The debate over the government s use of electronically gathered information took center stage in 1998 as the Federal Highway Department launched a test of a satellite-based vehicle tracking system. Online load-matching services popped up all over the World Wide Web, allowing shippers and carriers to exchange load and equipment data over the Internet. By some counts, there are more than 30 load-matching services on the Internet. Technology has made truckers lives easier as well.
Some truck stops offer a variety of in-cab electronic services.
SmartStop Inc. announced plans to create a digital network connecting hundreds of truck stops. No information technology review would be complete without mentioning how the industry is handling the Year 2000 computer bug, which is now less than a year away. Trucking companies with a large investment in information technology have long since organized task forces to manage the transition. But smaller fleets that operate with homegrown computer systems and have just begun to organize their Y2K campaigns could face a serious challenge. For the full story, see the Jan. 11 print edition of Transport Topics.