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.

Photo via U.S. Department of Transportation

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.
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
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.
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.
More Fleet Management

Kodiak Lines Up Fleets for Driverless Trucking
An agreement for 75 trucks, a new Texas freight lane, and progress on safety validation move Kodiak closer to its planned driverless highway launch.
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ITS Logistics Settles Religious Harassment Case
The Nevada-based logistics firm agreed to pay more than $396,000 to settle a religious harassment charge involving an employee's Jewish identity.
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Your Trucks Are Busy. That Doesn’t Mean They’re Winning.
High utilization doesn’t always mean strong margins. Looking beyond the current load can help fleets make better dispatch decisions and get more value from each truck’s time.
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Why This Trucking Recovery Is Different
Freight demand remains sluggish, but rising costs and tougher enforcement have taken enough capacity out of the market to change the outlook for motor carriers.
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Platform Science Adds Dispatch and Safety Tools
Four additions to PS Fleet help fleets monitor loads, manage driver coaching, share truck locations and adjust video system settings.
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PrePass Intelligence Mines Fleet Bypass, Toll and Safety Data
PrePass Intelligence helps fleets measure bypass savings, flag potential toll overcharges, and spot suspicious transactions by combining data from separate systems.
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Motive Adds AI Agents for Fleet Operations
New tools automate follow-up on fleet data, from maintenance work orders to driver alerts, with two-way voice conversations planned for later this year.
Read More →Can You Beat Our Trucking Trivia Challenge?
Test your truck knowledge with 19 trivia questions from Heavy Duty Trucking Exchange. Can you keep up with the fleet pros?
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BeyondTrucks Adds Rules Checks to Dispatch
New Compatibility Engine checks driver qualifications, equipment requirements and fleet policies before loads are dispatched.
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Diesel Prices Hijack Trucking’s Worry List
ATRI’s annual survey finds cautious optimism about freight, but diesel costs, litigation, and insurance continue to squeeze fleets. Drivers have different priorities on several issues.
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