Finding reliable answers in uncertain times

Today’s challenging world of social distancing, technological change, and economic uncertainty demands diligent attention to detail and careful consideration. Public health concerns, government regulations, engineering advances, and CSA compliance issues all require commercial vehicle fleets to be ever vigilant in order to stay safe, efficient, and profitable. Smart fleets scrutinize the investments they make into their operations and vehicle maintenance programs and many turn to the American Trucking Association’s (ATA) Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) to help make smart business decisions on maintenance and specifying issues.

Comprised of a broad collection of experienced fleets, equipment suppliers, and service providers, TMC is the only industry association that is focused solely on truck technology and maintenance. Using real-world experience, members work together to create the industry’s best practices in truck technology and maintenance to help improve trucking equipment and transportation efficiencies throughout North America.

Societal changes — accelerated by technology and the ongoing Covid-19 crisis — are transforming the way fleets specify and operate equipment in both intentional and unintended ways. Staying ahead of the learning curve is paramount to maintaining and securing fleet operations. That’s why it is appropriate that the theme of TMC’s 2020 Fall Meeting is “Reliable Answers for Uncertain Times.”

TMC’s Fall Meeting to be an all-virtual event

Given the current health and economic crisis prompted by the coronavirus pandemic, TMC has made the decision to forgo its traditional in-person event format and instead offer industry professionals an all-virtual alternative. This alternative, not lightly taken, will allow TMC members and non-members the chance to experience all the content of TMC’s Fall Meeting while still being sensitive to the health- and economic-related pressures that we all are facing in 2020.

While TMC’s 2020 Fall Meeting will be able to be held in a virtual setting, TMC will unfortunately not be able to hold its National Technician Skills Competitions (TMCSuperTech) or National Student Technician Competition (TMCFutureTech) in 2020. Instead, TMC will celebrate the first-ever National Technician Appreciation Week September 21 through 25, the week following TMC’s 2020 Fall Meeting. During this time, the Council will offer special online training sessions aimed at technicians and shop supervisors in our annual PDTC Technician Training Fair.

At TMC, equipment and technology professionals can also:

• Participate in TMC’s Future Truck Initiative, where TMC and its member companies work together with OEM’s to create the industry’s standards for future truck technology and equipment that help ensure that the truck of the future is one that is the most efficient to operate and maintain.
• Gain and share information with hundreds of peers at TMC’s Shop Talk, a free-form discussion on equipment issues. 
• Resolve troublesome equipment issues at TMC’s Town Meeting and Fleet Operators’ Forum.
• Participate in voluntary standards-setting efforts through TMC’s Study Groups and Task Forces, which are addressing important issues such as electronic logging devices, natural gas-powered vehicles, and emerging onboard technologies.

Educational sessions

TMC’s 2020 Fall Meeting offers a comprehensive collection of educational sessions designed to keep maintenance personnel up to date on vehicle technology.

Technical sessions

How do integrated powertrains work and what do they mean for your fleet? The pros and cons of vertical integration 

Technical Session #1

Wednesday, September 16 | 11:15-12:45 PM

Today’s powertrains — whether integrated or not — rely heavily on networks. You’ve probably encountered terms such as public and private data networks, proprietary information, over-the-air updates, module calibration, incompatible devices, erratic/intermittent/incorrect data, lost communications on the J1939 backbone, abnormal update rate — the list seems to go on forever. Many of these challenges are now the bane of a fleet manager’s existence.

Join us as we explore what integrated powertrains really are, what they entail, and where industry experts think this trend is headed in the coming years. We will explore OEM offerings and gain insight as to what the future holds. This session will offer fleet perspectives as well as explore how telematics (fleet- and OEM-based) can help manage vehicles for the optimum performance. Come to this session and prepare yourself to address the challenges that face your company as it relates to tractor powertrain specification.

Supporting education to help resolve your technician shortage

Technical Session #2

Thursday, September 17 | 10-11:30 AM

Trucking’s technician shortage is a well-documented phenomenon, and it is one that has seen recent signs of improvement. The danger of backsliding remains, however, and fleet professionals need to realize resolving technician staffing issues is not a spectator sport. The industry must take a leading role, experts say.

Attend this session and learn how your company can adopt best practices on supporting the career education community responsible for providing our next generation of technicians. Panelists will cover how to cultivate and foster effective program advisory committees, creative business-to-education strategies to keep content and curriculum current and engaging, internships and apprenticeships with education as a partner, and the importance of accreditation to technicians and upper management. If your fleet continues to struggle with technician availability insecurities, this session is a must.

Study group sessions

Diagnostics for future electrical systems ... ADAS, multi-voltages, and more

S.1 Electrical Study Group

Wednesday, September 16 | 3-4 PM

Commercial vehicle electrical systems are changing, and so are diagnostic and repair strategies. As the industry moves to higher voltages, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and more robust onboard vehicle networking communication solutions, fleets will be faced with new challenges in troubleshooting and maintaining vehicle electrical systems.

Attend this session and learn what is awaiting you on the technological horizon when it comes to diagnosing tomorrow’s commercial vehicle electrical systems. Panelists will present vehicle manufacturer, supplier, and fleet perspectives for this important glimpse at the future of electrical/electronic vehicle diagnostics.

Phase 2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions 2021/2024 regulatory update

S.3 Engine Study Group

Wednesday, September 16 | 1:45-2:45 PM

It has been nearly four years since the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) finalized a second round of standards (known as Phase 2) for medium and heavy duty trucks and trailers to both reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve fuel efficiency. The standards apply to “new” engines and Class 2b through 8 trucks, as well as designated “new” trailers.

Attend this session and learn how engine and tractor manufacturers intend to comply with Phase 2 regulations and how their decisions will impact your maintenance operation. We will explore how engine and aftertreatment management is likely to change and what decisions fleets will have to make as they make their model year 2021 and 2024 buying choices.

Is your parts department evolving through sensor-based maintenance?

S.5 Fleet Maintenance Management Study Group

Thursday, Sept. 17 | 2-3 PM

Fleet management’s primary goal in managing parts inventory is remaining cost-effective by having the correct part in the correct place at the correct time. Whether managed centrally or at individual locations, fleet part departments will often base inventory breadth or depth on operational characteristics such as perishable/time sensitive loads, remote locations, excess equipment, and ease of substitution.

Attend this session and learn from our expert panel what the new and emerging trends in parts management are for smart tractors and trailers.

What are your trailers riding on and why?

S.7 Trailers, Bodies & Material Handling Study Group

Thursday, September 17 | 11:45-12:45 PM

Next to safety, there is nothing more important than your customer’s freight. How you specify your fleet’s trailers can make all the difference when it comes to protecting this precious cargo. Which begs the question: what are your trailers riding on and why?

Attend this session and learn from our expert panel what options make the most sense for various types of operations. We will explore stationary versus sliding bogies, spring versus air ride suspensions (yes, spring is making a comeback in some fleets), drum versus disc brakes, single vs. dual axle setups, and more. We will also cover TMC recommended practices on maintenance and repair of these systems.

If your operation hasn’t reconsidered its trailer specifications recently, this is a must-attend session.

Capabilities of telematics to evaluate short- and long-term fuel economy and other vehicle performance factors

S.11 Sustainability & Environmental Technologies Study Group

Wednesday, September 16 | 3-4 PM

It is no secret within the trucking business that commercial transportation is becoming an increasingly high-tech industry and operating a trucking company is more complex than most of us realize. From vehicle dispatch, to maintenance, driver support, and fuel efficiency tracking, fleets face many challenges. The good news is technology is here help, and fleet telematics is at the forefront of it all.

During this session, presenters will offer fleet experiences in achieving performance benefits with Class 8 tractors and trailers with the use of fleet telematics. Representatives from fleets as well as industry organizations will share data and case studies as to what works when it comes to managing fuel economy and other benefits for a range of different industry applications. We will cover vehicle and trailer tracking, navigation, and mobile data as it applies to fuel economy management.

Duty cycles for current and future aftertreatment systems

S.14 Light & Medium Duty and Specialty Trucks

Thursday, Sept. 17 | 2-3 PM

Fleet managers of light and medium duty commercial vehicles are well aware that their equipment has been hit especially hard with the advent of aftertreatment emission systems — particularly in vocations that call for a high percentage of short run, pickup and delivery, and work-performing idle operations. Unfortunately, these challenges are not expected to become any easier as Phase 2 GHG regulations take effect for model year 2021 and beyond.

Attend this session and learn from our panel of experts how preventive/predictive maintenance programs will need to evolve to address the anticipated duty-cycle impacts to the newer aftertreatment technologies. We’ll also provide an overview of how Class 3-6 vehicles will be impacted by the Phase 2 GHG 2021 and 2024 emissions and fuel economy regulations, as well as how vehicle manufacturers are changing their designs to meet the regulations.

Maximizing uptime from a professional technician perspective

S.16 Service Provider Study Group

Wednesday, September 16 | 1:45-2:45 PM

It’s safe to say that most fleet managers have a common understanding when it comes to the meaning of improving downtime and/or uptime in fleet operations. But how does that understanding sync with that of their technicians on the shop floor?

Attend this session and get a granular view from the technician on how tool availability can make a difference (e.g., digital multimeters versus oscilloscopes and other alternatives), how the Council’s TMCSuperTech program can help improve shop performance, and what is the number one productivity killer on the shop floor.

Collision repair: You don’t know what you don’t know

S.17 Collision and Corrosion Control Study Group

Thursday, September 17 | 11:45-12:45 PM

The tsunami wave of technology that is enveloping the world of trucking has prompted collision specialists to replace tried and true repair methods with more advanced alternatives. Advanced driver safety systems, sensor-based telematics, and other technology advancements can make even the simplest fender bender a nightmare of unanticipated consequences. As a result, fleet managers are in the very real position of not knowing what they don’t know when it comes to modern collision repair.

Attend this session and learn from our expert panel what you need to know about the pitfalls of not properly following collision repair procedures on today’s advanced commercial vehicles.

TMC New Technology Presentations

Wednesday, September 16 | 4:15-5:15 PM

TMC’s New Technology Presentations inform Council members of innovative features or applications of new technologies without engaging in blatant merchandising, advertising, or harmful competitive references. Products presented should be in production and available to the industry at the time the request is made. Products on the market for more than two years will not normally be considered. Products shown must be a component, tool, or service used in the commercial transportation industry that is conceptually unique in its design — from a manufacturer or service supplier company which is an active TMC member in good standing. Marginal improvements or upgrades of existing products will not be considered for presentation.