Tanker Trunk Solutions and 80 Years of NTTC

In the mid-1940s, the United States was focusing all of its energy on supporting the WW2 efforts. In an effort to lighten the load on railroads that were now tasked with hauling petroleum products from coast to coast, the government authorized the construction of 200 large-capacity trailers to complete shorter-haul deliveries for communities and farms. 

Since railroads had to obtain special permits to stop their routes for any distance shorter than 200 miles, tanker trucks quickly stepped in to fill the need. The demand for tank truck drivers became so high that many even received military deferments, and carriers were asked to run loading and delivery operations around the clock.

As the tanker truck industry experienced this rapid growth and the war in Europe came to a close, tanker carriers saw the need to proactively steer the future of their field. In 1945, a group of tank truck executives met in Chicago, resulting in the formation of National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) as part of the American Trucking Associations. This year, NTTC celebrates its 80th anniversary at its Annual Conference, to be held April 21-24 in Tampa, Florida.

Platform Science is excited to be attending the milestone anniversary meeting, and will be on the show floor at Booth 24.

Tanker Truck Needs and Careabouts

Due to the nature of their loads, tanker truck fleets and drivers face a unique set of challenges and regulations. For example, they may experience an increased need for:

Load Reporting: Tanker trucks transport a wide range of liquids, and some are often hazardous or volatile materials. Drivers and fleet management need real-time, quality data that reports on the status of the cargo and the truck itself. Information on tank pressure or any type of equipment malfunction must be alerted immediately so that the load is not compromised and drivers, both of the truck itself and others on the road, are not put in danger. 

Safety Features: Tanker trucks often include a more extensive system of safety features, such as emergency shutoff mechanisms, rollover protection, spill containment systems, pressure relief valves, and more. Baffles prevent excessive back-and-forth motion within the tank, while bulkheads reduce fuel surge. Vapor recovery systems prevent fumes from being dispersed into the atmosphere, and overfill protection and grounding verification prevent dangerous accidents. The increased volatility of a tank truck’s cargo, during both loading/unloading and transport, can make tanker trucks a much more complicated setup.

Maintenance & Compliance: Since tanker trucks do have specific, unique features and added safety measures, it is imperative that fleets conduct preventative maintenance to ensure the trucks stay safe and compliant. Tanker fleets face regular inspections annually for External Visual Inspection (V) and Leakage Test, every two years for a tank Thickness Test, and every five years for Internal Visual Inspection, Pressure Test, and Upper Coupler Inspection. Additionally, tanker fleets may face more state-specific requirements and inspections.

Driver Training: Tank truck drivers must be well-trained and documented, with DOT hazmat training requirements and records completed and easily accessible. Specific requirements vary by state and fleet, but tank drivers may most likely need to complete additional training specific to their load type and truck equipment. Certification documentation must be well-maintained and easily accessible for inspections, and ongoing training may be needed to ensure safety for trucks and drivers alike. 

Customization: Tank fleets typically specialize their operations based on their particular region or type of cargo. For example, a tank truck may transport hazardous chemicals, oil and refined products, or liquefied natural gas, requiring specialized cryogenic containment. Shuttle tankers are designed to transport oil from offshore platforms to storage or refineries, even in challenging weather conditions. These factors result in a need for customizable equipment and fleet management systems that address specific, unique requirements and data reporting needs.

How Platform Science Meets Tanker Truck Needs

Fleet management solutions from Platform Science are particularly well-suited to help meet these unique needs and challenges for tanker trucks, thanks to the open nature of the platform and the high quality of data reporting and responsiveness. Built on the innovative Virtual Vehicle platform, the system provides direct access to real-time vehicle data, improves communication from the back office to the cab, and facilitates customization through an extensive ecosystem of add-on apps and solutions. 

Tools within the Platform Science portfolio offer solutions for telematics, compliance, safety, and productivity, addressing the most basic yet vital concerns for commercial fleets. Fleets can then further personalize their systems by choosing from 90+ add-on applications designed by leading industry developers, adding them just like you add extra apps to your smartphone. Based on the fleet’s needs and goals, these apps offer boosted performance and features and are tested and pre-vetted to integrate seamlessly with the Platform Science framework.

Read more: Meet the Virtual Vehicle Marketplace: How to Power Up Your Fleet's Operations

‍Ready to start the conversation on optimizing your fleet management tools? Contact Platform Science today to schedule a demo, or view our full suite of fleet-focused tools.