Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026:
PlusAI: Full steam ahead to driverless trucks next year
PlusAI, a virtual driver software company for autonomous trucks, claims it reached key safety and operational milestones during the first half of 2026, keeping the firm on track for commercial deployment of factory-built driverless trucks in 2027.
The company reported that its Safety Case Readiness reached 93.4%, up from 90.1% in late 2025. The metric measures engineering evidence needed to validate safe commercial operations, with PlusAI targeting 100% readiness ahead of its 2027 launch.
Additionally, the software’s Remote Assistance Free Trips metric—which tracks completed trips without human intervention—rose to 85.2%, up from 79% late last year. Autonomous Miles Percentage during commercial operations reached 99.8%.
During the six-month period, PlusAI launched a commercial autonomous fleet trial on Texas' Interstate 35 corridor alongside International and Ryder. The company also introduced autonomous trucks to Southern Europe through a partnership in Spain, released the 6.0 version of its SuperDrive software, and expanded technology integrations with NVIDIA.
DOT names Covenant's Steve Dowling FMCSA Chief Safety Officer
Steve Dowling, senior director of safety at Covenant Logistics (CCJ Top 250, No. 36), has been appointed chief safety officer of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the U.S. Department of Transportation announced Monday.
Dowling has more than 35 years of law enforcement and trucking industry experience to the regulatory agency, having previously worked for California Highway Patrol, rising to chief of the Valley Division in the Sacramento region, and serving as an incident commander during major emergencies including the 2018 Camp Fire.
"Steve Dowling's career has been defined by an unwavering commitment to public safety, operational excellence, and service," FMCSA Administrator Derek D. Barrs said in a statement. "His experience leading in both law enforcement and the trucking industry gives him a unique perspective that will help strengthen FMCSA's mission."
In his new role, Dowling will help oversee federal safety programs aimed at reducing crashes, fatalities and injuries involving commercial trucks and buses nationwide.
J.B. Hunt marks 65th anniversay
Nasdaq invited J.B. Hunt to ring the Nasdaq Opening Bell today in New York City to mark the anniversary. Company leaders and longtime employees represented the company during the ceremony. The group included drivers, maintenance technicians, office employees and executives whose service spans multiple decades of the company's history.
J.B. Hunt Transport Services (No. 5) marked its 65th anniversary Monday, celebrating more than six decades of growth from a small trucking operation into one of North America's largest supply chain and logistics providers.
Founded in 1961 by J.B. and Johnelle Hunt, the company commemorated the milestone as executive leadership and long-tenured employees rang the opening bell at the Nasdaq Stock Market in New York.
"Sixty-five years is more than a milestone," CEO Shelley Simpson said in a statement. "It reflects the discipline, resilience and commitment of the people who have built J.B. Hunt and continue to move us forward."
Since its founding, the company has expanded beyond traditional trucking to pioneer intermodal freight transportation and build a mode-neutral logistics network.
Former TForce, UPS Freight exec joins Werner BOD
Werner Enterprises (No. 14) has named former TForce Freight President Paul Hoelting to its board of directors, the company announced Monday.
Hoelting brings more than 30 years of C-suite experience in the sector, including his time at TForce Freight following its separation from UPS. He previously held several executive roles at UPS Freight Company, including chief revenue officer, president of the dedicated truckload division, and chief financial officer.
"He brings a deep, three-decade track record of executive leadership, financial stewardship and operational transformation in the transportation and logistics space," Werner Chairman and CEO Derek Leathers said in a statement.
Hoelting, who currently serves as an executive advisor to multiple transportation technology and logistics firms, holds a bachelor's degree in accounting and a Master of Business Administration.
