Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/978416
10 commercial carrier journal | may 2018 JOURNAL NEWS FMCSA wants to know if regulations impact autonomous development T he Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is asking for public comments on existing regulations that could be updated, modified or removed to help usher in autonomous trucks and automated driving systems. The effort is part of a larger U.S. Department of Transportation initiative to clear a regulatory path for autonomous technology, including driverless trucks. FMCSA says in the Federal Register notice published last month that it is recon- sidering its previous stance that a driver is required behind the wheel of com- mercial vehicles. The agency now says it believes the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations give it the flexibility to allow ADS to perform driving functions without a driver in the driver's seat under current regulations. The administration adds that it can grant waivers up to three months, exemp- tions up to five years or pilot programs up to three years to allow the operation of commercial vehicles without a driver in the driver's seat. FMCSA is seeking information from trucking industry stakeholders, the motoring public and ADS manufacturers on any current regu- lations that could hinder the develop- ment and testing of ADS-equipped trucks. FMCSA also is asking for public comment on a preliminary review by DOT's John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center of regulations that "may relate to the development and safe introduction of ADS" . Volpe says its review focused on Level 3-5 autonomous technology. Level 3 requires a driver in the truck ready to take control, but the driver doesn't have to constantly monitor the surrounding environment. Level 4 autonomous trucks can perform all driving functions under certain conditions, and the driver has the option to take control. Level 5 autonomy – the highest level – doesn't require a driver, as the truck is capable of handling all driving functions in all conditions. The research by Volpe revealed that many of the issues that could present conflict between automated technology and current regulations involve how the definition of "driver" or "operator" would be applied. An onboard nondriving technician or someone in a remote location controlling the truck could be considered an operator. Volpe says scenarios involving onboard technicians who are not expected to drive and those in which the truck would be controlled by a remote operator present the biggest challenges. The group adds that automated systems that require at least occasional direct human driver involvement would have the fewest challenges in complying with current regulations. – Matt Cole INBRIEF 5/18 • Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings, formed last year via the merger of Phoenix-based trucking companies Swift Transportation (CCJ Top 250, No. 3) and Knight Transportation (No. 25), acquired Richmond, Virginia-based Abilene Motor Express (No. 221), a 400-truck privately-held carrier. The terms of the deal were not disclosed, nor were details of the acquisition, such as whether Abilene will remain as-is or be folded under the corporate brand. • Celadon Group (No. 31) is reissuing financial statements for its four most recent fiscal years after an internal investigation revealed errors ranging from $200 million to $250 million, which could impact its reported net income for 2014-17. The Indianapolis- based company was notified last May by the Securities and Exchange Commission that potential errors within its financial documents put it at risk of being delisted from the New York Stock Exchange. • Daseke (No. 37) is acquiring Calgary, Alberta-based Aveda Transportation and Energy Services, an oil rig moving company that provides specialized transportation services and equip- ment for the exploration, develop- ment and production of petroleum in the United States and Canada. Daseke, based in Addison, Texas, will pay 71 cents per share, assume Aveda's debt and pay up to 36 cents per share in cash-contingent con- sideration based on EBITDA. Aveda has 430 tractors, 660 trailers and 200 light-duty trucks and in 2017 gener- ated $158 million in revenue, up 172 percent from its 2016 revenue of $57.7 million. • Roanoke, Va.-based Englander Transportation acquired three Mountain City, Tenn.-based truck- ing companies: Transportation Technologies, Triple C Transportation Services and C&H Logistics; terms were not announced. Englander said the three companies collectively add over 80 drivers, 60 tractors and 70 refrigerated trailers. Englander, which now operates nearly 100 tractors and 110 reefers, said Triple C's freight bro- kerage division will be transitioned to its sister company, Fleetmaster Xpress Logistics. FMCSA is assessing how current regulations can be updated, modified or eliminated regarding automated driving systems.