Autonomous trucks are increasingly prevalent on the roads of North Texas
Good morning! Welcome to the first day of June and another exciting edition of The Workday Dash.
Grab your coffee, take a seat, and get ready to dive into the latest buzz in the world of logistics, procurement, and all things supply chain-related. We're here to keep you informed, entertained, and maybe even sneak in a few corny jokes along the way. Let's roll! 🚛💨
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North Texas has emerged as a key hub for the development and testing of self-driving trucks, with various companies setting up operations and conducting real-world trials in the region. While human safety drivers are currently present in these autonomous trucks as a precautionary measure, the goal is to remove them entirely. North Texas's central location on the transportation network and the state's relatively relaxed regulations have attracted major industry players to establish a presence in the area. However, concerns about the safety of driverless trucks persist, given the newness of the technology. Despite this, the progress in autonomous trucking technology has the potential to revolutionize the movement of goods on highways and address the trucking industry's labor shortage.
Check out today’s featured article from Transportation Topics to read about what these self-driving cars could mean for the future. Will northern Texas be the first steppingstone for autonomous big rigs to blossom through the United States? Will these tests be successful in the long run?
Featured Article:
Self-Driving Trucks Becoming Common on North Texas Roads | TT News
“The North Texas area has quietly become the new frontier for the development of self-driving trucks, with several companies from around the world setting up operations — and using North Texas highways for real-world testing.”
Safety & Driver Issues 🚛
US Government Probes Autonomous Braking Complaints in Freightliner Trucks
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating complaints regarding the automatic emergency braking system in Freightliner Semis. This is the third recent investigation by the agency into issues with the technology, which is designed to prevent collisions by automatically stopping or slowing down vehicles for obstacles or traffic. The probe covers approximately 250,000 Daimler trucks manufactured between 2017 and 2022. Owners have reported that the brakes on Freightliner Cascadia trucks can activate unexpectedly without any obstruction on the road, ranging from the partial application to full braking that brings the trucks to a complete stop. NHTSA conducted a test and confirmed that the braking system activated for a steel trench plate on the road, but Daimler Trucks argues that the trench plate does not accurately represent real-world driving conditions. NHTSA will determine whether this braking issue poses an unreasonable safety risk.
While no crashes or injuries have been reported in relation to this problem, the investigation highlights concern about the reliability of automatic emergency braking systems. Daimler Trucks expressed its commitment to developing life-saving technology and is collaborating with NHTSA to review the automatic emergency braking technology and upcoming industry regulations and test procedures. This investigation follows similar probes into Tesla vehicles and Honda vehicles for false braking issues. The U.S. government is currently working on adopting regulations that would mandate automatic emergency braking systems in all new passenger vehicles and heavy trucks to enhance overall road safety.
Sustainability & Fuel Tech ♻️
Field Service Innovations Driving Net-Zero Emissions Goals
The pressure for corporations to reduce their carbon emissions is growing, and field service operations can play a crucial role in this transition. By adopting advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology, companies can optimize technician mileage and reduce waste, contributing to sustainable practices. The transportation industry, being the largest emitter of U.S. emissions, must take steps to reduce drive time and its carbon footprint. Although remote approaches are being embraced, on-site visits remain essential, requiring field-service organizations to optimize resource utilization, route scheduling, and fuel consumption to minimize energy waste and emissions. AI-powered planning, scheduling, and optimization (PSO) technology can provide significant benefits, saving time, costs, and miles while enhancing the customer experience. Real-time optimization, scalability, and built-in intelligence allow for efficient workforce planning, scheduling, and routing, identifying invisible inefficiencies and automating processes.
With PSO, service time slots can be scheduled based on resource availability and urgency, ensuring jobs are completed efficiently without double-booking or unnecessary trips. PSO's dynamic route optimization assigns tasks to technicians based on efficient routing, reducing travel time and mileage, and leading to substantial environmental and cost savings. For businesses prioritizing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) compliance, implementing PSO can optimize field service operations, reduce carbon footprints, and achieve cost savings while maintaining exceptional customer experiences.
Let’s Get Global 🌎
🇺🇸 Semiconductor manufacturing is still hindered by US supply chain issues. A recent report highlights the success of reshoring initiatives, leading companies to scramble to find manufacturing operations in the United States and Mexico. However, reshoring is challenging and requires thorough preparation and strategic planning. Keith Hartley, CEO of LevaData, shares insights on investing in semiconductors and clean tech within the U.S. and the limitations of fully committing to "Made in America."
🌎 Reshaping Supply Chains for the New Era of Global Trade. The decrease in strains on global supply chains earlier this year led some to believe that the disruptions caused by the pandemic were coming to an end, but experts argue that a return to normal doesn't mean a return to conventional supply chain practices. The experiences during the pandemic, coupled with geopolitical changes, have driven broader and potentially long-lasting changes in how companies manage the flow of goods. These changes include regionalization, supplier diversification, automation, and a shift away from a just-in-time focus, making supply chains more resilient and resistant to future disruptions.
✈️ Cargo iQ, FIATA, and ASA Collaborate for Air Cargo Standardization. Quality standards organization Cargo iQ has partnered with the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) and the Airport Services Association (ASA) to collaborate on enhancing standard practices in the air cargo supply chain. The alliance aims to promote common standards and improved quality by strengthening collaboration between forwarders, ground handlers, and airlines globally.
iLevel With You 🏡
More topics for the average American household to consider…
💸 CEO Pay Growth Slows, Yet Compensation Gap Persists. The growth of CEO pay is slowing down, with the typical compensation package for chief executives of S&P 500 companies rising by just 0.9% in 2022, according to data analyzed by Equilar for The Associated Press. This marks the smallest increase since 2015. Despite the slowdown, criticism of excessive CEO pay and the widening gap between executives and workers persists.
🚛 The St. Louis region's "70s corridor" is considered the epicenter of development. The 70-mile transportation corridor along Interstate 70 in the St. Louis region is experiencing a surge in new construction, with over 24 million square feet of new industrial space added in the last five years. The corridor is attracting national manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors, and is poised for further development. The recent FreightWeekSTL 2023 conference discussed the activity and future growth of the corridor.
🚛 Kratos Expands Deployment of Autonomous Platooning Trucks in the Midwest. Platooning technology is becoming a cost-effective solution for autonomous trucking, allowing entry into the market without requiring the purchase of new trucks, says Kratos. The technology is gaining interest due to the driver shortage and its potential to improve efficiency. Stevens Trucking, based in Oklahoma, is planning to deploy platooning technology in partnership with Locomation over the next five years, and several state highway departments have initiated pilot projects to test the technology's potential for safer operations.
🙂 Only 18% Satisfied with the State of the Nation, according to Gallup. According to a recent Gallup poll, just 18% of Americans expressed satisfaction with the current state of the nation, which is significantly lower than the historical average of 35%. The survey showed that satisfaction levels have remained below 20% since March, with Democrats being the most satisfied at 33%, followed by independents at 18%, and Republicans at only 4%. The poll also highlighted concerns regarding the economy, with 76% of respondents believing it is getting worse, and identified government, the economy, and immigration as the top issues facing the United States.
👩💻 Examining the "Right" to Remote Work. James Bailey, a professor at George Washington University, discusses the ongoing discussion surrounding the "right" to work remotely, even as the COVID-19 pandemic recedes. Bailey argues that remote work is not a right but a privilege, as employers have the authority to determine where their employees should work. While some workers enjoyed the flexibility of remote work during the pandemic, Bailey highlights the potential downsides, such as reduced collaboration opportunities.
👔 Consistent Demand for Back-Office Jobs in Fleets. As the trucking industry continues to grapple with a persistent labor shortage, fleets are witnessing a consistent increase in job demand for operational support roles, commonly known as back-office jobs. These roles, such as dispatchers, dockworkers, and IT staff, play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth functioning of operations. Despite the challenges of finding suitable candidates and retaining talent, companies are focusing on innovative recruitment strategies, emphasizing career development opportunities, and promoting a positive work environment to address these issues.
⛽️ Diesel has fallen 16 weeks out of the 17 past weeks. Diesel prices have continued to decline for the sixth consecutive week, marking a drop of over $1.95 per gallon since last year's peak. The Department of Energy/Energy Information Administration reported the benchmark price at $3.855 per gallon, down 2.8 cents from the previous week. This decrease aligns with a broader downturn in oil prices driven by economic uncertainty surrounding the debt ceiling deal.
🚗 Unveiling the Time and Location of Riskiest Driving: New Study Findings. A recent study by Lytx Inc. unveils major metropolitan areas, particularly those near airports, as some of the riskiest places to drive in the United States. The research also highlights the specific times of day and night when collisions are more likely to occur. The study indicates that airports have become particularly hazardous driving areas, with a significant increase in the number of high-risk road sections near airports. Additionally, the study examines the correlation between collisions and factors such as time of day, day of the week, weather conditions, and the causes of accidents, including animal strikes and collisions with fixed objects.
Get Smart 🧠
Ramp up that brain power for these advanced topics…
🤝 UPS and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters have reached an agreement. The agreement focuses on UPS' SurePost service, which utilizes the Postal Service for the final mile of delivery for non-urgent and lightweight residential shipments. While specific details were not provided, the agreement will reduce the size of packages eligible for SurePost delivery. The agreement is subject to ratification as part of the next national contract between UPS and the Teamsters.
📦 DHL's logistics hub in Seattle efficiently handles approximately 4,000 packages every day. DHL's Express Service Center in Seattle serves as a logistics hub for international and cross-border shipments, ensuring the safety, speed, and accuracy of last-mile deliveries. The facility, located 10 miles from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, receives shipments from DHL freighters and unloads Unit Load Devices (ULDs), which are small shipping containers for planes.
🇺🇸 The White House has provided a detailed breakdown of infrastructure spending. The White House has provided an update on the spending of funds allocated through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Over $220 billion has been made available for more than 32,000 specific projects across 4,500 communities in all 50 states, D.C., and territories. These projects include improvements that directly benefit the trucking industry, such as truck parking and major infrastructure enhancements. Several states have received significant funding, including California, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
🚧 Solving Supply Chain Issues in the Construction Industry. The construction industry has faced significant challenges over the past few years, including the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions. The pandemic led to job losses and disruptions in the industry, while supply chain issues caused delays and increased costs. However, there is hope on the horizon, with construction employment recovering and global inflation projected to decrease. To improve their supply chains, construction companies can focus on sustainability practices, utilize technology like building information modeling (BIM), and reconsider sourcing strategies by prioritizing local suppliers.
⚖️ Momentum Builds for DRIVE Act to Prevent Speed Limiter Mandate. The DRIVE Act, a bill aimed at preventing the mandate of speed limiters on heavy-duty trucks, is gathering more support. Recently, three new co-sponsors joined the bill, bringing the total to 13. The bill seeks to prohibit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) from implementing any rule or regulation mandating speed limiters. The FMCSA is considering a notice of proposed rulemaking for speed limiters, but the DRIVE Act's supporters argue that such mandates could create dangerous speed differentials and increase the risk of accidents on highways.
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for November 27, 2024, from iLevel Logistics Inc.