AMERICAN TRUCKS & WORLDWIDE

America's trucking industry has a rich history that dates back to the early 20th century. The trucks were used to transport goods from factories to nearby towns, but as the industry grew, so did the need larger and more powerful vehicles. Today, America's haulers and trucks are an essential part of the country's economy, transporting goods across the nation and beyond. From the iconic trucks to the modern Freightliners, the history of America's trucking industry is a testament to the ingenuity and hard work of its people.

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History on American Trucks

“History never looks like history when you are living through it.” From its humble origins with horse-drawn carts to modern-day semi-trucks, US trucking has always been an ever-evolving industry. From technological innovations to the goal of providing efficient and reliable transport, there have been challenges, successes, and milestones along the way. To understand the complexity of today’s freight system, it is important to look at how far it has come in development. For that, it’s crucial to understand US trucking from early innovative ideas all the way up to current advancements in this dynamic industry

Early Innovations and Challenges (Late 19th Century – 1930s)

The US trucking industry has a rich history that began in the late 19th century. The first goods shipped by truck across America’s expanse from California to New York City happened in 1921. Driving this period was technology and economic expansion. The fascinating thing is that the early trucks were very similar to horse-drawn wagons, but they had engines instead. As America grew, its transport systems evolved as well. However, without today’s interstate highways, transportation mainly relied on horses or rivers, then canals, and railroads later on. Following their needs, most states operated roads of pitiful quality. By 1913, regulations set weight limits for trucks which varied state by state, most notably ranging from Maine’s 18,000 pounds to Ohio’s higher limit of 28,000 pounds. This period also saw some remarkable innovations slowly shaping what would become modern trucking legends despite challenges it faced, such as horse-drawn vehicles giving way to gasoline-powered wheels revolutionizing efficiency, making long-hauls practical. Military utilization during World War One accelerated broad-based adoption, and weathering the storm through painful times, such as The Great Depression of the Thirties, presented significant hurdles yet allowed room for adaptation and progress amidst changing economic landscapes.

TIPE OF AMERICA TRUCKS

The Western Star Truck is a heavy-duty vehicle that has been around for over 50 years. It was introduced in 1967 by the White Motor Company, and it quickly a reputation for its durability and reliability. In 2000, Western Star became a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America, and it continues to produce high-quality trucks for a variety of industries. Today, the Western Star Truck is known for its ruggedness, versatility, and exceptional performance.

The International Truck has a rich history dating back to the 1900s Originally known as the International Harvester Company, the produced its first truck in 1907. Over the years, International Trucks have become known for their durability and, making them a popular choice for businesses and individuals alike. Today, the brand continues to innovate and produce high-quality trucks for a variety of industries.

Mack Trucks is an American truck manufacturing company that was founded in 1900. company has a rich history of producing high-quality, durable trucks that are built to last. Mack Trucks has played an important role in the development of theing industry, and continues to be a leading manufacturer of heavy-duty trucks today

Kenworth Truck Company is an American manufacturer of medium and heavy-duty Class 8. Founded in 1923, Kenworth has a rich history of producing high-quality, reliable trucks that are built to last. Over the years, the company has become known for its innovative designs, advanced technologies, and commitment to customer satisfaction. Today, Kenworth is a leading brand in the trucking industry, with a reputation for excellence that is second to none.

Peterbilt is an American truck manufacturer that has been producing heavy-duty trucks since 1939. The company was founded by T.A. Peterman, who was a lumber entrepreneur. The first Peterbilt truck was built in Oakland, California, and was used to haul logs. Over the years, Peterbilt has become known for its high-quality trucks that are built to last. Today, Peterbilt is a subsidiary of PACCAR Inc. and continues to produce some of the most reliable and durable trucks on the road.

The Leyland truck has a rich history dating back to the 1900s Originally founded in Lancashire, England, the company quickly became a leading manufacturer of commercial vehicles. Over the years, Leyland has produced a wide range of trucks, from light-duty models to heavy-duty haulers. Today, the brand continues to be a popular choice for businesses around the world.

The Golden Age of Trucking (1940s – 1970s)

The 1940s began a golden era for U.S. trucking, kickstarting with the new highways. They enabled long-haul truckers on broader paths through states. More than just roads, diesel engines played vital roles too since their development in 1920. These engines made trucks more efficient and enabled them to cover larger distances. Industry standards followed soon, as comforts like power-steering settled in drivers’ cabins, along with standard-sized vehicles, which simplified operations. This period even welcomed an intriguing culture where truck stops and CB radios became emblematic of this nomadic way of life. Technology set foot into this industry around 1910, introducing gasoline-run engines that allowed longer highway trips. Innovations like semi-trailers further bolstered the sector’s growth during this period. However, a major turning point was regulation loosening its grip from the late ’50s till the early ’60s, igniting an industry boom that transformed the US trucking landscape significantly until today.

Challenges and Innovations in the Modern Era

As reported by the American Trucking Association (ATA), trucking is the lifeblood of America’s economy. As a critical transport system, it carries about 72% of American goods. Not just that, but its contribution to the nation’s wealth is enormous too, adding an impressive $792 billion to its GDP. It provides millions of jobs not only within but also in fields like construction or manufacturing. However, such sizable industries have obstacles too. One that hit hard was the Great Trucking Recession, another being unstable diesel fuel prices. A noticeable issue right now is a shortage of drivers, which could impact not just us but global mobility. But all isn’t bleak because technology strides forward bringing solutions – self-driving trucks, for instance, or electronic engine controls. Yet another mountain climbed by truckers is growing environmental regulations with wins chalked up through fuel-efficient trucks and green technologies. You can’t ignore the benefits of full-size trucks; they are now kings of cargo, hauling anything from A to Zed with more pull than ever before. Moreover, constant evolution demands pace with globalization, increasing demand for efficient transportation services worldwide, making adaptation crucial in an ever-changing landscape.

Modern trucks incorporate advanced technologies that allow drivers to enjoy greater safety on their travels. So much of our everyday lives depend on effective freight/transport management; it’s no wonder that this field continues to evolve at a rapid rate over time. Every driver faces unique challenges throughout their career, but staying up-to-date with current laws and standards can help ensure ongoing success for them looking into the future. Only then will trucking remain as one of America’s staples for generations yet unborn.

History of the trucking industry in the United States

The trucking industry in the United States has affected the political and economic history of the United States in the 20th century. Before the invention of automobiles, most freight was moved by train or horse-drawn vehicle.

During World War I, the military was the first to use trucks extensively. With the increased construction of paved roads, trucking began to achieve significant foothold in the 1930s, and soon became subject to various government regulations (such as the hours of service). During the late 1950s and 1960s, trucking was accelerated by the construction of the Interstate Highway System, an extensive network of freeways linking major cities across the continent.

Trucking achieved national attention during the 1960s and 70s, when songs and movies about truck driving were major hits. Truck drivers participated in widespread strikes against the rising cost of fuel, during the energy crises of 1973 and 1979, and the industry was drastically deregulated by the Motor Carrier Act of 1980. Trucking has come to dominate the freight industry in the latter portion of the 20th Century, along with what are termed "big-box stores" such as Wal-Mart and Target.

19th century

Before 1900, most freight transported over land was carried by trains using railroads. Trains were highly efficient at moving large amounts of freight, but could only deliver that freight to centralized urban centers for distribution by horse-drawn transport. The few trucks that existed at the time were mostly novelties, appreciated more for their advertising space than for their utility. Winton Motor Carriage Company built one of the first trailer trucks, converting a car into a tractor and made a small trailer to move cars from its factory in 1899. Ten years later Fruehauf experimented with tractor trailers. The use of range-limited electric engines, lack of paved rural roads, and small load capacities limited trucks to mostly short-haul urban routes.

20th century

Starting in 1910, the development of a number of technologies gave rise to the modern trucking industry. With the advent of the gasoline-powered internal combustion engine, improvements in transmissions, the move away from chain drives to gear drives, and the development of the tractor/semi-trailer combination, shipping by truck gained in popularity.In 1913, the first state weight limits for trucks were introduced. Only four states limited truck weights, from a low of 18,000 pounds (8,200 kg) in Maine to a high of 28,000 pounds (13,000 kg) in Massachusetts. These laws were enacted to protect the earth and gravel-surfaced roads from damage caused by the iron and solid rubber wheels of early trucks. By 1914 there were almost 100,000 trucks on America's roads. However, solid tires, poor rural roads, and a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour (24 km/h) continued to limit the use of these trucks to mainly urban areas

World War I

World War I trucks circa 1917, manufactured by White Motor Company

The years of World War I (1914–18) spurred rising truck use and development. During the busy war years, the increased congestion of railroads exposed the need for alternative modes of transporting cargo.It was during these years when Roy Chapin (working with a military committee) began to experiment with the first long-distance truck shipments, and pneumatic (inflated) tires capable of supporting heavier loads were developed which enabled trucks to drive at higher speeds. Two truck manufacturers that emerged during this time were a former sewing machine maker, White (pictured above), and one that would become a modern euphemism for "truck," Mack. By 1920 there were over a million trucks on America's roads.

A U.S. Post Office truck decorated for the 1921 Christmas season

The years beyond 1920 saw several advancements, such as improved rural roads, the introduction of the diesel engine (which are 25–40% more efficient than gasoline engines),the standardization of truck and trailer sizes along with fifth wheel coupling systems, as well as power assisted brakes and steering. By 1933, all states had some form of varying truck weight regulation.

New Deal

In 1933, as a part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “New Deal”, the National Recovery Administration requested that each industry create a “code of fair competition”. The American Highway Freight Association and the Federated Trucking Associations of America met in the spring of 1933 to speak for the trucking association and begin discussing a code. By summer of 1933 the code of competition was completed and ready for approval. The two organizations had also merged to form the American Trucking Associations. The code was approved on February 10, 1934. On May 21, 1934 the first president of the ATA, Ted Rogers, became the first truck operator to sign the code. A special "Blue Eagle" license plate was created for truck operators to indicate compliance with the code.

In 1935, congress passed the Motor Carrier Act, which replaced the code of competition and authorized the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) to regulate the trucking industry.

In September 1938, a truckers strike began in New York City and shut down the city for weeks, demanding lower hours, as one of the biggest strikes that year.

Based on recommendations the ICC issued, in July 1938, which were modified after pressure from labor groups.The first hours of service regulations were enacted in October 1938, limiting the driving hours of truck and bus drivers.In 1941, the now abolished ICC reported that inconsistent weight limitations imposed by the states were a hindrance to effective interstate truck commerce

Creation of interstates

Also in 1941, President Roosevelt appointed a special committee to explore the pay idea of a "national inter-regional highway" system, but the committee's progress was halted by the initiation of World War II. After the war was over, the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1944 authorized the designation of what are now termed "Interstate Highways", but did not include a funding program to build the highways.Limited progress was made until President Dwight D. Eisenhower renewed interest in the plan in 1954. This began a long, bitter debate between various interests such as rail, truck, tire, oil, and farm groups, over who would pay for the new highways and how.

Intermodal containers waiting to be transferred between ships, trains, and trucks are stacked in holding areas at a shipping port.

After compromises had been made, the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 authorized the construction of the Interstate Highway System, an interconnected network of controlled-access freeways that allowed larger trucks to travel at higher speeds through rural and urban areas. This act also authorized the first federal maximum gross vehicle weight limits for trucks, set at 73,280 pounds (33,240 kg).In that same year, modern containerized intermodal shipping was pioneered by Malcom McLean, allowing for more efficient transfer of cargo between trucks, trains, and ships.

In the late 1950s, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) conducted a series of extensive field tests of roads and bridges to determine how traffic contributed to the deterioration of pavement materials. These tests led to a 1964 recommendation by the AASHTO (to Congress) that the gross weight limit for trucks should be determined by a bridge formula table based on axle lengths, instead of a static upper limit. By 1970 there were over 18 million trucks on America's roads.

1970s

The Federal-Aid Highway Amendments of 1974 established a federal maximum gross vehicle weight of 80,000 pounds (36,000 kg), and introduced a sliding scale of truck weight-to-length ratios based on the bridge formula, but did not establish a federal minimum weight limit. Consequently, six contiguous states in the Mississippi Valley (which came to be known as the “barrier states”) refused to increase their Interstate weight limits to 80,000 pounds, and the trucking industry effectively faced a barrier to efficient cross-country interstate commerce.

The decade of the 70s saw the heyday of truck driving, and the dramatic rise in the popularity of "trucker culture". Truck drivers were romanticized as modern-day cowboys and outlaws (and this stereotype persists even today). This was due in part to their use of citizens' band (CB) radio to relay information to each other regarding the locations of police officers and transportation authorities. Plaid shirts, trucker hats, CB radios, and using CB slang were popular not just with drivers but among the general public.

In 1976, the number one hit on the Billboard chart was "Convoy," a novelty song by C.W. McCall about a convoy of truck drivers evading speed traps and toll booths across America. The song inspired the 1978 action film Convoy directed by Sam Peckinpah. After the film's release, thousands of independent truck drivers went on strike and participated in violent protests during the 1979 energy crisis(although similar strikes had occurred during the 1973 energy crisis).

The year 1977 saw the release of Smokey and the Bandit, the third-highest-grossing film of that year, beaten only by Star Wars Episode IV and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. During that same year, CB Bears saw its debut; a Saturday morning cartoon featuring mystery-solving bears who communicate by CB radio. By the start of the 80s the trucking phenomenon had waned, and with the rise of cellular phone technology, the CB radio was no longer popular with passenger vehicles (although truck drivers still use it today).

Deregulation

The Motor Carrier Act of 1980 partially deregulated the trucking industry, dramatically increasing the number of trucking companies in operation. The trucking workforce was drastically de-unionized, resulting in lower overall pay for drivers. Trucking had lost its spotlight in popular culture, and had become less intimate among drivers due to the increase of both motor carriers and truck drivers. However, deregulation increased the competition and productivity within the trucking industry as whole, and was beneficial to the American consumer (by reducing costs).The Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 established a federal minimum for truck weight limits, which finally standardized truck size and weight limits across the country for traffic on the Interstate Highways (resolving the issue of the "barrier states").

21st century

By 2006 there were over 26 million trucks on America's roads, hauling over 10 billion short tons (9.1 billion long tons), representing nearly 70% of the total volume of freight. Many automobile drivers are largely unfamiliar with large trucks and many accidents are the result of these drivers being unaware of an 18-wheeler's numerous and large blind spots. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has determined that 70% of fatal automobile/tractor-trailer accidents were the result of "unsafe actions of automobile drivers".

In 2007, the Women In Trucking Association, Inc was founded by trucker Ellen Voie. Its remit is to provide technical and logistical support to women who are already a part of the industry or have an interest in it.

In the 2009 book, Trucking country: The road to America's Walmart economy, author Shane Hamilton explores the history of trucking and how developments in the trucking industry helped the so-called big-box stores (such as Walmart or Target) dominate the retail sector of the U.S. economy.

The trucking industry serves the American economy by transporting large quantities of raw materials, works in process, and finished goods over land—typically from manufacturing plants to retail distribution centers. Trucks are also used in the construction industry, two of which require dump trucks and portable concrete mixers to move the large amounts of rocks, dirt, concrete, and other building materials used in construction. Trucks in America are responsible for the majority of freight movement over land and are tools in the manufacturing, transportation, and warehousing industries.[1]

Driving large trucks and buses require a commercial driver's license (CDL) to operate. Obtaining a CDL requires extra education and training dealing with the special knowledge requirements and handling characteristics of such a large vehicle. Drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) must adhere to the hours of service, which are regulations governing the driving hours of commercial drivers. Drivers must be at least 21 years old to drive on the interstates, with efforts being made to reduce the age to 18.[2] These and all other rules regarding the safety of interstate commercial driving are issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The FMCSA is a division of the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), which governs all transportation-related industries such as trucking, shipping, railroads, and airlines. Some other issues are handled by another branch of the USDOT, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Developments in technology, such as computers, satellite communication, and the Internet, have contributed to many improvements within the industry. These developments have increased the productivity of company operations, saved the time and effort of drivers, and provided new, more accessible forms of entertainment to men and women who often spend long periods of time away from home. In 2006, the United States Environmental Protection Agency implemented revised emission standards for diesel trucks (reducing airborne pollutants emitted by diesel engines) which promises to improve air quality and public health.

History

Main article: History of the trucking industry in the United States

A "Victory Oil" semi-trailer truck from 1943

The trucking industry[3] has affected the political and economic history of the United States in the 20th century. Before the invention of automobiles, most freight was moved by train or horse-drawn vehicle.

Trucks were first used extensively by the military during World War I.[4] With the increase in construction of paved roads, trucking began to achieve a significant foothold in the 1930s. Public safety concerns made it necessary to implement various government regulations (such as the 1965 hours of service rule; recently revised with a compliance date of July 1, 2012) of how long drivers were allowed to work and drive each day/week. In 1956, Taxpayers provided funds to build the Interstate Highway System, an extensive network of highways and freeways that linked major cities across the continent.[5] The addition of Interstate Highway System also made it possible for the trucking industry to grow substantially in the late 1950s and early 1960s and trucking has come to dominate the freight industry in the latter portion of the 20th century.

1990s-present

Advances in modern technology have enabled significant improvements within the trucking industry. Trucks are commonly equipped with satellite communication features, automatic transmissions are gaining in popularity, and truck stops featuring WiFi Internet access are now commonplace.[7]

Exhaust emissions

The Interstate Highway system (2007)

Estimated average annual daily truck traffic for Interstate and major US Highways (1998)

Components of diesel exhaust were confirmed as an animal carcinogen in 1988 by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and by 2002, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considered it "likely to be carcinogenic to humans".The particulate matter of diesel exhaust has been linked to (among other health effects) lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, and aggravated asthma; it has also been identified as a greenhouse gas. "For these and other reasons, alternatives and improvements to standard diesel fuel have been developed.

Biodiesel (in its pure form) is a non-toxic, biodegradable form of diesel fuel made from vegetable oil, usually soybean oil or recycled restaurant grease. Biodiesel promises a reduction in some exhaust emissions, as well as reduced dependence on foreign petroleum supplies.

Starting in June 2006, petroleum refiners were required by the EPA to begin producing ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel, which has 97% less sulfur than the previous low sulfur diesel fuel.When fuel containing sulfur is burned, sulfur dioxide is produced, a main component of acid rain. ULSD, together with new air pollution control technologies required in trucks (starting with model year 2007), will reduce harmful emissions by 90%.

By the time the action is fully implemented, the EPA estimates that 2.6 million tons of smog-causing nitrogen oxide emissions will be eliminated each year. Soot or particulate matter will be reduced by an estimated 110,000 tons a year. The reduction in sulfur will also prevent an estimated 8,300 premature deaths, 5,500 cases of chronic bronchitis and 17,600 cases of acute bronchitis in children. In addition, an estimated 360,000 asthma attacks and 386,000 cases of respiratory symptoms in asthmatic children will also be avoided every year.

When not driving, truck drivers need to idle their engines to maintain climate control within the truck cab (interior), as well as provide electricity for appliances. Engine idling is inefficient and only adds to the problem of air pollution. This unnecessary idling can be remedied with shore power (which is a term and idea borrowed from the shipping industry), or Truck Stop Electrification. When ships are docked in a port, they connect to a land-based power supply to provide electricity and eliminate the need to idle their engines. The idea of shore power was transferred to the trucking industry, and now there are companies such as IdleAire and Shorepower which provide electricity to diesel trucks, which eliminates the need for the driver to idle the engine. IdleAire also provides access to the Internet, cable television, and land line phone services. IdleAire promises to eliminate one-eighth of nitrogen oxide pollution through "electrified parking", however, particulate pollution may increase in those areas where the electricity is provided by coal burning power plants. Some drivers are also experimenting with hydrogen fuel cells, which provide clean and silent power for appliances when trucks are not running.

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