How “Maintenance Today” can mean “Profit Tomorrow”
Whether dealing with shipper expectations, government regulations, technological advances or CSA compliance issues, commercial vehicle fleets must have a keen attention to detail in order to remain safe, efficient and profitable.
A fleet that pays close attention to the investments it makes into operations and vehicle maintenance programs may be drawn to the American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) to assist in making wise business decisions on spec’ing issues as well as maintenance.
In fact, the theme of TMC’s 2015 Fall Meeting is Maintenance Today, Profit Tomorrow. The annual gathering is slated for Sept. 21 to 24 at the Walt Disney Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Fla.
Made up of a broad collection of experienced fleets, equipment suppliers and service providers, TMC (tmc.trucking.org) uses the real-world experience of its members to create the industry’s best practices in truck technology and maintenance to help improve trucking efficiencies across North America. TMC is a technical council of American Trucking Associations (www.trucking.org) – the largest national trade association for the trucking industry.
TMC’s 2015 Fall Meeting offers a comprehensive collection of educational sessions designed to keep maintenance personnel on the cutting edge of vehicle technology.
TECHNICAL SESSIONS
A trio of technical sessions aimed to bring technicians up to speed on an array of topics will take place Sept. 22, 23 and 24. Each of the three sessions will be 90 minutes in duration.
TROUBLESHOOTING AFTERTREATMENT SYSTEMS: FROM TURBO TO EXHAUST STACK
Since the introduction of EPA 2007 and EPA 2010 emission standards, aftertreatment systems have become more complex. This session will explain what issues fleets are experiencing with those after-treatment systems. Panelists will cover maintenance and operational basics of the entire system – from turbo to stack.
Additionally, driver responsibilities and training requirements, regeneration management and preventive practices for minimizing future issues will be covered.
Fleets will relay their experiences in the field and manufacturers and suppliers will share their plans for improving diagnostics, repair and designs of these mandated systems.
ELECTRONIC DRIVER VEHICLE INSPECTION REPORTS : EVOLUTION OR REVOLUTION?
The process of managing driver vehicle inspection reports (DVIRs) has evolved, bringing potential cost savings to fleets.
This session will cover what managers need to know to implement electronic DVIRs in their fleet operations. Fleet and supplier panelists will share lessons learned from actual implementations and provide guidance on how to effectively integrate eDVIR software and hardware into maintenance workflow processes.
CYBERSECURITY FOR YOUR FLEET’S EQUIPMENT
As onboard computer systems continue to serve more complex roles in managing safety, maintenance navigation, asset detection and status monitoring function, automotive cybersecurity has become a growing concern.
In fact, industry groups like the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), the U.S. Council of Automotive Research (USCAR) and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) are working to evaluate cybersecurity challenges and develop appropriate countermeasures. There are security risks for vehicle system related assets as well as data transfer related assets.
During this session, attendees will learn about the latest cybersecurity risks to fleets’ trucks and trailers and hear about what can be done to further protect company data, networks and property.
STUDY GROUP SESSIONS
TMC Study Groups are standing committees that identify problems and challenges facing motor carriers and other truck equipment users. These groups, which are long-term in nature, study a specific sector of truck technology or management.
Study Group meetings taking place at TMC’s 2015 Fall Meeting include:
BATTERY BOX OVERLOAD: WHEN ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
During this session, experts will explain what can be done to reduce battery box overload. Panelists will offer spec’ing guidelines and maintenance tips to make servicing today’s tractors easier and more cost effective for maintenance operations.
LEAN PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS FOR TIRE MANAGEMENT
In this session, TMC’s Tire and Wheel Study Group will apply Lean problem solving principles to fleet tire issues. Lean principles are basically an approach to identify and eliminate waste. A cross-functional team will go through a series of Lean activities designed to lower fleets’ tire expenses. During the process, the team will delve into roadside failures in an attempt to prove or disprove that most failures are related to underinflation and old tire casings.
FUEL, FUEL SYSTEM AND FUEL FILTRATION ISSUES: SOURCES AND SOLUTIONS
TMC’s Engine Study Group conducted a study of fuel filters and diesel fuel samples to gain insight into what equipment users are experiencing in the field. Panelists will present findings from the study and provide recommendations to minimize the potential for fuel and fuel filter issues in fleet operations.
IN-CAB CAMERA TECHNOLOGIES: DOES YOUR FLEET NEED THEM AND WHAT SHOUD IT DO WITH THEM
With a growing interest in in-cab camera technologies, this session will address the different types of systems and features that are currently available. Panelists will also discuss the installation and maintenance issues associated with these devices, data management and storage and data usage strategies.
TECHNICIAN RECRUITING ALTERNATIVES: MAKE IT HAPPEN
Panelists – including successful technicians from previous TMCSuperTech competitions and recruitment specialists who regularly engage technician graduates – will share alternative methods to traditional technician recruitment. Technical school leaders will discuss the best ways to engage an organization’s training facilities to increase the company’s chances of hiring the best available talent.
6X2 REAR AXLE CONFIGURATION: GAINING TRACTION IN THE INDUSTRY?
Are 6x2 tractors appropriate for your fleet? OEM representatives and fleet executives will be on hand at this discuss the ins and outs of the 6x2 configurations so fleet managers can determine if this technology is a good fit for their respective operations.
MANUFACTURER GREENHOUSE GAS PHASE 2 IMPLEMENTATION ROADMAP
The second round of fuel efficiency standards created by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will build on the first-ever standards for medium and heavy duty vehicles. Find out what decisions manufacturers are making today that will impact how fleets spec and operate trucks in the future.
UPCOMING DATABUS AND DIAGNOSTIC CHANGES FOR MODEL YEAR 2016
As part of the ongoing rollout of the NHTSA and EPA’s fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas standards, changes to onboard vehicle databus and diagnostic systems are coming to Class 7 and Class 8 tractors in Model Year 2016. This session will cover how these changes will impact the specification, maintenance and diagnostics of these vehicles, and panelists will discuss whether or not backward compatibility will be an issue.
BEST PRACTICES FOR SPEC’ING AND MAINTAINING CLASS 3 to 8 VEHICLES
Panelists will offer their recommendations and field questions regarding what factors fleet managers should consider when spec’ing light, medium and heavy duty vehicles. This is a complicated task, as this diverse group of equipment has a very different mission, and varying degrees of specification freedom.
DEVELOPING MENTORS FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF TECHNICIANS
As baby boomers reach retirement age, the industry faces a shortage of technician knowledge and experience. This session will focus on important aspects – such as selection criteria, evaluation standards and appropriate rewards – to groom the industry’s next generation of truck technicians.
Complete details regarding TMC’s 2015 Fall Meeting can be found at tmc.trucking.org or by calling 703-838-1763.
