A model of long-haul hybrid-electric trucks was developed and analyzed to identify the economic benefits of hybrids during the 2009 to 2030 timeframe. Variables that were studied included the trucks operating miles, vehicle life years, fuel efficiency, hybrid fuel efficiency, cost of hybrid truck technology and diesel fuel costs. The model was studied using a case study of long-haul tractors to determine the life cycle savings of hybrid trucks during the twenty-year time period. It was predicted that hybrid long-haul trucks will be an option for trucks that have a majority of their operating cost spent on fuel and the truck is capable of achieving an improved efficiency of five-percent or greater. It was concluded that hybrid trucks will become more economical than a conventional diesel truck and generate a savings for fleet owners by as early as the year 2014. Recommendation for further study is enclosed.

What is home? Is it simply a place, or is it something more than that? What is the nature of home for truck drivers? Where does it occur, and how do they create and conceptualize it? I examine the literature on home, concluding that home is not a place but rather a relationship that occurs between an individual and a place. I then draw upon autoethnographic research to communicate how truck drivers conceptualize and create home.

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Obesity among over-the-road truckers (OTRs) is an epidemic creating significant public health issues among this population. The consequences of obesity (hypertension, diabetes, heart disease) put both truckers' health and their medical clearance at significant risk. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of gender, physical activity, diet, and sleep on obesity among OTRs. Through a socioecological lens, this study examined whether obesity is significantly impacted by gender, physical activity, nutrition, and sleep. This study also examined the impact of the trucking environment on obesity. The study used a quantitative research design and data were collected through a national online survey. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the sample. The final sample size analyzed consisted of 105 adult men and women. The findings of the research questions were that the source of food for truckers impacted obesity. Truckers who got their food from truck stops and restaurants had a higher incidence of obesity than those who got their food from grocery stores. In addition, those truckers who consumed most or all of their meals/food on the road had higher levels of obesity than those who consumed most or all of their meals in a home environment. In this study, gender was a compelling variable, as women had twice the rate of obesity as men; however, there were more women than men who participated in the study. Limitations included small sample size, unequal gender distribution, and limited ability to advertise the study. Helping the trucking industry understand what contributes to obesity could be the key to creating positive social change through health policy development and implementation. This in turn has the potential to create a healthier workforce in the trucking industry.