Tag: Industrial Equipment Tow Tug

Do your terminal tractors need to stay out of the way of Tesla semis? Tesla’s new self-driving semis have a reputation for faster acceleration, even uphill. But how does this translate into on-the-road safety?

A New Breed of Semi

The Tesla company has reported many advantages of using its autonomous vehicles. They won’t jackknife; they go faster uphill – but will they have problems slowing down? The typical 18-wheeler is known for its propensity to runaway downhill. It reaches speeds that defy engine braking, experiences decreased braking force from air brake pressure loss (though this is less likely on modern haulers), and experiences drum fade with prolonged braking.

However, the Tesla semi is a different animal, with no gears/gearbox, and electric motors on drive axles for producing regenerative braking power.

Are ‘Regenerative’ Capabilities Enough?

Regenerative braking provides braking forces to 8-of-18 wheels, but doesn’t eliminate air pressure loss or brake drum fade. On an 80,000-pound, fully-loaded semi, will regenerative braking prove sufficient? Eight-million-pound diesel-electric freight trains utilize a similar stopping process with their dynamic braking systems, and store the friction-generated power in a battery. And as with Tesla’s autonomous semi’s, when used in conjunction with air brakes, it provides reliable speed control, which is relied upon in areas with heavy grades.

There’s No Replacement for Safe Driving

Though it remains unknown how Tesla semis in Autosteer will fare with steep downhills, due to their ability to accelerate faster, this will land the semis into more situations where speed is carried into the downhill leg. While in total, it’s likely there will be fewer runaway Tesla self-driving semis, there may be some.

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Will your terminal tractors soon be toting goods for Amazon shipping entrepreneurs? Amazon is instituting a new division, Delivery Service Partners, formed to help hundreds of entrepreneurs across the U.S. create their own Amazon shipping businesses.

Prime Opportunity

A fair percentage of Amazon deliveries are already made by independent contractors who participate in the company’s Uber-like ‘Flex’ program. However, instead of unmarked uniforms and varied and unrecognizable vehicles, with the Delivery Service Partners model soon to begin, small fleets of employees from contracted carriers will now fly Amazon-branded uniforms and ‘Prime’-bannered Sprinter trucks.

Prime Benefits

Amazon plans to keep startup costs as low as $10,000, and has set aside $1-million in financial assistance to encourage military veterans to take up the challenge, a segment the company sees as an ideal match: Those with a cultural, leadership mindset who enjoy being out in the community around people. Amazon plans to keep each company small, with 20-40 vehicles, allowing for a more manageable owner/operator setup. The ‘Zon will provide the goods for delivery, back-end infrastructure and management assistance, help with taxes and payroll, and discounts on truck leasing, fuel, and insurance.

Prime Pay

Amazon estimates the potential for $300,000 profit annually, based on delivery volume. Those involved in the Delivery Service Partners beta test have already expressed happiness with the opportunity for a great, steady income with benefits and paid-time-off, unlike the Flex setup’s absent benefits and competition for customers and sales.

Prime Ultimatum

As Amazon’s shipping services expand, the possibility of it taking on FedEx, UPS, and USPS seems inevitable.

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In the trucking industry, where time is money, dock and yard congestion can create a major slowdown. Terminal tractors from DJ Products keep operations moving at a brisk pace with less risk of workplace injuries.

If your trucks end up out of commission due to violations, it’s almost impossible to make up the loss. Keep your trucks on the road with accurate and efficient pre- and post-trip inspections.

Classroom Training vs. Hands-On Experience

While the importance of pre- and post-trip inspections is universally accepted, trucking companies vary widely as far as the best methods of training drivers. Here’s a look at how transportation companies around the country handle inspection training.

– Maverick Transportation out of Little Rock, AR favors an experience-based system. New hires with previous driving experience use online tutorials, while student drivers receive formal field training with their onboarding program.

– A hybrid version of training is employed by WTI Transport in Alabama. Once drivers complete a classroom curriculum, they must undergo a test in which they conduct an actual inspection accompanied by a safety inspector.

– At Waller Trucking in Excelsior Spring, MO, all new hires must have a minimum of two years of highway driving experience so they can be expected to have a knowledge of inspections. A vehicle walk-around with a company technician is performed as part of employee orientation.

Follow Up with Feedback

Regardless of training, it’s essential to run full inspections when a truck returns to the yard. Findings can be reviewed with drivers to reinforce positive results and focus on areas of improvement.

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