Jim Park

Explaining the magic of driver assistance systems (ADAS)

TORONTO, Ont. -- Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are getting better at figuring out what's going on around a vehicle. Here's a look at the science behind the magic.

Taking a quick spin with Daimler’s electric trucks

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- Jim Park takes some of Daimler's earliest electric vehicles out for a test drive, but it will be several years before such trucks are a widespread offering.

Paying the Piper: There is blame to share in Humboldt tragedy

Now we know what happened at that cold crossroads near Tisdale, Sask., where 16 lives were snuffed out in an instant, 13 people were badly injured, and the expected arc…

5 tips to keep truck drivers safe in the deep freeze

TORONTO, Ont. -- Winter can be very unforgiving. Every year we read about stranded drivers who perish in their trucks during extended road closures. Here are five tips to keep you safe in the deep freeze.

Truck air systems are under pressure in cold temperatures

TORONTO, Ont. -- Cold temperatures and water can lead to only one outcome, and ice has no place in a truck's air system. Frozen moisture can disable compressors, along with any of the multitude of air valves in the system. Plunging temperatures, like we have seen across much of the Lower 48 in recent weeks will be put air systems to the test. Hopefully your systems are not found wanting.

Humboldt crash driver had 70 violations in 11 days

MELFORT, Sask. — Documents presented at the sentencing hearing of Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, the truck driver who pleaded guilty to causing the Humboldt Broncos bus crash, show he had committed…

Truck driver services offer steady work — when above board

TORONTO, Ont. -- There is a whole subset of truck drivers who don’t work directly for a fleet, but enjoy steady work with flexible hours and generally a little more freedom. Still others are hooked up with prime companies that offer top pay and great benefits. They fall under the umbrella of driver services.

Kenworth W990 Walkaround

Join equipment editor Jim Park on a walkaround tour of Kenworth’s W990. From the 510/1,850 MX engine behind that big grille to the 40,000-pound Dana rear ends out…

Added Value — Does your diesel need a fuel additive?

TORONTO, Ont. -- American truckers often rely on fuel additives to address poor-quality diesel. But is there a need for fuel additives in Canada?

Look Ma, No Hands – Truck steering heads into the future

Freightliner’s active lane assist will make gentle steering adjustments to keep the truck in its lane. (Photo: Daimler Trucks North America) TORONTO, Ont. — Steering hasn’t been considered a chore…

Big Power: The largest truck engines are sometimes a necessity

TORONTO, Ont. -- Truck drivers always appreciate big truck engines. But is the bigger power and torque a necessity? Sometimes the answer is yes.

Guts and Gears: How to choose a transmission for heavy hauls

TORONTO, Ont. -- All the power in the world won't get you anywhere if your transmission can't manage it properly. Heavier loads present some unique spec'ing challenges.

UTD Sneak Peak: Kenworth W990

Kenworth’s W990 turns Classic into Epic. Check out this teaser of our next Ultimate Test Drive video series. There’s plenty to see here, but there’s way more to…

A night and day difference in truck lighting

FALCONER, N.Y. — Since headlamps are something drivers use every single day, we arranged a test drive with Truck-Lite to see if the LEDs lived up to the billing.

Light it Up: Why some LED lamps seem brighter than others

TORONTO, Ont. -- LEDs are much more energy-efficient than incandescent lights and they last much longer. Primarily for those two reasons, LEDs will be the light sources of the future, but they are not without their problems.