Pulled From Transport Topics
2011
President Obama introduced the long-awaited regulations establishing fuel economy standards for commercial trucks.
The regulations, written jointly by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Environmental Protection Agency, are similar to proposals announced last October.
To read the full article click HERE
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Diesel Prices Lowest in Nearly Six Months - Truckinginfo.com
Diesel Prices Lowest in Nearly Six Months
From Truckinginfo.com
By Truckinginfo Staff
Diesel prices dropped for the third week in a row and are the lowest they've been since late February. Weekly figures from the Department of Energy show the average retail price of on-highway diesel is $3.937 a gallon, down 6.2 cents from last week and down more than 11 cents over the past three weeks. But it's still 85.6 cents higher than it was a year ago.
Prices still hovered at the $4 a gallon mark in the New England region, where the average price was the highest. The lowest average prices were reported in the Gulf Coast region at $3.806.
Crude oil futures prices, meanwhile, settled higher Monday, closing at $87.88 a barrel for light, sweet crude on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It was the highest price since Aug. 3.
To read the full article CLICK HERE
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From Truckinginfo.com
By Truckinginfo Staff
Diesel prices dropped for the third week in a row and are the lowest they've been since late February. Weekly figures from the Department of Energy show the average retail price of on-highway diesel is $3.937 a gallon, down 6.2 cents from last week and down more than 11 cents over the past three weeks. But it's still 85.6 cents higher than it was a year ago. Prices still hovered at the $4 a gallon mark in the New England region, where the average price was the highest. The lowest average prices were reported in the Gulf Coast region at $3.806.
Crude oil futures prices, meanwhile, settled higher Monday, closing at $87.88 a barrel for light, sweet crude on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It was the highest price since Aug. 3.
To read the full article CLICK HERE
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Snowe Introduces Bill to Allow Trucks Over 80,000 Pounds - Truckinginfo.com
From Heavy Duty Trucking Magazine Online
8/2011 Snowe Introduces Bill to Allow Trucks Over 80,000 Pounds
Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine proposed legislation that will allow six-axle trucks weighing up to 100,000 pounds on all interstates highways in the state.
Currently, trucks weighing more than 80,000 pounds are restricted to secondary roads except for the Maine Turnpike from Kittery to Augusta. The Maine Republican's bill would allow states to bypass Congress and seek individual waivers of the interstate restrictions from the U.S. DOT.
Snowe says the Commercial Truck Safety Act would eliminate an inequitable government regulation permitting the heavier trucks to travel on some states' interstate highways and not others. In 27 states, trucks up to 100,000 pounds can travel on interstate highways, but in states like Maine, trucks weighing more than 80,000 pounds must either unload cargo or travel to their destination on winding secondary roads through numerous small towns and communities.
The bill would allow the secretary of transportation to establish three-year pilot exemptions on a state-by-state basis. Each participating state would be required to establish a safety committee, including department officials, highway safety advocates and trucking representatives, to determine whether the waiver should become permanent.
"Trucks belong on the highway," said Snowe, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, adding that the "current treatment of truck weights on interstate highways is a glaring example of a bureaucratic regulation creating both safety hazards on secondary roads and tangible barriers to job growth."
Snowe's not the only who wants to change the law to allow the heavier trucks on state interstates.
U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, a Maine Democrat, has a bill in the House allowing heavier trucks on interstates in Maine and other states, which has 51 co-sponsors. It was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, with co-sponsors that include U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.
To read the full article click HERE
Broken record trucking commentary: "looming driver shortage"
Image via WikipediaIts a familiar theme: A trucking or trucker shortage is looming. Then you hear, trucker rates will rise. I am not all that surprised, are you. Companies constantly recruit new people to replace older drivers. The Federal Government is squeezing the life out of the potential driver, and your jammed on overcrowded roads with a society that has not accepted that everything you get...was probably delivered by truck. On top of this, the government, our government in lieu of a mandate that THEY HAVE TO cut billions from the economy, want to subsidize drivers from another nation so that they can take more trucking jobs.What message do you think your sending to future drivers?
The only thing that I think is odd it that it took as long as it did to get to this point....
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This Trucking Company Owners Goose is Cooked!
I recently read of a Minnesota truck company owner who underpaid his drivers and then was forced to pay them what he owed them. No harm done..honest mistake I’m sure. Then the owner contacted the drivers and said they weren’t supposed to get the payment and asked for it back. Buddy, your prospects look dim. The fact that you actively defrauded the US government after they caught you in a potential defraud situation, its going to be very hard to get these charges to go away.
Image via WikipediaThe real victoms are the truck drivers. How many truck drivers get shorted and don’t get what they are owed? My guess is there are firms that haven’t gotten caught, but will. It’s a shame that the road isn’t the only risk for todays truckerhttp://www.landlinemag.com/todays_news/Daily/2011/Aug11/080111/080111-04.shtml
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Gas Reduction Strategies for Trucks
The push to save GAS
With fuel costs going way up everyone is scrambling to save money on their fleets and trucks. An article in Heavy Duty Trucking talks about some measures companies are using to do this
The biggest is the use of an onboard feedback system to tell the driver his or her performance on the road. The driver can then make changes with their driving techniques, uneccessary idling, and tractor speed.
Basically the modern truck driver is being trained on the spot how to drive with efficiency in mind. The Driver Feedback Systems are like low pressure mobile trainers. This simple on the spot training system can reduce fuel waste by as much as 24% though results vary.
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With fuel costs going way up everyone is scrambling to save money on their fleets and trucks. An article in Heavy Duty Trucking talks about some measures companies are using to do this
The biggest is the use of an onboard feedback system to tell the driver his or her performance on the road. The driver can then make changes with their driving techniques, uneccessary idling, and tractor speed.
Basically the modern truck driver is being trained on the spot how to drive with efficiency in mind. The Driver Feedback Systems are like low pressure mobile trainers. This simple on the spot training system can reduce fuel waste by as much as 24% though results vary.
Information adapted from: http://www.truckinginfo.com/news/news-detail.asp?news_id=74282&news_category_id=42
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Authorities investigate death of trucker left undiscovered for days
Authorities investigate death of trucker left undiscovered for days
Authorities in Ontario, OR, are investigating the death of truck driver who was discovered dead in his rig parked in a busy truck stop. The trucker, who authorities are still attempting to positively identify, had been dead for as long as 10 days before he was found.The truck was parked, idling until it ran out of fuel, at the Love’s Truck Stop in Ontario. An employee of the truck stop called police on July 13 after finding the trucker dead in the cab of his truck. It is believed the man had been dead in the idling truck since July 4, according to Ontario Police Chief Mark Alexander, who said because of the heavy truck traffic at the truck stop, the man wasn’t noticed.
To read the full article click HERE
Trucker tips: Dealing with Steep Inclines Part 2
Great Trucking Tips for dealing with Steep Inclines
These tips were pulled from class drivers.com and are an excellent source of information.
TIPS FOR TACKLING THOSE TOUGH HILLS FOR ANY COTTRELL TRAILER OWNER
* Do a thorough pre-trip inspection, and complete safety-related repairs before rolling. Are the trailer brakes frozen? Will the moisture in the brake lines freeze at higher altitudes? Do the brakes or steering pull? Do the cooling fan thermostat and the windshield defroster work? Are the wipers good?
* Know your route in detail, down to the road surface.
* Know the weather where you are and where you’re going at the time you’ll be there.
* Know your load’s weight and stability.
* Know your truck’s capabilities in relation to your load and the hill. At what rpm does your engine produce peak torque?
* Know how to chain up. How-to manuals make it seem easy, but practice if you’ve never done it.
CLIMBING
* Downshift as needed to keep engine speed at peak torque output.
* Communicate with CB and lights. Use four-way flashers under 40 mph unless otherwise posted.
* Be courteous to other drivers climbing faster with lighter loads.
* Frequently note coolant, oil and transmission temperatures. Ease up, if necessary, to avoid overheating.
* Keep moving. Starting from a dead stop on an upgrade is dangerous and strains equipment.
DESCENDING
* Plan your descent according to your truck’s limitations and capabilities.
* Communicate with CB and lights. Use four-way flashers under 40 mph unless otherwise posted.
* Adjust brakes before starting down. Don’t trust auto-adjusters.
* Never come down a steep grade in high gear. Downshift before starting down.
* Use the transmission and engine brake as much as possible to maintain a safe speed.
* Stop at the first sign of smoking brakes and be ready to grab your fire extinguisher. Very hot brakes could burst into flames upon stopping.
* Notice the weather, traffic and terrain. Have an emergency plan.
* Maintain extremely long stopping distances in traffic.
* Long slopes are deceptive. Make sure you really are at the bottom before grabbing higher gears.
Source of tips:
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