HDT Talks Trucking

AI adoption in the trucking industry is skyrocketing — and leaders, executives, and managers of heavy-duty trucking fleets are taking notice.  In this HDT Leadership Insights podcast, HDT Editor and Associate Publisher Deborah Lockridge sits down with Tim Haynes, VP of Digital and Customer Data at Penske Transportation Solutions, to discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming fleet operati...

From pet policies and panic buttons to sign language and management diversity, trucking fleets are finding new ways to support a changing professional truck driver population. Join host Deborah Lockridge and guest Mark Murrell of the Best Fleets to Drive For program as they unpack what successful fleets are doing right to retain a more diverse driver workforce -- and how you can apply it to your o...

Tammie Dean has an advantage when recruiting and mentoring women drivers at Lily Transportation: She’s experienced life on the road as a female driver.  On this episode of HDT Talks Trucking, HDT's Deborah Lockridge talks to Tammie about an initiative she started to help recruit and support women drivers, called Lily Ladies. Learn More About Attracting and Retaining Women Truck Drivers Lily La...

How is a new Volvo heavy-duty truck like your smartphone? After Volvo Trucks North America launched the all-new Volvo VNR regional truck, HDT's Deborah Lockridge chatted with Johann Agebrand, director of product marketing, about the newest Volvo Connect updates.​What you'll learn in this episode of HDT Talks Trucking: How Volvo Trucks' new VNR and VNL models use automatic over-the-air...

Chicago's Connor Hudziak had never driven a real truck before. However, the young man loved playing "American Truck Simulator" after school and work.  Connor never dreamed his passion for the computer game would help him win a trip to Western Star's Star Nation customer appreciation event in Bend, Oregon -- or that the professional truckers there would change his life forever.

What's the best path to decarbonization for your trucking fleet? The North American Council for Freight Efficiency is looking at the " messy middl e" of alternative fuels and drivetrains for long haul in this year's Run on Less.   North American Council for Freight Efficiency Executive Director Mike Roeth joins HDT Editor & Associate Publisher Deborah Lockridge to talk about...

Learn how Atlas World Group creates high-performing teams by teaching employees how to look at different points of view.    Kelly Cruse, VP of Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer for Atlas, joins HDT's Deborah Lockridge to talk about the trucking and logistics company's award-winning program.   Sponsored by: Shell Multi Service Fuel Card   In this episode, we explore how Atlas Worl...

Renewable natural gas is, well, a natural when it comes to replacing diesel as a clean fuel for truck fleets. Hexagon Ability's senior vice president, global sales and marketing Americas, tells HDT Talks Trucking why.   Eric Bippus thinks that a new era of "common sense" in Washington could help fleets adopt one of the cleanest and most diesel-like fuels available for trucks today....

Jamie Hagen has gone from being a fleet driver to a small fleet owner. He's also become a well-known social media trucking influencer with an insider relationship to Mack Trucks in the process. And he's learned some valuable lessons about trucking along the way.   (Pssst! He's also been given a sneak-peek at the new Mack Class 8 truck coming soon!) 🤝  Follow and connect with HDT on so...

There are some important issues in trucking -- such as cargo theft, human trafficking, truck parking -- where working with law enforcement can help get things done. That's why the American Trucking Associations created the Law Enforcement Advisory Board. HDT's Deborah Lockridge talks to Mark Savage, chair of the board and director of connected truck solutions for Drivewyze. In This Episode...

Renewable natural gas is an amazing clean fuel. It can deliver diesel-like range and performance on the highway, while emitting vastly reduced tailpipe emissions. So why won't environmental regulatory agency approve it as a practical solution to help fleets move away from diesel toward cleaner fuels? HDT sat down with Chad Lindholm, executive vice president, sales, for Clean Energy for some pe...

A small group of women in trucking and logistics have founded a nonprofit organization to help human trafficking victims. HDT Editor and Associate Publisher Deborah Lockridge talks to Gift of Freedom co-founder Sharon Siar about the initiative, its inspiration, its goals, and how people can help. "We're just taking it one step at a time, and one child at a time, because that's what our focus is, i...

Volvo Trucks sees autonomous trucks as an entirely new mode of freight transportation. Sasko Cuklev, head of Volvo Autonomous Solutions, and Jason Gillespie, senior director, continuous improvement and innovation, DHL Supply Chain, talk about the two companies' new  autonomous trucks initiative  in Texas and why it is an important milestone in the development of self-driving trucks.  Sponsored by:...

Meet Kaitlynn Aikin – a 20-year-old diesel technician at Southeastern Freight Lines who is challenging stereotypes and inspiring the next generation of female technicians. Sponsored by Apollo Tires HDT's Deborah Lockridge talks to this young star diesel technician about how she is thriving in a field where fewer than 5% of diesel technicians in trucking are women. Learn More: Finding and Keeping T...

Artificial intelligence: What is it, and how can it help trucking fleets? Penske experts share insights from their work with AI, both as a tool for customers and in their own shop and operations. This episode of HDT Leadership Insights is produced in partnership with, and sponsored by, Penske . HDT's Deborah Lockridge explores AI with Penske's Tim Haynes and Samantha (Sam) Thompson in this episode...

Tolls are becoming a serious management issue for fleets across North America. But new toll verification technologies can help fleet managers bring order to chaos.    Chandler Love, senior product manager, tolls, PrePass, talks about how new GPS-enabled toll verification technology works. And how it can save fleets money, time and hassles dealing with today's toll-heavy roadways. This episode is p...

Explore how trucking fleets can deal with shifting emissions regulations and plan for adoption of zero-emission trucks as HDT's Deborah Lockridge talks to Lacy Robertson, Director of Sustainability Solutions & Public Policy with Rush Enterprises. Sponsored by: CAT Scale Apollo Tires In This Episode: Meet the Expert: Lacy Robertson Navigating Complex Emissions Regulatory Landscapes How CARB Reg...

Helping lawmakers and regulators understand the trucking industry is vital on important topics ranging from electric trucks to independent contractor misclassification. David Heller with the Truckload Carriers Association recently spoke to HDT's Deborah Lockridge about the group's annual Call on Washington. Here are the highlights in this Short Takes version of HDT Talks Trucking.

How are truck makers using artificial intelligence to change how fleets keep their trucks on the road and generating revenue? To learn more, HDT executive editor Jack Roberts sat down with Volvo Trucks North America connectivity expert Magnus Gustafson at the recent American Trucking Associations' Management Conference and Exhibition for this episode of HDT Talks Trucking. Sponsored by: CAT Scale...

Get a peek at some technology that may soon make its way into the trucks you buy as HDT's Jack Roberts shares insights from the big IAA commercial vehicle show in Europe. Sponsored by: CAT Scale and Apollo Tires On this episode of HDT Talks Trucking, HDT’s Deborah Lockridge and Jack Roberts talk about the biggest trends from around the globe showcased at IAA. Learn More: ZF Debuts Hybrid Truck Tra...

Just how far will Foodliner stretch its oil drain intervals? Can Roehl Transport master artificial intelligence? Meet two of HDT's Truck Fleet Innovators on this episode of HDT Talks Trucking. Sponsored by CAT Scale HDT’s Deborah Lockridge talks to two HDT Truck Fleet Innovators, Kyle Neumann of Foodliner and John Paape of Roehl Transport , during Heavy Duty Trucking Exchange. In This Episode: Kyl...

Why aren't trucks as safe as airplanes? Should motor carriers be required to carry more insurance? On this episode of HDT Talks Trucking, Deborah Lockridge talks to Lane Kidd of The Trucking Alliance about an essay he wrote on trucking's duty to public safety. This episode sponsored by CAT Scale In this episode: Can you compare trucking's safety record to the airline industry's? Th...

When is trucking going to climb back up the back side of the latest cycle? How can trucking fleets do a better job of preparing for these ups and downs? On this episode of HDT Talks Trucking, HDT’s Deborah Lockridge talks to Brian Holland, president and CEO of Fleet Advantage, for a mid-year look at the state of the economy and the trucking industry — and some advice on making fleet purchasing dec...

The infrastructure needed to support California's hydrogen economy is not going to sprout up from the ground by itself. Calstart is supporting that growth through programs like Zero-Emission Commercial Vehicles (EnergIIZE) Hydrogen funding lane. The program is intended to support ydrogen medium- and heavy-duty as well as offroad vehicle infrastructure.  Kelly Ratchinsky, Calstart's technic...

Learn what the Next Generation in Trucking Association is doing to bring more drivers and technicians into trucking as a first career choice.   One of the biggest challenges trucking fleets face is finding good drivers and diesel technicians. For various reasons, from regulations to insurance to a lack of awareness of trucking-related careers, it’s often a second career choice rather than one youn...