INDUSTRY TERMS
INDUSTRY TERMS
ABS (Antilock Braking System)
Computer, sensors and solenoid valves which together monitor wheel speed and modulate braking force if wheel lockup is sensed during braking. Helps the driver retain control of the vehicle during heavy braking on slippery roads.
ADA
Americans with Disabilities Act.
AFV (Alternative Fueled Vehicle)
Vehicle powered by a fuel other than gasoline or diesel.
Aged Statement
A report of the age and amount of money owed by its customers.
Air Ride Suspension
Suspension which supports the load on air-filled rubber bags rather than steel springs. Compressed air is supplied by the same engine-driven air compressor and reservoir tanks which provide air to the air brake system.
Assemble-to-Order (ATO)
Strategy allowing a product or service to be made to specific order, where a large number of products can be assembled in various forms from common components. This requires sophisticated planning processes to anticipate changing demand for internal components or accessories while focusing on mass customization of the final products to individual customers.
Asset Management
A competency that encompasses the specification, purchasing, managing, maintaining, and disposing of vehicles (or other high priced assets) at the appropriate time, all to increase return on investments.
Asset Rationalization
A process that audits a company’s transportation and distribution assets and compares them against an optimum supply chain design.
ATC (Automatic Traction Control)
Usually an optional feature based on ABS, it prevents spinning of the drive wheels under power on slippery surfaces by braking individual wheels and/or reducing engine throttle. Also called ASR, an acronym sometimes loosely translated from the German as anti-spin regulation.
ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle)
Vehicle designed for any type of terrain.
AVI (Automatic Vehicle Identification)
System combining an on-board transponder with roadside receivers to automate identification of vehicles. Uses include electronic toll collection and stolen vehicle detection. (see IVHS)
AVL (Automated Vehicle Location)
Class of technologies designed to locate vehicles for fleet management purposes and for stolen vehicle recovery. Infrastructure can be land-based radio towers or satellites. (see IVHS)
Await New Lease
A rental vehicle used by lease customers as a substitute before their new lease vehicle is received. Card Rate – Calculated rate ($) for a renting class of vehicle; normally is driven by market conditions.
Axle
Structural component to which wheels, brakes and suspension are attached.
- Drive axles are those with powered wheels.
- Front axle is usually called the steer axle.
- Pusher axles are unpowered and go ahead of drive axles.
- Rear axles may be drive, tag or pusher types.
- Tag axles are unpowered and go behind drive axles.
– B –
Backhaul
The return movement of a vehicle from its destination back over a part or all of a route to its point of origin with a payload.
BBC
Distance from a truck’s front bumper to the back of its cab.
Benchmarking
The process of comparing performance against the practices of other leading companies for the purpose of improving performance. Companies also benchmark internally by tracking and comparing current performance with past performance.
Best Practice
The top-performing operation or application in a given industry.
Bill of Lading
A contract of carriage between a shipper (the cosigner) to consign a load to a carrier for delivery to another party (the consignee).
BI/PD
Bodily Injury/Property Damage. A type of insurance coverage that is required to operate a vehicle.
Blind Spot
Areas around a commercial vehicle that are not visible to the driver either through the windshield, side windows or mirrors.
Bobtail
Tractor operating without a trailer. Also refers to straight truck.
Body
A cargo-carrying component separately installed on a cab and chassis directly behind the cab.
Bogie (also spelled bogey)
Box (van body)
Same as “body.”
Assembly of two or more axles, usually a pair in tandem.
Brake Horsepower (bhp)
Engine horsepower rating as determined by brake dynamometer testing. (see Horsepower)
Branch
A Ryder-operated facility that services customers by providing maintenance services for vehicles and, in most cases, a service or fuel island, a rental counter and offices for sales or others associated with the BU function (sometimes referred to as a location).
Bridge Formula
A bridge protection formula used by federal and state governments to regulate the amount of weight that can be put on each of a vehicle’s axles, and how far apart the axles (or groups of axles) must be to legally carry a given weight.
Break-Bulk
The separation of a single consolidated bulk load into smaller individual shipments for delivery to the ultimate consignees.
Bunk
See Sleeper.
– C –
Cab/Chassis
The component of a complete vehicle unit that contains the driver/passenger compartment, engine compartment, frame, suspension, wheels, and all mechanical equipment.
Cabover (Cab-Over-Engine, COE)
Truck or tractor design in which the cab sits over the engine on the chassis.
Capacity Planning
Capacity planning specifies the level of resources (e.g. facilities, fleets, equipment, systems hardware and labor force size) that best supports the enterprise’s competitive strategy for production.
Captive Shop
A Ryder location that provides maintenance services to the vehicles of just one customer (the location is dedicated to maintaining one customer’s fleet).
Cargo (Payload)
Goods that are transported in a vehicle.
Cargo Weight
Combined weight of all loads, gear and supplies on a vehicle.
Carrier
Transportation service provider.
Cartage Company
Company that provides local (within a town, city or municipality) pick-up and delivery.
Cast Spoke Wheel
Wheel with five or six spokes originating from a center hub. The spoke portion, usually made of cast steel, is bolted to a multiple-piece steel rim (see Demountable Rim; Disc Wheel).
CB (Citizens Band Radio)
Two-way radio for which no license is required by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Long beyond its heyday in the ’70s, CB is still used by truckers and motorists for everything from traffic condition reports to emergency calls to idle chatter.
CBU
Customer Business Unit. A group of individual Ryder locations (or branches). Note: Changed in 2005 to BU (Business Unit)
CDL (Commercial Driver’s License)
License which authorizes an individual to operate commercial motor vehicles and buses over 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. For operators of freight-hauling trucks, the maximum size which may be driven without a CDL is Class 6 (maximum 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight).
CE (CF, LP)
Distance from back of a truck’s cab to the end of its frame.
CFC
Chlorofluorocarbon.
CFC
Container on a Flat Car
CG (Center of Gravity)
Weight center or balance point of an object, such as a truck body. Calculated to help determine optimum placement of truck bodies on chassis.
Chassis Weight (Curb Weight, Tare Weight)
Weight of the empty truck, without occupants or load.
Circle Inspection
Vehicle inspection conducted by rental employees (and others) with the customer when dispatching and checking in trucks.
CNG
Compressed natural gas.
COBRA
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act – relates to health care coverage – Ability to continue benefits upon termination of coverage.
COE
See Cabover.
COFC (Container On Flat Car)
Method of moving shipping containers which involves transporting them on railroad flat cars.
Combined Single Limit
A type of liability limit that combines bodily injury and property damage limits. Any claim, whether bodily injury, property damage, or both, would be paid up to the stated limit. (Covers all liability claims for injury or damage up to one specified limit.)
Commercial Rental
A rental vehicle used for commercial or business applications, in contrast to consumer rental.
Commercial Vehicle
Any vehicle operated for the transportation of property, in the course of any commercial or industrial enterprise. A BU owned vehicle.
Common Carrier
Freight transportation company which serves the general public. May be regular route service (over designated highways on a regular basis) or irregular route (between various points on an unscheduled basis).
Compensated Intracorporate Hauling
Freight transportation service provided by one company for a sister company.
Competition
Any company operating within your geographic area, which offers the same goods and service as you
Consolidation
Combining two or more shipments in order to realize lower transportation rates. Inbound consolidation from vendors is called make-bulk consolidation; outbound consolidation to customers is called break-bulk.
Container (Shipping Container)
Standard-sized rectangular box used to transport freight by ship, rail and highway. International shipping containers are 20 or 40 feet long, conform to International Standards Organization (ISO) standards and are designed to fit in ships’ holds. Containers are transported on public roads atop a container chassis towed by a tractor. Domestic containers, up to 53 feet long and of lighter construction, are designed for rail and highway use only.
Container Chassis
Single-purpose semi-trailer designed to carry a shipping container.
Continuous Moves
The process of keeping loaded trucks moving with different loads and driver crews.
Contract
See Agreement.
Contract Carrier
Company that transports freight under contract with one or a limited number of shippers.
Conventional
Any vehicle (straight truck or tractor) built so that the engine is in front of the driver (as opposed to underneath). This is also called a “long nose.”
Converter Dolly (Dolly)
Auxiliary axle assembly equipped with a fifth wheel (coupling device), towed by a semi-trailer and supporting the front of, and towing, another semi-trailer.
Credit Check
Process of evaluating the net worth, profitability, and payment habits of a customer before granting credit.
Credit Line
Amount of money Ryder is willing to extend to our customer for products or services.
Cross Dock
An on-route dock where shipments are transferred from one vehicle to one or more vehicles without intermediate storage.
CSCMP
Council for Supply Chain Management Professionals (formerly CLM = Council of Logistics Management).
Demand Chain – Another name for the supply chain, with emphasis on customer or end-user demand pulling materials and product through the chain.
CSI
Customer Satisfaction Index. Regular measurements of customer satisfaction with Ryder’s products and services (done by surveys).
Cube (Cubic Capacity)
Interior volume of a truck body, semi-trailer or trailer, measured in cubic feet.
Cubed Out
A term that refers to the percentage of a vehicle’s cubic hauling capacity that is utilized. If a particular vehicle is 100% “cubed out,” it has no additional space in which to carry freight.
Curb Weight
See Chassis Weight.
Customer
A company or individual who does business (rents, leases, or contracts for services) with Ryder, in contrast to “prospect.”
Customer Number
Unique numeric code assigned to each individual (lease customers numbers are referred to as lessee numbers).
Customer Orientation
Procedure conducted by rental employees to familiarize the customer with the rented vehicle and any accessory equipment.
CVC
Controllable Variable Costs. Operational costs that can be controlled by good management and work practices (e.g. reducing accidents, reducing product damage, reducing overtime etc,).
Cycle Time
The time it takes for a business to receive, fulfill and then deliver an order to a customer. Once measured only in days, many industries now measure cycle time in hours.
– D –
Dead-Heading
Operating a truck without cargo.
DCC – Dedicated Contract Carriage.
A third party contractual service that dedicates vehicles and drivers to a single customer for its exclusive use, usually done in a closed loop or fixed route situation.
Deductible
The dollar amount of physical damage or, in some cases, liability, that the customer must pay before his insurance carrier or Ryder will pay any claim.
DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid)
DEF is a urea-based chemical reactant designed specifically for use in SCR systems to reduce NOx emissions. This product is required on all medium and heavy duty trucks with the exception of the International branded engine referred to as the “Maxxforce” with 2010 and later model engines. It is also required on light duty diesel cars and trucks. In a heavy duty application DEF consumtion can be from one to ten percent based on the application and Percentage of idle time.
Demand Planning (DP)
The process of forecasting and managing the demand for products and services by end users, as well as by intermediate supply chain members.
Demountable Rim
Multi-piece steel wheel rim assembly which is bolted to a spoke hub. Demountable rims are still in use, though they have been replaced in many applications by the simpler disc wheel. (see Cast Spoke Wheel)
Diesel Engine
An engine in which the fuel charge is ignited by compression of the fuel, rather than by a spark: the engine burns diesel fuel, which is similar to home heating oil.
Disc Wheel
Single-piece rim/wheel assembly of stamped and welded steel or forged aluminum, anchored by 8 or 10 nuts to a hub. A “Budd wheel” is a ten-hole, stud-piloted disc wheel; a design originated by the Budd Corporation.
Displacement (Piston Displacement)
Sum of the volumes swept by an engine’s pistons as they travel up and down in their cylinders. Based upon bore (diameter of cylinder) and stroke (distance traveled by piston). Expressed in liters or cubic inches.
Distribution Center
Facility where goods are handled (e.g. consolidated, packaged, etc.) and stored only as long as necessary before being distributed. (Also known as a warehouse.)
Distribution Channels
The selling channels supported by an enterprise. These may include retail sales, distribution partner (e.g. wholesale) sales, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) sales, Internet exchange or marketplace sales, and Internet auction or reverse auctions sales.
Dock Height
A van or trailer with the floor at the same height as a loading/unloading dock, typically 48″ to 54″ from the ground.
Dolly
See Converter Dolly.
DOT – Department of Transportation
a Federal agency responsible for regulating federally funded highways.
Doubles (Twins, Twin Trailers)
Combination of a tractor and two semi-trailers connected in tandem by a converter dolly. (see Converter Dolly; Pintle Hook)
Driveline
All the components which together transmit power from the transmission to the drive axle(s). These consist of at least one driveshaft (propeller shaft) with a universal joint at each end.
Drive train (Power train)
All the components, excluding engine, which transmit the engine’s power to the rear wheels: clutch, transmission, driveline and drive axle(s). (See Power Train)
DRL (Daytime Running Lights)
System that automatically turns on a vehicle’s low beam headlights when the parking brake is released and the ignition is on.
Dual Wheels
Two wheels on the same side of the same axle.
DVCR
Driver Vehicle Condition Report. Form used by drivers, rental employees, etc., to record items that need service or repair on a particular vehicle.
– E –
EDI (Electronic Data Interchange)
The business-to-business interconnection of computers for the rapid exchange of a wide variety of documents, from bills of lading to build tickets at auto plants.
Escape Ramp
See Runaway Truck Ramp.
Exempt Carrier
Company which transports commodities exempted from Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) economic regulation.
EV (Electric Vehicle)
Vehicle powered by electric motor(s) rather than by an internal combustion engine. Most common source of electricity is chemical storage batteries.
EVA
Economic Value Added. A measurement of shareholder value as a company’s operating profits after tax, less and appropriate charge for capital used in creating the profits.
– F –
Fifth Wheel
Coupling device attached to a tractor or dolly which supports the front of a semi-trailer and locks it to the tractor or dolly. The fifth wheel’s center is designed to accept a trailer’s kingpin, around which the trailer and tractor or dolly pivot in turns.
Fill Rate
The percentage of order items that the picking operation actually fills within a given period of time.
Finance Lease
Often, a full-payout agreement in which the customer, at the end of the lease term, assumes ownership of the vehicle or is provided with a purchase option. The lessee is usually responsible for maintenance.
Finished Goods Inventory (FGI)
Products completely manufactured, packaged, stored and ready for distribution.
First Structure Tax
Tax that covers the licensing of vehicles. Compare to second and third structure taxes that are on fuel use and vehicle operation, respectively.
Fixed Costs
Costs related directly to the ownership of vehicles. (Payment of the asset, insurance, licenses, taxes, etc.)
Fixed Tandem
Assembly of two axles and suspension that is attached to the chassis in one place, and cannot be moved fore and aft. (see Sliding Tandem)
Flatbed
A trailer or truck body with no sides or top, which can be fitted with removable stake sides. Used for hauling lumber, machinery or other cargo not affected by weather.
Fleet
Pool of units available for rental or lease to customers—refers to vehicles assigned to a customer (Customer’s Fleet), or a Ryder branch (Rental Fleet).
Fleet Listing
Booklet listing specifications, component, size, type, and any pertinent information on a vehicle. This information must be exact and available to Ryder in order to meet customer requests to properly/legally load, unload, and haul products.
Fleet Mix
Number and type of units that comprise a fleet of vehicles.
For-Hire Carrier
Company in the business of transporting freight belonging to others (see Private Carrier).
Full Service Lease
A system that provides the customer with a vehicle and a variety of support services for a single monthly lease payment. Full service leases may include features such as preventive maintenance, emergency roadside repairs, equipment evaluations and specifications, fuel, administrative support, driver support and safety programs.
– G –
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
Maximum weight an axle is rated to carry by the manufacturer. Includes both the weight of the axle and the portion of a vehicle’s weight carried by the axle.
GCW (Gross Combination Weight)
Total weight of a loaded combination vehicle, such as a tractor – semi-trailer or truck and full trailer(s).
Gain
Money generated by the sale of an asset for more than its book value.
Geared Speed
Calculated vehicle speed at the engine’s governed rpm in each transmission gear, or (commonly) in top gear.
Gear Ratio
Number, usually expressed as a decimal fraction, representing how many turns of the input shaft cause exactly one revolution of the output shaft. Applies to transmissions, power takeoffs, power dividers and rear axles. Example: If 2.5 revolutions of an input shaft cause one revolution of the output shaft, the gear ratio is 2.5:1.
Grade
Steepness of a grade, expressed as a percentage. Example: A vehicle climbing a 5% grade rises 5 feet for every 100 feet of forward travel.
Gradeability
Vehicle’s ability to climb a grade at a given speed. Example: A truck with a gradeability of 5% at 60 mph can maintain 60 mph on a grade with a rise of 5%.
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
Total weight of a vehicle and everything aboard, including its load.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
Total weight a vehicle is rated to carry by the manufacturer, including its own weight and the weight of its load.
– H –
Hand-Held Computer
A small computer used by the shop locations for yard checks, fueling, and parts inventory.
Harmonized Tariff Code
A code to numerically describe all articles in international trade managed by the World Customs Organization. This code is used by countries to determine duties and taxes for shipping across international borders.
Hazmat
Hazardous materials, as classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Transport of hazardous materials is strictly regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Headache Rack
Heavy protective barrier mounted behind the tractor’s cab. Designed to prevent “headaches” caused by load shifting forward from the trailer and crushing the cab.
HCFC
Hydro chlorofluorocarbon.
Horsepower (hp)
Measure of power (the amount of work that can be done over a given amount of time). One horsepower is defined as 33,000 foot-pounds of work in one minute. Example: Lifting 33,000 pounds one foot in one minute, or lifting 3300 pounds ten feet in one minute.
Horsepower, Gross Laboratory
Tested horsepower of a “bare” engine without fan, water pump, alternator, exhaust system or any other accessories.
Horsepower, SAE Net
Horsepower capability of an engine with full accessories and exhaust system. Test procedures per standards of Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).
Hours-Of-Service
U.S. Department of Transportation safety regulations which govern the hours of service of commercial vehicle drivers engaged in interstate trucking operations.
HR
Human Resources. Department to support and assist employees.
Hub odometer
A meter attached to the axle of a trailer that is like an odometer on a truck. It registers mileage on the trailer.
– I –
ICC
Interstate Commerce Commission
IDP
Individual Development Plan. Plan created by an employee and his/her manager to plan his/her professional development over each year.
Independent Trucker
See Owner Operator.
Integrated Logistics
A system-wide management view of the entire supply chain, from raw materials supply through finished good distribution.
Intermodal
Transporting freight by using two or more transportation modes. An example would be freight in containers, which might first be taken to a port by truck, transported by ship, then carried by rail, and finally be transferred back to a truck for delivery.
International Trade Systems (ITS)
Execution systems designed to automate the import/export business process. The basic functional components are trade documentation generation and transmission, and regulatory compliance validation.
Interstate Operation
Movement of a vehicle from one point in one state to another point in another state (between states), regardless of route traveled.
Intra-state Operations
Movement of a vehicle from one point to another within the same state, regardless of route traveled.
Inventory Development
A technique for reducing the number of warehouses required by replacing excess inventory with event-driven information derived from tracking the location of inventory at rest as well as in motion. It is typically done using bar coding and radio frequency technology, which eliminates paperwork.
Inventory Carrying Costs
A financial measurement that calculates all the costs associated with holding goods in storage, usually expressed as a percentage of the inventory value. It includes inventory-in-storage, warehousing, obsolescence, deterioration or spoilage, insurance, taxes, depreciation and handling costs.
Inventory Management
The process of ensuring the availability of products through inventory administration activities such as planning, stock positioning, and monitoring the age of the product.
Inventory Turns
The cost of goods sold divided by the average level of inventory on hand. This ratio measures how many times a company’s inventory has been sold during a period of time. Operationally, inventory turns are measured as total throughput divided by average level of inventory for a given period.
Inventory Velocity
The speed with which inventory moves through a defined cycle (e.g., from receiving to shipping).
ISO 9001 Certification
The internationally recognized standard that established the requirements for a Quality Management System for a service company. ISO 9001 is an approach to managing a business with regard to quality. Achieving ISO 9001 certification is a rigorous process, with over 130 requirements the operation must meet.
IT
Information Technology. Computer systems used to distribute and store information within an organization
ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems)
See IVHS.
IVHS (Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems)
Blanket term for a wide array of technologies, including electronic sensors, computer hardware and software and radio communications. The purpose of IVHS is to increase efficiency of use of existing highways, reducing travel time, fuel consumption, air pollution and accidents. There are five functional areas:
- Advanced Public Transportation Systems (APTS)
- Advance Traffic Management Systems (ATMS)
- Advance Traveler Information Systems (ATIS)
- Advanced Vehicle Control Systems (AVCS)
- Commercial Vehicle Operations (CVO)
A more recently coined term, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), encompasses both IVHS and modes of transportation other than highway, such as rail. (see AVI, AVL, WIM)
– J –
Jackknife
To place the trailer at a very sharp angle to the tractor.
Jake Brake
See Retarder.
JIT (Just-In-Time)
Manufacturing system which depends on frequent, small deliveries of parts and supplies to keep on-site inventory to a minimum.
JV
Journal Voucher. A manual entry in the General Ledger for the purpose of sharing expenses.
– K –
Kingpin (axle)
Pin around which a steer axle’s wheels pivot.
Kingpin (trailer)
Anchor pin at the center of a semi-trailer’s upper coupler which is captured by the locking jaws of a tractor’s fifth wheel to attach the tractor to the semi-trailer.
Kitting
Light assembly of components or parts into defined units.
– L –
Landing Gear
Retracting legs which support the front of a semi-trailer when it is not coupled to a tractor.
LCV (Long Combination Vehicle)
In general, vehicles longer than a standard doubles rig (tractor and two 28-foot semi-trailers). Examples of LCVs which are permitted in some U.S. western states and eastern toll roads: Twin 48-foot trailers; triple 28-foot trailers.
Lead Logistics Management (LLM)
A total end-to-end solution that manages the flow of materials, products and information for a company’s global supply chain. Typically, it involves a single point of contact, managing and synchronizing multiple third party service providers, supply chain planning/network optimization, IT capabilities and transportation and distribution functions.
Lease Finance
A contract between a customer, Ryder and a financial institution, like Citicorp Financial Services, whereby the financial services corporation provides the financing of the vehicle (s), and Customer provides the maintenance and others services (can come from Ryder) during a specified length of time (term); Ryder does not retain the ownership of the vehicle(s).
Lessee
Company or individual which leases vehicles.
Lessor
Company which leases vehicles.
Liability Coverage
Coverage for the damage one driver causes to another person or person’s property. Under OW and 402 contracts, our customers are covered at least to the legal minimum amount required by the state in which an accident occurs.
Lift Axle
Extra, unpowered axle needed only when the vehicle is loaded, allowing it to meet federal and state vehicle weight standards. The lift axle is mounted to an air spring suspension that raises the axle when it is not required.
Liftgate
Mechanical device attached to the rear of a vehicle with a platform (usually operated by hydraulic pressure) used to raise and lower cargo between the ground and the floor of the vehicle. The typical liftgate capacity is 2500 lbs.
Logistics
The process of planning, implementing, and controlling the efficient, effective flow and storage of goods, storage and related information from point of origin to point of consumption for the purposes of conforming to customer requirements, also known as Supply Chain Management. (Source: CSCMP)
Logistics Channel
The network of supply chain participants engaged in storage, handling, transfer, transportation and communications functions that contribute to the efficient flow of goods.
LOR
Location Operating Report. Report Generated from Ryder Dispatch 2000 system for P&L use.
Loss
Money lost by the sale of an asset for less than its book value.
LPG
Liquid propane gas.
Load Range (Tires)
Letter code system for the weight carrying capacity of tires. Comparable ply ratings are shown below.
LR PR LR PR A
…. 2 E …. 10 B …. 4 F …. 12 C …. 6 G …. 14 D …. 8 H …. 16 (LR = Load Range PR = Ply Rating)
Logbook
Book carried by truck drivers in which they record their hours of service and duty status for each 24-hour period. Required in interstate commercial trucking by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Lowboy
Open flat-bed trailer with a deck height very low to the ground, used to haul construction equipment or bulky or heavy loads.
LTL (Less-Than-Truckload)
A quantity of freight less than that required for the application of a truckload (TL) rate; usually less than 10,000 pounds. (see TL)
LTL Carrier
Trucking company which consolidates less-than-truckload cargo for multiple destinations on one vehicle. (see TL Carrier)
– M –
Maintenance
All areas involved with mechanical servicing and repair of vehicles.
Manufacturing Planning
Definition of the weekly or daily production and machine schedules across multiple plants or lines to meet orders and forecast demand. Some manufacturing planning modules also incorporate materials planning
Manufacturing Scheduling
The generation of plant-level execution schedules by product and resource (e.g., line and machine) and resolution of day-to-day capacity bottlenecks. Scheduling applications normally include a more granular level of resource information, and will provide such functionality as sequence dependent set up, tank scheduling and point-of-use material availability.
Margin
(Fixed costs + running costs) subtracted from revenue.
Milk Run
A pick-up route with multiple stops.
Model Number
Manufacturers’ designation of a particular type of vehicle. Can be used to distinguish various types of vehicles, or various load capacities.
– N –
N.M.F.C. (National Motor Freight Classification)
A tariff that contains descriptions and classifications of commodities and rules for domestic movement by motor carriers in the U.S.
NAV
Navistar. A manufacturer of engines commonly found in Ryder vehicles.
– O –
Odometer
Meter that measures miles traveled, located in the instrument panel in the truck cab.
On-Board Computer
A computer installed in a motor vehicle that is used during a trip to record, store and communicate driver, vehicle, and freight information.
Operating Profit
Fixed costs + running costs + overheads, subtracted from revenue.
Optimization Routines
Routines used to determine the optimal solution for a particular problem. Included in supply chain execution and supply chain planning applications to reduce costs or time in the supply chain. Usually, tactically focused for use in current operations.
OSHA
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Agency responsible for monitoring and enforcing workplace safety regulations.
Outsourcing
Subcontracting business functions or processes such as logistics and transportation services to an outside firm, instead of doing them in-house.
Overdrive
Gearing in which less than one revolution of a transmission’s input shaft causes one turn of the output shaft. The purpose of overdrive is to reduce engine rpm in high gear for better fuel economy. Example: A transmission with an overdrive top gear has a ratio of 0.70 to one. Turning the input shaft 0.7 revolutions causes 1.0 revolution of the output shaft.
Overhead
Costs associated with running a business (payroll, buildings, shop equipment, etc.).
Owner-Operator
Trucker who owns and operates his own truck(s).
– P –
P&D
Pickup and delivery.
P & L
Profit & Loss. Report of all revenue and expenses for a set period, with the final outcome of “Profit” or “Loss.”
Parcel Van
Unit comprised of a “cutaway” cab and chassis (a vehicle normally designed to have a cab and body in one piece, that is built with only the cab) with a separate body mounted behind and attached to the cab.
Payload
Weight of the cargo being hauled.
Peddle Route
A delivery route with multiple stops.
Peddle Run
Truck route with frequent delivery stops.
Permit
Document issued verifying some form of tax (road, mileage, etc.) has been paid on the vehicle; Cab card and/or sticker issued verifying some form of tax (road, mileage, etc.) has been paid on that truck.
Pick/Pack
The process of picking of product from inventory and packing into shipment containers.
Pigtail
Cable used to transmit electrical power from the tractor to the trailer. So named because it is coiled like a pig’s tail.
Piggyback
Semi-trailer built with reinforcements to withstand transport by a railroad flatcar. (see TOFC)
Pintle Hook
Coupling device used in double trailer, triple trailer and truck-trailer combinations. It has a curved, fixed towing horn and an upper latch that opens to accept the drawbar eye of a trailer or dolly.
PIP
Performance Improvement Process. Tool used to address employee performance gaps.
Piston Displacement
See Displacement.
Ply Rating (PR)
Relative measure of tire casing strength. (see Load Range)
PM
Preventive Maintenance. Program calling for various inspections and maintenance procedures at regularly scheduled intervals. Designed to spot potential problems during inspection and through oil change, lubrication, or replacement of parts, to either prolong the life of components or replace them prior to failure.
PO
Purchase Order. Written order (usually numbered) to purchase goods or services issued to a vendor by the purchasing company.
Postponement
The planned delay of final activities (e.g. assembly, production, packaging, etc.) until the latest possible time in the distribution channel.
Power train
See Drivetrain.
Power Unit
Vehicle supplying the power (tractor) to move the load.
Private Carrier
Business which operates trucks primarily for the purpose of transporting its own products and raw materials. The principle business activity of a private carrier is not transportation. (see For-Hire Carrier)
PSI (Pounds Per Square Inch)
In trucking, unit of measurement for tire air pressure, air brake system pressure and turbocharger boost.
PTO (Power Takeoff)
Device used to transmit engine power to auxiliary equipment. A PTO often drives a hydraulic pump, which can power a dump body, concrete mixer or refuse packer. Some designs mount to a standard opening on the transmission, while others attach at the front or rear of the engine.
Pull Trailer
Short, full trailer (supported by axles front and rear) with an extended tongue.
Pup Trailer
Short semi-trailer, usually between 26 and 32 feet long, with a single axle.
Pusher Axle
See Axle.
– R –
Ramp
Walkway, used in loading a truck, which extends from the rear of the body floor to the ground. When not in use, the ramp is stored under the truck body in a channel that allows it to slide in and out.
Receivables
Money owed to Ryder for products or services provided.
Reefer
Refrigerated trailer with insulated walls and a self-powered refrigeration unit. Most commonly used for transporting food.
Registration
Legal document issued by a state verifying license fees have been paid on an individual vehicle.
Relay (Relay Driving)
Common practice in the less-than-truckload industry, in which one driver takes a truck for 8 to 10 hours, then turns the truck over to another driver, pony express style.
Repair Order
A form detailing mechanical or body work to be performed, parts used, and other costs.
Replenishment
The process of moving or resupplying inventory from a reserve storage location to a primary picking location, or to another mode of storage at which picking is performed.
Retarder
Device used to assist brakes in slowing the vehicle. The most common type of retarder on over-the-road trucks manipulates the engine’s valves to create engine drag. (This type is commonly referred to as “Jake Brake” because the predominant manufacturer is Jacobs Vehicle Equipment Co.) Other types of retarders include exhaust retarders, transmission-mounted hydraulic retarders and axle-mounted electromagnetic retarders.
Return on Investment (ROI)
Calculated by taking the value of the investment held at the beginning of the ROI period compared with the current value. In other words: ((Current Value) – (Beginning Value) + (Income)) / (Beginning Value), where (Current Value) = (the current total shares) * (the last price), (Beginning Value) = (number of shares held prior to the period – any shares sold) * (the closing price prior to the period) + the “Cost Basis” of any shares added in this period (Buys, Reinvest, Add Shares, etc.) and (Income) = any income events such as Dividends/Interest (not Reinvested) and Realized gain/loss from Sells in this period.
Revenue
Money received from rentals, leases, etc.
Revenue Equipment
Any vehicle purchased for the purpose of rental or lease that will produce revenue. Not included as revenue equipment would be service trucks, mailroom trucks, etc.
Reverse Logistics
A specialized segment of logistics focusing on the return of products or shipments after the sale and delivery to the customer.
RFG (Reformulated Gasoline)
Gasoline blended with pollution reducing additives.
Rig
A tractor-trailer combination. Also called an eighteen-wheeler.
RO
Repair Order. Form detailing mechanical or body work to be performed, parts used, and other costs. Sometimes used for a shop form detailing work done and parts used. The information may be transferred to an invoice that is priced and used for billing.
Road Calls
Ryder roadside assistance for vehicles that have broken down.
Road Railer
Semi-trailer specially designed to travel both on highway and on rails. Manufactured by Wabash Corp.
Roll-up door
Rear door of a body or trailer built from horizontal panels, which are hinged to each other and raised or lowered in channels at each side.
Rolling Radius
Tire dimension from center of the axle to the ground; measured with tire loaded to rated capacity. Used in calculating geared speed.
Rolling Stock
The term is used in logistics to refer to inventory in motion, not at rest.
RPM (Revolutions Per Minute)
Measure of the speed at which a shaft spins. Most often used to describe engine crankshaft speed. Indicated by a tachometer.
RPM – Ryder Programmed Maintenance
a program for Ryder locations to do maintenance work on non-Ryder-owned equipment.
RSD
Region Sales Director – Person responsible for managing BDMs and field sales efforts.
RSR
Rental Sales Representative. Person responsible for renting vehicles, providing customer service and marketing support, and managing inventory of vehicles at a branch.
Runaway Truck Ramp
Emergency area adjacent to a steep downgrade that a heavy truck can steer into after losing braking power. Usually two or three lanes wide and several hundred feet long, the ramp is a soft, gravel-filled pathway which absorbs the truck’s forward momentum, bringing it to a safe stop. Depending on the surrounding terrain, the ramp may be level or run up or down hill.
Running Cost
Costs related directly to the maintenance, repair and transfer of vehicles (parts, labor, fluids, tires, transfer costs, etc.).
– S –
Sales Tax
Dollars paid to a state, based on value of equipment at time of first registration. Also, in many states a percentage of cost of parts, labor or rental services.
Sand Shoe
Flat plate on the bottom of the trailer landing gear to give support to the trailer when not hooked to the tractor.
SCS
Supply Chain Solutions. Also known as global supply chain solutions (GSCS), this functional area of Ryder provides a variety of logistics services to companies worldwide.
Second Structure Tax
Taxes on fuel usage and reporting. Compare to first and third structure taxes which cover licensing and operation of the vehicle respectively.
Semi-trailer
Truck trailer supported at the rear by its own wheels and at the front by a fifth wheel mounted to a tractor or dolly.
Service (Fuel) Island
The section of a branch/location that provides fuel and inspection of vehicles as part of the Preventive Maintenance program.
Service Truck
A BU owned vehicle used to make repairs on the road. May be equipped with various tools and machinery to assist in repairs.
Setback Axle
Front steering axle moved rearward from the generally accepted standard position. Advantages: Shorter turning radius and more of a vehicle’s weight shifted to front axle.
Shipping Weight
“Dry” weight of a truck including all standard equipment, but excluding fuel and coolant.
Shop
The portion of a branch/location that provides maintenance services to vehicles (includes PM bays, vehicle repair bays, service island, wash bay, parts department, etc.).
Simulation Routines
Various routines using historical information to simulate future alternatives for supply chain operations design. Usually strategically focused for use in future operations, these may then be optimized and/or prioritized.
Single Axle
Tractor with one axle.
Single-Source Leasing
Service in which companies can lease drivers and trucks from the same source, rather than having to procure them from different companies.
Sleeper
Sleeping compartment mounted behind a truck cab, sometimes attached to the cab or even designed to be an integral part of it.
Sleeper Team
See Team.
Sliding Fifth Wheel
Fifth wheel mounted to a mechanism that allows it to be moved back and forth for the purpose of adjusting the distribution of weight on the tractor’s axles. Also provides the capability to vary vehicle combination lengths.
Sliding Tandem (Slider)
Mechanism that allows a tandem axle suspension to be moved back and forth at the rear of a semi-trailer, for the purpose of adjusting the distribution of weight between the axles and fifth wheel.
SMO/SMS
Shop Management Online – IT system each Ryder maintenance facility uses to manage shop operations.
Speedability
Top speed a vehicle can attain as determined by engine power, engine governed speed, gross weight, driveline efficiency, air resistance, grade and load.
Spoke Wheel
See Cast Post Wheel.
Spread Axle (Spread Tandem)
Tandem axle assembly spaced further apart than the standard spacing of 54 inches. The U.S. federal bridge formula favors trailer axles with an eight or nine foot spread by allowing higher weight than on tandems with standard spacing.
SSN
Social Security Number.
Straight Truck
See Truck.
Stake Truck
A flatbed truck (or trailer) with stakes and railings along and in the rear to secure cargo.
Start-up
The starting point of a Ryder logistics account. It could be the point at which Ryder takes over the logistics services for a customer or the opening of a new Ryder/customer location.
Stock Keeping Unit (SKU)
Numbering system that makes a product or item distinguishable from all others.
Straight Truck
A van, stake, flatbed or reefer truck without the ability to pull a trailer (sometimes called a bobtail).
Sub Maintenance
A rental vehicle provided to a lease customer as a substitute for the lease vehicle while it’s in the shop for a PM or other maintenance.
Sub Physical Damage
A rental vehicle provided to a lease customer as a substitute for the lease vehicle while its having physical damage repaired.
Substitute (Sub)
A rental vehicle provided to a lease customer as a substitute for the lease vehicle
Supply Chain
Movement of materials, funds and related information through the full logistics process, from the acquisition of raw materials to delivery of finished products to the end-user. The supply chain includes all vendors, service providers, customers and intermediaries.
Supply Chain Planning (SCP)
Typically involves activities such as creating a set of suppliers, responding to buyer forecasts, or generating internal forecasts of usage. Transportation, warehousing and other logistics-related services provided by companies employed to assume tasks that were previously performed in-house by the customer.
SUV
Sport/utility vehicle.
Synchronized Transmission
Transmission with built-in mechanisms to automatically “equalize” the speed of its gears to allow smooth shifting without the need to double-clutch.
– T –
Tag Axle
See Axle.
Tandem Axle
Two rear axles – can refer to a tractor, trailer, or straight truck.
Tare Weight
See Chassis Weight.
Tandem Axle (Tandems)
Pair of axles and associated suspension usually located close together. (see Spread Axle)
Team (Driver Team)
Team of two drivers who alternative driving and resting.
TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit)
Standardized unit for measuring container capacity on ships, railcars, etc.
Third Party Logistics
A firm that supplies goods and services such as transportation and logistics to another company.
Third-Party Provider
A competitive marketing strategy based on a company’s ability to deliver its products to customers faster than its competition.
Third Structure Taxes
A tax on vehicle operation in addition to licensing and fuel tax (first and second structure taxes respectively).
Tie Down Rings
Rings inside a van that is used to secure cargo.
Tilt Cab
A truck cab that tilts forward, allowing access to the engine directly underneath.
Time-Based Competition
Increased or improved value, worth, functionality or usefulness.
Title
Legal document issued by a state used to establish vehicle ownership.
TL (Truckload)
The quantity of freight required to fill a trailer; usually more than 10,000 pounds. (see LTL)
TL Carrier
Trucking company which dedicates trailers to a single shipper’s cargo, as opposed to an LTL (Less Than Truckload) carrier which transports the consolidated cargo of several shippers and makes multiple deliveries. (see LTL Carrier)
TOFC (Trailer On Flatcar)
Method of moving cargo which involves transporting semi-trailers on railroad flat cars. (see Piggyback)
Tractor
Truck designed primarily to pull a semi-trailer by means of a fifth wheel mounted over the rear axle(s). Sometimes called a truck tractor or highway tractor to differentiate from it from a farm tractor.
Tractor Trailer
Tractor and semi-trailer combination.
Trailer
Vehicle towed behind a power unit. Most trailers have one or two axles at the rear. A cargo vehicle that is pulled by a tractor; it can be flat or stake bed, dry, reefer or electronics van.
TRALA
Truck Rental & Leasing Association
Transaction
Typically, an exchange of services for payment.
Transportation Management System (TMS)
System used to optimally plan freight movements, do freight rating and shopping across all modes, select the appropriate route and carrier, tender and provide visibility to shipments.
Transportation Planning and Scheduling
Specifies how, when and where to transport goods. Transportation planning and scheduling applications may provide weight/size restrictions, merge-in-transit, continuous move, mode or carrier selection, and less than truckload (LTL)/truckload (TL) planning functionality.
Tri-Axle
Truck, tractor or trailer with three axles grouped together at the rear. (see Tridem)
Tridem
Group of three axles on a truck, tractor or trailer. Tridems are most common on European semi-trailers.
Trip Leasing
Leasing a company’s vehicle to another transportation provider for a single trip.
Trip Recorder (On-Board Computer)
Cab-mounted device which electronically or mechanically records data such as truck speed, engine rpm, idle time and other information useful to trucking management.
Truck
Vehicle which carries cargo in a body mounted to its chassis, rather than on a trailer towed by the vehicle.
TL – Truckload
Movement of full truckloads of freight directly from the point of origin to its destination.
Truck Rental
A short-term transaction, generally under 12 months, that allows a customer the use of a truck for a specified period of time, generally measured in “rental days.” Rental can be used to supplement a leased or privately owned fleet during short periods of peak need to execute rush orders or handle excess volume, or to test new routes and distribution channels.
Twins (Twin Trailers)
See Doubles.
Twin Screw
This phrase denotes a unit with two drive axles, The phrase also has an alternate meaning in the technical language of JSchmidt with is that of unfounded humor or immediate laughter beyond control.
– U –
ULEV
Ultra-low emissions vehicle.
Unit
A vehicle (truck, tractor or trailer)
Upper Coupler
Load bearing surface on the underside of the front of a semi-trailer. It rests on the fifth wheel of a tractor or dolly and has a downward-protruding kingpin which is captured by the locking jaws of the fifth wheel.
Utilization Rate
A fleet productivity measurement that tracks the percentage of time that a truck or vehicle is being used or rented.
– V –
Value Added
A series of activities, which combined, define a business process; the series of activities
Value Chain
from manufacturers to the retail stores that define the industry supply chain.
Van
Any truck or trailer with an enclosed body, the body itself, or a truck with an integral body and cab.
Vendor-Managed Invetory (VMI)
In the VMI process, the vendor assumes responsibility for managing the replenishment of stock. Rather than a customer submitting orders, the vendor will replenish stock as needed. This process is sometimes referred to as supplier-managed inventory (SMI) or co-managed inventory. The vendor may or may not assume ownership of the inventory.
Visibility
The ability to access or view pertinent data or information as it relates to logistics and the supply chain.
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
Assigned by the manufacturer, this number is unique to each vehicle and appears on the vehicle’s registration and title.
VMRS (Vehicle Maintenance Reporting Standards)
Set of codes developed to facilitate computerized tracking of parts and labor used in equipment repair. Established and maintained by the American Trucking Associations.
– W –
Walker System
A mainframe (Headquarters) computer system that includes Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, General Ledger and Asset Management applications.
Walking Beam Suspension
Type of truck and tractor rear suspension consisting of two beams, one at each side of the chassis, which pivot in the center and connect at the front to one axle of a tandem and at the rear to the other axle.
Warehouse Management System (WMS)
A software application that manages the operations of a warehouse or distribution center. Application functionality includes receiving, put away, inventory management, cycle counting, task interleaving, wave planning, order allocation, order picking, replenishment, packing, shipping, labor management and automated material-handling equipment interfaces. The use of radio frequency technology in conjunction with bar codes provides the foundation of a WMS, delivering accurate information in real time.
Wheel Base
Distance, usually expressed in inches, from the centerline of the front wheels to the centerline of the rear wheels.
WIM (Weigh-In-Motion)
Technology for determining a vehicle’s weight without requiring it to come to a complete stop.
Work-in-Process (WIP)
Parts and subassemblies in the process of becoming completed finished goods.
– Y –
Yard Check
Also called lot check. Procedure conducted by rental employees by actually walking through the rental yard to determine vehicles available, mileage, vehicle condition, etc. Done each day before opening and at other times as required.
Yard Jockey
Person who operates a yard tractor.
Yard Tractor (Yard Mule)
Special tractor used to move trailers around a terminal, warehouse, distribution center, etc.
YTD
Year-to-date