TMC Resource Center

Recruiting and retaining qualified commercial vehicle technicians has become a very challenging task. Aside from purely economic factors, the reasons for this are fourfold:

The mandate for reduced tailpipe emissions from heavy-duty diesel powered vehicles has already left its mark on the trucking industry with the implementation of EPA’s 2004 standards. Technologies developed to meet the 2004 standards have been reasonably successful and, for the most part, have not required the use of expensive aftertreatment devices. While in- cylinder control of the combustion process should ultimately prove to be the most effective way to control emissions, there are those within the industry that believe that the cost-benefit peak has been reached.

One of the most promising new technologies emerging to meet fuel efficiency and environmental challenges for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles is the hybrid drive system. Hybrid drive systems offer the potential both to increase vehicle fuel efficiency and at the same time to reduce actual vehicle emissions below the level of the engine certification.

Commercial vehicle users should not need to replace a component over the vehicle’s useful life, or the useful life of that component, due to corrosion. (This includes surface corrosion.) Additionally, commercial vehicle users should not need to perform any maintenance (other than normal, periodic washing) to prevent corrosion. This position paper defines commercial vehicle users’ expected level of corrosion protection by vehicle type.

Issued: May 2005

This TMC Future Truck Position Paper defines future performance requirements of retreaded tires and tire repairs according to fleet and end user descriptions of their needs and concerns. This will include all aspects of retread tires, tire repairs, and associated maintenance issues.

Issued: March 2005

Future truck electrical/electronic systems will encompass batteries, electronics and communication systems. Today, many electronic controllers used with components such as engines, antilock brakes, transmissions, dash instrumentation and fleet-added components (such as satellite transceivers, computers, fax and printers) are permanently damaged by effects of close and direct lightning strikes.

This TMC Future Truck Position Paper defines the future performance requirements of tires based on fleet/equipment user descriptions of their needs and concerns. This paper covers all aspects of new tires, retreaded tires, tire repairs, and all associated maintenance issues.

Issued: March 2005

Today’s commercial vehicles feature many ancillary electronic devices, such as recorders, computers, satellite systems, fax machines, printers, etc. In some cases, memory loss and erratic operation of electronic sub-systems has occurred due to momentary low or no voltage levels. The trucking industry has expressed the need for further enhancements to eliminate the effects of low or no voltage. Any improvements made should not adversely affect, and must be compatible with other vehicle systems.

Many accidents and near misses are blamed on “driver error” when in reality the root cause often is a lack of adequate vision. This TMC Future Truck Position Paper defines the vision needs of drivers and encourages the commercial vehicle industry to develop standards that will ensure consistent, reliable, and functional solutions to the vision problems experienced with current trucks (even new models).

Future electrical systems encompass batteries, electronics and communication systems. Today’s battery system is a cost-effective solution. However, the trucking industry has expressed the need for further enhancements resulting in improved product performance, maintenance and safety, while meeting the increased demand for electrical energy in the parked and driving operational modes. Any improvements made should not adversely affect, and be compatible with, other systems.