Arkansas Trucking Association

NanoMech Developing Next-Generation Combat Uniforms for U.S. Army

NanoMech, which provides advanced lubricants for the trucking industry, has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Army to develop advanced multi-functional textiles using patent pending technology platform, nGuard®.

"I applaud the Army's decision to award NanoMech this ground-breaking contract, which demonstrates the innovation and advanced technologies developed in Northwest Arkansas,” said U.S. Senator Tom Cotton. “I’ve seen firsthand the tremendous operation NanoMech has built over the last several years. They are a leader in the tech community and are attracting top engineering and scientific talent to Arkansas."

Read more: NanoMech Developing Next-Generation Combat Uniforms for U.S. Army

Arkansas Truck Convoy Raises Money for Special Olympics

Arkansas Highway Police Convoy

The Arkansas Highway Police led a convoy through Little Rock on September 17 to raise money for Special Olympics. The World’s Largest Truck Convoy is a national event organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.

This year, 104 trucks from 14 companies participated in the annual event. The drivers and spectators gathered at Maverick Transportation in North Little Rock.

Read more: Arkansas Truck Convoy Raises Money for Special Olympics

Arkansas Eyes Tolls for 13-Mile Stretch of Interstate

State highway officials continue to propose studies to determine whether the state should use tolls to build or fund new needed infrastructure around the state. The newest study commissioned by highway officials would provide funds for a new section of Interstate 49 in western Arkansas.

Read more: Arkansas Eyes Tolls for 13-Mile Stretch of Interstate

Ark. Techs Compete at TMC SuperTech

TMC SuperTech 2016

Arkansas Trucking Association sent two technicians to compete in Raleigh, N.C. at the American Trucking Associations’ Technology and Maintenance Council’s 2016 SuperTech competitions for truck and trailer technicians around the country.

Technicians from all 50 states gathered at the Raleigh Convention Center to show off their tech skills. This year’s SuperTech included a trailer tech competition for the first time and a FutureTech competition challenged future technicians from diesel tech school programs.

Read more: Ark. Techs Compete at TMC SuperTech

Fighting Fuel Theft with a Card?

Chicago tech startup, Fueloyal has developed a card to prevent fuel theft for big trucks. The card, called the iCap 1000, uses the 3G network to prevent thieves from siphoning diesel out of gas tanks.

The iCap 1000 measures the gas going into the truck’s tank while checking it against what’s coming out of the pump through a real-time, 3G-networked connection.

Read more: Fighting Fuel Theft with a Card?

ATA Eyeing Appropriations Bill for HOS Fix

American Trucking Association

The Arkansas Trucking Association is joining the American Trucking Associations in asking Congress members to provide legislative clarification in December’s appropriation bills to correct the flawed language that has put the 34-hour restart in jeopardy.

Legislators have been asked to include a solution in FY 2017 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (T-Hud) appropriations bills.

Read more: ATA Eyeing Appropriations Bill for HOS Fix

New Rule Simplifies CDL Process for Vets

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s published a final rule to ease the transition of military personnel into civilian careers driving commercial motor vehicles by simplifying the process for current and former military personnel to earn a commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit.

Read more: New Rule Simplifies CDL Process for Vets

Tesla to add self-driving electric buses and trucks

Elon Musk published part deux of his “master plan” for Tesla Motors Inc., which includes a future with an integrated solar and battery product, the addition of a pickup, freight truck and bus to its electric vehicle lineup and plans for a ride-sharing business.

Consumers can expect Tesla to look beyond expensive passenger vehicles to public transit and cargo shipping. “In addition to consumer vehicles, there are two other types of electric vehicle needed: heavy-duty trucks and high passenger-density urban transport,” Musk, Tesla’s CEO, wrote in the blog post on July 20. “Both are in the early stages of development at Tesla and should be ready for unveiling next year. We believe the Tesla Semi will deliver a substantial reduction in the cost of cargo transport, while increasing safety and making it really fun to operate."

Read more: Tesla to add self-driving electric buses and trucks

Truck Driving Championships celebrates safe drivers

national truck driving championship

Arkansas sent nine drivers representing six different carriers to compete at the 2016 National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC) in Indianapolis, Aug. 10-13.

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) sponsors the annual championships, known as the “Super Bowl of Safety,” to recognize industry leadership in safety and to promote professionalism among truck drivers.

This year, more than 430 drivers from all 50 states competed in nine competition classes in Indianapolis after qualifying in their state championships. Collectively, the competitors have accumulated more than 600 million safe-driving miles during their careers as professional truck drivers.

Read more: Truck Driving Championships celebrates safe drivers

FMCSA warns truck drivers about e-smoking

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a safety advisory about risks associated with the possession and use of battery-powered portable electronic smoking devices—such as e-cigarettes, personal vaporizers and electronic nicotine delivery systems—in commercial transportation.

The use of battery-powered portable electronic smoking devices has resulted in incidents including explosions, serious personal injuries and fires, the notice states.

Read more: FMCSA warns truck drivers about e-smoking

ATRI asks carriers to rank trucking’s top issues for 2016

American Transportation Research Institute


The American Transportation Research Institute is looking for industry feedback with the 2016 Top Industry Issue Survey.

The annual survey, being issued for the 12th year, asks industry stakeholders to rank the top issues of concern for trucking, along with strategies for addressing the issues.

Read more: ATRI asks carriers to rank trucking’s top issues for 2016

Arkansas rep. wants to educate public on road debris

After a House Motor Vehicle and Highways Permanent Subcommittee of Transportation meeting, Ark. Rep. James Sorvillo (R-Little Rock), chairman of the committee, said he wanted to better educate the public to report road debris.

After encountering road debris first-hand and the $1200 bill in damages it caused his wife’s vehicle, Sorvillo wants to see a solution to what he says is a growing problem.

"Any debris on the highway can be a hazard and a safety concern," says Shannon Newton, President of the Arkansas Trucking Association.

Read more: Arkansas rep. wants to educate public on road debris

Contact Us

Arkansas Trucking Association
PO Box 3476 (72203)
1401 West Capitol Ave.
Suite 185
Little Rock, AR 72201

(501) 372-3462 | Phone
(501) 376-1810 | Fax

Our Mission

  • PROTECT the collective interests of trucking companies in the political and regulatory arenas.
  • PROMOTE the dynamics of trucking so that people have a better understanding of the link between America's primary freight delivery system and the standard of living they enjoy.
  • SERVE our members to help them to grow their business and their profits
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