TMC Resource Center

Recent advancements in sensor technology are enabling real-time monitoring of system performance and readiness in heavy-duty vehicles. ATA’s Technology & Maintenance Coun- cil (TMC) recommends that manufacturers leverage this new technology to develop a more accurate means of identifying slow leaks in air brake lines; thus improving driver awareness of developing brake system failures, and reducing the frequency and severity of thermal in-cidents (i.e., truck fires).

Issued: May 2018

This information report presents the results of the Professional Technical Development Com- mittee’s (PTDC) Task Force on Determining Necessary Entry Level Technician Skills. The charge of this Task Force was to examine means of determining these essential skill sets tobecome a qualified applicant for technician positions in the industry.

TMC’s “EPA 2007/2010 Engine Report Card” results were based on data from 23 fleets representing 157,541 power units of the U.S. trucking industry. Of these Class 7 and 8 power units, 24 percent were equipped with EPA 2010 engines, 29 percent were equipped with EPA 2007 engines, and 30 percent were equipped with EPA 2004 engines. The survey was administered in November and December 2011 and sent to more than 600 fleets whose representatives held membership in TMC as Fleet Executive level members.

With the rising demand for improvements in efficiency and power availability, efforts are underway to incorporate higher voltages into the electrical systems of heavy-duty commercial motor vehicles. Throughout this effort, it is important that safety, reliability, and compatibility with equipment currently in use, be maintained. This paper, developed by TMC’s Electrical/ Electronic Systems Task Force, under the auspices of the Council’s Future Truck Committee, serves to further outline these expectations.

Issued: December 2017

The Future Tire Durability and Reliability Task Force — working under the auspices of TMC's Future Truck Committee — was tasked with exploring and identifying key factors related to the adoption of zero-pressure tires in commercial transportation service. Accordingly,the Task Force developed this position paper to define future features and expectations forzero pressure commercial tires in terms of product performance, maintainability, reliability, durability, serviceability, environmental and educational issues.

Significant opportunities exist to collect or harvest energy using systems or technology on the trailer for improving the energy efficiency of the vehicle combination. Two such sources, solarenergy collection and regenerative braking are being investigated in earnest and are in the early stages of commercial development. The purpose of this paper is to facilitate increasedperformance and energy efficiency for trailers.