Special Report: Trucking in the 21st Century
Trucking in the 21st Century is our 10-part series and accompanying web-only coverage of the rapid technological changes impacting trucking and logistics.


In the science fiction of the last century, the 21st Century was seen as a wonderment of technology, with flying cars and tricorders, moon colonies and household robots.
Here we are, going on two decades into the century, and while we may not have flying cars, we do have an amazing array of technology at our fingertips, both in our personal lives and in trucking. That's changing how we live and how we do business.
This 10-part series explores those technologies and what it means for the success of our readers' businesses.
How is e-commerce driving some fleets to change their offerings? Will we truly see "Uber for trucking" apps, and how do you compete? Changes in the supply chain involve distribution centers located closer to customers, and 3D printing and smart warehouses affect freight demand and patterns. When will platooning become a reality, and what will autonomous technologies mean to the driver shortage? How do fleets manage the torrent of data available? All this and more will be covered in this ambitious series.
Bookmark this link, because each month we’ll add the next part in the series to this page, as well as exclusive web-only content. You’ll see articles exploring other facets of changing logistics and technology, videos, photo galleries and more.
In the Magazine
Part 1, January HDT:Trucking in the 21st Century
Part 2 February HDT: How E-Commerce is Changing Trucking
Part 3 March HDT:The Long and the Short of Truckload Today
Part 4. April HDT:The Big and Small of Last Mile Delivery
Part 5 May HDT: How Apps are Improving Trucking Efficiency
Part 6 July HDT:Getting Smart in the Warehouse
Part 7 September HDT: Smart Trucks Have Already Arrived
Part 8 October HDT:The Cyber Threat From Within
Cyber Security: Connect at Your Own Risk
Part 9 November HDT: Which Way to the Smart Highway?
Part 10 December HDT:Blockchain Shows Promise for Trucking
Commentary
Why Self-Driving Trucks Don't Add Up
The Stepping Stones and Stumbling Blocks of Autonomous Truck Development
Do Autonomous Trucks Dream of Electric Rest Stops?
'Made by Human Workers:' Will There be a Backlash Against Automation?
Hyperloop: A Faster Future for Freight?
More Fleet Management

Does Your Trucking Fleet Need a New TMS? [Video]
Cloud technology, AI and new integrations are changing what transportation management systems can do. But does taking advantage of those advances mean replacing your existing TMS?
Read More →
Road Ready Becomes Saegic, Launches New Trailer Telematics Gateway
Clarience Technologies is rolling out new hardware and expanding its plans for connecting trailer telematics, maintenance data, and video.
Read More →
Give Your Trucking Fleet a Cybersecurity Walkaround
Your fleet's cybersecurity policies may look good on paper. These seven checks can help you find out whether they’re working.
Read More →
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.
Read More →
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.
Read More →
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.
Read More →
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.
Read More →
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.
Read More →
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.
Read More →
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 →
