RoadSigns A Transport Topics Podcast

RS192: How Is Tire Management Technology Gaining More Traction?

16 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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

RS191: How Can Trailers Elevate Fleet Safety and Efficiency?

09 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

RS190: What Do Fleets Get Wrong About Aftertreatment Total Cost of Ownership?

02 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Aftertreatment is one of the most misunderstood—and costly—parts of fleet operations. Fleets often focus on invoice price or treat DPF service as ...

RS189: What Did TMC Tell Us About the State of the Trucking Industry?

26 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Trucking keeps the country moving—so when the industry hits turbulence, everyone feels it. Recorded live from the ATA Technology & Maintenance Counc...

RS188: How Can Fleets Mitigate Breakdowns and Get Trucks Back on the Road Sooner?

19 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 m...

RS187: What Should Fleet Managers Prioritize in Planning for the Future?

26 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

With uncertainty surrounding rising costs, tight labor markets and evolving emissions rules, it is increasingly difficult for fleet managers to know h...

RS186: Are Autonomous Trucks Outgrowing the Hub-to-Hub Model?

19 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

After years of actively testing and operating self-driving trucks on public highways, autonomous technology developers are swiftly moving towards full...

RS185: Year-in-Preview: Tariffs, Technology, Safety and an Unclear Freight Outlook

29 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

As trucking moves deeper into 2026, the industry faces a landscape defined by uncertainty and transformation. In this episode of RoadSigns, co-host Se...

RS184: How is AI Raising the Bar for Fleet Safety?

11 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As artificial intelligence usage grows to transform various industries, the trucking sector is harnessing this technology to tackle one of its most cr...

RS183: Will More Motor Carriers Choose to Adopt Renewable Natural Gas?

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Renewable natural gas (RNG) is gaining serious traction in trucking, and Cummins' new 15-liter X15 N engine just changed the game. Recorded live at AT...

RS182: How Can Public and Private Investments Ease the Truck Parking Crunch?

13 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The truck parking issue is not just an inconvenience; it's costing the industry $100 billion annually in lost productivity. In this episode of RoadSig...

RS181: How Can Smarter Maintenance, Data and Technology Transform Fleet Management?

06 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When trucks stop, business stops. Every breakdown and delay has a ripple effect across America's supply chain. So, what's holding your fleet back from...

RS180: How Can Smarter Cruise Control Help Fleets Save Fuel and Time?

30 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if your trucking business could raise the bar for fuel efficiency and make better fleet management decisions through smarter cruise control? With...

RS179: How Is McLeod Incorporating AI Into Trucking Software?

23 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After four decades of providing software to the trucking industry, McLeod is now integrating artificial intelligence into its transportation managemen...

RS178: What Did IANA Expo Reveal About the Future of Intermodal Equipment?

16 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The intermodal industry stands at a fascinating crossroads where cutting-edge technology meets fundamental infrastructure. While containers and chassi...

RS177: How Can Fleets and 3PLs Successfully Navigate Uncertainty?

09 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's volatile freight market, uncertainty has become the only constant. As tariffs shift overnight, cargo theft grows more sophisticated and AI ...

RS176: Can Your Fleet Afford to Ignore AI?

02 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In an industry commonly perceived as behind the curve, artificial intelligence is poised to revolutionize how transportation companies operate from th...

RS175: How Can Mid-Size Carriers Harness the Power of AI?

04 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Over the past three years, increasingly tight margins have put more pressure on fleet operators to optimize operations and boost efficiency. However, ...

RS174: Inside the Rankings: 2025's Top 100 Private Carriers

28 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this special episode, Seth Clevenger and TT’s features coordinator, Mike Senatore, offer an inside look at the creation of the 2025 Top 100 Priva...

RS173: How Will Truck Makers Commercialize Autonomous Driving Tech?

07 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The future of trucking is closer than you think. From Norwegian quarries to Texas highways, autonomous truck operations are steadily moving from the t...

RS172: How Are AI and Data-Driven Insights Transforming Fleet Management and Operations?

24 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Assisted by maturing technologies like artificial intelligence, the transportation industry has quietly become one of the most tech-forward spaces. Wh...

RS171: Inside the Rankings: 2025's Top 100 For Hire Carriers

10 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

About half the largest for-hire carriers in North America experienced revenue declines last year — a stark sign of ongoing weakness in the freight m...

RS170: What Are the Smartest Strategies for Buying and Selling Fleet Vehicles?

26 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In an industry where timing can mean everything, how do fleet operators make smart decisions about buying and selling trucks amid regulatory shifts, t...

RS169: How Are Tariffs and Technology Changing Cross-Border Freight?

19 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This year’s rising tariffs and shifting trade policies have put cross-border freight in the spotlight. But what happens when politics meet logistics...

RS168: Can Better Maintenance Boost Your Bottom Line?

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Got trailer trouble? As fleets push for efficiency and uptime, trailer maintenance is becoming mission-critical — but could small oversights be crea...

RS167: Where Will AI Agents Fit Into Logistics Operations?

05 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In trucking, routine communication—like check calls, load updates, and document tracking—can consume hours of back-office time. Now, agentic AI is...

RS166: One Engine, Many Fuels: A New Era for Trucking?

29 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

RS165: What Do the First Driverless Truck Operations in Texas Mean for the Future of Freight?

22 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Self-driving truck developer Aurora launched its first driverless commercial freight operations in Texas on April 27, achieving a widely anticipated m...

RS164: What Did ACT Expo 2025 Tell Us About Trucking’s Road to Sustainability?

15 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

At ACT Expo 2025, one thing was clear: the trucking industry’s energy transition will be even more dynamic and unpredictable than previously expecte...

RS163: Inside the Rankings: 2025's Top Logistics Companies

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, host Seth Clevenger and Transport Topics’ Mike Senatore dive into how the logistics industry is balancing modest growth with major ...

RS162: What Strategies Will Drive the Future Success of Heavy Duty Technicians?

17 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

At the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) Annual Meeting in Nashville, conversations centered on the future of the heavy-duty technician workforce...

RS161: How Can AI Drive Efficiency Gains in Trucking?

03 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Feeling stuck in analysis paralysis? Imagine a tool that cuts through the noise and turns insight into action. In this episode of RoadSigns, we sit do...

RoadShow Episode 16: Tommy Bazzell

27 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

At the intersection of technology innovation, international trade, and industry dynamics, freight transportation is constantly evolving as the future ...

RS160: How Is AI Impacting the Evolution of TMS Technologies?

20 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Motor carriers and freight brokers have long relied on transportation management systems to efficiently handle functions such as dispatching, load mat...

RS159: Can Engagement Initiatives Solve the Technician Shortage in Trucking?

06 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Right now, more than 60,000 commercial trucking maintenance jobs go unfilled, leaving fleet maintenance managers scrambling to keep operations running...

RS158: How Is Industry Engagement Shaping the Future of Trucking Technology and Maintenance?

27 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know? Education is key to hiring skilled technicians. Engaging high school and college students early can help you become an employer of choic...

RS157: What Did CES 2025 Reveal About the Future of Commercial Vehicle Technology?

06 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas? Well, not in this episode! Join us as we explore the cutting-edge technologies shaping the future of trucking, s...

RS156: Can AI Streamline Phone Operations in Logistics?

23 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Remember when artificial intelligence was still a futuristic idea? As AI continues to evolve, its implications for the trucking industry are both prom...

RS155: Can Reserved Parking Mitigate the Truck Parking Crunch?

09 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Truck drivers face a growing challenge on the road: finding a safe parking spot. With parking shortages intensifying in high-demand areas, solutions l...

RS154: How Can Fleets Control Tire Costs in a Tough Freight Market?

19 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In an industry where profitability is essential for survival, tire management plays a pivotal role in controlling costs for trucking businesses. In th...

RS153: What Will 2025 Bring for Autonomous Trucking?

05 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The road to autonomous trucking has been a long and winding one, but 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for this technology. As self-driving truc...

RS152: How Can Video and AI Maximize Safety in Trucking?

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Safety has always been paramount in the trucking industry, but advances in technology are making it possible to improve driver performance and prevent...

RS151: Inside the Rankings: 2024's Top Global Freight Companies

07 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Last year, the world's largest transportation and logistics giants found themselves navigating numerous headwinds, from a decline in international tra...

RS150: How Can Trucking Companies Thrive Amid a Rate Recession?

03 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know that nearly 70% of U.S. freight moves by truck? Yet, many trucking companies are facing significant business challenges in a persistently...

RS149: How Can You Protect Your Freight During Peak Season?

26 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hackers don't take holidays! And neither should your cybersecurity efforts. In an increasingly digital and connected business landscape, the transport...

RS148: Why Large Shippers Are Growing Their In-House Trucking Divisions

12 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

At a time when for-hire trucking capacity is widely available at competitive rates, many large shippers are still choosing to double down on their own...

RS147: How Can APUs Make Trucking More Sustainable?

29 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Auxiliary power units are becoming an increasingly vital tool for the trucking industry to increase driver comfort while also conserving fuel by reduc...

RS146: How Can Effective Supply Chain Management Transform Fleet Maintenance?

15 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

One of the main hurdles in parts supply chain management is the ongoing issue of product availability. Despite advances, many fleets still struggle wi...

RS145: How Is the Rise of ADAS Technology Elevating Truck Safety?

18 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Advanced driver assistance systems such as automatic emergency braking, lane departure warnings and onboard camera systems can improve highway safety ...

RS144: Inside the List: Transport Topics' 2024 Top 100 For-Hire Carriers

02 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Survival of the fittest in trucking. While enduring a prolonged freight recession, the largest trucking companies in North America have been subject t...

RS143: How Will AI Empower Data-Driven Fleet Management?

06 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The buzz around AI is deafening, but amid the hype, practical strategies for deployment are emerging. AI applications are expected to improve business...

RS142: How Can Fleet Tire Programs be Both Data-Informed And Cost-Effective?

23 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Think fast! Do you know the proper PSI levels for commercial truck tires? Few people do. And, yet, advanced tire-monitoring skills are some of the mor...

RS141: How Does Retreading Impact a Fleet Maintenance Operation?

09 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

To retread or not to retread, that is the question. For some maintenance managers, the debate between new tires and retreads is constant. Both offer ...

RS140: Inside the List: Transport Topics' 2024 Top 100 Logistics Companies

25 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In 2023, plummeting transportation rates and an oversupply of freight hauling capacity contributed to a challenging business environment for 3PLs. The...

RS139: How are Truck Manufacturers Providing Suitable Safety and Connectivity Options for Commercial Fleets?

11 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Quick! Can you explain how current truck makers are changing freight operations forever? Those who can, know there’s a certain synergy that is built...

RoadShow Episode 15: Amanda Shuier and Brian Antonellis

04 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Every year, at ATA's Technology and Maintenance Council meeting, nearly 5,000 fleet technology and maintenance professionals gather to break ground on...

RS138: Can Logistics Help Realize Sustainability for the Trucking Industry?

28 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Environmental Protection Agency's Phase 3 greenhouse gas emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles are set to take effect beginning in model year...

RS137: How Can Trucking Companies Fight Fuel Card Skimming?

14 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Imagine a threat lurking at every fuel stop, one that's draining over a billion dollars annually from unsuspecting fleet drivers. This invisible menac...

RS136: What Maintenance and Technology Issues Will Top the Agenda at 2024 TMC Annual?

29 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The future of the North American trucking industry depends on continued advancements in safety, maintenance, technology, cost and productivity. In les...

RS135: How To Be Inclusive In The Trucking Industry

15 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

With workforce shortages lingering, trucking companies are working hard to expand their driver recruitment reach by bolstering diversity and inclusion...

RS134: Can Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology Deliver for Trucking?

01 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The transportation industry is under pressure from government regulators and some shipper customers to reduce carbon emissions. However, factors such ...

RS133: What Are Trucking’s Emerging Cybersecurity Threats?

18 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Cyber Threat Alert: 30% of small businesses view phishing as their biggest digital menace, reports Cybersecurity Magazine. Surprisingly, 83% aren't re...

RS132: When Will Autonomous Trucks Take Off?

04 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As the trucking industry continues its quest to prevent crashes and streamline the movement of freight, autonomous trucks are entering the spotlight. ...

RS131: Roundabout: Year-In-Review

21 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know that despite significant advancements in reducing emissions, our medium and heavy-duty trucks still contribute a substantial 23% to trans...

RS130: How to Be a Sustainable Trucking Business

14 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know? Global greenhouse emissions (GHG) from transportation is close to 25%, and in the U.S. it is 29%. By 2030, current emissions need to be ...

RS129: How Can Connected Truck Technology Improve Fleet Management?

07 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

To run a truck fleet is to know a truck fleet, and when a truck is not operating at peak performance or breaks down on the side of the road, your oper...

RS128: How Can Cloud Computing and AI Improve Fleet Management?

23 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As the boundaries between the physical and digital realms continue to blur, transportation software companies are increasingly embracing cloud-based I...

RS127: How To Start Your Own Trucking Business

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know that a staggering 70% of all freight in the United States is currently transported by the trucking industry? What's more, experts anticip...

RS126: Inside the List: Transport Topics’ 2023 Top 50 Global Freight Companies

09 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After spending the past few years grappling with severe port congestion and supply chain disruptions, international shippers and their freight transpo...

RS125: What Innovations Will Drive the Future of Truck Design?

26 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When the U.S. Department of Energy challenged truck manufactures to create a truck that improves freight efficiency by over 100% — Volvo’s Keith ...

RoadShow Episode 14: Tom McLeod

19 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

“We know that the future favors the prepared.” But improved management practices, Mcleod Software CEO Tom Mcleod reminds us, are not the bastion o...

RS124: How Can Connectivity Create a More Efficient Supply Chain?

12 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Adopt new tech, and you’ll run a more efficient operation... right? But what happens when your trucking tech stack becomes unmanageable...? With co...

RS123: What Does It Take To Become The Best Technician In The Country?

28 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

To be a successful fleet technician, you not only need to diagnose and fix various problems with engines, transmissions, brakes, steering, suspension,...

RS122: What Does it Take to be America's Greatest Truck Driver?

14 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is UPS' Gragg Wilson America's greatest truck driver? The new National Truck Driving Competition's Grand Champion has managed to survive the grueling,...

RS121: Inside the List: Transport Topics’ 2023 Top 100 Private Carriers List

31 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How much should a loaf of bread cost? How about a dress shirt? Or a gallon of gas? The cost of goods are subject to their respective levels of supply ...

RS120: What Does the Future of The Internal Combustion Engine Look Like In Commercial Trucking?

17 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

According to fleet executives, as well as maintenance managers, the death of the internal combustion engine may have been greatly exaggerated in spite...

RS119: Roundabout: How Has the Trucking Industry Become So “Preventive” and “Predictive” in 2023?

03 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Quick! Can you explain the differences between predictive maintenance and preventative maintenance? Those who can usually save their heavy-duty truck ...

RS118: How Can Third-Party Services Assist Growing Trucking Companies?

20 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Finance is about the money you make, compliance is about the money you keep — if you follow the rules, the money you make will be the money you keep...

RS117: Inside the List: Transport Topics’ 2023 Top 100 For-Hire Carriers

06 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Despite a softer freight market, the largest trucking companies in North America managed to grow their businesses last year even as spot market rates...

RS116: How Can In-Cab Technology and Coaching Help Drivers Reach Their Full Potential?

22 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Your trucking business success depends on who you have at the wheel. The right truck driver in the right seat at the right time could mean everything ...

RS115: How Can Predictive Analytics Help Fleets Improve Driver Safety?

08 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Driver safety is pivotal for trucking companies, especially in a time where roadway crashes are at an all time high. Determining dangerous driving beh...

RS114: How Can Trucking Navigate the Road to Net Zero Emissions?

25 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In 2018, Peter Voorhoeve became the president of Volvo Trucks North America. Since then he has overseen the rollout of Volvo's VNR Electric model and ...

RS113: Can Outsourcing Business Functions Make Fleets More Efficient?

11 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this post-Covid era, where freight market fluctuations and staffing issues loom, trucking companies must find creative ways to keep up. For many, k...

RS112: Inside the List: Transport Topics’ 2023 Top 100 Logistics Companies

27 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Destiny (and orders) fulfilled. Third-party logistics providers expanded their share of the freight market during the supply chain challenges and surg...

RS111: Can Connected Truck Data Produce Smarter Maintenance Plans?

20 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Class 8 truck dealers are taking a new approach to customer service — they are implementing an adaptive, dealer-managed service plan that is paired ...

RS110: What Is The Proper Approach to EV Truck Repair And Maintenance?

13 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

UPS' Anthony Marshall is no stranger to electric and alternative-fuel vehicles. Over the course of Marshall's tenure at UPS, the company has invested ...

RoadShow Episode 13: Brian Antonellis

06 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Fleet Advantage’s Brian Antonellis has all the answers; in fact, companies like Coca Cola and Pepsi leaned on him for fleet management solutions —...

RS109: How Is Predictive Analytics Streamlining Truck Maintenance?

30 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Truck maintenance parts and labor costs increased 13% year-over-year in Q4 2022, according to a recent report by ATA TMC and Decisiv. The costly incre...

Roadshow Episode 12: Todd Cotier

23 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Since childhood, Todd Cotier has had an eye for detail. He would spend hours after school and on weekends greasing backhoes and checking tires on dump...

RS108: How Can Carriers Squeeze More Fuel Efficiency Out of Today’s Trucks?

16 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On the road, he is known as a professional driver with over a million miles. At Volvo, he is the star of the "No Compromise" video series which featur...

RS107: What's Under the EV Hood?

09 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Has the trucking industry finally found its very own white knight? And, is it electric trucks? Although electric trucks have a higher price tag than t...

RS106: Can Better Visibility Alleviate the Truck Parking Problem?

02 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Our highways allow commercial vehicles to move, but what infrastructure is in place when they need to stop, and their drivers need to safely rest? The...

RS105: How Can the Trucking Industry Better Utilize Diagnostic Technology?

16 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Your modern trucks are telling you when they are ailing. Your in-house technicians know how to read the symptoms and make the fixes. But you still see...

RS104: Where Do Autonomous Trucks Fit Into Trucking’s Future? Part 3

02 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know? With the power of driverless technology, a 50,000 pound semi-truck can stop in less than a tenth of a second. Autonomous technology also...

RS103: Where Do Autonomous Trucks Fit Into Trucking’s Future? Part 2

26 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are you asking yourself: Will autonomous truck technology really improve efficiency in the transportation industry? Will self-driving trucks really ta...

RS102: Where Do Autonomous Trucks Fit Into Trucking’s Future? Part 1

19 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Autonomous trucks are still in the early days. Tech companies, startups, and companies like Daimler, TuSimple, Paccar, Aurora, Waymo, and Volvo contin...

RS101: 2023 Year-In-Preview

05 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

C.H. Robinson CEO steps down, potential recession looms, and House Republicans focus on an in-depth examination of the Biden administration’s infras...

RS100: Celebrating 100 Episodes of RoadSigns; Where Is Trucking Headed?

22 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

One hundred episodes. Over one hundred guests. And, most importantly, one hundred critical trucking questions... answered. The first episode of RoadSi...

RoadShow Episode 11: Rahmel Wattley

15 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

"I always tell people, driving a truck is either for you, or it is not for you. You either have it, or you don’t have it.” In 2002, Rahmel Wattley...

RS99: Why Should the Trucking Industry Care About Cybersecurity?

08 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On February 17, 2020 a privately-owned transportation and supply chain management company was attacked by malware. The company was a notable trucking ...