Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
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11 News Senator wants Congress to overhaul FMCSA … House bill would clarify CSA's role in hiring carriers … Teamsters sue FMCSA over move to open bor- der for Mexican carriers … Southern California ports to collaborate on backlog relief … Appeals court upholds dismissal of CCTA law- suit against CARB regs … Trucking Alliance wants e-log mandate on fast track … GAO wants study on oversize/overweight truck permitting … Two Nebraska fleets named TCA's best for drivers 12 InBrief APRIL 2015 | VOL 172 | NO. 4 COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | APRIL 2015 3 JOURNAL LEADING NEWS, TRUCKING MARKET CONDITIONS AND INDUSTRY ANALYSIS Five years ago following the economic downturn, Celadon reinvented its cus- tomer service department by develop- ing new software tools and changing job responsibilities to achieve its vision for a new culture of service. CCJ selected the Indianapolis-based company as its 2015 Innovator of the Year for these ef- forts and more. Celadon has improved its performance significantly in key areas such as operating ratio, on-time service, utilization and more. It also is able to re- cruit and retain talented young workers from outside the transportation industry for trucking careers. Cover design by David Watson 50 FEATURES 58 Connected and comfortable While working on the road is hard, living there may be even harder. Both fleets and OEMs understand that using new technology to modernize truck interiors is one positive step that can be made to entice new drivers and retain experienced ones. OEMs say the cabs they are designing today soon will offer drivers unprecedented levels of connectivity with both their fleet and family, be more energy-efficient and allow drivers to work smarter and relax better. 65 Trailer Focus: Dry Vans Most of today's dry vans are lighter than those of the past while also being stronger. By replac- ing heavier components with equally strong yet lighter-weight materials and adding extra strength in areas that needed beefing up, designers have been able to build significantly better trailers to carry specific loads without fatiguing certain design elements. Manufacturers also have reduced trailer weight by using composite floors, which also increases load capacity. CELADON 2015 INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR