industry articles

Pre- and post-trip inspections are essential to fleet safety. Drivers are also legally required to conduct pre- and post-trip inspections by the Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Thorough inspections ensure regulatory compliance, help prevent roadside violations and minimize the risk of over-the-road failures.

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Vehicle utilization directly impacts profitability, operational efficiency and sustainability. Having high utilization ensures fleets are maximizing their capacity and overall operations. Tracking fleet utilization metrics can help carriers better understand their operational efficiency, but without metrics to compare to, it is hard to know what good actually looks like.

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Driver shortage issues have shifted as capacity has fluctuated. However, the fundamentals behind the driver shortage have not disappeared, and it remains a top industry concern. The right equipment and technology can appeal to drivers and give fleets a competitive advantage when building and retaining their pool of drivers.

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With holiday traffic volumes expected to be at increased levels this year, professional drivers can expect to share the road with millions of motorists nationwide. But the highways won’t be the only crowded place. Truck stops and rest areas will be jam-packed, too!

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Animal collisions can cause severe vehicle damage, resulting in the need for repairs. In October, November and December, U.S. drivers on average have a one in 127 chance of a collision with an animal, according to an annual study by State Farm. The severity of crashes increases in the fall, the Highway Data Loss Institute reported.

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Fleets expect uptime, and Penske Truck Leasing uses technology, data and analytics to customize maintenance programs, proactively address potential issues and keep trucks moving.

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Acquisition planning is an essential part of fleet management, especially as carriers evaluate new model year offerings, changes in technology and sustainability goals. Selecting the right vehicles, determining capacity needs, and managing finances are all part of the process, but there are always multiple variables at play that can make it challenging to make a commitment. Rental trucks can be a useful tool to help ensure you’re not left unprepared or with underutilized assets.

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The business world is full of unknowns, but there are several ways leasing can help managers minimize transportation-related risks so they can focus on their core competencies.

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Temperatures are heating up across the country as summer approaches, and some components on Class 8 trucks need extra attention to prevent unscheduled downtime and maintenance expenses.

“Maintenance inspection points are primarily the same year-round, but there are certain maintenance items, especially the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system and tire pressures, that require extra attention during the summer,” said Chris Hough, vice president of maintenance design and engineering at Penske Truck Leasing.

Air Conditioning System Maintenance: Inspecting the HVAC system, including circulation air filters, and ensuring the AC system is cooling as designed, is essential for driver comfort and safety, Hough said. Naturally, the demand for HVAC systems increases in summer, and a qualified technician must regularly inspect HVAC systems.

Technicians must ensure the engine fan/clutch is activated and adequately engaged when the A/C system calls for more airflow across the condenser. In addition, the A/C system typically interfaces with a vehicle’s electronic systems and controllers. As a result, abnormal operating conditions within the A/C refrigerant subsystem could trigger fault codes that must be diagnosed and repaired before placing the unit back into service.

Additionally, cabin filters need to be inspected, cleaned and replaced regularly.

Truck Tire Maintenance: Proper summer tire pressures improve safety, tire life and fuel economy, and tires need special care when temperatures increase. “Maintaining correct tire pressure during the summer months will help reduce over-the-road tire failures,” Hough said.

Tires tend to run hotter and wear faster in warm weather, and the tire tread portion becomes softer in higher temperatures. That makes tires more susceptible to punctures from road debris.

Fleets and drivers can improve uptime and increase tire performance by checking tire inflation pressure with an accurate tire pressure gauge when the tires have cooled. Because tire pressure increases as temperatures rise, there is a risk of overinflated tires in the summer.

When air pressures are inaccurate, tires tend to flex, changing the shape of the tire’s footprint. That decreases fuel economy, creates irregular wear patterns and reduces tread life. Also, underinflated tires build up excessive heat, potentially causing premature failure.

Cooling and Electrical System Maintenance: During the summer, it’s critical to ensure a truck’s engine radiator, EGR coolers and transmission cooler are operating properly to maintain the correct engine and transmission temperatures. Inadequate or improper service of cooling and electrical systems can lead to heat-related failures during hot weather. Penske checks cooling systems during every preventive maintenance (PM) inspection.

Electronic component failures can be caused by damaged or missing heat guards, heat shields or heat deflectors, especially within those components found near the exhaust system after-treatment devices. Excessive heat can also make the plastic electrical connectors brittle or cause them to melt, leading to electrical malfunctions caused by poor connections at the electronic control units, sensors and solenoids that control various vehicle systems.

APU Maintenance: Auxiliary power units (APUs) also require special attention during the summer. Diesel-powered APUs have belts, lines, and AC compressors that require scheduled maintenance checks. An electric, battery-powered APU is integrated with the cab air conditioning and should be inspected to ensure it functions properly.

Refrigeration Unit Maintenance: Warm temperatures mean the reefer units on refrigerated trailers face higher demand. Carriers should inspect them regularly to ensure they run correctly as outdoor temperatures increase.

Battery Maintenance: Battery maintenance is not seasonal; a solid, year-round battery maintenance program will pay dividends.

Professional drivers never know what they might encounter on their daily routes. But this summer, it’s a safe bet you’ll come across two of the most common danger zones on the road: railroad crossings and low bridges. Both situations require heightened awareness and vigilance to navigate safely. And failing to adhere to proper safety protocols can result in severe damage to your vehicle or cargo. If you’re not careful, these two types of hazards can lead to serious — and even life-threatening — crashes.

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Trucking is a penny business, and staying ahead requires constant improvement and optimization. Benchmarking is a powerful tool that helps fleets compare their key performance indicators (KPIs) and practices against industry standards or like-sized carriers, identify performance gaps and implement strategies for improvement.

Benchmarking can help fleets:

Drive Operational Efficiency: Analyzing benchmarking data can help fleets improve fuel economy, optimize routes, minimize empty miles and reduce idle time. It can also help fleets streamline workflows and improve overall productivity.

Improve Decision Making: Benchmarking provides valuable insights into fleet performance metrics, enabling data-driven decision-making. Fleets can track key metrics such as vehicle utilization, maintenance expenses and downtime to identify opportunities to enhance overall fleet performance.

Remain Competitive: Benchmarking helps fleets stay current on industry trends, emerging technologies and best practices. By benchmarking against innovative competitors and industry leaders, fleets can identify opportunities for strategic investments, new solutions or technology that can help them future-proof against market disruptions.

Tools to Benchmark Effectively

One of the challenges with benchmarking within the trucking industry is the wide range of equipment, applications and other variables that can affect operating conditions. Fleets need to find an accurate, comparable source for benchmarking to ensure they're getting information that is useful.

Penske has created several tools to give fleets reliable performance insights they can trust. These tools include:

Catalyst AI™: Penske has tapped into AI technology to leverage advanced machine learning algorithms and the rich, diverse live collection of Penske data in its new fleet benchmarking tool Catalyst AI™. The tool allows users to compare their fleets against similar fleets, giving new insight into fleet utilization, performance, efficiency and areas for improvement. The technology not only streamlines the fleet benchmarking process but also delivers actionable data-driven insights tailored to each customer's unique needs. Users can receive an immediate diagnosis of areas where they can improve and enhance the fleet's performance and fuel efficiency.

MPG Comparative Analysis Tool: Historically, it has been a challenge for fleets to get apples-to-apples comparisons due to the multiple variables affecting fuel economy. Penske has developed a comparative analysis tool to help fleets get miles-per-gallon benchmarking figures they can use. The tool captures key data from fleets, including the model year of their equipment, the regions where they operate and other variables, then compares it with like operations to provide a reliable number that has meaning.

Learn More

Contact us at 1-844-426-4555 to take advantage of the latest tools to help you compare, analyze and optimize your fleet.

The driver shortage remains a critical industry concern, and many carriers are having a hard time finding qualified drivers to fill the seats in heavy-duty Class 8 trucks. Bob Costello, chief economist for American Trucking Associations said the shortage tends to rise and fall with economic trends. While it has eased slightly, the underlying challenges, including an aging driver population and competition from other blue-collar careers, haven't disappeared.

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Software updates are a critical component of maintenance for Class 8 tractors. As with cellphones and laptops, software updates address bugs, provide security patches and improve features. Plus, some updates, such as those related to emissions, may be mandated by regulatory agencies, including the California Air Resources Board or the Environmental Protection Agency.

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Fleets are using technology to improve truck driver safety and shape driver habits. Onboard safety technology improves safety and can increase efficiency, reduce liability and cut costs — but fleets need to gain driver acceptance of any new solutions.

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Original equipment manufacturers are constantly developing new technology, safety enhancements and comfort features, and running late-model equipment can give fleets a competitive advantage. Benefits of new OEM technology include:

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Renewable diesel — an advanced fuel option that reduces greenhouse gas emissions while meeting the same specifications as petroleum diesel — can be added to existing fuel truck systems to help lower a fleet’s carbon footprint. As a drop-in fuel that can be used in place of ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD), renewable diesel is helping bridge the gap as the trucking industry moves toward zero-emission vehicles without extra equipment or infrastructure cost related to battery-electric vehicles.

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Reducing emissions is a top priority among federal and state lawmakers, and the U.S. Department of Transportation has announced a new deadline — Feb. 1 — for state departments of transportation to establish transportation-related emission-reduction goals.

The federal government has also announced more than $27 billion in federal funding to help states reach their targets, including $5 billion to build out an electric vehicle charging network, $2.5 billion to deploy electric vehicle charging and hydrogen, propane and natural gas fueling infrastructure, and $400 million to reduce truck idling and emissions at ports.

The new requirements and funding are among several regulatory initiatives designed to improve sustainability, which is also taking on greater importance as customer, consumer and investor interest in companies’ environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals increases.

Fleets can reduce emissions in several ways, including turning to late-model equipment, deploying electric vehicles and using renewable diesel fuel.

Late-Model Equipment: Late-model equipment with significant fuel economy improvements, reducing emissions. The North American Council for Freight Efficiency’s 2022 Annual Fleet Fuel Study found that fuel efficiency for all heavy-duty Class 8 combination vehicles went from 5.97 to 6.24 mpg during the last three years.

Vehicle Selection: Spec’ing the right vehicle for the application improves efficiency and fuel economy while also reducing operating costs and the risk of mechanical failures. Different fleets have different needs, and a cross-country vehicle, for example, is spec’ed very differently than a tractor used in regional applications.

Aerodynamic Devices: Installing EPA-verified aerodynamic devices on tractors and trailers can save fuel by minimizing aerodynamic drag and maintaining smoother airflow. Technologies include side skirts (a pair of panels affixed to the lower side edges of a trailer) and trailer tails, both of which reduce drag.

Auxiliary Power Units: Auxiliary power units (APUs) reduce the need for idling, allowing fleets to reduce fuel costs, increase engine life and improve driver comfort. Fleets can choose either an electric APU that runs on batteries or a diesel-powered APU that runs on a small diesel engine that burns a small amount of fuel per hour. APUs could range from $8,500 to $12,500, but that cost is recouped in fuel savings over about two and a half years.

Preventive Maintenance: Preventive maintenance helps keep the tractor operating at peak performance, which has a direct impact on fuel economy. The North American Council for Freight Efficiency reported that fleets can achieve fuel savings between 5% and 10% through preventive maintenance.

Electric Vehicle Solutions: Penske has built and operates North America’s first heavy-duty EV charging network, and there are multiple paths to EV adoption. These include Class 8 trucks and light- and medium-duty equipment. Penske Truck Leasing offerings include the Freightliner eCascadia (class 8), Freightliner eM2 (class 6 and 7), Volvo VNR electric tractor (class 8), International® eMV™ (class 6 and 7), Ford E-Transit (Class 2), Orange EV e-Triever electric terminal truck (class 8 yard tractor), Freightliner Custom Chassis MT50e walk-in (class 5 and 6), and XOS walk-in (class 6).

Renewable Diesel Fuel: Renewable diesel fuel is a cleaner option that performs identically to ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) but has a well-to-wheel differential of 60% to 90%+ in greenhouse gas. Renewable diesel reduces particulate matter by more than 40%, carbon monoxide by more than 25%, total hydrocarbons by more than 20%, NOx by 10%, and lifecycle GHG emissions by up to 90%. Penske offers renewable diesel fuel at several locations on the West Coast.

Fleets are increasingly expected to be able to quantify their emission reduction efforts. Penske Truck Leasing has solutions, including an emissions calculator, to help fleets calculate savings and track results. Associates will also work with fleets to find the ideal equipment for their needs and test new technologies.

In trucking, uptime is critical, and no one wants to experience unscheduled maintenance, especially if it occurs while a driver is on the road. Unfortunately, mechanical failures happen, and when they do, keeping drivers and maintenance technicians providing emergency roadside services safe is the top priority.

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Snow, ice and freezing temperatures can increase the risk of downtime for all diesel vehicles if the equipment and fuel that power them aren’t properly maintained. Breakdowns can result in delayed drivers, missed deliveries and poor customer service.

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New regulations affecting fleet operations are increasing, and carriers must comply with existing requirements while keeping up with the latest changes. The federal government and some states are creating stricter emissions requirements. California often takes the lead at the state level, and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has adopted several measures that are being introduced or implemented in other states.

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