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

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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/)

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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/).

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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.

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This episode is sponsored by Ceramex North America (https://ceramexnorthamerica.com/)

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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)

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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.

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This episode is sponsored by Truckdown. Visit https://www.truckdown.com/smartway-repair to learn more.

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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.

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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.

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As trucking moves deeper into 2026, the industry faces a landscape defined by uncertainty and transformation. In this episode of RoadSigns, co-host Seth Clevenger is joined by TT's Eugene Mulero and Kieron Greenhalgh to examine the critical trends that will define freight transportation in the year ahead.

From an unclear freight market outlook to the ripple effects of evolving trade policies and tariffs, transportation leaders must stay informed and agile to remain competitive. At the same time, ramped up enforcement actions are elevating the focus on compliance and highway safety.

With fleets continuing to face a prolonged freight rate recession and with artificial intelligence poised to revolutionize back-office operations, this year promises to be one where survival hinges on cost controls and efficiency gains. Tune in to discover how you can more effectively navigate the turbulent conditions ahead.

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As artificial intelligence usage grows to transform various industries, the trucking sector is harnessing this technology to tackle one of its most critical challenges: fleet safety. Recorded live from ATA's 2025 Management Conference & Exhibition, co-host Seth Clevenger sits down with Johan Land, senior vice president of product and engineering at Samsara, to explore how fleets are adopting AI to revolutionize their safety programs. Land shares insights on Samsara's latest AI-powered innovations - from weather intelligence to automated driver coaching - and details how these applications are helping fleets shift from reactive to proactive safety strategies. Whether you're a fleet manager looking to enhance your safety program or curious about the practical applications of AI in trucking, tune in to this conversation for a vital outlook on the tools and strategies making highways safer today and shaping the trucking industry of tomorrow.

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This episode is sponsored by Chevron Delo® (https://www.chevronlubricants.com/)

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Renewable natural gas (RNG) is gaining serious traction in trucking, and Cummins' new 15-liter X15 N engine just changed the game. Recorded live at ATA's MCE, co-host Seth Clevenger sits down with Chad Lindholm, senior vice president at Clean Energy, to explore how regulatory shifts and improved technology are opening doors for RNG adoption among major fleets. If you are evaluating alternative fuel strategies, this conversation delivers practical answers to the most pressing questions: Does RNG make financial sense? What is the real ROI timeline? And how does it fit into sustainability goals in a regulatory environment now favoring multiple fuel options? Five years after their last conversation on this topic, Clevenger and Lindholm reflect on how dramatically the natural gas discussion has evolved - from early fuel-price-driven interest to today's market, where reliability and financial returns are driving decisions.

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This episode is sponsored by Fullbay. Visit www.fullbay.com.

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