TMC Resource Center

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.

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

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

Aggressive corrosion, caused by new formulations of road ice clearing chemicals, has recently become a serious maintenance problem for many equipment users. Use of magnesium chloride- and calcium chloride-based products by certain states is especially associated with increased incidence of corrosion on vehicles, causing damage in as little as a single winter season.

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

Various groups are researching and promoting different fuels, various states are encouraging alternative fuel use, and the federal government may mandate alternative fuels for private (i.e. non-government) fleets. A number of different fuels are being considered as alternatives to conventional diesel fuel and gasoline. In addition to the “traditional” natural gas, propane and alcohols (methanol and ethanol), new ones appear periodically, such as DME, DEE etc.

Advanced communication systems, collision warning systems and complex display systems are finding their way into commercial vehicles. Dispatcher communications and cellular telephones are already common place. Navigational aids are becoming more popular as prices fall rapidly. Soon the communications bandwidth into a truck will increase to rates that rival current office systems. This will bring with it a proliferation of communications devices. A driver could conceivable have complete Internet access while driving.

Issued: May 2001