 19 years to reduce emissions and improved the fuel efficiency of diesel engines.   In This Episode: Diesel is no longer a dirty word States with the highest adoption of clean diesel technology Diesel surpasses 55% brake thermal efficiency The promise of SuperTruck: advancing clean diesel technology Allen Schaeffer comments on the EMA/CARB agreement   More About the Diesel Technology Forum https://dieselforum.org/ HDT's 2022 Newsmaker of the Year: The Internal Combustion Engine https://www.truckinginfo.com/10189508/newsmaker-of-the-year-the-internal-combustion-engine What Does the CARB Compromise Mean for Trucking? https://www.truckinginfo.com/10201924/what-does-carb-emissions-compromise-mean-for-trucking

At a time when fleet expansion is an iffy proposition, adding additional carrying capacity to your existing fleet can lower equipment costs, increase profits, and even help reduce your carbon footprint. This episode of HDT's Leadership Insights video podcast is sponsored by, and produced in partnership with Kinedyne. There are only so many square feet of floor space in a trailer, and some cargo just doesn't take kindly to double-stacking. But there's an easy way to double your floor space, as HDT's Jim Park learns in this conversation with Kinedyne's Joe Vergeldedios. Vergeldedios is product segment manager for Kinedyne's decking solutions line. His job is helping fleets unlock the potential of a truly full trailer. In this podcase, he and Jim will discuss how expanding capacity can increase profits and create an easier and safer work environment. Joe and Jim will also discuss which sectors show the greatest benefit from adding trailer capacity, look at pre-purchase considerations and talk system maintenance. Learn More About Maximizing Trailer Cargo Capacity: How Fleets Can Maximize Available Trailer Capacity Kinedyne Adds Decking System Design to Increase Trailer Space

Where is the autonomous/self-driving truck industry today? How much longer will we have to wait for Level 4 to mature? What's the holdup? This episode of HDT Talks Trucking is sponsored by Double Coin. Autonomous or self-driving trucks have been with us for more than a decade, yet no company has yet placed a full Level-4 truck into regular revenue service without a human driver aboard. In the early days, few predicted it would take this long for self-driving technology to hit the road. HDT invited two industry pioneers to discuss the current state of heavy duty self-driving trucks. This episode features Joanna Buttler, head of Daimler Trucks' Global Autonomous Technology Group, and Peter Vaughan Schmidt, CEO of Torc Robotics. More About Autonomous Trucks: How Do Autonomous Trucks “See” the World? Autonomous Trucks Could Reshape How We Think About Insurance NHTSA AV Safety

It's easy enough to buy a battery-electric truck, but fleets are being forced to wait up to two years for their chargers. Site design, permitting, and construction take forever. Matt Horton, CEO of Voltera Power, talks to Jim Park on HDT Talks Trucking on how fleets can navigate these waters. Voltera develops charging facilities for light, medium and heavy vehicles. Horton says the upfront costs of developing charging facilities are sidelining some fleets. Others just don't have the resources to wade through the bureaucratic swamp and get shovels in the ground. Horton discusses the challenges, and offers advice on how to get your BEV up and running as quickly as possible: Why are we pushing so hard to electrify right now? Why is infrastructure such a problem? Charging deserts Getting power to the wheels Is grid capacity allocated on a first come, first served basis? How much energy is 5 megawatts? Is the cost of power, including infrastructure, comparable to diesel? How far off is a true public charging network? More About Charging Infrastructure Challenges of Charging Commercial Trucks NACFE Guidance Report on Charging Infrastructure for Battery-Electric Vehicles The Rush to Battery-Electric Trucks: Putting the Cart Before the Horse

Former USA Truck CEO James Reed recently joined Kodiak Robotics as chief operating officer. What's the former fleet exec's perspective on self-driving truck technology? Reed joins HDT's Deborah Lockridge on HDT Talks Trucking to talk about the move and the state of the autonomous-truck industry. Learn more about: Why Reed joined Kodiak Robotics What needs to happen for self-driving trucks to become a reality Can autonomous trucks be as safe as human drivers? Are autonomous trucks a threat to driver jobs? More About Self-Driving Trucks and Kodiak Robotics Autonomous Trucks Could Reshape How We Think About Insurance How Do Autonomous Trucks “See” the World? Kodiak Robotics Demonstrates Tire Blowout on Self-Driving Truck

There's a lot more to adopting electric trucks than batteries and range, as HDT's Deborah Lockridge explores in this conversation with Hendrickson's Jeff Sass on this episode of HDT's Leadership Insights, produced in partnership with, and sponsored by, Hendrickson. Jeff Sass, vice president of marketing for Hendrickson, has spent decades in the truck business, and he's been talking frankly about how technology is changing the industry for years. Three years ago at HDT's Heavy Duty Trucking Exchange event, he promised that "electric trucks are coming." And indeed, they are here. But that doesn't mean there aren't still a lot of questions and a lot of hurdles to overcome, from weight to cradle-to-grave issues. Learn More About Electric Trucks Will Electric Trucks Need New Suspensions? Electric Truck Ecosystem: What it Takes to Run BEVs Topics Covered in This Episode: Electric trucks are here EV range and battery weight Dealing with EV weight challenges Last-mile delivery and electric trucks How much is electricity going to cost to charge BEV trucks? Broader environmental concerns of battery-electric trucks Sign up for the HDT e-newsletter! Follow and connect with HDT on social media: LinkedIn Facebook Twitter

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has proposed some significant changes to its Safety Measurement System, which is how it prioritizes motor carriers for enforcement. What will those potential changes mean to trucking companies? In this episode of HDT Talks Trucking, HDT Editor in Chief Deborah Lockridge joins Brandon Wiseman of Trucksafe Consulting to discuss FMCSA's recently processed changes to the SMS. Has the FMCSA fixed the problems in how it measures motor carrier safety? We'll see. HDT dives into the five changes all carriers should know about. In This Episode: Can we build a low-NOx engine that keeps everybody happy? What happens if the engine makers can't deliver? Will there be an alternative to Low-NOx diesels available before 2027? Can natural gas engines fill the gap? Is there a risk of a significant pre-buy? More About EPA's 2027 Low-NOx rule EPA Publishes Stringent New-Truck Emissions Regulations Guinea Pigs 2.0: Can Trucking Comply with a Near Impossible NOx Reduction? Senators Push Against Truck Emissions Rule  

Truck and engine makers have less than three years to pull off a minor engineering miracle to meet EPA's 2027 ultra-low-NOx rules. The stringent new emissions regulations for diesel engines take effect on Jan. 1, 2027. That means the first of the engines designed to meet those standards will hit the street in early 2026. Hear from ACT Research Vice President and Senior Analyst Tim Denoyer about the likelihood of a pre-buy occurring ahead of the new emissions rules. In this HDT Talks Trucking interview with HDT Equipment Editor Jim Park, Denoyer explains why he believes the cost and complexity of the new trucks and engines will see fleets stocking up on pre-2027 trucks before the 2026 deadline.  In This Episode: The California pre-buy Emissions cost may outstrip fuel savings Used truck pricing will be very competitive Fewer diesel engine makers The impact of the CARB Omnibus Clean Trucks rule The impact of GHG Phase 3 in 2030 Industry will survive, and probably be stronger More About EPA 2027 EPA 2027 and Beyond: How Will New Low-NOx Rules Affect Fleets? Is the Largest Truck Prebuy Ever on the Horizon? Environmental Group Says ‘No Evidence' of Truck Prebuys