“We’re excited to announce three new workshops taking place at TCA’s 2026 Annual Convention,” TCA said. “[The workshops are] designed to address the hot topics for today’s carriers. From operational pressure and cultural transformation to the rise of AI tools reshaping office and driver workflows, Truckload 2026 brings you the industry education you need to stay at the top of your game and come away with actionable ideas for your business.”

For drivers, the biggest takeaway is that these sessions reflect where the industry is heading. Carriers are looking for ways to manage tighter margins, recruit and retain skilled drivers, and use technology without complicating the job behind the wheel.

The first workshop, Everyday AI: How Any Carrier Can Work Smarter, walks through simple and affordable technology options that are already making their way into dispatch operations and back office work. “Artificial Intelligence doesn’t have to be costly, complicated, or disruptive,” TCA said. “This practical session showcases low-cost, accessible tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, and Otter AI—and how real fleets are using them today to streamline tasks, enhance creativity, and boost productivity.”

The panel includes Kennedy Alvarez of Melton Truck Lines, Chris Davies of TruckRight, and Jeremy Stickling of Nussbaum Transportation Services Inc., with moderation by Delaney Rea of Drivers Legal Plan.

Another major session, TCA Profitability Program, TPP Driving Profits through Benchmarking, digs into how carriers rely on performance data to cut expenses and stay competitive. “Top-performing carriers lean on data, discipline, and their peers,” TCA said. “Hear how TPP participants use monthly KPI composites and peer benchmarking groups to reduce costs, lift revenue, and sharpen performance management.”

Speaking on this topic are Nicky Morrison of Prime Inc., Carl Svendsen of Halvor Lines, and Ed Nagle of Nagle Companies, with Steve Phillips serving as moderator.

The last workshop, The Importance of Culture: What Works and What Doesn’t, focuses on the people side of trucking. Culture may not be the first thing drivers think about when they climb into the cab, but the companies that build strong support systems usually see better retention and smoother day-to-day operations. “This session will explore how three trucking companies have built cultures that not only support their goals but also empower their people – what worked, what didn’t, and what others can learn from their journey,” TCA said.

Industry leaders Mike Ludwick of Bison Transport and Phil Wilt of American Central Transport will share their experiences, with Brent Nussbaum moderating.

Truckload 2026 will include three full days of networking, education, and leadership discussions. These workshops are positioned as key sessions for any career looking to prepare for the next wave of industry challenges while supporting the drivers who keep everything moving.

Image Source: TCA

Source: The Trucker

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A big part of this push is building an electric charging depot at the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center. Picture a facility with 32 fast chargers—8 of them set up for large Class 8 trucks—and room for smaller EVs, electric bikes, and scooters as well. This hub, backed by NYCEDC and developed by MN8 Energy, even includes a training center to help the community learn green‑tech jobs.

Mack Trucks is already on the ground, delivering its first LR Electric refuse truck to Royal Waste Services. That truck comes with:

• A 376 kWh battery (42% more energy and longer range than older versions)
• Twin electric motors delivering 448 hp and 4,051 lb‑ft torque from zero RPM
• Regenerative braking and fast charging using a standard 150 kW SAE J1772 connector

“This delivery represents more than just a new vehicle,” explained Mack Trucks North America President Jonathan Randall. “It’s a tangible step toward advancing sustainable transportation and demonstrates how the transportation industry can support community environmental goals. The Mack LR Electric offers zero‑emission operation while providing Royal Waste Services with a reliable solution for its operations.”

Royal Waste Services’ district manager, Michael Angelo Reali, added:

“Integrating this zero-emission Mack LR Electric into our fleet demonstrates that electric refuse collection can be both operationally effective and environmentally responsible.”
“This partnership with Mack Trucks and the broader Bronx Is Breathing initiative allows us to serve the Hunts Point community while reducing our environmental footprint and supporting the transition to cleaner transportation solutions.”

Later this year, Volvo Trucks North America plans to add four Class 7 VNR Electric trucks—plus refrigerated EV units—for City Harvest food rescue operations, all charging at the new Hunts Point hub.

Development is expected to get going in 2026. When it’s complete, the hub will support heavy trucks, vans, e-bikes, and more. Trucker tech and community training will go hand in hand, making this a rare combo of sustainable freight and local economic investment.

For drivers, this signals a bigger trend: electrification is coming to urban routes where operational stops and starts match EV strengths. Advanced trucks like the Mack LR Electric are already proving that they can juggle performance, range, and reliability—especially in tight urban settings.

(Image Source: Mack Trucks) Volvo Group Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs, Dawn Fenton, delivers remarks alongside New York State Assemblywoman Amanda Septimo (far right) and New York City Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr. (right), along with representatives from NYSERDA, NYCEDC, and MN8 Energy. 

Source: Trucking Info

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If signed into law, the bill would direct the NYC Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) to establish truck parking areas in IBZs where it deems the program “feasible.” These zones would operate for a minimum of 10 continuous hours overnight and be off-limits between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

This legislative move builds on an earlier pilot program the city launched to explore paid overnight truck parking in three select IBZs:

• Brooklyn – Flatlands/Fairfield IBZ (Flatlands Avenue between Erskine Street and Fountain Avenue)
• The Bronx – Hunts Point IBZ (Ryawa Avenue between Manida Street and Halleck Street)
• Queens – Maspeth IBZ (56th Road from 43rd Street to 49th Street)

Using the ParkNYC app, drivers can pay for up to eight-hour parking sessions at $10 each from Monday to Saturday. Parking on Sundays remains free across NYC.

The newly passed bill would make these kinds of parking options more widely available but restrict them solely to commercial vehicles. Before launching any new zone, NYCDOT must notify and, if requested, meet with local community boards and council members in the affected area. In addition, the department must conduct outreach to local businesses and truck drivers to spread the word about the new zones.

Once operational, NYCDOT will also be responsible for tracking usage and reporting findings annually. Those reports — submitted to both the mayor and city council and posted online — will include:

• Locations of truck parking zones
• Usage data
• Any impacts observed on IBZs, nearby communities, and the drivers themselves

The law is set to take effect six months after it’s signed and would remain in place through July 1, 2030.

This could be a meaningful shift for drivers navigating tight parking in one of the most congested metro areas in the country — offering not only designated space but also reducing the stress of circling neighborhoods and risking citations overnight.

Image Source: NY Daily News
Source: Overdrive

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