Highway Transport has been named the very first recipient of the Responsible Care® Partner Sustainability Award, a new honor from the American Chemistry Council (ACC). The recognition was announced during the 2025 ACC Responsible Care & Sustainability Conference held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The award highlights Highway Transport’s leadership in environmental sustainability and its commitment to cleaner, more responsible chemical logistics. This marks a major milestone not just for the Knoxville-based tanker company, but for the broader transportation sector that supports the chemical industry.

Why Highway Transport Was Chosen

The ACC launched the Partner Sustainability Award in 2025 to spotlight partner companies that go above and beyond in their sustainability efforts. Highway Transport stood out for its comprehensive and science-based environmental initiatives under its Green Treads program.

The company’s efforts include:

• Advanced emissions monitoring and transparent reporting aligned with scientific standards
• Collaboration with Net Zero and Salesforce for environmental data tracking
• Adoption of idle-reduction technologies across its fleet
• Installation of electric HVAC systems (EPU units with lithium batteries) to eliminate engine idling during rest periods
• Company-wide sustainability training programs for drivers and staff
• Emissions reduction strategies aimed at a 70% cut at service center locations
• Participation in the EPA’s SmartWay Transport Partnership
• Long-standing engagement with the ACC’s Responsible Care® program

These initiatives collectively reflect a company-wide shift toward sustainability in tank truck logistics—an industry not always seen as green-forward.

Recognizing Drivers and Support Teams

Travis O’Banion, Managing Director of Safety and Sustainability at Highway Transport, emphasized that this award is a direct reflection of the people behind the wheel and in the service bays.

“It was exciting to be recognized at this year’s ACC Responsible Care & Sustainability Conference and receive the inaugural Partner Sustainability Award,” said O’Banion. “This award was made possible by the daily commitment from Highway Transport drivers and service center support personnel to lower emissions. We’re doing that through consistently practicing sustainable processes and utilizing technologies implemented by our organization. We truly are driving for a better tomorrow.”

A Model for Sustainable Tanker Operations

The ACC conference, known for tackling critical industry issues like water conservation and supply chain decarbonization, provided the perfect platform to spotlight Highway Transport’s progress. As the chemical industry pushes for greater environmental accountability, the success of Highway’s Green Treads program shows what’s possible when sustainability becomes a shared mission across all levels of a company.

By setting a new standard in green fleet operations, Highway Transport is not just hauling chemicals—they’re helping lead the industry into a more sustainable future.

Source: Truckers News
Image Source: Highway Transport) Rick Lusby, VP of Safety & Fleet Services, and Travis O’Banion, Managing Director of Safety & Sustainability

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Fleet Optimization Through AI and Data

Fleet Advantage executives aim to discuss strategies for optimizing fleet operations using artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics. Their topics will include how AI is transforming logistics, equipment procurement, asset management, and financing models. Additionally, attendees can learn about the newly launched Tariff-Readiness Plan that tackles tariff-influenced equipment cost challenges.

“Today’s transportation industry continues to undergo a significant period of digital transformation driven by AI with innovations that promise to modernize every part of the supply chain, from vehicle design and equipment financing to logistics and truck maintenance scheduling,” Fleet Aadvantage said. “At this year’s ACT Expo, Fleet Advantage executives will address the abundance of data and analytics available today, and the right use of AI-driven insights to make the best decisions for each fleet.”

At the expo, Fleet Advantage experts will highlight methods for using AI-driven insights and real-time data analytics to help organizations make better fleet management decisions.

Revolutionizing Fleet Decisions with AI

The transportation sector is increasingly deploying AI across diverse operational aspects like route planning and maintenance. For instance, a fleet recently consolidated five external systems into one in-house AI-powered platform that uses historical traffic data, weather conditions, and delivery schedules. This resulted in significant fuel savings, reduced delivery times, improved adherence to deadlines, and overall boosted efficiency.

AI-driven predictive systems are also revolutionizing vehicle health management. By analyzing telematics data and historical maintenance records, these solutions detect potential issues in advance, reducing operational downtime and lowering maintenance costs through proactive servicing schedules.

Despite its potential, AI’s role in critical fleet decisions, like negotiations with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) or determining custom specs, is still limited. These high-stakes decisions often rely on human expertise and team collaboration supported by data insights.

Notably, industry confidence in AI-driven decision-making remains modest. According to recent survey results, just 19% of transportation companies expressed high confidence in AI’s procurement capabilities, and 24% highlighted concerns over data accuracy.

Modern Maintenance with AI-Assisted Systems

AI is transforming maintenance operations for private fleets. Agent-assisted AI can predict necessary maintenance and autonomously schedule services at optimal times using data from onboard sensors, historical maintenance logs, and external factors like weather. By minimizing disruptions, these solutions improve operational efficiency.

A recent survey revealed that 62% of fleet operators are interested in adopting agent-assisted AI for maintenance, highlighting the growing demand for such innovations.

“The integration of AI and agent-assisted AI for private fleets offers great potential, reimagining many areas of a fleet’s operations,” said Hadley Benton, CTP, executive vice president of business development for Fleet Advantage. “To truly harness these benefits, companies must rely on accurate and proven data sources to ensure AI solutions are deployed safely, responsibly, and effectively to drive sustainable growth and operational excellence.”

Explore Fleet Advantage at ACT Expo

Fleet Advantage’s presence at ACT Expo offers fleet managers a unique opportunity to explore cutting-edge AI technologies, discuss their Tariff-Readiness Plan, and understand how data-driven solutions are solving key industry challenges.

Click here to schedule a session with a Fleet Advantage executive or learn more about their strategies.

Source: The Trucker

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