Newsletter Archive

Aurora's autonomous trucks to launch in April

Plus: Is the FMCSA focused on the wrong priorities?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration may not have its priorities straight. We caught up with a former agency exec to learn what he thinks FMCSA should focus on to help fleet managers and drivers, as well as his thoughts on the biggest mistakes carriers make with safety culture.

Meanwhile, we've heard for years that driverless trucks are right around the corner. In April, Aurora's AVs will be actually turning that corner. Plus, the biggest culprits of distracted driving and how the industry can solve them.

SPOTLIGHT

Trucking leaders brace for FMCSA rule updates

The first 100 days of a new administration can be a whirlwind for business leaders—new agency heads, updated priorities and regulations on hold or scrapped. The question is, are the changes good or bad for trucking industry execs and their companies?

We spoke to Jack Van Steenburg, principal at CMV Safety Experts and former chief safety officer of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, to learn what he thinks of the FMCSA's actions to date, and how fleets can reinforce a strong safety culture. - Shefali Kapadia

What do you hope the current FMCSA will focus on that will benefit fleets and drivers?

Unfortunately, FMCSA is going to be focusing on personnel, bringing employees back to the office and/or executing buyouts during the first part of the year. Here is what I would be working on:

Trying to implement a grant program for small motor carriers that would assist them in buying and using proven technologies, cameras, event data recorders, braking, etc.
Overhauling regulations. Right now, there are about 900 regulations that carriers have to be aware of, but in reality, the majority of them are not enforced or safety related.
Revamping the Safety Fitness Determination process and making more motor carriers eligible to be rated. Currently there are about 800,000 motor carriers, the vast majority of them with 10 or fewer trucks, and only about 33,000 have a satisfactory rating. Satisfactory rating appeals to shippers and brokers.

What regulatory changes should trucking executives prepare for in these first 100 days of the Trump administration?

I would think that, in this administration, regulations will benefit motor carriers. I think the speed limiter rulemaking will be withdrawn. The one rule that I see has potential is the Automatic Emergency Braking system. FMCSA just has to make sure the technologies deployed work 100% of the time. Another rule that I see occurring is to update the ELD technical specifications. The original specifications have been in place for almost 10 years, and we certainly know that technology has changed.

What’s the biggest safety/compliance mistake you see small fleets make, and how can they address or fix that?

The biggest mistake I see that motor carriers make is that they do not pay enough attention to their drivers, provide them continuous “meaningful” training, include them in safety discussions and make them feel part of the team. Another mistake I see often is that motor carriers may have policies in place through a safety manual or use event data recorders, but there is absolutely no accountability for those policies or data derived from the recorders. Audit your own policies and turn negatives into a positive learning experience. Give your drivers every opportunity to succeed, and if they still can’t, part ways with them.

What is your No. 1 piece of advice for small business trucking owners trying to build a strong safety culture while keeping costs down and ops running smoothly?

Over time, as a motor carrier gets comfortable, the safety culture shrinks. My advice: Stay on top of your regulatory requirements, such as driver qualifications, where there are requirements that need to be conducted every year after the date of application and hiring. Also, make sure you have a strong Inspection, Maintenance and Repair system for your fleet in place. Over 20% of vehicles are placed out of service at each roadside inspection. If you compromise safety, your opportunities for business will fall.

This interview was edited for brevity and clarity.

INSIDE LOOK

Aurora to launch truly driverless trucks in April

AV company Aurora said it will remove the backup driver in autonomous trucks starting in April. The AVs have been hauling loads between Dallas and Houston, with autonomous tech taking the wheel but a driver still in the cab, just in case.

One regulatory hurdle remains, though, with Aurora battling the FMCSA over the placement of orange triangles on the ground when a truck pulls over—a task an AV can't do without a human.

Why this matters: AV technology is advancing, with tests showing autonomous trucks safely navigating complex traffic scenarios. Regulations (or lack thereof) under the Trump administration may open more roadways to AVs. But public acceptance of AVs and the possible effect on driver jobs may still be a sticking point.

Get more details at Transport Topics.

FAST LANE

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SEEN & HEARD

"We're seeing more and more of our drivers ... grab their phone or look at their phone and get updates as they're on the road, which is very dangerous." - Carlos Caponera, Teletrac Navman

Phone communication is helpful for drivers to get real-time updates from dispatch or check an alternate route if there's a crash or traffic jam. The problem: More truckers are reaching for their phones while driving, leading to distractions or worse. Caponera of telematics firm Teletrac Navman talks about some of the ways in-cab tech is solving distracted driving issues in this video.

NEWS

Trucking applauds bill for EVs to pay into Highway Trust Fund

Lawmakers introduced the Fair Share Act, which would require light-duty electric vehicles to pay into the Highway Trust Fund. The American Trucking Associations and Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association support the bill, which could help keep the HTF solvent and fund road repairs.

Why this matters: EVs don't currently pay into the fund but are heavier than gas-powered vehicles, contributing to wear and tear on the roads. Lawmakers and trucking lobbying groups say it's only fair that light-duty EVs pay their share to fund road maintenance and infrastructure repairs. (American Trucking Associations)

Freight market improves, slowly but steadily

While a full recovery hasn't arrived yet, supply and demand are balancing out in the trucking market. Freight volume is growing in Harrisburg, Penn. and Cincinnati, and spot rates are on the rise in the Dallas area.

Why this matters: The improving market means small carriers have decisions to make—what kind of balance to strike between contract and spot, and which hot or underserved markets they may want to target. (FreightWaves)

Lack of charging infrastructure dissuades fleets from buying EVs

Trucking associations are calling for common sense in the industry-wide shift to cleaner vehicles. The lack of charging infrastructure is a major disincentive to carriers considering purchasing zero-emission trucks. Plus, the cost of an EV, its limited range and its heavier weight all present hurdles for fleets.

Why this matters: Vehicle technology and charging infrastructure are not completely aligned with state regulations such as the Advanced Clean Trucks rule, creating a divide in the industry on how best to transition to zero-emission vehicles. (Supply & Demand Chain Executive)