Trucking and Logistics From A to Z by Bob Rutherford

Trucking and Logistics From A to Z

Preface

Welcome to the wacky and wonderful world of trucking and logistics, where the only thing more constant than change is the industry’s uncanny ability to reinvent the wheel – often literally. If you've ever felt like you're navigating a minefield blindfolded while riding a unicycle, then congratulations, you're already halfway to understanding what it's like to be in trucking!

In this book, "Trucking and Logistics From A to Z," I've compiled my columns from CCJ Magazine to provide you with an insightful, and at times, tongue-in-cheek look at the intricacies of this industry. Whether you're a seasoned road warrior or a curious newbie who thinks a fifth wheel is something you find on a bad date, there's something here for everyone.

From the ever-elusive truck driver shortage – the logistics world’s very own Loch Ness Monster – to the promises and pitfalls of autonomous trucks, we'll tackle it all. We'll delve into the baffling regulations that seem to multiply like rabbits and explore the wonders of technology that's supposed to make our lives easier but often leaves us yearning for the good old days of paper maps and CB radios.

Ever wondered why leadership in the trucking industry sometimes feels like herding cats? Or why we insist on reinventing components that were working just fine in the first place? We'll cover these conundrums with the seriousness they deserve – which is to say, not much.

So, buckle up, keep your hands and feet inside the vehicle at all times, and prepare for a journey through the highs and lows, the laughs and laments, and the triumphs and tribulations of trucking and logistics. It's going to be a bumpy ride, but as any trucker worth their salt will tell you, it's not about the destination, it's about the journey – and the pit stops along the way.

Buy the Ticket, Enjoy the ride...

Bob Rutherford

HERE A CHAPTER IN PROGRESS BEFORE GETTING TO THE BOOK:

There's been a lot of chatter on the news lately. Can WE TRUST THE ANSWERS FROM ChatGPT? This answer is 100% correct, confirmed by two experts:

This is a technical question for the trucking industry:

Can you save fuel by using Counteract Balancing Beads to balance all eighteen wheel ends on a class eight tractor trailer?

A balanced wheel end is more fuel efficient than an unbalanced wheel end due to several key factors:

1. Reduced Rolling Resistance: Balanced wheels maintain consistent contact with the road, reducing rolling resistance. Unbalanced wheels can cause uneven tire contact and increased friction, making the engine work harder to maintain the same speed.

2. Lower Vibrations: An unbalanced wheel generates vibrations that are transmitted through the vehicle, which can lead to increased mechanical drag. These vibrations not only create a rougher ride but also force the engine to expend more energy to maintain stability and speed.

3. Improved Tire Wear: Unbalanced wheels cause uneven tire wear, leading to a more frequent need for tire replacement. Evenly worn tires maintain optimal traction and efficiency, helping to reduce fuel consumption over time.

4. Reduced Mechanical Stress: Vibrations and irregular movements from unbalanced wheels can stress the suspension system, bearings, and other components. This additional stress can lead to inefficiencies in the drivetrain, requiring more energy to operate smoothly.

5. Enhanced Aerodynamics: Balanced wheels contribute to smoother overall vehicle operation, which can help maintain better aerodynamic properties. Vibrations and instability from unbalanced wheels can disrupt the aerodynamic flow, increasing drag and reducing fuel efficiency.

6. Improved Engine Efficiency: With balanced wheels, the engine doesn't have to compensate for the additional strain and energy loss caused by unbalanced wheels. This allows the engine to operate more efficiently, translating to better fuel economy.

In summary, a balanced wheel end reduces mechanical inefficiencies, maintains optimal tire performance, and decreases unnecessary energy expenditure, all of which contribute to better fuel efficiency.

So, it takes energy to create a vibration?

Yes, it takes energy to create and sustain a vibration. When a wheel is unbalanced, the uneven distribution of mass causes the wheel to exert fluctuating forces as it rotates. These forces lead to vibrations that propagate through the vehicle. Here's how energy is involved in this process:

1. Kinetic Energy Transfer: As the wheel rotates, any imbalance translates into uneven distribution of kinetic energy. This uneven energy causes parts of the wheel to move differently than intended, creating vibrations.

2. Energy Dissipation: Vibrations cause energy to be dissipated in the form of heat and sound. The vehicle’s suspension system, tires, and other components absorb these vibrations, leading to energy losses that are not used for propulsion.

3. Increased Engine Load: The engine needs to compensate for the inefficiencies caused by the vibrations. This compensation requires additional fuel consumption to maintain the desired speed and stability of the vehicle.

4. Mechanical Work: The components of the vehicle, such as the suspension system and wheel bearings, must work harder to counteract the effects of the vibrations. This additional mechanical work also consumes energy.

By eliminating the cause of the vibrations (i.e., by balancing the wheels), the vehicle can operate more smoothly and efficiently. This minimizes energy losses and reduces the extra fuel consumption associated with unbalanced wheels.

Table of Contents

1. Preface

2. Introduction

- Welcome to the World of Trucking

- The Evolution of the Trucking Industry

- Meet Bob Rutherford

3. Recruiting & Retention

- Solving the Truck Driver Shortage, Whether It Exists or Not

4. Regulations

- Increasing Gross Vehicle Weight and the Future of Transportation

5. Autonomous

- The Dangers of Over-Promising and Under-Delivering Autonomous Trucks

6. Technology

- The Future Ain’t What It Used to Be

7. Business

- How to Succeed in Sales Without Really Trying

- What Gets Measured Gets Managed

- Failure to Learn from History Dooms Us to Repeat It

- What’s in It for Me?

8. Components

- Real Fuel Savings Requires Balance and a Basis in Science

- Reinventing the Fan Clutch Industry

9. Workforce

- What is Leadership in the Trucking Industry, and Who is Doing It?

- The Future of Trucking Hinges on Technology Fixing the Industry's Mistaken Stance on Younger Drivers

10. Maintenance

- Trucking's Predictive Maintenance Manifesto

- Navigating the Minefield of Fleet Innovation

11. Safety

- Tech Partnership Could Enable Safer Parking. 'Here’s All We Have to Do'

- Make a Mess and Save a Life

- Jackknife Investigation Should Start with the Tires

12. Companies

- Speculative Business Fiction

Chapter 1: Introduction

Welcome to the World of Trucking

Welcome to the unpredictable yet fascinating world of trucking and logistics. It's a place where deadlines are tight, roads are long, and coffee is always in plentiful supply. If you’ve picked up this book, chances are you're either part of this wild ride or considering joining it. Either way, you’re in for an eye-opening experience.

The Evolution of the Trucking Industry

The trucking industry has come a long way from its humble beginnings. What started with horse-drawn wagons has evolved into a high-tech, highly regulated field that keeps the world moving. But don't be fooled by the shiny trucks and advanced logistics systems – at its heart, trucking is still about one simple thing: getting goods from point A to point B. How we do that has changed dramatically, but the core mission remains the same.

Meet Bob Rutherford

I’m Bob Rutherford, and I've been knee-deep in this industry for more years than I care to admit. I’ve seen trends come and go, regulations tighten and loosen, and technology promise the moon and deliver... well, let's just say, not quite the moon. Through it all, I’ve kept my sense of humor and my love for the open road. My columns in CCJ Magazine have been my way of sharing the absurdities and achievements of our industry, and now, I've compiled them into this book to give you a comprehensive (and occasionally sarcastic) guide to trucking and logistics.

Chapter 2: Recruiting & Retention

Solving the Truck Driver Shortage, Whether It Exists or Not

The truck driver shortage is the Loch Ness Monster of the logistics world. Everyone's heard about it, many claim to have seen it, but no one can quite prove it exists. Some say it's a myth, others swear it's real, but one thing is certain: it keeps popping up in conversations, articles, and industry conferences. Whether it's a genuine crisis or a convenient scapegoat for broader industry issues, the supposed driver shortage continues to dominate discussions.

RECRUITING & RETENTION

Solving the truck driver shortage, whether it exists or not

The truck driver shortage is the Loch Ness Monster of the logistics world.

MAY 30, 2024

Chapter 3: Regulations

Increasing Gross Vehicle Weight and the Future of Transportation

A pivotal rationale behind advocating for a Gross Vehicle Weight increase lies in its potential to advance emissions targets. But let’s be real – the real appeal is likely more about carrying bigger loads for bigger bucks. After all, who wouldn’t want to haul more with less? Just be sure to double-check those bridges and underpasses; they're not as enthusiastic about your weight gain as you are.

REGULATIONS

Increasing gross vehicle weight and the future of transportation

A pivotal rationale behind advocating for a Gross Vehicle Weight increase lies in its potential to advance emissions targets.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023

Chapter 4: Autonomous

The Dangers of Over-Promising and Under-Delivering Autonomous Trucks

The transportation sector is an example of an industry that may be over-promising and under-delivering on the concept of putting autonomous vehicles on the nation's open highways. Picture this: a sleek, driverless truck effortlessly cruising down the freeway while you sit back and sip your coffee. Sounds great, right? Now wake up. The reality is, we're still a long way from sending our trucks out on their own. The technology is promising, but let's not get ahead of ourselves – unless you enjoy roadside napping with a side of over-promised technology.

AUTONOMOUS

The dangers of over-promising and under-delivering autonomous trucks

The transportation sector is an example of an industry that may be over-promising and under-delivering on the concept of putting autonomous vehicles on the nation's open highways.

MARCH 20, 2023

Chapter 5: Technology: The Future Ain’t What It Used to Be

The use of computers instead of actual knowledge will take its toll on American production, and now we've got AI spouting off nonsense and providing ignorance on tap. Remember when you actually had to know something to do your job? Ah, those were the days. Now, we rely on AI to tell us what we already knew and make simple tasks inexplicably complicated. The future promised us flying cars and robot butlers; instead, we got chatbots and automated customer service. Progress, am I right?

TECHNOLOGY

The future ain’t what it used to be

The use of computers instead of actual knowledge will take its toll on American production, and now we've got AI spouting off nonsense and providing ignorance on tap.

FEBRUARY 15, 2023

Chapter 6: Business

How to Succeed in Sales Without Really Trying

I grew up in the trucking industry, the machine shop industry, and the "hell no we won't go" anti-war movement. This unique blend of experiences taught me one crucial lesson: success in sales often comes down to sheer persistence and a dash of luck. It's not always about what you know, but who you know – and how often you remind them that you're still around.

#### What Gets Measured Gets Managed

Instead of suffering through the pain and aggravation of running SAE/TMC Type II, III, and IV testing for fuel economy, why not document and develop an SAE/TMC Type V fuel economy recommended practice? After all, if we're going to measure something, we might as well make sure it's something we can actually manage. Besides, creating new standards gives us something to talk about at conferences.

#### Failure to Learn from History Dooms Us to Repeat It

One of the major problems with this industry is that it does not learn from its history, and there are few, if any, history books about it. The trucking industry has a knack for repeating its mistakes. Maybe it's time we took a page from other industries and actually learned from our past – assuming we can find any documentation of it.

#### What’s in It for Me?

Doing something that is good for the industry sometimes has to be enough. It’s a noble thought, but let’s be honest: in the trucking business, everyone wants to know, “What’s in it for me?” Altruism is nice, but at the end of the day, we're all looking out for number one.

---

### Chapter 7: Components

#### Real Fuel Savings Requires Balance and a Basis in Science

It takes energy to create a vibration. Eliminate the vibration, eliminate energy consumption, and reduce fuel consumption. Sounds simple, right? In theory, yes. In practice, it’s a delicate balance of science, engineering, and sheer willpower.

#### Reinventing the Fan Clutch Industry

The problem with the fan clutch business was that it didn’t have to earn a customer’s business because the demand for the fan clutch grew out of a government mandate. Nothing sparks innovation quite like a government mandate. The fan clutch industry didn't need to innovate because demand was guaranteed – until it wasn’t. Now, it’s all about earning that business the old-fashioned way: by actually offering something of value.

---

### Chapter 8: Workforce

#### What is Leadership in the Trucking Industry, and Who is Doing It?

It often doesn't matter who is providing leadership, so long as someone is doing it

. Leadership in trucking is like herding cats: chaotic, unpredictable, and often hilarious. The key is not who leads, but that someone, anyone, steps up to the plate.

#### The Future of Trucking Hinges on Technology Fixing the Industry's Mistaken Stance on Younger Drivers

A 16-year-old can get a pilot’s license to fly an airplane, but an 18-year-old can’t drive a truck across state lines. Let that sink in. We trust teenagers with planes but not trucks. If we want a future in trucking, we might need to reassess who we trust behind the wheel.

---

### Chapter 9: Maintenance

#### Trucking's Predictive Maintenance Manifesto

Tires and wheels are near the top of the problem list for commercial vehicles, and Auburn University engineering students are working on getting wheel-end data that can be monitored by AI and Machine Learning. Predictive maintenance sounds fancy, but at its core, it’s about keeping trucks on the road and out of the shop. If AI can help us avoid blowouts and breakdowns, more power to it.

#### Navigating the Minefield of Fleet Innovation

Some great ideas take a sales and marketing team to sell them. Unfortunately, the world still does not beat a path to your door unless you are Apple. Innovation is tricky – it’s not enough to have a great idea; you need to sell it. And in trucking, that’s often the hardest part.

---

### Chapter 10: Safety

#### Tech Partnership Could Enable Safer Parking. 'Here’s All We Have to Do'

Truck driver security has been in the news lately due to budget cuts and the infrastructure bill being debated in Congress. Safe parking for truckers is critical, yet elusive. Tech partnerships offer a glimmer of hope, but as always, execution is key.

#### Make a Mess and Save a Life

I think today’s technology can offer a different approach to solving the problem of cars under-riding trailers. Sometimes, saving lives means making a mess – literally. By rethinking trailer design, we can prevent accidents and save lives. It’s messy work, but someone’s got to do it.

#### Jackknife Investigation Should Start with the Tires

Tire manufacturers publish load-to-inflation charts for every commercial truck tire, which indicate for every change in load, what the change in tire PSI should be. When investigating jackknifes, start with the tires. It’s basic, but often overlooked.

---

### Chapter 11: Companies

#### Speculative Business Fiction

Writing about real companies, universities, and government organizations, each with real futures. Sometimes, truth is stranger than fiction. In the world of trucking, that’s almost always the case. Speculating about the future of companies and technologies can be fun – and occasionally, we might even get it right.

****

REGULATIONS

Increasing gross vehicle weight and the future of transportation

A pivotal rationale behind advocating for a Gross Vehicle Weight increase lies in its potential to advance emissions targets.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023

****

REGULATIONS

Increasing gross vehicle weight and the future of transportation

A pivotal rationale behind advocating for a Gross Vehicle Weight increase lies in its potential to advance emissions targets.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023

****

****

****

BUSINESS

How to succeed in sales without really trying

I grew up in the trucking industry, the machine shop industry and the "hell no we won't co" anti-war movement.

OCTOBER 11, 2022

****

COMPONENTS

Real fuel savings requires balance and a basis in science

It takes energy to create a vibration. Eliminate the vibration, eliminate energy consumption and reduce fuel consumption.

JULY 20, 2022

****

WORKFORCE

What is leadership in the trucking industry, and who is doing it?

It often doesn't matter who is providing leadership, so long as some on is doing it.

JUNE 8, 2022

****

BUSINESS

What gets measured gets managed

Instead of suffering through the pain and aggravation of running SAE/TMC Type II, III and IV testing for fuel economy, why not document and develop a SAE/TMC Type V fuel economy recommended practice?

MAY 16, 2022

****

BUSINESS

Failure to learn from history dooms us to repeat it

One of the major problems with this industry is that it does it not learn from its history and there are few, if any, history books about it.

FEBRUARY 7, 2022

****

MAINTENANCE

Trucking's predictive maintenance manifesto

Tires and wheels are near the top of the problem list for commercial vehicles and Auburn University engineering students are working on getting wheel end data that can be monitored by an AI and Machine Learning.

NOVEMBER 17, 2021

****

SAFETY

Tech partnership could enable safer parking. 'Here’s all we have to do'

Truck driver security has been in the news lately due to budget cuts and the infrastructure bill being debated in Congress.

OCTOBER 13, 2021

****

SAFETY

Make a mess and save a life

I think today’s technology can offer a different approach to solving the problem of cars under-riding trailers.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

****

COMPONENTS

Reinventing the fan clutch industry

The problem with the fan clutch business was that it didn’t have to earn a customer’s business because the demand for the fan clutch grew out of a government mandate.

AUGUST 16, 2021

****

WORKFORCE

The future of trucking hinges on technology fixing the industry's mistaken stance on younger drivers

A 16 year old can get a pilot’s license to fly an airplane, but an 18 year old can’t drive a truck across state lines.

JULY 18, 2021

****

COMPANIES

Speculative business fiction

Writing about real companies, universities and government organizations, each with real futures.

JULY 13, 2021

****

SAFETY

Jackknife investigation should start with the tires

Tire manufacturers publish load-to-inflation charts for every commercial truck tire, which indicate for every change in load, what the change in tire PSI should be.

JUNE 29, 2021

****

BUSINESS

What’s in it for me?

Doing something that is good for the industry some times has to be enough.

JUNE 16, 2021

****

MAINTENANCE

Navigating the minefield of fleet innovation

Some great ideas take a sales and marketing team to sell them. Unfortunately, the world still does not beat a path to your door unless you are Apple.

JUNE 9, 2021

****