In September of 2014, FleetOwner launched a new online initiative called the IdeaXchange. The concept was to bring together industry thought leaders and have them- and you - share their ideas on various topics.
The effort has paid off handsomly as readers coming to FleetOwner.com have found engaging, and sometimes controversial, topics explored by our online panle of Xperts.
Here, then, are the Top 10 individual IdeaXchange posts in terms of readership in 2014:
No. 10: “Show me the money” is not enough
By Michael Roeth, Executive Director, North American Council for Freight Efficiency
In every conversation about the driver shortage someone invariably says, “To solve the problem, just pay them more.” And while the average pay for drivers may be low, it seems to me that drivers want more than just higher wages. This is especially true of younger people entering the work force.
In every conversation about the driver shortage someone invariably says, “To solve the problem, just pay them more.” And while the average pay for drivers may be low, it seems to me that drivers want more than just higher wages. This is especially true of younger people entering the work force.
Read more: http://fleetowner.com/fleet-management/show-me-money-not-enough
No. 9: Wage theft
By Howard Abramson, Journalist
A recent front page story in the New York Times on “wage theft” cited six companies that have been accused of failing to pay overtime and other employee benefits, and three of them were some of the largest companies in freight transportation: Walmart, Schneider and FedEx.
Read more: http://fleetowner.com/fleet-management/wage-theft
No. 8: Are tire prices falling?
By Kevin Rohlwing, Sr. Vice President of Training, Tire Industry Assn. (TIA)
A few weeks ago, tire-grade rubber on the Singapore Commodity Exchange (SICOM) fell to its lowest point in 5 years. When adjusted for inflation, some traders say the prices are the same as they were 15 years ago. Prices are so low that some farms have stopped tapping their trees, which raises even more concerns for the global supply of natural rubber (NR).
Read more: http://fleetowner.com/equipment/are-tire-prices-falling
No. 7: Solving the idling problem
By Michael Roeth, Executive Director, North American Council for Freight Efficiency
Each year U.S. fleets use about 3 billion gallons of diesel fuel idling. That equates to 8% of total fuel burned. Sadly as much as 2 billion gallons were unnecessarily used because the industry failed to take advantage of existing idle-reduction technology.
Read more: http://fleetowner.com/fleet-management/solving-idling-problem
No. 6: Cold weather fuel issues: The safe answer is gelling
By Darry Stuart, President, DWS Fleet Management
In the coming months we will possibly see temperatures as low as we experienced last year. Fridged temperatures will send many fleets into a frenzy, and fuel gelling will be used to support many excuses.
Read more: http://fleetowner.com/fuel/cold-weather-fuel-issues-safe-answer-gelling
No. 5: How to make truck jobs more attractive to young Americans
By Christian Schenk, President, CLS LLC
The other day my son Dylan asked to join me at the office for a little father/son time. When walking into the office he noticed the project boards hung up around the walls, and began to ask questions.
Read more: http://fleetowner.com/technology/how-make-truck-jobs-more-attractive-young-americans
No. 4: DEF filters: You have options
By Darry Stuart, President, DWS Fleet Management
Over the last few years there have been many costs that have trapped us in expenses that we never expected or planned for. Sensors, diesel particulate filter (DFP) cleaning, frequent regenerations, failed DFPs and short lived injectors, injector cups, turbo chargers, EGR coolers all have cost impacts that are not within our control.
Read more: http://fleetowner.com/equipment/def-filters-you-have-options
No. 3: iPhone 6 and Apple Watch - devices for truckers?
By Christian Schenk, President, CLS LLC
On Tuesday, Apple released its newest iPhone model, and with it comes a wealth of opportunity for the trucking community. I have to admit that CLS has been working on the new iOS 8 for a while with some of our clients, but actually staying up until 2 AM on a Thursday night to order one (that I won’t even get for another week) is a new behavior for me.
Read more: http://fleetowner.com/technology/iphone-6-and-apple-watch-devices-truckers
No. 2: DEF in the radiator
By Darry Stuart, President, DWS Fleet Management
Recently there was a question about an engine failure and DEF accidently being put in the radiator based on a strong odor of DEF in the coolant. The engine failure was traced to corrosion of some injector cups resulting in a major engine failure stacking up the dollars while still under perceived warranty.
Read more: http://fleetowner.com/equipment/def-radiator
No. 1: Why is the trucking industry so resistant to new safety regulations and technologies?
By Howard Abramson, Journalist
In my many years covering trucking, I’ve been surprised by the industry’s steadfastly antagonistic approach to government attempts to impose new regulations and requirements to improve safety. By and large, fleets seem to look upon safety regulations as a burden to be resisted when possible and to be grudgingly endured only when active political resistance fails.
