HDT Talks Trucking

What the Best Fleets Know About Driver Retention with Jane Jazrawy 02.07.2026 28min

Driver trust, not just pay, may be the biggest driver retention challenge facing trucking fleets today. In this episode of HDT Talks Trucking, Deborah Lockridge talks with CarriersEdge CEO Jane Jazrawy about what this year's Best Fleets to Drive For program reveals about communication, AI, survey fatigue, owner-operators, and what today's drivers expect from employers.Drawing on driver surveys, fleet interviews, and years of Best Fleets data, Jazrawy explains why trust and communication are becoming increasingly important to retention. She also discusses survey fatigue, how AI-assisted route planning may improve driver satisfaction, why owner-operators have different priorities than company drivers, and why fleets may need to rethink how they communicate with the next generation of drivers.Topics include:Why driver trust is becoming a competitive advantageThe communication strategies top fleets useSurvey fatigue and what drivers really wantAI's role in fairer route planningSupporting owner-operatorsWhy social media may no longer be the best communication toolOne surprisingly simple driver perk that consistently stands outFollow HDT Talks Trucking so you never miss an episode

Why Fleet Data Matters More Than Ever | Chuck Palmer, Waste Connections 03.06.2026 10min

How do you manage and maintain more than 18,000 connected trucks? Data. Lots of it.Waste Connections' Chuck Palmer explains how telematics, predictive maintenance, safety analytics, and AI help keep vehicles on the road and drivers safe in this episode of HDT Talks Trucking.Hear his thoughts on AI, predictive maintenance, alternative fuels and electric vehicles, in-cab cameras and more.

Jamie Hagen Gets Real About Freight, Fuel Prices, Safety, and Small-Fleet Survival 28.05.2026 18min

Running a small trucking fleet right now isn’t easy, especially right now. And Jamie Hagen doesn’t sugarcoat it.In this episode of HDT Talks Trucking, the Hell Bent Xpress owner joins HDT’s Jack Roberts for a real-world conversation about what small fleets are dealing with today: weak freight rates, rising costs, compliance headaches, nuclear verdicts, and the constant balancing act of staying profitable.But it’s not all doom and gloom. Jamie also talks about why he’s still investing, what separates strong fleets from struggling ones, and why he believes opportunities are coming for carriers that can weather the storm.If you’re an owner-operator, small fleet owner, or just trying to keep up with where trucking is headed, this is a conversation worth hearing.Learn more about Jamie: How A Social Media Influencer Grew From Owner-Operator to a Small Fleet -- https://www.truckinginfo.com/articles/how-a-social-media-influencer-grew-from-owner-operator-to-small-fleetLearn more about the Supreme Court ruling on brokers discussed in the interview: How the Supreme Court Broker Liability Ruling Could Reshape Trucking’s Safety Landscape -- https://www.truckinginfo.com/news/why-the-supreme-court-broker-liability-ruling-could-reshape-truckings-safety-landscape

What Trucking Fleets and Brokers Need to Know About the Supreme Court Broker Case 27.05.2026 11min

A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision has the trucking industry paying close attention — especially freight brokers, carriers, and legal teams.In this episode of HDT Talks Trucking, Heavy Duty Trucking Executive Editor Jack Roberts speaks with transportation attorney Greg Feary about the Supreme Court’s recent ruling involving broker liability, negligent hiring claims, and what the case could mean for the future of freight transportation litigation.Feary explains the legal background behind the case, why it matters to brokers and carriers alike, and how future lawsuits and safety scrutiny could affect the trucking industry moving forward.Topics include:The C.H. Robinson caseNegligent hiring claims against brokersFederal preemption and FAAAA implicationsWhat this means for trucking companies and freight brokersPotential ripple effects across the industrySubscribe to Heavy Duty Trucking for more trucking news, legal insights, fleet strategies, and industry analysis at Magazine Subscription | Heavy Duty Trucking

Short Takes: How K&B is Using AI 27.05.2026 3min

Fleets need to "get on board the train" with AI, says Lance Evans of K&B Transportation in this HDT Talks Trucking Short Takes.Deborah Lockridge talked to Evans about how fleets are using data and artificial intelligence to improve safety, driver coaching, and operational performance.For more on K&B and technology, listen to the full-length version of our HDT Talks Trucking interview with Lance Evans!

Short Takes: Inside K&B’s Truck Safety Tech 14.05.2026 6min

How is technology changing trucking safety? In this HDT Talks Trucking Short Takes, K&B Transportation shares how it’s using safety technology to reduce distracted driving, improve coaching, manage speed, and help protect drivers on the road.The conversation covers cellphone-blocking technology, speed management systems, weather geofencing, bridge avoidance tools, and multi-camera systems that help fleets coach drivers and document incidents.For more on K&B and technology, watch the full-length version of our HDT Talks Trucking interview with Lance Evans!

Inside Modern Fleet Safety: AI, Cameras & Speed Control at K&B Transportation 13.05.2026 14min

Fleet safety is evolving fast—and technology is at the center of it. Learn how a former commercial vehicle enforcement officer turned director of safety at K&B Transportation is embracing real-world safety technology. In this episode of HDT Talks Trucking, Deborah Lockridge sits down with Lance Evans, Director of Safety at K&B Transportation, to talk about how fleets are using data, AI, and emerging technologies to reduce risk and improve driver performance.Evans shares how his fleet is tackling distracted driving, managing speed through geofencing, and using multi-camera systems to coach drivers and protect against liability. They also dig into the realities of driver pushback, the role of AI in safety, and why distracted driving remains one of the biggest threats in trucking today.👉 Key topics include:Using technology to eliminate distracted drivingSpeed management and geofencing for safer operationsHow AI is changing driver coaching and safety analysisBalancing driver acceptance with safety investmentsWhy data-driven safety decisions matter more than ever💬 “Data doesn’t lie—it tells you what’s really happening.”

Cutting Fleet Fuel Costs in a Volatile Market 09.04.2026 13min

When diesel prices are as volatile as they've been in 2026, it makes it tough for trucking fleets to plan and control costs.In this episode of HDT Talks Trucking, Deborah Lockridge sits down with Jenny Vander Zanden, COO of Breakthrough, to talk through what’s driving the volatility and what fleets can actually do about it.They get into practical, real-world strategies, from being smarter about where you buy fuel to improving driver habits and spotting hidden costs in your data.

Trucking's Digital Frontier 26.03.2026 21min

Trucking technology is evolving fast — but what’s real, what’s hype, and what actually matters for fleets?In this episode, we cover:AI in real-world fleet operationsSoftware-defined vehiclesSafety tech and AI coachingThe EV market resetHow fleets should approach new techIf you're trying to make sense of where trucking tech is headed, this conversation with ACT Expo organizer Erik Neandross breaks it down.

Electric, Diesel, Natural Gas, Biofuels? What Run on Less Data Is Showing 11.03.2026 10min

The future of trucking isn’t diesel — or electric. It’s the “messy middle.”In this episode of HDT Talks Trucking, Deborah Lockridge talks with Mike Roeth, executive director of the North American Council for Freight Efficiency, about insights from the latest Run on Less – Messy Middle demonstration.The project tracked trucks running multiple alternative fuels and powertrains, including diesel, natural gas, renewable fuels, and battery-electric trucks.In an interview at Geotab Connect, Roeth explained what the data is revealing about:• Battery-electric truck performance• Renewable diesel and biodiesel• The renewed interest in natural gas and RNG• Why fleets may rely on multiple fuels for decades• How telematics and data are guiding fleet decisions#Trucking #RunOnLess #ElectricTrucks #FleetManagement #hdttalkstrucking

Cargo Theft Is Exploding — And Congress May Finally Step In 23.02.2026 7min

Cargo theft losses surged to nearly $725 million last year, according to CargoNet, and the problem is no longer local or opportunistic.In this HDT Talks Trucking Short Take, Editor and Associate Publisher Deborah Lockridge speaks with Scott Cornell, VP of Transportation Risk & Strategy at LogistIQ Insurance Solutions and chair of TAPA Americas, about how cargo theft has evolved into a sophisticated, international crime — and why federal tracking and enforcement have lagged behind.Cornell explains how cargo theft provisions were added to the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA), what the legislation would do differently, and how federal tracking, task forces, and prosecutors could help motor carriers, brokers, and shippers fight back.#CargoTheft #Trucking #SupplyChainSecurity #Logistics #Freight #TruckingNews #HDTTalksTrucking

Double Brokering, Phishing, and the Rise of Strategic Cargo Theft 23.02.2026 18min

Cargo theft in the U.S. has changed dramatically in just a few years. What was once dominated by small regional crews is now increasingly driven by organized international crime rings using deception, cyber tactics, and strategic fraud.In this episode of HDT Talks Trucking, Deborah Lockridge speaks with Scott Cornell, vice president at LogistIQ Insurance and chair of the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA), about how cargo theft evolved after 2020 and why “strategic theft” is surging.They discuss:The shift from straight theft to organized strategic schemesHow double brokering scams workFreight “laundering” Phishing, social engineering, and identity theft in the supply chainHow cargo criminals manipulate tracking dataA practical three-layer prevention strategy trucking fleets can implement

The Future of Class 8 Brake Telematics 20.02.2026 19min

Brakes are the final frontier for telematics on Class 8 trucks.But Hendrickson Vehicle Systems is close to a breakthrough that may change the game when it comes to getting real-time brake system information back to fleets.HDT talked to Jeff Moris, director, axle, brake and wheel-end systems at Hendrickson to find out more about how these new telematics technology will work.#HDTTalksTrucking#Class8trucks#truckingsafety#truckbrakesKey takeaways:• Brakes are a harsh environment for electronics, which is why they have been a “last frontier” for heavy-duty telematics.• The bigger brake telematic opportunity for fleets may be with trailers, not tractors.• Disc brakes already have a head start on sensing, including basic wear sensors and more advanced continuous wear monitoring.• The real challenge is bringing meaningful sensing to drum brakes, because drum brakes still dominate U.S. trailers.• Getting the data to the right person fast is as important as sensing it.

FMCSA Turns Up Enforcement: What Trucking Fleets Face in 2026 22.01.2026 27min

FMCSA enforcement is ramping up. After a turbulent 2025 in regulations, what's next for trucking fleets?Transportation attorney and Truck Safe Consulting president Brandon Wiseman joins HDT Talks Trucking to break down the biggest regulatory and enforcement shifts shaping trucking as we head into 2026. We cover why English Language Proficiency violations are once again placing drivers out of service, where the non-domiciled CDL crackdown stands after a court stay, and how FMCSA plans to tighten oversight of ELD providers and driver training programs.Wiseman also explains what carriers should be doing now to reduce compliance risk — and why these issues create real crash and liability exposure, not just regulatory headaches.

AI in Action: Pilot’s Maintenance Strategy 20.01.2026 4min

AI gets plenty of hype at tech shows like CES—but what does it actually look like in a real trucking maintenance operation?In this HDT Talks Trucking Short Take, HDT Editor and Associate Publisher Deborah Lockridge talks with Brent Hickman, who oversees maintenance and equipment for Pilot’s fleet, about how artificial intelligence is being used today to support truck maintenance, diagnostics, and operations.Hickman explains how Pilot is moving beyond buzzwords and putting AI to work in practical ways that help maintenance teams go on the offensive instead of reacting to breakdowns.Topics include:How Pilot is using AI in maintenance todayWhere AI is delivering real value (and where it isn’t)Using data and diagnostics to stay ahead of failuresLearn more:Why AI Could Be the Cure for Trucking’s Tech Fatigue:https://www.truckinginfo.com/10248858/why-ai-could-be-the-cure-for-truckings-tech-fatigue

Lisa Kelly on the Return of Ice Road Truckers and Life as an Owner-Operator 08.12.2025 21min

From -40°F repairs to social media trolls, Lisa Kelly talks about the return of Ice Road Truckers, living with a camera in her cab, handling criticism, and her real-life trucking successes and challenges in this interview with Heavy Duty Trucking's Deborah Lockridge.Sponsored by: CAT Scale’s WeighMyTruck app — save time and skip the line. Kelly joins HDT Talks Trucking for an honest conversation about the real world of ice road hauling and what it's like behind the scenes of the show.She talks about:What’s real and what’s dramatized on Ice Road TruckersDriving in 40-below conditions with no heatChaining up in brutal weatherOwner-operator realities: repairs, budgeting, and breakdownsWorking with a camera crew in the cabHow she handles fame, boundaries, and misconceptionsWhy she still loves trucking — and what she wants next#LisaKelly #IceRoadTruckers #HDTtalksTrucking #TruckDriver #OwnerOperator #WinterDriving #TruckingLife #IceRoads #TruckingIndustry #SemiTruck #WomenInTrucking #CDLDriver #RealTrucking #HeavyDutyTrucking🤝 Follow and connect with HDT on social media! X ➡ https://x.com/HDTruckingFacebook ➡ / heavydutytrucking LinkedIn ➡ / heavy-duty-trucking-magazine 📰 Subscribe to our e-newsletters! https://www.truckinginfo.com/newslett...

Trucking's Telematics Technology Crisis 03.12.2025 31min

There's a problem with truck telematics today: Too much data and not enough action.Jack Roberts talks to Brent Ellis, vice president of business systems & processes, Decker Truck Line, about how to get a handle on truck telematics and make them work for your fleet. Sponsored by: CAT Scale’s WeighMyTruck app — save time and skip the line. Learn More:How Brent Ellis is Automating Operations at Decker Truck LinesMeet HDT's 2025 Fleet InnovatorsIs AI the Cure for Trucking's Technology Fatigue?What You'll Learn in This Podcast:From manual processes to automation in brokerage opsThe “technology crisis” in trucking todayGenerational divide, ELD mandate & resistance to techAutomation, scalability & the danger of tribal knowledgeHow to know you have a technology problem in your fleetToo many portals: 14+ platforms and constant context-switchingMaking the TMS the single source of truthDashboards, KPIs & avoiding paralysis by analysisWho owns data, and how many analysts do you really need?Getting value from telematics instead of drowning in dataBreaking old habits & forcing better workflows through trainingVendor “full integration” claims vs. realityWhy technology should be a Top-3 priority for fleets

Small Carrier Success Stories: Graig Morin and Brown Dog Trucking 03.12.2025 35min

Graig Morin started out as a fleet driver in his hometown of Biddeford, Maine. But he knew he wanted to found his own fleet one day.He knew he'd need help to accomplish his goal. Luckily, he knew just where to find it.Sponsored by:CAT Scale’s WeighMyTruck app — save time and skip the line.Learn More:Small Carrier Success Stories: Brown Dog TruckingSmall Carrier Success Stories: Silchuk TransportSmall Carrier Success Stories: Huff & Puff TruckingSmall Carrier Success Stories: Hellbent Xpress What You'll Learn in This EpisodeWhy it's important to study the industry locally and nationally before founding a fleet.Where to turn to get trustworthy help with the startup process.Knowing when it's time to grow your fleetDeciding whether to lease or own trucksHow to work through small fleet growing painsWhy a Safety Culture mattersWhy you should refuse to be a "cheap" carrierHow to compete with large fleetsFinding your niche and refusing to do everything

Navigating TMS Trends in Trucking: Tucker Freight Lines' Journey 22.10.2025 32min

Explore the trends in transportation management systems used by trucking fleets, as we talk to Tucker Freight Lines about its journey in implementing new TMS technologies, and get some insight from its technology partner.Sponsored by: CAT Scale’s WeighMyTruck app — save time and skip the line.Key Takeaways:Cloud technology is a key enabler for modern TMS.AI is increasingly integrated into TMS solutions. Integration of maintenance and TMS improves efficiency. Change management is crucial for technology adoption. Testing is essential before going live with new TMS systems.Partnership with reliable vendors is vital for success.Defining success early helps in TMS implementation.Dig Deeper into Artificial IntelligenceInside the AI Revolution in Logistics: Insights from Trimble’s Roundtable Tips for Successful AI Adoption for Trucking Companies Subscribe to our newsletter & magazine: https://www.truckinginfo.com/page/subscribe

Understanding the Power of TCO for Truck Fleets 07.10.2025 25min

Understanding and applying Total Cost of Ownership to your truck or fleet is critical for maximizing profits and productivity.Brian Antonellis, senior vice president of fleet operations at Fleet Advantage explains what TCO does and how you can put it to work for your fleet today.