4 Companies Changing The Transportation Industry

Like many other business sectors, the transportation industry has been transformed by the explosion of digital technologies. Some of these tools help drivers stay safe on the road and minimize fuel emissions, while others help businesses review details of collisions and other accidents. This list shares, in no particular order, some companies that are reshaping the ways that people and commodities get from Point A to Point B.

The #1 entry is Nikola Motor Company, based in Phoenix, Arizona, which designs and builds electric cargo trucks, off-roading vehicles, and watercraft. The Reckless model is military-grade and is the only OHV that does not require air to operate.

There are several models in Nikola's line of semi-trailers. The vehicles are able to accelerate up to two times faster than a stock diesel tractor, and have torque vectoring, which allows control of each wheel independently for better maneuvering during cornering and braking. All the vehicles are zero emission machines.

Coming in at #2, we have SmartDrive, an app for commercial transportation companies. It gives fleets and drivers performance insight and analysis, with the goal of saving fuel and preventing collisions. Its video safety, predictive analytics, telematics, and compliance program purports to help fleets improve driving skill and lower operating costs.

SmartDrive has offices in the United Kingdom and the United States. The company 's proprietary video software allows administrators to capture distracted and drowsy driving, aggressive speeding, and more. Users can install up to four devices in one vehicle.

Next up, at #3, we present Azuga, a software company based in Fremont, California. It develops GPS Fleet tracking systems that can report on mileage, stops, and driver behavior. Actions are then analyzed and reported to the fleet's administration to improve driver safety and efficiency.

Azuga also sells a dual-facing car monitoring device, called the SafetyCam. The machine captures both front-facing road events and in-cab driver behavior, giving fleet operators critical evidence in the instance of a collision.

The #4 entry is David Evans and Associates, located in Portland, Oregon. It is a design firm that works on a number of transportation-related projects, including bridges, roads, highways, and railways. It also offers construction engineering and administration assistance to facilitate the planning, design, and construction of a project.

David Evans has a smart mobility team that combines its traffic engineering, transportation, and environmental planning expertise to provide mobility and safety solutions for cities. The company's projects have included the Nava Boxcar Facility, the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail, and the Arapahoe Road Corridor.