May 17, 2019 • Carriers

Industry Update - May 17, 2019

Industry Update - May 17, 2019

By Jeremy Feucht

Did you Know?

We are just under 7 months away from the final deadline of the ELD mandate. The grandfather clause that allowed drivers to continue to use their AOBRDs will expire on December 16, 2019.

Trucking tip of the Week

We are seeing record amounts of rainfall across the US. While stopping a big rig is difficult enough on dry roads, add in wet pavement after a hot spell, and vehicles with the best tires and breaks can have trouble stopping.

Autonomous Vehicles

More trouble for the autonomous vehicle industry as a Tesla was involved in another fatal accident. The investigation results have become available in the fatal wreck and it has been determined that the autopilot was engaged but did not detect a semi. On March 1, a Tesla collided with the semi at about 68 mph while crossing a highway in Delray Beach, FL killing the driver of the Tesla. Events like this will further delay autonomous trucks from entering the industry.

Tariffs

Tariffs have been a common theme recently, but we may see a change to that. The US has agreed to lift tariffs on Mexico and Canada in regard to steel and aluminum that is manufactured in those countries. Further helping the trucking industry is that the agreement also includes the removal of retaliatory tariffs placed on US goods by Mexico and Canada. The removal of these tariffs should help reduce the costs to consumers and increase margins for the manufacturers which in turn should help stabilize or even increase rates paid to drivers.

FMCSA Seeking Comments

Last year, the FMCSA requested comments for a pilot program allowing those 18-20 years old with military experience to drive interstate. This week, the FMCSA is now requesting comments from anyone who would like to have their voice heard on allowing those 18-20 years old and without military experience to drive interstate. Currently those 18-20 can drive big rigs commercially, they just can only drive intrastate. If you would like to read the request by the FMCSA and comment, you can do so here. Comments must be received by July 15, 2019.

Tagstrucking CDL FMCSA USA Industry Update Did you Know Trucking Tips ELD AOBRD Autonomous Vehicles Tesla Interstate Intrastate Tariffs Mexico Canada Rain stopping breaking

Industry Update - January 24, 2020 <h4>By Paul DeCoste</h4> <h3></h3> <h3></h3> <h3><strong>Industry Update</strong></h3> Curious about the top issues discussed in the trucking industry in 2019? Take a look at this graphic from the ATRI Top Industry Issues 2019 survey. <h3> <a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/01/image002-1.png"><img class="size-medium wp-image-4869 aligncenter" src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/01/image002-1-300x244.png" alt="" width="300" height="244" /></a></h3> <h3><strong>Weather Update</strong></h3> <a href="https://www.freightwaves.com/news/snowstorm-lingers-into-weekend-for-midwest-northeast-with-forecast-video">This snowstorm</a> has been building up over the past few days and drivers need to be aware of some potential snowfall in the Midwest. The following locations should be driven on with caution for the weekend; Milwaukee and Green Bay, Wisconsin, Michigan’s upper peninsula, Chicago and South Bend, Indiana. <h3></h3> <h3><strong>Pilot Name Change</strong></h3> <a href="https://cdllife.com/2020/truck-stop-giant-announces-big-name-change/">Just yesterday, Pilot Flying J announced that</a> they are changing their company name to “Pilot Company”. This new corporate name is meant to, “serve as an umbrella that captures the total portfolio of the business as it continues to expand its retail and energy operations.” <h3></h3> <h3><strong>Driver Saves Lives</strong></h3> <a href="https://www.truckersnews.com/driver-fights-fire-at-accident-scene-honored-for-his-efforts/">Linden O’Donnell went out of his way to put out a car fire</a> and help several motorists. He was driving on the right side of Interstate 280 when he witnessed a car smash into the back of a stalled SUV. Thankfully the SUV was empty, but the passengers of the car were barely conscious and in need of help. As fire crept from the engine to the cab, Linden ran to grab his fire extinguisher and put out the flames. This allowed Linden to safely assist the drivers out of the car and out of harm’s way. His courage and ability to react deserves the honor he is receiving. <h3></h3> <h3>New Tech</h3> <a href="https://www.ttnews.com/articles/companies-explore-using-old-electric-car-batteries-cut-costs">This pilot study done by American Electric Power and Nissan Motor Co</a>., is testing the reuse of old batteries to reduce costs for electric cars. This new process has the potential to lower system costs by one-half and even extend the power of lithium batteries by one-third.

Jan 24, 2020 • Carriers

Truckers Sentiments on Updated HOS Rules [p]As the new HOS Rules have been updated, <a href="http://www.truckerpath.com">Trucker Path</a> users have brought in mixed comments via it’s in-app forum. Here are some of the comments we gathered from our users. [/p] <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/11/trucker-2946821_640.jpg" alt=""] [p]Some users welcomed the idea, like DANZ63. He said <em>“Experiencing the new 30 minute break allowed including the on time duty into it. Honestly, the 30 minute break should be removed completely because it’s really no break at all because it completes the break while I didnt even intend to take a break. Also my pre trip doesn’t even start my day, which can actually be beneficial.”</em>[/p] [p]User, Tachyon said that <em>“This benefits owner operators and fleet owners by giving them greater flexibility. The seventy hour clock should have increased to allow employees the opportunity to make more money to justify the additional fatigue this is likely to cause.”</em>[/p] [p]<em>“I think it’s a good change and the first in a decade that will actually mitigate driving fatigue. Forcing a driver to take 10 hrs in one sitting does not necessarily reduce his fatigue. Everyone is different. A full 10 hours make me more tired sometimes!”</em> said user Tarzammond.[/p] [p]All good, said user Shuttleman. <em>“I’m good with it. I’ve been doing ELD’s. For 15 years I did all the whining back then and didn't do any good so I just got used to it, worked with it. Just hang in there a few years, all of this will be water under the bridge and life will go on.”</em>[/p] [p]While there is a mix of feedback. The common denominator is the request to remove the 14-hour rule altogether. [/p] [p]<em>“Glad to see the first step in a good direction, but the 14hr day is a huge hindrance. Like when last week, I spent 5.5hrs waiting to get loaded just chipped away at my drive time. Extended delivery to another day, turning 2-day delivery into 3 days.”</em> Another one stated.[/p] [p]8sEx4eCoSP said, <em>“I just wish they would drop the 14-hour rule. I think that’s why there are more mistakes being made because we don’t have a long enough time to actually get a shower or take a nap or like some of us take the time out to eat right and not so much on the go. Plus some of us only need 6 to 7 hours of sleep and we’re rested. And there’s a lot of us that always take a break more than 30 minutes a day anyway if we get the chance to. But with this 14-hour rule, it hinders all of us.”</em>[/p] [p]OpClgdA9Jc was also not in favor of the 14-hour rule. <em>“Like with anything, it has its pros and cons. The 14-hour rule is the problem if they’re not going to get rid of it, they should at least make it 16 like in Canada.”</em>[/p] [p]Even though one user was okay with the change, he still had something to say about the 14-hour rule. <em>“I’m in favor of the change. But they should scrap the 14 hour rule. I mean no driver likes it and it hurts drivers on making appointments.”</em>[/p] [p]<strong>Conclusion </strong>[/p] [p]While most of the truckers were in favor of the said changes and the added flexibility in schedule, there were also some that pointed out the need to remove the core 14-hour rule. The updated rules have been in place for more than a month now and gathering of public feedback is now over. The FMCSA has yet to give an update based on the feedback gathered but as one commentator said, life goes on.[/p] <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/09/hos2.jpeg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h2></h2> [p][b]By Trucker Path[/b][/p]

Nov 10, 2020 • Carriers

Industry Update March 8, 2019 <h2>Trucking Industry Update March 8, 2019</h2> <h4>By Jeremy Feucht</h4> <h3></h3> <h3><strong><u>Did you Know?</u></strong></h3> This week in history saw its very first Adopt-A-Highway sign be placed. March 9, 1985, the Tyler Civitan Club committed to picking up trash on Texas Highway 69. <h3></h3> <h3><strong><u>Trucking tip of the Week</u></strong></h3> Tornado season is upon us. Alabama saw 18 strike in a single day earlier this week. Tornado season usually lasts from March to June. Keep an eye out on weather forecasts and the FMCSA Declaration of Emergency page. Remember, you cannot outrun a tornado, so don’t try. <h3></h3> <h3><strong><u>Infrastructure</u></strong></h3> The ATA is stepping up efforts to counterman the increases they are seeing across individual states to place road improvement costs all on the trucking industry. Instead, they are offering up another idea. Called the “Build America Fund,” the ATA’s CEO Chris Spear is calling for a $.20 per gallon increase on fuel tax which would be implemented over the next five years. While any increase in fuel means increases in prices every where else, Mr. Spear makes several <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/trucking-calls-on-congress-to-draft-sustainable-user-funded-infrastructure-plan-1028009576">solid points</a> on why we can no longer ignore the infrastructure crisis in the US. <h3></h3> <h3><strong><u>Legislation</u></strong></h3> Last week, we talked about the ATA pushing the “Drive Safe Act.” This piece of legislation would allow those who are under 21 to drive interstate. This week Mark Allen, President and CEO of the International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA) also weighed in on the topic. Mr. Allen, like the ATA, believes <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trucking-a-gateway-to-economic-prosperity/ar-BBUlH9m">this is a good idea</a> due to the increasing capacity crunch the industry is seeing. The crunch is finally starting to hit consumer pricing and presidents for associations like the ATA and IFDA are attempting to make the public understand why. Is this the best option? Maybe not, but at least groups are attempting to make sure the issues are seen and understood by those outside of the industry. <h3></h3> <h3><strong><u>Avoiding Toll Roads?</u></strong></h3> If you have <a href="https://cdllife.com/2019/state-police-cracking-truckers-avoiding-new-toll-road/">practiced avoiding toll roads</a> in your big rig, you might need to reconsider doing it in the future. Maryland and Delaware State Police created their own blitz. The crackdown came on February 28-March 1 and focused on drivers avoiding the US 301 toll. 85 drivers in total were stopped with 77 receiving citations and two were forced out of service. More sprees like this are expected to be conducted. Make sure you check out state laws in the jurisdictions you will be traveling in if you plan on attempting to avoid tolls.

Mar 08, 2019 • Carriers