TT RoadSigns Podcast

The future of trucking is closer than you think. From Norwegian quarries to Texas highways, autonomous truck operations are steadily moving from the testing and development phase toward commercial deployment. How

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Assisted by maturing technologies like artificial intelligence, the transportation industry has quietly become one of the most tech-forward spaces. While generating massive amounts of data every second, AI presents unprecedented opportunities for optimization. How can fleets of all sizes translate data into insights? 

AI-platforms, like Catalyst AI, are helping fleets evolve past data collection and management to data analysis and decision-making.

In this episode, co-host Michael Freeze speaks with Tim Haynes, vice president of digital and customer data at Penske Transportation Solutions, to share how AI is being applied to fleet management, from predictive maintenance to route optimization. Tune in to learn how AI is driving better outcomes in transportation. 

For more information: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/episodes/how-are-ai-data-driven-insights-transforming-fleet-management-operations/

This episode is sponsored by https://www.gopenske.com/

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About half the largest for-hire carriers in North America experienced revenue declines last year — a stark sign of ongoing weakness in the freight market. In this episode, we go beyond the numbers in TT’s newly released 2025 Top 100 For-Hire Carriers list to reveal what’s really happening in trucking today. Which companies grew despite the downturn? Which fell off the list altogether? And, what does the implementation of steeper tariffs mean for the future of supply chains and fleet strategy? Host Seth Clevenger and features coordinator Mike Senatore unpack the trends, surprises and shake-ups that define this year's rankings. If you want to understand how market headwinds and shifting trade policy are reshaping the industry, this is the episode for you. Tune in.

For more information: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/episodes/inside-the-rankings-2025s-top-100-for-hire-carriers

This episode is sponsored by https://www.cummins.com/

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In an industry where timing can mean everything, how do fleet operators make smart decisions about buying and selling trucks amid regulatory shifts, trade tensions, and economic uncertainty? As new emissions rules take shape and the freight market continues to wobble, choosing when—and how—to replace equipment could make or break your bottom line. What’s the true cost of waiting too long… or jumping in too soon? In this episode, we speak with three experts from Transport Enterprise Leasing to uncover actionable strategies for navigating today’s volatile market. From acquiring new trucks to maximizing resale value, this conversation reveals the insights fleet leaders need to stay competitive—and stay ahead. Tune in.

BONUS! Learn how smart fleets maximize used truck resale value with strategic timing, targeted marketing, and cost-effective reconditioning—get the full playbook here: https://www.ttnews.com/whitepaper/strategic-playbook-selling-used-commercial-trucks

For more information: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/episodes/what-are-the-smartest-strategies-for-buying-and-selling-fleet-vehicles/

This episode is sponsored by https://greatdane.com/

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This year’s rising tariffs and shifting trade policies have put cross-border freight in the spotlight. But what happens when politics meet logistics at the U.S. borders? And how can technology keep freight flowing through the uncertainty? In this episode, Matt Silver, CEO of Cargado, joins us to explore how AI, data, and smarter platforms are reshaping cross-border shipping. As nearshoring surges and United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) faces review, understanding these dynamics has never been more important. Whether you’re a broker, carrier, or supply chain strategist, this episode offers insight into what’s next for North American trade—and why getting it right now matters for the years ahead. Tune in.

For more information: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/episodes/how-are-tariffs-and-technology-changing-cross-border-freight/

This episode is sponsored by https://www.gopenske.com/

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Got trailer trouble? As fleets push for efficiency and uptime, trailer maintenance is becoming mission-critical — but could small oversights be creating big risks for your operation? In this episode, guest Justin Olsen, Maintenance Director at TCW, breaks down the hidden impact of poor trailer management on operations, compliance, and safety. From greasing solutions and idle trailer inspections to warranty red flags and the tech training gap, we unpack the challenges and strategies shaping trailer upkeep today. Tune in.

For more information visit: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/episode/can-better-maintenance-boost-your-bottom-line/

This episode is sponsored by https://www.cummins.com/

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In trucking, routine communication—like check calls, load updates, and document tracking—can consume hours of back-office time. Now, agentic AI is being used to automate these repetitive tasks across voice, text, and email. But how does this technology actually function in real-world freight operations, and what impact could it have on logistics teams? Could it help reduce workload—or introduce new complexities? In this episode, host Seth Clevenger speaks with Brian Work, President of CloneOps.ai, to explore where AI agents fit into today’s supply chain workflows and what they might mean for the future of trucking operations. Tune in.  

BONUS! This printable special report shows how logistics teams can cut through the AI clutter by focusing on tools that solve real operational problems, fit existing workflows, and deliver measurable results. Download for free now. 

For more information: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/episodes/where-will-ai-agents-fit-into-logistics-operations/

This episode is sponsored by https://www.cloneops.ai/

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Cleaner trucking is not a question of if — but how. And the answer might lie in an engine platform that can adapt to many different fuel options. In this episode, host Mike Freeze talks with Jim Nebergall, Executive Director of Market Strategy at Cummins, about a bold new direction in powertrain design: fuel-agnostic engines. Built to adapt to multiple fuel types — from natural gas to hydrogen — these engines aim to cut emissions without sacrificing the performance fleets rely on.

It’s a big promise. But can one platform really meet the competing demands of cost, power and infrastructure? Nebergall explains how Cummins’ HELM platform is challenging old assumptions about what an engine can — and should — do. If you're weighing the future of your fleet, this conversation could change your route.

For more information: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/episodes/what-do-the-first-driverless-truck-operations-in-texas-mean-for-the-future-of-freight/

This episode is sponsored by https://www.cummins.com/engines/on-highway/heavy-duty-truck/2027-x15?utm_campaign=ebu-na-onhwy-epa2027_x15&utm_medium=display&utm_source=transporttopics&utm_content=x15-podcast_tomorrows_road_30s-audio-learnmore&sfid=

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Self-driving truck developer Aurora launched its first driverless commercial freight operations in Texas on April 27, achieving a widely anticipated milestone in autonomous truck deployment. Aurora has since returned human observers to the driver’s seat in its self-driving trucks at the request of its manufacturing partner Paccar Inc., serving as a reminder of the development and integration work that still lies ahead for this technology. So what does this latest breakthrough really mean for the trucking industry?

In this episode, we’re joined by Robert Brown, vice president of business development at self-driving truck startup Bot Auto, to break down the state of autonomous trucking today — and where it’s headed. Whether you're a shipper, fleet operator, or simply curious about how autonomy could reshape supply chains, we explore Texas’s role as the incubation zone for this technology, the potential for a transportation-as-a-service model, and why the year 2027 is shaping up to be a turning point for wide-scale deployment. Tune in.

For more information: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/episodes/what-do-the-first-driverless-truck-operations-in-texas-mean-for-the-future-of-freight/

This episode is sponsored by https://www.gopenske.com/

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At ACT Expo 2025, one thing was clear: the trucking industry’s energy transition will be even more dynamic and unpredictable than previously expected. In this episode, Transport Topics’ Seth Clevenger, Michael Freeze and Keiron Greenhalgh break down what we learned on the ground in Anaheim. From the ongoing market rollout of a 15-liter natural gas engine to the introduction of new battery-electric truck models, clean tech is advancing fast. Yet fleets still face significant hurdles related to infrastructure, cost and a changing regulatory environment. How will tariffs, shifting emissions rules and policy uncertainty shape the future of trucking equipment and technology? Get those insights straight from the front lines of clean transportation. Tune in.

For more information: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/episodes/what-did-act-expo-2025-tell-us-about-truckings-road-to-sustainability/

This episode is sponsored by https://greatdane.com/

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