DOT Launches New Freight Policy Council

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood launched the Freight Policy Council, a group tasked with generating a national freight policy, as called for in the new highway funding law.

LaHood was joined by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) at a warehouse owned by PCC Logistics in Seattle on Thursday to officially announce the Freight Policy Council. Cantwell has long been a proponent of the freight group.

The council will hold its first meeting next week, a DOT spokesman said.

“Our freight system is the lifeblood of the American economy, moving goods quickly and efficiently to benefit both businesses and consumers across the country,” LaHood said in a statement.

“With the launch of the Freight Policy Council, we have an opportunity to make not only our freight system but all modes of transportation stronger and better connected.”

Deputy Transportation Secretary John Porcari will lead the council, which will also include deputy administrators from highway, rail, port and airport agencies within the Department of Transportation, and economic and policy experts from elsewhere in DOT, the department said.

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Daimler launches Elite Support Web site

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) has launched a new Web site for customers focusing on its Elite Support dealer network. Elite Support is a collaborative program between DTNA and its truck dealers, which works to improve the customer experience at Freightliner and Western Star branded dealerships, the company says.

The new site allows customers to search for Elite Support Certified dealers and provides details about each location.

“We know that customers will want to make sure their service providers are committed to continually improving their support,” said Martin Osborne, general manager of distribution network development for DTNA. “The dealers on this site have committed to and demonstrated by their actions and results that they will meet that requirement.”

The new Web site also includes details on Express Assessment. Officials say the service program promises that within two hours of the service write-up, the dealer will communicate to the customer the diagnosis, availability of needed parts, estimated cost and estimated repair time. The site also features an updated Express Assessment logo and colour scheme.

“Continuous improvement creates higher service standards throughout the Elite Support Certified network,” said Osborne. “We’re launching this new Web site at the Great American Trucking Show to highlight the benefits customers enjoy at our 83 Elite Support Certified dealer locations. I’m proud to say we currently have 69 more dealerships going through the certification process now, with more to follow.”

For more information, visit the new site at www.ServiceSupportNetwork.com.

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TomTom launches latest version of Logistics map for truck, fleet operators

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Navigation systems manufacturer TomTom has launched the newest version of its Logistics map product designed specifically for truck and fleet operators.

“TomTom Logistics enables a safer and more efficient operation of fleet vehicles and powers solutions that demand highly accurate and detailed content,” says Eszter Pattantyus, vice-president of maps. “By leveraging this precise data, TomTom can help operators of large vehicles avoid striking a low bridge or accruing a large fine for carrying an oversized load.”

The TomTom Logistics product features include:

• Dimensional restrictions totalling more than 1.6 million miles in the US and 225,000 miles in Canada;

• Designated truck routes for more than 400,000 miles in the US and 60,000 miles in Canada;

• Operating bans on idling or jake brake usage totalling more than 180,000 miles in the US and 80,000 miles in Canada; and

• Critical last-mile content required to get drivers to their final destination.

TomTom’s product is enabled by ProMiles, which provides context in interpreting and applying truck restrictions. The TomTom Logistics product appends to the standard map product and can be merged with other TomTom enhancement products to enable truck-relevant POI content as well as warnings for curves or steep grades, the company said.

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Volvo launches I-See 'autopilot' fuel-saving technology in Europe

GOTHENBURG, Sweden -- Volvo Trucks in Sweden has developed a new I-See feature that uses a truck’s kinetic energy to reduce fuel consumption by as much as 5%.

The system operates like an autopilot, using the transmission’s tilt sensor to determine topography and then uses the truck’s momentum to save fuel. It can: accelerate before an incline begins; avoid changing gears near the brow of a hill; avoid accelerate when approaching a descent; freewheel down downhill portions; brake before a downhill slope ends but release the brakes at the end of the slope to pick up speed ahead of a new ascent.

“If kinetic energy can be exploited to a greater extent, it may help cut fuel consumption. This will benefit both the environment and the industry’s economy, something that is very important today as fuel costs are becoming an increasingly heavy burden on many haulage firms,” relates Anders Eriksson, product developer at Volvo Trucks.

I-See can recall about 4,000 gradients, Volvo says.

“I-See is an autopilot linked to the truck’s cruise control, taking over and handling gear changes, throttle and brakes on gradients, ensuring they all operate in the most fuel-efficient way possible. I-See freewheels as much as possible – so on certain stretches of road no fuel is used at all,” explains Hayder Wokil, product manager at Volvo Trucks.

“In this way fuel consumption can be cut by up to 5%. This figure is based on the results of simulations and tests on public roads. I-See requires use of the cruise control, and we know that on average drivers use cruise control about half the time. For a truck in normal operation, covering 140,000 kilometres a year, the saving will be about 1,000 litres of fuel annually. This makes a big difference to the haulage firm’s profitability.”

The greatest fuel savings, Volvo says, come where there are an abundance of small hills.

“I-See works best in undulating terrain. With moderately long and steep slopes, I-See ensures that you can freewheel for long distances without using the engine,” explains Eriksson. “It is this freewheeling capability that makes the system special. When the truck rolls freely, virtually no fuel is used. But in order to freewheel, a whole lot of data is required.”

He said I-See also saves on brake and tire wear.

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Rand McNally Launches New Lower-Cost EOBR

Less than three months after announcing it would introduce a low-cost, in-cab electronic onboard recorder, Rand McNally Co. said it was rolling out the TND 760 Fleet Edition.

The map and navigation software maker said the TND 760 is integrated into a truck’s onboard computer and communicates information via both Wi-Fi and cellular methods.

The device can be set up in less than 30 minutes, and, unlike traditional mobile communications systems, it doesn’t require the installation of a separate “black box” monitoring unit, Rand McNally said.

The TND 760 can be used with transportation management software from many providers, Rand McNally said.

The company said the first installation of TND 760 will be with Chicago-based truckload carrier Freight Exchange of North America LLC, also known as F/X.

TND 760 includes integration with TMWSuite, a transportation software application made by TMW Systems Inc. that allows dispatchers to send information directly to an EOBR.

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