Future Truck Information Reports

This Information Report is published by ATA’s Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) and examines the intensive activity in the development and introduction of Automated Vehicles (AVs) and identifies potential issues and opportunities for the trucking industry. Downloadable PDF only. $19.95 TMC/ATA members; $29.95 non-members.

Issued: December 2015

ATA’s Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) strives to be the industry thought leader on issues of truck technology and maintenance. As the only industry association that is focused solely on truck technology and maintenance, TMC and its member companies work together with manufacturers and other industry stakeholders to create the industry’s standards for future truck technology and equipment that help ensure that the truck of the future is one that is themost efficient to operate and maintain. The Council’s Future Truck Committee is responsiblefor this initiative within TMC.

Various combinations of technology developments are possible for future trailers. These possibilities may come about as future market forces evolve and bring about increased productivity at lower cost. Electric power, whether from batteries, and/or solar panels will likely displace gasoline or diesel-fueled refrigeration units. (This also may be true of auxiliary power units (APUs) for tractors). The overall potential is for lighter, quieter, more reliable and productive trailers contributing to reduced fuel burn by tractor-trailer combinations.

There are two parts to this exploration: a detailed timeline focused on items pertaining to transportation in general and trucking in particular, with explanatory notes for some entries at the end; and a survey of various pictures or scenarios of the future- the envi- ronment within which we, and those who come after us, will have to operate.

Issued: November 2002

This paper is a result of a “freewheeling” consideration of changes in the layout of vari- ous cab components and driver positioning and the effect of such changes on safety and operations. It is meant to provoke discussion and encourage innovation. The authors do not necessarily advocate any particular design or approach, but they do advocate spirited debate and serious consideration of the value of these changes to cab design.

This report was prepared to support current and future TMC Future Truck Position Papers on alternative fuels and provide proponents of alternative fuels a measure of the distance they must go to approach diesel engine/fuel reliability. Reliability, in terns of the probability of running so many failure-free miles, is not quantified in any of the reports on alternative fuel usage in heavy trucks. Rather, proxies, such as “uptime,” or utilization as a percent- age of diesel truck miles, or maintenance cost comparisons are used.

At TMC’s 2000 Annual Meeting, 16 fleet mem- bers of TMC participated in a focus group about their needs and desires for truck cabs in 2010. The focus group was led by Robert Crump and Renae Bowers-Carnahan. The focus group session was observed via closed circuit video by other members of TMC in an adjacent room.

Issued: March 2001

This paper is a result of a “freewheeling” consideration of changes in the layout of vari- ous cab components and driver positioning and the effect of such changes on safety and operations. It is meant to provoke discussion and encourage innovation. The authors do not necessarily advocate any particular design or approach, but they do advocate spirited debate and serious consideration of the value of these changes to cab design.