Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

2017's Best Blog Posts

In addition to Heavy Duty Trucking magazine's news coverage of the trucking industry, our editors also provided commentary to give insight and context to 2017's stories - both big and small.

by HDT Staff
December 29, 2017
2017's Best Blog Posts

Photo via U.S. Department of Transportation

3 min to read


Photo via U.S. Department of Transportation

In addition to Heavy Duty Trucking magazine's news coverage of the trucking industry, our editors also provided commentary to give insight and context to 2017's stories - both big and small.

Ad Loading...

Here are the most-read blog posts from 2017:

1. Motor Trucks in the Wild West

In 1919, a young Army officer learned firsthand how important modern roads were for his rapidly transforming young nation. And trucking benefits from the lessons he learned to this very day. Blog commentary by Jack Roberts, Senior Editor

Ad Loading...

2. How ELDs Could Help Fix Problems with Truck Driver Hours of Service Rules

When it comes to addressing real-world problems with federal truck driver hours of service rules, we all know the government moves very slowly. The good news is, the controversial electronic logging device mandate could actually help the industry make its case. Deborah Lockridge has more in her All That's Trucking blog.

3. Old Dominion's Baseball Trailer Promotes Series Sweepstakes

A special Duraplate van has heavy plexiglass panels to reveal its sporty load. Guess the number of baseballs and win World Series tickets. Blog commentary by Tom Berg, Senior Contributing Editor

4. Meet the Pro-Marijuana, Pro-LGBT Rights Truck Driver Running for Governor of Alabama

Jason Childs says his job as a long-haul trucker has challenged his views about working- and middle- class Americans and how neither political party today is addressing their needs. Blog commentary by Senior Editor Jack Roberts.

5. Electric Semi: More Sizzle than Steak?

The first image of Tesla's Electric Semi seem to show exactly the wrong type of electric truck. Is this for the benefit of investors or the trucking industry? Equipment Editor Jim Park explores the question in his On the Road blog.

6. Be a Virtual American Trucker with New Game from Germany

TransRoad: USA, Trucks and Trailers, puts players in the executive seat of a virtual trucking company, starting by choosing virtually appropriate equipment for a virtual haul. Blog commentary by Tom Berg, Senior Contributing Editor.

Ad Loading...

7. 5 Myths About ELDs

In her All That's Trucking blog, HDT's Deborah Lockridge asks compliance expert Tom Bray about the most common myths and misconceptions fleets have about electronic logging devices.

8. Five Years to Autonomous?

Traffic safety expert Dr. Jim Helund thinks autonomous vehicles will be on the road in five years. And their introduction will have far-reaching consequences for all of us. Blog commentary by Senior Editor Jack Roberts.

9. The Future Looks Familiar for Volvo's SuperTruck

Volvo's SuperTruck features some amazing, cutting-edge technology. And yet 70% of its components are running the roads on VNL tractors today. Equipment Editor Jim Park and Senior Editor Jack Roberts were the first non-Volvo drivers to climb behind the wheel. Roberts shares the experience in his Truck Tech blog.                       

10. EPA Aims to Toss Away SmartWay

In his Passing Zone blog, HDT's David Cullen weighs in on an Environmental Protection Agency proposal to eliminate the agency's voluntary fuel-saving SmartWay program as part of budget cuts under the Trump administration.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Fleet Management

Illustration of a chalkboard with a hand drawing an arrow curving away from a partially erased straight arrow with the words "Embracing Change," the Heavy Duty Trucking Logo and the "cover feature" graphic.
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeAugust 1, 2026

How Innovative Trucking Leaders Turn Change Into an Advantage

As the pace of change accelerates in trucking, the fleets that adapt best have more than the latest technology. They have cultures that embrace improvement.

Read More →
Illustration of past due invoices with red X on top with background of a truck at a loading dock
Fleet ManagementJuly 27, 2026

Freight Broker Bonds Just Got Harder to Get. Here's What That Means for Your Fleet.

When it gets harder for a freight broker to prove they are financially sound, the ones who cannot clear that bar get pushed out of the market. And those are exactly the brokers who used to leave motor carriers holding the bag.

Read More →
Photo of cable bridge crossing Detroit River
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJuly 23, 2026

Long-Awaited Canadian Border Bridge to Open in Detroit

For trucking, the bridge opening should offer immediate improvements in efficiency and reliability, with new customs facilities, expanded inspection capacity, and direct freeway-to-freeway connections.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Blue International heavy-duty truck with Aurora driverless truck software coming head-on on an interstate highway
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeJuly 22, 2026

Aurora Rolls Out Next Generation of Driverless Trucks for Commercial Freight

Aurora's latest autonomous trucks it's rolling out with International feature lower-cost hardware designed for a million miles as the company expands commercial driverless freight operations across the U.S. Sun Belt.

Read More →
American Trucking Associations for-hire tonnage graph
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJuly 21, 2026

Freight Tonnage Down, Rates up, as Lower Capacity Powers Trucking Recovery

The recovery from the freight recession continues to be driven by reduction in capacity rather than by increased demand.

Read More →
Cyberstop column header depicting images of ChatGPT prompt on a smartphone and shadowy hooded figure
Fleet Managementby Ben WilkensJuly 17, 2026

Think Your Trucking Fleet Isn't Using Much AI? Think Again

Shadow AI — the use of unauthorized artificial intelligence tools at work — is becoming increasingly common, putting sensitive company data at risk. Learn how trucking fleets can protect sensitive data while embracing AI.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of semi trucks with Panther, ArcBest, and ABF trailers backed up to docks, with ArcBest logo superimposed on top
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJuly 17, 2026

ArcBest Consolidates Brands, Cuts Workforce

The company will bring three business units under the ArcBest brand, eliminate about 2% of positions, and expects the changes to generate $40 million in annual savings.

Read More →
Cover of ATRI operational costs study with graph clip art and photo of trucks on highway in the background
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJuly 15, 2026

Trucking Fleets Faced Record Operating Costs During Third Year of Freight Recession

ATRI's annual operational cost report shows carriers trimmed fleets, delayed equipment purchases, and ran older trucks as expenses continued to outpace freight rates.

Read More →
Micheline AI Assistant.

Michelin Adds AI Assistant to MyConnectedFleet Platform

Michelin’s new generative AI tool delivers instant fleet insights, helping managers analyze fuel use, tire maintenance, vehicle status, and operational performance without manually creating reports.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
LytxOne Platform.

LytxOne Platform Now Features AI, Compliance, and Asset Tracking Tools

New enhancements add AI-powered insights, asset tracking, compliance automation, and configurable privacy controls to Lytx's all-in-one fleet management platform.

Read More →