Is Technology Distracting Truckers While Driving?

Truckers use more tech gadgets today than the traditional CB radio. According to a story in the New York Times, the trucking industry has expanded the use laptop computers, smart phones in truck cabs to communicate with and track drivers and their cargo.

The trucking industry encourages safe use of texting and email in trucks, but there are also concerns these devices are distracting truckers from the road. A possible federal bill could force states to ban texting while driving in exchange for federal highway money.

Source: The New York Times

Kenworth T470 Adds Second Horsepower Rating - May Now Be Ordered With The 9-liter Cummins ISL Engine

Photo Credit: Kenworth

Kenworth Truck Company recently announced adding a second horsepower rating for the new Kenworth T470 model.

The Kenworth T470 may now be ordered with the 9-liter Cummins ISL engine with 365 hp and 1,250 lb-ft of torque. Previously, the T470 was available with only the Cummins ISL with 345 hp and 1,150 lb-ft of torque.

The T470 offers Kenworth performance and durability for snowplow, dump, mixer, winch, refuse, and other heavy front-axle vocational and municipal applications. The T470 has a gross vehicle rating (GVW) ranging from a heavy Class 7 vehicle at 33,000 lbs. up to a light Class 8 truck at 68,000 lbs.

Source: Kenworth

Navistar MaxxForce TV Gives Customers an Up Close Look at MaxxForce Engines

Photo Credit: Navistar

As Navistar completes its final testing stages and prepares for the upcoming launch of its 2010 MaxxForce engines, a new online entertainment channel – MaxxForce TV – is making its debut.

Starting this month, customers will be able to learn about the benefits of Navistar’s MaxxForce® brand engines in a whole new way with the launch of MaxxForce TV, an online channel devoted entirely to trucks and engines. The inaugural series, “Maxx IQ,” is an entertaining and informative game show hosted by Joe Elmore, host of the television show “Horsepower TV” on the Spike Network.

In each fast-paced segment, Elmore tests the engine smarts of drivers at truck stops and other locations across the country for a chance to win cash and prizes. Online viewers are encouraged to play along to increase their own knowledge of MaxxForce products as well as to hone their skills in case this traveling game show rolls into their town.

Source: Navistar

Navistar and Caterpillar Announce Global Truck Joint Venture NC2

Navistar International Corporation and Caterpillar Inc. closed a joint venture transaction resulting in a new company, NC2 GlobalLLC, to serve the global commercial truck market.

Navistar and Caterpillar first announced plans to form a joint venture in June 2008 and have identified the leadership team of the new entity that will establish its headquarters in the Chicago area.

“Together, Navistar and Caterpillar have moved this project from concept to reality in little more than one year,” says Al Saltiel, president of NC2. “We now have a dedicated and experienced leadership team that will hit the ground running.”

“NC2 will produce and market a full line of commercial on-highway trucks for markets outside of North America,” says Saltiel. “Customers will benefit from the unparalleled depth and scope of support provided by Navistar and Caterpillar’s global dealers.”

Source: Navistar

Safeguards Transporters - The Simple Blue Trucks That Haul Nuclear Material

Think you have a tough job? Imagine driving a truck loaded up with nuclear material.

Jalopnik features a story on the trucks that haul nuclear cargo, known as "Safeguards Transporters", revealed through a Freedom of Information act request.

These unmarked blue trucks move plutonium and highly enriched uranium. While no specific details are described, the trucks are reported to feature complex safety and security devices to keep nuclear material secure in the event of an accident and from falling into the wrong hands.

Source Jalopnik and Friends of the Earth

Meijer Places First U.S. EPA 2010 Fleet Order with Daimler Trucks North America

Daimler Trucks North America has announced that Meijer, an EPA SmartWaySM award-winning retailer, had placed the nation's first fleet order for U.S. EPA 2010 trucks with the company. Meijer purchased 40 EPA 2010 Freightliner Cascadia trucks equipped with Detroit Diesel DD13 engines with the new evolutionary BlueTec emissions technology.

Photo Credit: Detroit Diesel

According to Tom McCall, vice president of logistics for Meijer, the pairing of the aerodynamic Freightliner Cascadia with the DD13 engine effectively matched Meijer's criteria for reliability, fuel economy, durability and serviceability. The first delivery of the trucks is expected to take place in the fourth quarter of this year, well ahead of the emissions regulations scheduled to take effect January 1, 2010.

"We're extremely proud to be the first company in the nation to place an order for these 21st century trucks equipped with the BlueTec emissions technology," said McCall. "While it's thrilling to be at the front end of the launch of such innovative technology, it's also exciting to partner with another Michigan-based company, Detroit Diesel Corporation, to help stimulate the economy and provide jobs right in our own backyard."

Photo Credit: Daimler Truck

Daimler's commitment to meeting environmental challenges is reflected in the company's early adoption, research and development of SCR technologies to meet the needs of North American trucking.

"SCR is the only emissions technology in decades proven to be as good for business as it is for the environment," said Mark Lampert, senior vice president of sales for Daimler Trucks North America. "Daimler Trucks and Detroit Diesel lead the industry in research and development of both SCR technology and the diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) infrastructure to support it."

"We invested over a decade in the design of emissions technologies to optimize the entire powertrain system for our North American trucking customers, and we're especially pleased to be selected by Meijer as their supplier of choice for the first fleet order of U.S. EPA 2010 trucks," he added. "Meijer is at the forefront of business and environmental strategies, and we are proud to deliver Detroit Diesel's BlueTec to them as a proven technology that will deliver a significant return on their emissions technology investment and an operational advantage of up to 5 over current 2007 trucks in their fleet."

Photo Credit: Daimler Truck

"From an operating perspective, the fuel efficiencies achieved with the Detroit Diesel DD13 engine and BlueTec emissions technology effectively return North American trucking to pre-EGR fuel economy levels while reducing dependence on foreign oil and reducing emissions to near-zero levels at the tailpipe," Lampert added. "And, with more than 25 million test miles completed in North America, including successful real-world freight hauling experience, that return on investment in BlueTec technology is more than just fuel economy...it will be proven reliability," added Lampert.

Source: Freightliner