PIT Group held its 10th annual Advisory Committee meeting from March 27 to 28, 2019 at the Auberge de l’Oasis and 
the NovaBus headquarters in St. Eustache, Quebec, where nearly 50 partners gathered. FPInnovations’ staff presented an overview of results from last year’s suite of projects and EnergoTest campaigns. Attendees also shared their needs for further research and testing projects that will help shape PIT Group’s 2019 program.
The meeting included a unique opportunity to get a close look at The Lion Electric Company’s Lion8 all-electric class 8 urban truck that was brought on-site for a private viewing. The Lion8 is expected to enter the market this year. On the second day, an industrial visit to Nova Bus’ facilities and assembly line was held, where attendees got a preview of a new electric bus and met with Volvo representatives for an information session.
“The industry is in constant transition. We see some fresh technologies that are entering the market that can really increase fleet performance. It’s more important than ever to rely on a neutral third party to evaluate the growing number of devices and products offered. The fleets just don’t have the time and the resources to cut through the noise,” says PIT Group’s industry advisor, Marc Trudeau.
PIT Group had an eventful year with signed agreements furthering its research capabilities with American Trucking Associations’ Technology and Maintenance Council, and the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, as well as the launch of the new PIT Crew USA subscription program. PIT Group’s expertise in the testing and implementation of intelligent transportation systems, especially in the area of electronic logging devices, has positioned the organization as a key player in the industry both in the U.S. and in Canada. PIT Group continues to provide independent third-party verification and certification for technologies used in the U.S. while providing pertinent information to Transport Canada and the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators for the development of the Canadian technical standards. PIT Group has also provided support to several of its transport partners to help them take advantage of a new Canadian government grant program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the freight industry.
With fast-paced developments taking place in that industry, the need to keep communication lines open between partners is increasingly important. “It’s amazing to see the level of interaction between partners. People are happy to share their personal experiences and they want to help others to succeed,” says Trudeau.
For more information on PIT Group, contact Marc Trudeau.