RoadSigns A Transport Topics Podcast

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212

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Jun 2026

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About the show

From the creators of Transport Topics, RoadSigns is a podcast about trucking's future. In each episode, you'll follow a transportation journalist on a singular pursuit for the most solid answer to a critical question and meet interesting people along the way. Listen at roadsigns.ttnews.com. Do you have a question for our hosts to answer? Tell us here: https://www.speakpipe.com/RoadSigns For RoadSigns extended cuts visit: https://pages.ttnews.com/RS-Bonus-Content-Archive.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=extended-cuts-2023

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June 11, 202633 min

RS195: Will Agentic AI Automate Dispatching?

Dispatch remains the nerve center of every trucking operation — traditionally powered by phone calls, spreadsheets and constant problem-solving — and it is being reworked with the help of artificial intelligence. In this RoadSigns episode, host Seth Clevenger speaks with PCS Software CEO Mark Hill to examine what “agentic AI” means for modern fleet operations. Is automation eliminating the role of the dispatcher, or transforming it? Their discussion explores how this technology can autonomously handle a significant share of routine dispatch responsibilities, including load booking, driver assignment, shipper communication and rate management. In turn, human dispatchers are freed to concentrate on exceptions, strengthen strategic customer and driver relationships, and apply judgement in complex scenarios where human experience remains essential. How is this technology reimagining what an efficient fleet operation will look like by 2027? For carriers seeking to improve reliability, control costs and stay ahead of competitors, this is a conversation you can't afford to miss. --- For more information: https://ttn.ws/episode195 This episode is sponsored by PCS Software [https://pcssoft.com/] --- Join RoadSigns mailing list: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/join-the-mailing-list/ For sponsorship and guest inquires please visit: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/roadsigns-contact/ For RoadSigns extended cuts visit: https://pages.ttnews.com/RS-Bonus-Content-Archive.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 14, 202619 min

RS194: How Can Common Sense Planning Prepare Your Fleet for 2027 Emissions Rules?

With the 2027 NOx emissions rules on the horizon, fleet leaders are finally moving from uncertainty to action. Recorded live at the 2026 TMC Annual Meeting, co-host Michael Freeze is joined by Brian Antonellis, Senior Vice President of Fleet Operations at Fleet Advantage, for a candid look at how fleet leaders should be thinking about capital planning. After years of regulatory whiplash, Antonellis says the industry has entered a period of relative clarity. Fleets now know what the next 12 months look like, and that means it's time to make decisions. If you're asking yourself how to weigh 2026 pre-buy opportunities against incoming technology or whether training your technicians may matter more than the trucks themselves, tune in to this practical conversation for a guide to managing assets through this regulatory transition. For more information: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/episodes/how-can-common-sense-planning-prepare-your-fleet-for-2027-emissions-rules/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

April 30, 202652 min

RS193: Inside the 2026 Top 100 Logistics Companies Rankings — and the AI Revolution Reshaping Freight

Transport Topics has released its Top 100 Logistics Companies list and this year’s rankings highlight an industry defined by resilience, consolidation and rapid technological change. In this episode, TT features coordinator Mike Senatore joins host Seth Clevenger to break down the biggest movers, notable newcomers and key absences from North America’s definitive ranking of third-party logistics providers. They examine the acquisition strategies reshaping the competitive landscape along with new entrants earning a spot on the list. The conversation then turns to the technology story behind this year’s Top 100 cover: the rise of agentic AI. Mark Hill, CEO of PCS Software, joins Seth to explain why this moment represents a true inflection point for logistics, how carriers and brokers should decide what to automate versus what to keep in human hands and what a practical, successful AI rollout looks like in day-to-day operations. Whether you're tracking the competitive landscape of North American logistics or trying to understand where AI fits into your own operations, this episode offers essential context to inform future planning and investments. For more information: ttn.ws/episode193 This episode is sponsored by PCS Software [https://pcssoft.com/] Join RoadSigns mailing list: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/join-the-mailing-list/ For sponsorship and guest inquires please visit: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/roadsigns-contact/ For RoadSigns extended cuts visit: https://pages.ttnews.com/RS-Bonus-Content-Archive.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

April 16, 202629 min

RS192: How Is Tire Management Technology Gaining More Traction?

What if your tires could tell you exactly what they need — before a blowout, before a breakdown, before a costly roadside event? Recorded live at TMC’s 2026 Annual Meeting, co-host Seth Clevenger sits down with Ralph Dimenna, chief commercial officer at Aperia Technologies to break down the latest advances in tire management technology, including Aperia's own groundbreaking expansion into steer-tire inflation. The conversation also explores how AI is beginning to unlock new value from connected tire data, and how the relationships between fleets, tire manufacturers and service providers are being reshaped in the process. With more than a decade of experience in tire management innovation, Dimenna brings a rare blend of technical depth and commercial perspective to one of trucking's most consequential challenges. Whether you're running a cutting-edge operation or just starting to move beyond the clipboard, this episode offers a practical roadmap. Tune in for a compelling look at what tire management could look like a decade from now. For more information: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/episodes/how-is-tire-management-technology-gaining-more-traction/ This episode is sponsored by Aperia Technologies (https://aperiatech.com/) Join RoadSigns mailing list: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/join-the-mailing-list/ For sponsorship and guest inquires please visit: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/roadsigns-contact/ For RoadSigns extended cuts visit: https://pages.ttnews.com/RS-Bonus-Content-Archive.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

April 9, 202627 min

RS191: How Can Trailers Elevate Fleet Safety and Efficiency?

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 Annual Meeting, co-host Seth Clevenger brings on Jeremy Sanders, chief commercial officer, and Todd Eicher, vice president of refrigerated products, at Stoughton Trailers to make the case that fleets may be overlooking one of their biggest opportunities for operational gains. Drawing on deep expertise in trailer manufacturing and equipment innovation, the two executives share how advances in thermal efficiency, crash safety, smart chassis technology and autonomous coupling systems are quietly reshaping what's possible for fleet operators navigating thin margins and rising expectations. For a candid look at where trailer demand stands today and where the market is headed, tune in now. For more information: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/episodes/how-can-trailers-elevate-fleet-safety-and-efficiency/ This episode is sponsored by Stoughton Trailers (https://www.stoughtontrailers.com/). Join RoadSigns mailing list: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/join-the-mailing-list/ For sponsorship and guest inquires please visit: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/roadsigns-contact/ For RoadSigns extended cuts visit: https://pages.ttnews.com/RS-Bonus-Content-Archive.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

April 2, 202617 min

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

Aftertreatment is one of the most misunderstood—and costly—parts of fleet operations. Fleets often focus on invoice price or treat DPF service as a reactive event rather than a preventive strategy. The result is increased downtime, unpredictable failures, and a cost per mile that quietly climbs. Recorded live at TMC’s 2026 Annual Meeting, co‑host Michael Freeze sits down with Ceramex North America experts JT Roberson and Matt Brady to unpack what fleets consistently get wrong about aftertreatment total cost of ownership. Discover the real difference between basic DPF cleaning and true restoration—and why those decisions matter for cost per mile, downtime, and emissions compliance. A must‑listen for maintenance leaders focused on proactive, data‑driven maintenance. Tune in now. For more information: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/episodes/what-do-fleets-get-wrong-about-aftertreatment-total-cost-of-ownership/ This episode is sponsored by Ceramex North America (https://ceramexnorthamerica.com/) Join RoadSigns mailing list: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/join-the-mailing-list/ For sponsorship and guest inquires please visit: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/roadsigns-contact/ For RoadSigns extended cuts visit: https://pages.ttnews.com/RS-Bonus-Content-Archive.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

March 26, 202638 min

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

Trucking keeps the country moving—so when the industry hits turbulence, everyone feels it. Recorded live from the ATA Technology & Maintenance Council’s 2026 Annual Meeting, host Seth Clevenger sits down with Chris Spear, president and CEO of American Trucking Associations, for a candid look at what today’s fleet maintenance trends reveal about the broader state of trucking. In this conversation, Spear breaks down business conditions for motor carriers, the implications of rolling back zero-emission mandates for commercial vehicles and how the persistent technician shortage is reshaping operational priorities. TMC’s annual meeting is where trucking’s toughest challenges meet practical solutions. Tune in for the key insights trucking and fleet maintenance leaders need right now as the industry navigates rapid change. For more information: ttn.ws/episode189 This episode is sponsored by Optimal Dynamics (www.optimaldynamics.com) Follow the RoadSigns - X/Twitter: ttroadsigns LinkedIn: RoadSignspodcast Instagram: roadsignspodcast Join RoadSigns mailing list: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/join-the-mailing-list/ For sponsorship and guest inquires please visit: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/roadsigns-contact/ For RoadSigns extended cuts visit: https://pages.ttnews.com/RS-Bonus-Content-Archive.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

March 19, 202620 min

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

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 minute counts and the wrong call can cost your fleet thousands. In this episode of RoadSigns, co-host Seth Clevenger sits down with Bob Toews, president of TruckDown, to explore how fleets can streamline their response to unplanned vehicle downtime and safely get their trucks back on the road as quick as possible. With nearly 30 years of experience helping fleets respond faster, smarter and more cost-effectively to truck breakdowns, Toews reveals where fleets typically lose time and what it really takes to ensure quality repairs under time pressure. Whether you're managing a handful of trucks or a large fleet, tune in for practical insight on turning one of trucking's most disruptive events into a manageable process. For more information: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/episodes/how-can-fleets-mitigate-breakdowns-and-get-trucks-back-on-the-road-sooner/ This episode is sponsored by Truckdown. Visit https://www.truckdown.com/smartway-repair to learn more. Follow the RoadSigns - X/Twitter: ttroadsigns LinkedIn: RoadSignspodcast Instagram: roadsignspodcast Join RoadSigns mailing list: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/join-the-mailing-list/ For sponsorship and guest inquires please visit: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/roadsigns-contact/ For RoadSigns extended cuts visit: https://pages.ttnews.com/RS-Bonus-Content-Archive.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

February 26, 202630 min

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

With uncertainty surrounding rising costs, tight labor markets and evolving emissions rules, it is increasingly difficult for fleet managers to know how best to futureproof their operations. Between a more robust maintenance strategy, adopting smart technology or a even a plan for electrification, what is the most critical path forward for your fleet? What decisions made today will still matter five years from now? In this episode of RoadSigns, co-host Michael Freeze sits down with Patrick Brennan, senior vice president of Cox Fleet, to discuss the common missteps fleets make in planning for future maintenance and operational needs. Gain a better understanding of key strategic opportunities you can take advantage of today and start shaping your fleet of tomorrow. Tune in now. For more information: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/episodes/what-should-fleet-managers-prioritize-in-planning-for-the-future/ This episode is sponsored by Cox Automotive. Visit: https://coxfleetsolutions.com/ Follow the RoadSigns - X/Twitter: ttroadsigns LinkedIn: RoadSignspodcast Instagram: roadsignspodcast Join RoadSigns mailing list: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/join-the-mailing-list/ For sponsorship and guest inquires please visit: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/roadsigns-contact/ For RoadSigns extended cuts visit: https://pages.ttnews.com/RS-Bonus-Content-Archive.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

February 19, 202646 min

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

After years of actively testing and operating self-driving trucks on public highways, autonomous technology developers are swiftly moving towards full commercialization. Along the way, the once popular hub-to-hub deployment model, which limits autonomous operations to highways and relies on drivers for local delivery, has been giving way to direct-to-customer autonomous freight movement as technological progress meets functional needs. How will this shift impact operations, maintenance and drivers? In this episode of RoadSigns, co-host Seth Clevenger is joined by Lior Ron, chief operating officer at Waabi, whose background includes co-founding Otto and nearly a decade leading Uber Freight. Together, they'll discuss the accelerating evolution of autonomous trucking and how new AI capabilities are reshaping deployment models. Tune in to discover how self-driving trucks are expected to integrate into real-world freight operations. For more information: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/episodes/are-autonomous-trucks-outgrowing-the-hub-to-hub-model/ Follow the RoadSigns - X/Twitter: ttroadsigns LinkedIn: RoadSignspodcast Instagram: roadsignspodcast Join RoadSigns mailing list: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/join-the-mailing-list/ For sponsorship and guest inquires please visit: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/roadsigns-contact/ For RoadSigns extended cuts visit: https://pages.ttnews.com/RS-Bonus-Content-Archive.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices