Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Sign up here.
Sponsored by Expert Market
Losing track of time and attendance is not an option.
We can help you find the best time and attendance provider for your business.
Get free quotes today →
The federal government is talking the talk when it comes to taking immigrant drivers off the roads and cracking down on CDL schools. But…will it walk the walk?
And it’s not just in your head—truck operations are more expensive than they’ve ever been.
Coming up, we’re sharing expert advice on how fleet execs can flip the script on telematics and dashcams, showing drivers that they’re helpful assistants and not Big Brother spying on them. Check your inbox Thursday for that one!
⬆️ $5.134
AVG. COST OF DIESEL PER GALLON IN U.S. AS OF 7/21, UP 0.338¢
ROADSIDE READS
The numbers are in 📈 The average cost to operate a commercial truck rose to a record-high $2.336 per mile last year, according to the American Transportation Research Institute’s new report. So it wasn’t your imagination—things have gotten more expensive than ever for fleet operators.
Vision for the future. NuPort Robotics’ CEO has a bold take: “Our vision is that every truck in the future is going to be running an autonomy operating system.” Intrigued? More of his interview here.
GPS gone wrong. A truck shut down a California road last week after the driver ignored road signs, trusted the GPS a little too much and got stuck on a truck-prohibited route.
Test drive. Check out a video of the International S13 Powertrain being taken for a spin. What do you think of this one?
Sponsored by Driveroo
Ready for the increased compliance risk?
The Supreme Court recently ruled that brokers and carriers could be held liable by a state's negligence laws—a big increase in risk. You need to depend on your team to ensure your vehicles are compliant and your drivers perform complete DVIR routines to prove reasonable care has been taken. Comprehensive DVIR with photo evidence is the proof you need. And with Driveroo, it's fast, easy and automated.
Find out what makes for a compliant DVIR and get a free checklist in this instant-access guide.
YOUR TAKE
Did your operational costs rise last year?
INDUSTRY VOICES
When is it really time to replace a truck in your fleet?
Right now, how do you decide when it’s time to replace a truck? When the calendar says so? When the engine starts making a noise it shouldn’t? 😬
Most fleet managers go by some combination of time, mileage and vibes. But everything from heavy loads to weather can impact wear and tear.
Siddharth Singh, chief revenue officer at Intangles, suggests a new approach: Use AI to analyze telematics data that your fleet is already collecting. Let it work through the variables and make predictions on when it's time to retire a truck. “Data-driven replacement timing tends to catch problems before they turn into safety issues,” he writes.
Why this matters: It’s easy to groan or roll our eyes when someone suggests AI as the solution to all of life’s problems. But cases like this—where the data already exists—might be where AI shines. Bonus points if an AI-based decision can save your business money or prevent a problem before it creates a potentially unsafe situation for a driver. (CCJ Digital)
FAST LANE
DRIVER PROPOSAL: Trump says he’ll replace "illegal alien truck drivers" with military veterans
TEAM UP: Homeland Security will work with DOT to identify fraudulent CDL schools
IN DEMAND: Trucking volumes rise with freight shipments related to data center construction
DOWNSIZING: ArcBest to eliminate 2% of staff and consolidate service centers
CALLING CONGRESS: OOIDA demands Congress pass Dalilah’s Law after trooper’s death
SHOW PROOF: Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance wants FMCSA to make passenger authorization docs required in truck, to fight human trafficking
LEGAL ACTION: Lawsuit says trucking company at fault for injuries after tanker crashed into stopped vehicles
SEEN & HEARD
It's hard for me to go and talk to big customers and say, ‘Hey, I can do five loads a day for you.’ And they say, ‘Hey, I need 100.’”
Small motor carriers are absolutely vital to trucking—they make up more than 90% of the industry. But these carriers alone can’t always handle the demands of a big shipper. It’s one of the reasons Munoz says he often prefers working with freight forwarders, who can connect the dots between cargo owners and carriers. (Freight Caviar)
ROAD REPORT
EARNINGS
J.B. Hunt reports revenue is up
J.B. Hunt reported a 19% year-over-year jump in its earnings, with revenue reaching $3.5 billion for the quarter. Now here’s the catch: a good chunk of that was an increase in intermodal volume. In fact, one executive said he’s seeing “significant road-to-rail conversion opportunities,” especially as fuel costs have pushed up trucking rates and trucking capacity has tightened.
Why this matters: When one of the biggest trucking carriers is reporting volume growth, it’s a welcome sign for the entire industry. But just how much a fleet benefits depends on where exactly they sit within the sector. Drayage? You might be getting busier moving freight to rail yards. OTR? Growth may be slower but still there. (Trucking Dive)
Thanks for reading today's edition! You can reach the newsletter team at [email protected]. We enjoy hearing from you.
Interested in advertising? Email us at [email protected]
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here to get this newsletter twice a week. Be safe out there!
The Inside Lane is curated and written by Shefali Kapadia and edited by Bianca Prieto.
