For fleet operators wrestling with rising maintenance costs and a shrinking technician workforce, the old playbook may no longer be enough. In this episode of RoadSigns, host Michael Freeze talks with Kevin Clark, AVP of Dedicated Solutions at Cox Fleet, to tackle one pressing question: how should fleets rethink their maintenance strategies to stay efficient and resilient over the next several years?

Clark shares frontline insights on modern maintenance strategies, from how to weigh in-house vs. outsourced maintenance to what a high-performing hybrid model looks like in practice. Whether you run a regional fleet or manage a national network, this conversation offers practical guidance on aligning your maintenance strategy, staffing, and equipment mix before you lock in your next budget.

Tune in for the strategic perspective you need for the road ahead.

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For more information: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/episodes/can-fleets-stay-ahead-of-rising-costs-and-technician-shortages/

This episode is sponsored by Cox Fleet. Visit https://coxfleet.com/.

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Automated manual transmissions (AMTs) are no longer an emerging technology, they are now a standard feature across many fleets - and the aftermarket is working to keep pace. As a result, fleets and service providers are re-evaluating everything from parts inventories to technician training programs. Is your parts strategy aligned with where the market is going, or anchored in past practices? Does your shop view access to diagnostic software as a core requirement for maintaining uptime, or an afterthought?

In this episode of RoadSigns, Eaton's Jason Dinardo, senior product manager, and Leah Bogle, transmission product manager, join host Michael Freeze to address common misconceptions and examine what today’s drivetrain service environment truly requires. The discussion explores the leading causes of AMT-related comebacks, how aging assets entering second and third ownership are reshaping parts planning and why diagnostics and calibration have become the new bottleneck in the service bay.

Gain a clearer view of how to protect uptime, manage total cost of ownership and perform AMT service correctly the first time. Listen now.

For more information: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/episodes/is-your-parts-strategy-keeping-pace-with-todays-amt-market/

This episode is sponsored by Eaton.

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Dispatch remains the nerve center of every trucking operation — traditionally powered by phone calls, spreadsheets and constant problem-solving — and it is being reworked with the help of artificial intelligence. In this RoadSigns episode, host Seth Clevenger speaks with PCS Software CEO Mark Hill to examine what “agentic AI” means for modern fleet operations.

Is automation eliminating the role of the dispatcher, or transforming it? Their discussion explores how this technology can autonomously handle a significant share of routine dispatch responsibilities, including load booking, driver assignment, shipper communication and rate management. In turn, human dispatchers are freed to concentrate on exceptions, strengthen strategic customer and driver relationships, and apply judgement in complex scenarios where human experience remains essential.

How is this technology reimagining what an efficient fleet operation will look like by 2027? For carriers seeking to improve reliability, control costs and stay ahead of competitors, this is a conversation you can't afford to miss.

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For more information: https://ttn.ws/episode195

This episode is sponsored by PCS Software [https://pcssoft.com/]

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With the 2027 NOx emissions rules on the horizon, fleet leaders are finally moving from uncertainty to action. Recorded live at the 2026 TMC Annual Meeting, co-host Michael Freeze is joined by Brian Antonellis, Senior Vice President of Fleet Operations at Fleet Advantage, for a candid look at how fleet leaders should be thinking about capital planning. After years of regulatory whiplash, Antonellis says the industry has entered a period of relative clarity. Fleets now know what the next 12 months look like, and that means it's time to make decisions. If you're asking yourself how to weigh 2026 pre-buy opportunities against incoming technology or whether training your technicians may matter more than the trucks themselves, tune in to this practical conversation for a guide to managing assets through this regulatory transition.

For more information: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/episodes/how-can-common-sense-planning-prepare-your-fleet-for-2027-emissions-rules/

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Transport Topics has released its Top 100 Logistics Companies list and this year’s rankings highlight an industry defined by resilience, consolidation and rapid technological change.

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What if your tires could tell you exactly what they need — before a blowout, before a breakdown, before a costly roadside event?

Recorded live at TMC’s 2026 Annual Meeting, co-host Seth Clevenger sits down with Ralph Dimenna, chief commercial officer at Aperia Technologies to break down the latest advances in tire management technology, including Aperia's own groundbreaking expansion into steer-tire inflation. The conversation also explores how AI is beginning to unlock new value from connected tire data, and how the relationships between fleets, tire manufacturers and service providers are being reshaped in the process. With more than a decade of experience in tire management innovation, Dimenna brings a rare blend of technical depth and commercial perspective to one of trucking's most consequential challenges.

Whether you're running a cutting-edge operation or just starting to move beyond the clipboard, this episode offers a practical roadmap. Tune in for a compelling look at what tire management could look like a decade from now.

For more information: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/episodes/how-is-tire-management-technology-gaining-more-traction/

This episode is sponsored by Aperia Technologies (https://aperiatech.com/)

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When it comes to trucking technology, the power unit almost always steals the spotlight — but what about the trailer? Recorded live at TMC’s 2026 Annual Meeting, co-host Seth Clevenger brings on Jeremy Sanders, chief commercial officer, and Todd Eicher, vice president of refrigerated products, at Stoughton Trailers to make the case that fleets may be overlooking one of their biggest opportunities for operational gains.

Drawing on deep expertise in trailer manufacturing and equipment innovation, the two executives share how advances in thermal efficiency, crash safety, smart chassis technology and autonomous coupling systems are quietly reshaping what's possible for fleet operators navigating thin margins and rising expectations.

For a candid look at where trailer demand stands today and where the market is headed, tune in now.

For more information: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/episodes/how-can-trailers-elevate-fleet-safety-and-efficiency/

This episode is sponsored by Stoughton Trailers (https://www.stoughtontrailers.com/).

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Aftertreatment is one of the most misunderstood—and costly—parts of fleet operations. Fleets often focus on invoice price or treat DPF service as a reactive event rather than a preventive strategy. The result is increased downtime, unpredictable failures, and a cost per mile that quietly climbs.

Recorded live at TMC’s 2026 Annual Meeting, co‑host Michael Freeze sits down with Ceramex North America experts JT Roberson and Matt Brady to unpack what fleets consistently get wrong about aftertreatment total cost of ownership. Discover the real difference between basic DPF cleaning and true restoration—and why those decisions matter for cost per mile, downtime, and emissions compliance.

A must‑listen for maintenance leaders focused on proactive, data‑driven maintenance. Tune in now.

For more information: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/episodes/what-do-fleets-get-wrong-about-aftertreatment-total-cost-of-ownership/

This episode is sponsored by Ceramex North America (https://ceramexnorthamerica.com/)

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Trucking keeps the country moving—so when the industry hits turbulence, everyone feels it. Recorded live from the ATA Technology & Maintenance Council’s 2026 Annual Meeting, host Seth Clevenger sits down with Chris Spear, president and CEO of American Trucking Associations, for a candid look at what today’s fleet maintenance trends reveal about the broader state of trucking. In this conversation, Spear breaks down business conditions for motor carriers, the implications of rolling back zero-emission mandates for commercial vehicles and how the persistent technician shortage is reshaping operational priorities. TMC’s annual meeting is where trucking’s toughest challenges meet practical solutions. Tune in for the key insights trucking and fleet maintenance leaders need right now as the industry navigates rapid change.

For more information: ttn.ws/episode189

This episode is sponsored by Optimal Dynamics (www.optimaldynamics.com)

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When a truck breaks down mid-route leaving a half-million-dollar load on the shoulder of the highway, how effectively does your fleet respond? Every minute counts and the wrong call can cost your fleet thousands. In this episode of RoadSigns, co-host Seth Clevenger sits down with Bob Toews, president of TruckDown, to explore how fleets can streamline their response to unplanned vehicle downtime and safely get their trucks back on the road as quick as possible. With nearly 30 years of experience helping fleets respond faster, smarter and more cost-effectively to truck breakdowns, Toews reveals where fleets typically lose time and what it really takes to ensure quality repairs under time pressure. Whether you're managing a handful of trucks or a large fleet, tune in for practical insight on turning one of trucking's most disruptive events into a manageable process.

For more information: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/episodes/how-can-fleets-mitigate-breakdowns-and-get-trucks-back-on-the-road-sooner/

This episode is sponsored by Truckdown. Visit https://www.truckdown.com/smartway-repair to learn more.

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