Bruce Guthrie, Author at TheTrucker.com

Super Bowl of Safety begins Friday in Arkansas

By Bruce Guthrie - June 26, 2024

ROGERS, Ark. — More than 200 professionals will compete in both written and hands-on competitions that demonstrate their safety knowledge and skill at the 2024 Arkansas Trucking Championship (ATA) this weekend, June 28-29 at the Rogers Convention Center in Rogers, Arkansas. Regarded as the best of the best, these 37 technicians and 149 truck drivers will gather for the state-wide, two-day competition, hosted by the ATA. On Thursday, ATA will support Arkansas Highway Police inspectors as they test their skills in the Commercial Vehicle Inspection Competition. The Technician Championship will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, June 28 and conclude with an awards banquet at 5:30 p.m. The Truck Driving Championship begins on Friday with a written exam and pre-trip inspection and then continues Saturday with the driving skills portion. The Saturday skills test begins at 7:45 a.m. and typically concludes around 2 p.m. It is the biggest event, attracting hundreds of cheering friends, family, colleagues and spectators. “This annual championship is a celebration of the men and women who provide for their families by providing products for ours. Their skill and commitment to safety is worth cheering for, rolling out the red carpet and handing out trophies to recognize what it takes to move our state and nation forward,” said Shannon Newton, ATA president. “Every day, truck drivers and the technicians who maintain their equipment ensure that communities have what they need to work and play in the Natural State. Whether it’s sunscreen to enjoy a sunny day or medicines when we’re stuck inside feeling under the weather, the products on store shelves arrive through the hard work of trucking industry professionals.” To qualify for the truck driving championship, contestants must be accident-free for the past year. Winners from each technician and truck driving competition class and the Arkansas Highway Police will advance to a national competition where their knowledge and skill will be tested against their peers from across the country.

Advantage Truck Group makes donation for diesel engines training

By Bruce Guthrie - June 25, 2024

SHREWSBURY, Mass. — In a release issued recently Advantage Truck Group (ATG) recently donated a 6.7L Cummins diesel engine along with transmissions and air brake boards to Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School (BVT) in Upton, Mass. “This equipment will make ideal training aids for students in our diesel classes,” said BVT diesel instructor Michael Godowski. “Disassembling the transmissions and engine will help students identify parts and see how everything works, and the air brake boards will serve as both training aids and testing tools for the students to better understand the different functions of the system.” ATG stated that its donation was to combat the shortage of diesel technicians and support training along with workforce development efforts. “It is critical to support education and training of diesel technicians at every level, and donating equipment to schools like Blackstone Valley Tech helps expand learning experiences for students interested in this career,” said ATG network trainer Matthew McCuin. ATG furthers the cause by providing cooperative education and internship opportunities for students, enabling them to gain industry experience at their Shrewsbury facility and other locations in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont.

Diesel prices slightly up

By Bruce Guthrie - June 25, 2024

A new streak has begun, but not in favor of American drivers. According to the numbers released by the Petroleum Administration for Defense District, diesel fuel prices are either holding steady in most regions across the U. S. or have up-ticked slightly. There is overall is a slight increase in prices nationwide from an average of $3.73 per gallon to $3.76. The largest increases regionally are two regions on the east coast where diesel has raised on the lower Atlantic from $3.72 to $3.77 per gallon and in the New England region that jumped from 3.83 to 3.87 per gallon on average since the Father’s Day weekend. California’s diesel prices remained largely unchanged at $4.91 per gallon since last weekend. It is the second week in a row that prices have increased, if even slightly, after a 10-week run of falling prices that ended on the week of June 10. According to the EIA’s Short-Term Energy Outlook, U.S. crude oil production is up 2% from 2023 to an annual average of 13.2 million barrels per day (b/d) in 2024. EIA officials say the nation should see around a 4% growth in 2025 to reach 13.7 million b/d. The EIA also reported that current monthly diesel retail prices are meeting or just above the average price. Prices are, however, expected to dip below the average through the latter half of 2024 and then rise again heading into 2025.

Treasury secretary Yellen promises crackdown on fentanyl trafficking during Atlanta visit

By Bruce Guthrie - June 25, 2024

ATLANTA — In her second visit to Atlanta this year, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced new sanctions last week against those that smuggle fentanyl and other synthetic opioids into the U.S. Yellen’s announcement during a news conference in Atlanta coincided with the arrests of eight leaders of the cartel La Nueva Familia Michocana on 13 indictments. More than 1 million Americans have died of drug overdoses since 2000, while fatal overdoses of fentanyl among Georgians rose by 200% between 2019 and 2021, Yellen said. “Far too many families in communities across the United States are losing their loved ones to opioids,” she said. “That’s why President Biden has directed the entire U.S. government to use every tool at our disposal to combat the opioid epidemic.” “Illicit drugs imported into the United States are killing our citizens at an unprecedented rate,” added Ryan Buchanan, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. Yellen said the sanctions imposed by the Treasury Department’s Office of Financial Assets Control are aimed at denying cartels the funds they need to carry out their illegal activities. “Cartels that peddle fentanyl operate in many respects like other businesses,” she said. “They rely on access to banking systems … to make payroll and finance purchases.” Yellen said the federal government needs help from the private sector to make the sanctions work. Toward that end, the Treasury Department also issued an advisory Thursday to help financial institutions detect and report flows of money fueling the fentanyl supply chain. “One of the most powerful things we can do is deny (cartels) the fruits of their labor, the very essence of what these cartels need — their money,” said Robert Murphy, special agent in charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Atlanta office. “We don’t want them to use that money to make them stronger and have a bigger impact in the United States.” Yellen said La Nueva Familia Michocana not only ships fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamines into the U.S. but also smuggles illegal immigrants across the southern border and engages in arms trafficking. Yellen said Chinese officials have agreed to cooperate with the American effort to combat fentanyl, and she is reaching out to Claudia Sheinbaum, recently elected president of Mexico, to work with the U.S. on choking off the flow of dangerous drugs across the border. Dave Williams of Capitol Beat News Service contributed to this report.

Georgia DOT schedules open houses on I-285 toll lanes

By Bruce Guthrie - June 25, 2024

ATLANTA — Capitol Beat News Service reported last week that the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) will host four open houses next month on a plan to add toll lanes along the top end of Interstate 285 and along Georgia 400 in Cobb, Fulton, and DeKalb counties in the state of Georgia. The project will add two barrier-separated lanes in both directions of the so-called Perimeter Highway between South Atlanta Road and Henderson Road and on Georgia 400 from south of the Glenridge Connector north to the vicinity of the North Springs MARTA station. I-285 perennially ranks among the most congested stretches of highway in the nation, averaging 250,000 to 300,000 vehicles per day. The toll lanes are aimed at reducing congestion to provide more reliable trip times. Georgia’s State Transportation Board voted last month to move forward with the project. The open houses are part of a public comment period on the project that ends July 29. Here is the schedule for the four open houses: July 8 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. – Spring Hall Event Center, Doraville July 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Campbell Middle School, Smyrna July 16 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. – Dunwoody City Hall July 18 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. – City Springs, Sandy Springs GDOT’s project team also will host two live virtual sessions, one on July 9 from 5-7 p.m. and another on July 17 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Access details will be added on the day of the sessions at the project’s web page at https://i285topendexpresslanes-gdot.hub.arcgis.com. The DOT also is working with MARTA to add a transit component to the project. “These are two processes running commensurate with each other and integrated together,” Georgia Commissioner of Transportation Russell McMurry told members of the State Transportation Board Thursday. MARTA is planning to run bus-rapid transit routes along I-285, with stops at a combination of new stations and existing MARTA stations.

UPS offloads Coyote Logistics to RXO for just over $1B

By Bruce Guthrie - June 25, 2024

According to a release issued on Monday, June 24, RXO has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Coyote Logistics, an asset-light freight brokerage business, for $1.025 billion from UPS. RXO states the acquisition will enhance RXO’s market position, diversify and expand its customer base, and broaden its carrier network. At closing, RXO will be the third-largest provider of brokered transportation in North America. UPS announced the transaction on Monday morning as well. “As UPS positions itself to become the premium small package provider and logistics partner in the world, the decision to sell our Coyote Logistics business allows an even greater focus on our core business,” said UPS Chief Executive Officer Carol B. Tomé. Based in Chicago, Coyote Logistics is a leading global third-party logistics (3PL) provider, working with 100,000 network carriers and managing 10,000 loads per day. “RXO’s highly accretive acquisition of Coyote will immediately increase the scale of our brokerage business, providing customers with more capacity across a wider array of power lanes,” said Drew Wilkerson, chief executive officer of RXO. “RXO will realize significant synergies from the acquisition by quickly integrating Coyote’s business into RXO and leveraging our cutting-edge technology. The addition of Coyote’s customer base will diversify RXO’s vertical mix and will increase the number of customers that do more than $1 million in business with us by approximately 80%. This acquisition will provide RXO with both immediate and long-term opportunities for revenue and earnings growth and will generate significant returns for shareholders. I look forward to welcoming Coyote’s employees to our team and working together to achieve excellent results for our customers, shareholders, carrier partners and employees for years to come.” The transaction is expected to be immediately and significantly accretive to RXO’s adjusted diluted earnings per share and adjusted free cash flow. Under the terms of the agreement, RXO will pay $1.025 billion in cash for Coyote. RXO will continue to serve UPS’s brokered transportation needs under a contract that runs through January 2030. The acquired business generated approximately $3.2 billion in revenue in 2023 with approximately $470 million in gross margin and approximately $86 million of adjusted EBITDA. RXO expects annualized cost synergies of at least $25 million. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the year, subject to regulatory review and approval. Upon completion of the transaction, the company will update its financial outlook.

NFI CEO among 6 indicted by New Jersey Attorney General

By Bruce Guthrie - June 25, 2024

TRENTON, N.J. — In a case that has been tabbed as exposing a criminal enterprise going back more than 10 years, NFI CEO Sidney Brown has been included in an indictment aimed primarily at a key political figure in the state of New Jersey. On Monday, June 17, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) announced the filing of criminal charges against six defendants including Brown following what he called “a years-long investigation into a criminal enterprise.” In a press release announcing the charges, Platkin says the enterprise was run by George E. Norcross III and his associates in South Jersey and elsewhere, based on an investigation conducted by the OPIA, the FBI and the New Jersey State Police. The 13-count indictment alleges that “through a series of unlawful acts, the Norcross Enterprise obtained property and property rights on the Camden Waterfront for itself and others, collected millions of dollars in government-issued tax credits, and controlled and influenced government officials to further the interests of the enterprise.” The Attorney General alleges that from as early as 2012 through the present, the Norcross Enterprise used its power and influence over government officials to craft legislation tailored to serve the interests of the enterprise, and with the cooperation of then-Camden Mayor Dana Redd and other officials, used parts of the city’s government to aid the enterprise in acquiring property and property rights for itself and others through coercion, extortion, and other criminal acts. All six of the defendants are charged with first-degree racketeering They include: • George E. Norcross, III, 68, of Palm Beach, Florida, Executive Chairman of the insurance firm Conner, Strong & Buckelew and chairman of the board of trustees for Cooper Health. • Philip A. Norcross, 61, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Attorney and Managing Shareholder and CEO of Parker McCay, a New Jersey law firm. Philip Norcross also serves on the board of Cooper Health and is the registered agent for the groups that own buildings in Camden that are the subject of the criminal allegations. • William M. Tambussi, 66, of Brigantine, New Jersey, Attorney and partner at the law firm of Brown and Connery. He is the long-time personal attorney to George Norcross. Since 1989, he also served as counsel to the Camden County Democratic Committee – which George Norcross chaired from 1989 to 1995. Tambussi has also served as outside counsel to the City of Camden, the Camden Redevelopment Agency, Cooper Health, and Conner Strong. • Dana L. Redd, 56, of Sicklerville, New Jersey, current CEO of Camden Community Partnership, which was formerly Cooper’s Ferry Partnership. She previously served as a member of the Camden City Council, the New Jersey Senate, and from 2010 to 2018 was the Mayor of Camden, and she is alleged to have abused that position to benefit herself and the Norcross Enterprise. • Sidney R. Brown, 67, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, CEO of NFI, a trucking and logistics company. He also serves as a member of the board at Cooper Health, and is a partner in the groups that own several of the Camden buildings at the center of the allegations. • John J. O’Donnell, 61, of Newtown, Pennsylvania, has been in the executive leadership of The Michaels Organization, a residential development company, in a variety of roles including COO, President, and CEO. He is also a partner in the groups that own several of the Camden buildings at the center of the allegations. He has also served on the Board of Cooper’s Ferry Partnership at various times since 2018. The release from Platkin states the defendants are also charged with various counts of financial facilitation, misconduct by a corporate official, and official misconduct and conspiring to commit theft by extortion, criminal coercion, financial facilitation, misconduct by a corporate official and official misconduct. “The indictment unsealed (on June 17) alleges that George Norcross has been running a criminal enterprise in this state for at least the last 12 years,” Platkin said. “On full display in this indictment is how a group of unelected, private businessmen used their power and influence to get government to aid their criminal enterprise and further its interests. The alleged conduct of the Norcross Enterprise has caused great harm to individuals, businesses, non-profits, the people of the State of New Jersey, and especially the City of Camden and its residents. That stops today. We must never accept politics and government — that is funded with tax dollars — to be weaponized against the people it serves. Today we reaffirm that no one in our state is above the law — period.” The release clarified the magnitude of the charges stating that all of the offenses alleged in the 111-page indictment are violations of the first and second degrees. First-degree charges carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $200,000. The crime of first-degree racketeering is subject to the No Early Release Act, and thus carries a mandatory 85% parole disqualifier. The Attorney General’s office also clarified that racketeering convictions also exposes criminal defendants to the potential for additional financial penalties – including the forfeiture of ill-gotten proceeds from their criminal activity. Platkin said in his statement, that the state intends to seek such forfeitures. Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. The offense of official misconduct carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years for public officials convicted of that offense related to their office. Where Brown fits into the equation is as of a property owner on the parcel in question, and is not mentioned in Platkin’s statement by name other than as one of the six defendants listed. However in the indictment, Brown is included in the membership of what is called the Camden Partners along with O’Donnell and George Norcross III, represented legally by Tambussi. According to an Associated Press report, among the allegations against Norcross are charges that he threatened a developer who would not relinquish his rights to waterfront property in Camden, New Jersey, on Norcross’ terms. The indictment cites a profanity-laden phone recording of Norcross in which he tells the developer he will face “enormous consequences.” The person asks if Norcross is threatening him, according to the indictment. “Absolutely,” Norcross replies. The indictment also said Norcross and the co-defendants including Brown extorted and coerced businesses with property rights on Camden’s waterfront and obtained tax incentive credits, which they then sold for millions of dollars. Platkin described Camden as long suffering from economic decline. NFI is located at TRIAD1828 Centre, 2 Cooper Street in Camden, New Jersey, which is at the heart of the property involved in the indictment and the center of the extortion allegations. Platkin held a press conference when the indictment was unsealed in which George Norcross III sat on the front row and called Platkin a “coward” and demanded a speedy trial according to the AP report. The group is scheduled to be arraigned July 9 at 10 a.m. Messages seeking comment from NFI remained unanswered at the time of publication. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

IMC Logistics deploys Powerfleet’s Unity platform

By Bruce Guthrie - June 20, 2024

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — Logistics software management firm Powerfleet recently announced that IMC Logistics has deployed its software-as-a-service (SaaS) based, data-agnostic platform called Unity. According to a news release, through using Unity’s data highway, large amounts of data can now be ingested, harmonized and simplified within a single pane of glass, offering actionable insights and real-time visibility of IMC’s unpowered and untethered assets across hundreds of locations in North America. “With Unity now consolidating large amounts of IMC’s data from numerous sources and IoT (Internet of Things) devices, the pain of having multiple providers and portals has been eliminated,” the news release states. “This unification makes the platform a future-proof solution — as IMC grows and evolves, Unity eases the friction of standard mergers and acquisitions activity by rapidly consuming and harmonizing the new data sets.” This partnership has also solved asset visibility challenges for IMC and helped mitigate the need for constant search and re-evaluation of equipment, the news release notes. “It has been an exemplary experience with the Powerfleet team every step of the way from the pre-sales process through to contract execution and technical deployment,” said Carl Schultz, vice president of IT at IMC. “Powerfleet Unity is purpose-fit to empower our digital transformation and Powerfleet’s people truly care, a winning combination and a formula for success. In short, Unity brings order to our data chaos.” IMC leverages the Unity platform and Asset Gateway product, taking full advantage of Powerfleet’s best-in-class hardware and SaaS software solutions, resulting in complete, real-time asset visibility from port to final destination. “This partnership is a perfect illustration of the transformative power of data and how it can unify operations to achieve business objectives,” said Steve Towe, chief executive officer at Powerfleet. “The IMC team is revolutionizing the transportation space, and we are honored to work with a company that is similarly dedicated to ongoing innovation to better serve customers.”

HDA Truck Pride partners with TreviPay

By Bruce Guthrie - June 20, 2024

HAZELWOOD, Mo. — HDA Truck Pride, an independent provider of parts and services to the commercial vehicle aftermarket, and TreviPay, a business-to-business payments and invoicing network, have partnered in the new FUSE National Account Program. According to a news release, FUSE represents a national fleet program designed to seamlessly connect small to mid-sized fleets with an extensive network of more than 900 premier HDA Truck Pride parts and service providers across North America. TreviPay will enable service providers in the FUSE program the ability to offer invoicing and commercial payment terms to the fleets they serve. “HDA Truck Pride is dedicated to offering cutting-edge resources and initiatives to elevate the commercial vehicle industry,” said Curt Westphal, director of program development–end user at HDA Truck Pride. In a recent TreviPay study of 300 global business buyers, inefficient processes and incorrect invoices were identified as areas where B2B sellers are falling short. “This is a direct reflection of manual back-office systems, which can easily miss negotiated pricing or invoice scheduling agreements,” according to the news release. Through TreviPay, fleets getting serviced within the FUSE program at participating service providers can expect consolidated, online invoicing and payment options through a dedicated line of credit (payment terms of 30 days). Fleets can also take advantage of fast onboarding, Accounts Payable integration and customized purchase controls. “Today’s business buyers are increasingly looking for seamless payment experiences that are convenient, accurate and fast — and this includes heavy-duty trucking fleets,” said Brandon Spear, CEO of TreviPay. “TreviPay’s tailored program for the HDA Truck Pride network will connect service providers and fleets with the streamlined onboarding, invoicing and reporting capabilities, which will add value through the order-to-cash process.” According to the release, by partnering with TreviPay for payments and invoicing solutions, participating HDA Truck Pride service providers will be able to offer commercial payment (or net) terms to expand and cement loyalty among the market of fleets each serves. In addition to a 90% improvement in invoice accuracy in the FUSE program, service providers can experience seamless, easy-to-process billing, increased average order sizes and the ability to extend net terms without taking on a credit risk. TreviPay guarantees payment and manages collections through the program to help reduce Days Sales Outstanding. “Having observed TreviPay’s significant influence within our industry over the years, we are thrilled to collaborate with them to integrate their payment technology and invoicing solutions into our network.” Westphal continued, “The FUSE national accounts program fortifies our network’s competitive edge and market expansion and elevates the convenience and value proposition for our fleet customers. It’s a win-win partnership for all involved.”

EY honors Bestpass-Fleetworthy CEO

By Bruce Guthrie - September 9, 2024

NEW YORK, N.Y. – An honor was bestowed upon Tom Fogarty by a group of his peers this week. According to a release issued by Ernst & Young LLP, the partnership recently announced that Fogarty, CEO of Bestpass-Fleetworthy Solutions, was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2024 New York Award winner. The award program recognizes the ambitious leaders of high-growth companies who are creating a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous world for future generations. Fogarty was selected by an independent judging panel made up of previous award winners, leading CEOs, and other business leaders. The candidates were evaluated based on their demonstration of building long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and impact, among other core contributions and attributes.  “It’s truly an honor to be recognized by EY as a 2024 New York Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winner,” said Tom Fogarty. “This award is a testament to the hard work, innovation, and incredible teamwork that is driving our company forward. This honor would not be possible without the support of the entire Bestpass-Fleetworthy Solutions team. Our company’s mission is to bring new solutions to help make our roads safer and commercial fleets more efficient. We will do just that as we continue to grow the overall business.” Bestpass, founded in 2001 in Albany, New York, is a pioneer in toll management solutions for commercial fleets. In 2023, the company acquired Fleetworthy Solutions, a fleet safety and regulatory compliance service provider, to expand its offerings beyond toll management. The combined company is now Bestpass-Fleetworthy Solutions. As a regional award winner, Fogarty will now be considered for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 National Awards, which will be presented in November at the annual Strategic Growth Forum®, one of the nation’s most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies.

Utility Trailer announces Texas expansion

By Bruce Guthrie - June 18, 2024

EAGLE PASS, Texas — Utility Trailer is expanding again, announcing the opening of a new Cargobull North America assembly plant and warehouse in Eagle Pass, Texas, according to a recent news release. “As Utility Trailer and Cargobull North America (CBNA) continue rolling out new products, an additional facility has opened to boost production and support their cutting-edge innovations,” the release stated. Adjacent to the Utility Trailer Southeast Texas dealer location in Eagle Pass, officials say this new Utility and CBNA facility will focus on the final assembly operation of CBNA transport refrigeration units (TRU). The plant will also work on final assembly of remote evaporators, solar panels, telematics hardware and other essential TRU parts, and will also be a warehouse that will store materials and parts for CBNA and Utility, according to the release. “It’s an exciting time for Utility’s production efforts,” said Steve Bennett, president and COO for Utility. “The plant and warehouse are centrally located to best serve most of North America. Utility dealers can order CBNA parts directly with rapid response.” Along with the network of six Aurora Parts distribution centers, company officials say they believe the new Eagle Pass facility will further improve the accessibility and availability of CBNA parts and accessories.

Pennsylvania governor honors those involved in response to I-95 fire and collapse

By Bruce Guthrie - June 18, 2024

HARRISBURG, Penn. — During a recent ceremony, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro presented a group of employees from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) with Governor’s Awards for Excellence in recognition of their response to the collapse of the bridge carrying Interstate 95 over Cottman Avenue in northeast Philadelphia on June 11, 2023. The Associated Press reported that an elevated section of Interstate 95 collapsed after a tanker truck carrying flammable cargo caught fire, closing a heavily traveled segment of the East Coast’s main north-south highway indefinitely, according to authorities. The northbound lanes of I-95 were gone and the southbound lanes were “compromised” by heat from the fire, said Derek Bowmer, battalion chief of the Philadelphia Fire Department. Runoff from the fire or perhaps broken gas lines caused explosions underground, he added. The aftermath was daunting for the entire region. Fire closed a heavily traveled segment of the East Coast’s main north-south highway indefinitely. Newscasts warned of traffic nightmares and gave advice on detours, urging drivers to take more time to travel. “This is really going to have a ripple effect throughout the region,” AAA spokesperson Jana Tidwell said at the time. She advised people to avoid peak travel times. After the fire and collapse of the bridge carrying I-95 over Cottman Avenue in northeast Philadelphia in the early morning hours of June 11, 2023, the PennDOT District 6 team sprang into action. Immediately following the collapse, Governor Shapiro issued a Declaration of Disaster Emergency, which allowed the team to mobilize contractors quickly to demolish the collapsed bridge and procure materials to build a temporary roadway, including locally made recycled foam glass aggregate. According to a PennDOT news release, the coordination between PennDOT, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, the Biden Administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the City of Philadelphia and the around-the-clock work of the Philadelphia Building Trades and contractors allowed crews to demolish the damaged roadway and build a temporary one. This allowed I-95 to reopen to traffic 12 days after the fire and collapse — well ahead of experts’ original predictions. The permanent repairs have since been completed, and the bridge was fully opened to traffic on May 24, less than a year after the collapse. “I’m incredibly proud that PennDOT and the District 6 team have been recognized with this award for their heroic efforts in getting I-95 reopened,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “These folks worked tirelessly under difficult circumstances and have demonstrated the creativity and innovative spirit of PennDOT.” The honorees are all based in District 6, PennDOT’s Philadelphia regional office: Din Abazi, District Executive David Adams, Senior Civil Engineer Manager Louis Belmonte, Transportation District Executive Charles Davies, Senior Assistant District Executive, Design Andrew Firment, Highway Administration Program Manager 2 Daniel Gleason, Transportation Construction Manager 3 Daniel Graham, Senior Highway Maintenance Manager Francis Hanney, Senior Assistant District Executive, Operations Krys Johnson, Transportation Community Relations Coordinator 1 Brad Rudolph, Deputy Communications Director 2 Harold Windisch, Senior Assistant District Executive, Construction The release also stated that the tragedy and subsequent rebuild of I-95 were followed by people all over the world, thanks to the live 24/7 camera feed that showed the construction progress. President Joe Biden, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and many other state and federal officials visited the site. “The swift reopening exceeded everyone’s expectations and created a sense of community and camaraderie in the Philadelphia community,” the release stated. The Governor’s Awards for Excellence recognize exemplary job performance or service that reflects initiative, leadership, innovation and increased efficiency. The PennDOT team was among 56 employees from 12 state agencies honored by Governor Shapiro at a ceremony for exceptional accomplishments in 2023.

RXO Connect software earns top honors from SupplyTech Breakthrough

By Bruce Guthrie - June 15, 2024

CHARLOTTE, N. C. — RXO, a provider of asset-light transportation solutions, has been named the Top Digital Freight Brokerage Software of the Year by SupplyTech Breakthrough, a leading independent market intelligence organization. “It is an honor to be recognized as industry leaders in technology, especially for RXO Connect,” said Yoav Amiel, chief information officer for RXO. “We are constantly providing updates to the platform and are always searching for ways to better serve our customers and carriers. We remain committed to transforming the transportation industry with innovative solutions and best-in-class technology.” According to a statement from RXO, the recognition underscores a commitment to innovation and excellence in the industry through cutting-edge technology and by providing customers with unique solutions. The award spotlights RXO’s cutting-edge technology platform, RXO Connect, which transforms the shipping process by finding smart solutions to move freight. RXO Connect offers a suite of features that automates steps in the freight booking process, resulting in an easy experience for both shippers and carriers. With more than 10,000 reliable carriers, RXO Connect streamlines transactions for brokerage customers as well as other RXO services, provides unparalleled visibility on the movement of freight and is powered by robust AI and machine learning capabilities to better serve customers and carriers.

Though still negative, FTR’s trucking conditions index improved in April

By Bruce Guthrie - June 14, 2024

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — While the numbers are trending in the right direction, FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index (TCI) indicated a more hospitable environment for carriers in April but remained negative at a reading of -1.95. However, that reading was up from -7.25 in March, according to a release issued this week. Both freight rates and financing costs were less negative, and freight volume improved. The TCI has not been positive in any month since early 2022 and likely will be mostly mildly negative for the rest of the year. The index could see some outlying positive readings as it moves closer to neutral territory. “Better days are in sight for trucking companies, but the market still needs to work through the tough combination of too much capacity and sluggish freight demand,” said Avery Vise, vice president o trucking for FTR. “The May payroll jobs figures for trucking offered some encouragement that this transition is underway, but a healthier situation for carriers will require continued rightsizing of capacity and stronger volume,” he continued. “We still do not expect consistently favorable market conditions for carriers until early next year.” Details of the April TCI can be found in the June issue of FTR’s Trucking Update, published May 31, 2024. Additional commentary in the June edition analyzes the lingering excess trucking capacity among both small and larger carriers. The Trucking Update includes data and analysis on load volumes, the capacity environment, rates, and the economy.

Bestpass releases new integrated toll data

By Bruce Guthrie - June 13, 2024

Bestpass Inc., which touts itself as “the leader in toll management solutions and major innovator in safety and compliance solutions for commercial fleets,” recently issued a press release announcing it has added new integration features within the Geotab ecosystem that will enable Geotab customers to access new insights regarding toll activity to more effectively manage tolls and identify opportunities to reduce toll expenses. According to Shay Demmons, chief product officer for Bestpass, this “Phase 2” version of the integration with Geotab further enhances the information and tools Bestpass and non-Bestpass customers can use to learn more about toll activity, be proactive with their toll data, and manage toll-related tasks within the MyGeotab interface. “A new and exciting feature this integration update with Geotab provides is the ability for mutual customers to forecast their future toll spend,” said Demmons. “This feature allows fleets of all sizes to predict future toll spend by taking into account items such as upcoming rate changes, vehicle adds or deletes, and current travel patterns. This is a first-of-its-kind feature that allows fleets to predict future spend based on these unique data points offered between Geotab and Bestpass.” Demmons continued, “We have also given customers the unique ability to manage their transponders directly from the interface. This makes fleet hygiene, as it relates to toll management, a breeze and will ensure proper device choices for vehicles to maximize savings and reduce potential violations.” With this feature, fleet managers can replace or re-assign vehicle transponders and order transponders for new vehicles directly through Geotab. In addition to other reporting tools already available through the Bestpass – Geotab integration, this feature will help fleets more effectively manage toll violations and losses caused by incorrectly assigned, missing, lost, or misused transponders, the release stated. For Geotab customers not using Bestpass, there is now a new toll estimate tool that fleets and owner-operators can access to receive free Bestpass toll savings estimates. By enabling this tool, Bestpass will create an accurate toll savings estimate based on vehicle GPS coordinates, fleet size, toll pricing, and other relevant data shared between Geotab and Bestpass. This tool is an industry first that illustrates the benefits and toll cost savings Bestpass can provide.

Nine sentenced in federal drug ring case

By Bruce Guthrie - June 11, 2024

ORLANDO, Fla. — A drug trafficking operation involving multiple states and as many as nine individuals culminated in sentencing of all nine of those defendants on multiple drug charges. U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton sentenced nine people to federal prison for their respective roles in a multi-kilogram cocaine and methamphetamine distribution operation. The multi-agency investigation lasted two years and spanned from Central Florida to Arizona and California. Each individual charged in the case was found guilty by a jury or pleaded guilty for their role in the conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and related offenses. Sentences ranged from two-plus years to 16 years. According to court records, during the investigation, federal agents and task force officers identified several members of the conspiracy and the methods used by the drug trafficking organization (DTO) to ship methamphetamine and cocaine from Mexico across the U.S. to Central Florida using commercial trucks. Law enforcement tracked the drugs from Phoenix and Los Angeles gathering vital intelligence on the DTO. Bizzell and Ferreira were the commercial truck drivers who transported the drugs from California and Arizona to Florida. According to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Middle District of Florida, on Oct. 31, 2022, search warrants were executed at six locations in Palm Coast, Bunnell and Daytona Beach, Florida. As a result, 44.54 kilograms of methamphetamine and 2.72 kilograms of cocaine were seized. In addition, nine guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition were seized from a location where Alfred Shavers lived. Jones, Mascarella, Alfred Shavers, Alfred Shavers Jr. and Camarie Shavers were identified as drug traffickers in Central Florida. Law enforcement determined that Sandoval and Hernandez were the sources of the methamphetamine and cocaine from Phoenix and Los Angeles. Agents learned they had brokered deals with co-conspirators in Mexico who were sending drugs across the border for Sandoval and Hernandez to sell. Authorities believe that since 2021, Sandoval and Hernandez distributed more than 300 kilograms of drugs that were shipped to Central Florida. On April 25, 2023, Sandoval was arrested in Phoenix and a search warrant was executed at his residence. Inside his home, agents located 1,114 grams of fentanyl pills, 18 firearms, four firearm suppressors and more than $5,000 in cash. The illegal firearms included fully automatic firearms, short-barreled firearms and auto switches designed to be installed on Glock handgun slides to transform the handguns into machineguns. Hernandez was arrested in Los Angeles on the same day he was conducting a new drug trafficking deal for approximately 36 kilograms of methamphetamine. Both were returned to the Middle District of Florida for prosecution.

Michigan man sentenced to more than 10 years for setting fire to commercial rigs

By Bruce Guthrie - June 10, 2024

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — A man who was found guilty of setting fires to commercial tractor-trailers has been sentenced to more than 10 years in prison, in addition to a hefty fine. Viorel Pricop, 66, of Allen Park, Michigan, was sentenced to 121 months in federal prison for maliciously setting fires to six tractor-trailers belonging to Phoenix-based Swift Transportation during a 10-month span by U.S. District Judge Sunshine S. Sykes, who also ordered him to pay $648,384 in restitution. According to a June 7 statement released by the U.S. Attorney’s office in the Central District of California, at the conclusion of a 16-day trial, a jury on March 12 found Pricop guilty of six counts of arson of vehicle or property in interstate commerce. He has been in federal custody since October 2022. “This defendant was given a second chance but chose to throw it away and go on a national campaign of revenge,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada. “By setting fire to trailer after trailer with the drivers inside the trucks, he recklessly put people’s lives at risk. Violent recidivist criminals such as this defendant will only be deterred with consequences and the sentence imposed today does just that.” The U.S. Attorney’s office says Pricop set fire to the six Swift tractor-trailers from December 2021 to September 2022. Four of the arsons occurred in San Bernardino County (Newberry Springs, Ludlow, Barstow, and Hesperia) and two occurred in Riverside County (Coachella). In each of the incidents, the Swift-owned trailer was parked at or near a truck stop when a fire occurred on the trailer portion of the vehicle, mainly on or near the trailer tires. According to an affidavit previously filed in the case, Pricop set fire to at least 18 additional Swift Transportation tractor-trailers in other states from June 2020 to March 2022. These incidents occurred at locations spanning from Barstow, California, to McCalla, Alabama; most were along Interstate 10 and Interstate 40. Federal criminal charges associated with some of these fires were filed against Pricop in the District of New Mexico and the District of Arizona. Swift hired a fire investigation consultant to assist with fire scene examinations. A pattern began to develop when multiple reports noted substantially similar methods of lighting the trailers on fire, including where on the vehicles the fires began, and the fact the fires occurred during the middle of the night. A review of cell tower data near some of the fires showed that a specific device — later found to be a navigation device installed in a commercial tractor-trailer — connected to cell towers near many of the fires at or around the times of the fires. Law enforcement determined that this device was installed on a vehicle operated by Pricop. Law enforcement also identified the cellphone subscribed to Pricop and, after obtaining court authorization, obtained historical cellular data and real-time location information for Pricop’s cellphone. Analysis of this data showed that Pricop’s cellphone was present in the general area of all California fires, as well as the 18 additional fires across the country. In September 2022, search warrants were executed on Pricop’s tractor-trailer, personal vehicle and residence, yielding additional evidence corroborating his involvement in this series of arsons. This evidence included a gas torch, torch-style lighters, and record keeping documents containing location information, such as cargo pickup and delivery dates which coincided with the time and location of several fires in the series of 24 fires across the country. Previously, between 2010 and 2014, Swift, along with other other trucking companies, were victims of cargo thefts. Swift initiated its own investigation into those thefts, using “bait” trailers to catch thieves. In 2015, boxes of electronic goods containing tracking devices were stolen from one of the bait trailers. Swift investigators tracked those boxes to a storage facility in Michigan, and local law enforcement in Michigan arrested Pricop, who was in possession of the boxes of electronic goods taken from the bait trailer. Pricop was convicted in 2018 in the Eastern District of Michigan for a tax offense and for transportation of stolen goods, charges stemming from the investigation conducted by Swift. Pricop was sentenced to time served in that case, amounting to approximately 26 months’ imprisonment. His term of supervised release ended in June 2019 — about one year before the arsons in this case began.

New Jersey trucking company owner pleads guilty to fraud

By Bruce Guthrie - June 10, 2024

ALBANY, N.Y. — A trucking company owner has pled guilty to fraud and will spend his immediate future on in-home detention and probation. Juller Perez Salcedo, 45, of Garfield, New Jersey, was sentenced to three years of probation, including six months of home detention, for conspiring to commit wire fraud and honest services fraud, and for tax evasion. According to a release issued by the U.S Attorney’s office in New York’s Northern District, Salcedo admitted that “from at least 2015 to 2019 he co-owned a trucking company in New Jersey that transported products as a third-party contractor for a bedding company with a distribution facility in West Coxsackie, New York.” In addition, Salcedo admitted that as part of the fraudulent scheme he paid kickbacks to the transportation manager of the bedding company, Leonard Hummel, in exchange for the use of the bedding company’s trucks and drivers to transport merchandise from West Coxsackie to Perez’s truck yard in Clifton, New Jersey. These actions allowed Salcedo to avoid certain transportation costs. Salcedo then fraudulently invoiced and received payment from the bedding company as if his trucking company had transported and delivered the merchandise from West Coxsackie — although Perez and his trucking company did not in fact transport the merchandise from West Coxsackie, according to the release. The scheme resulted in the bedding company suffering $422,170.86 in losses. Salcedo also confirmed that he evaded taxes between January 2014 and April 2018 by cashing gross receipts checks on behalf of his trucking business, providing false and incomplete information to tax preparers, and omitting the cashed checks, and filing false federal income tax returns. Salcedo evaded a total of $477,090 in taxes. U.S. District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also ordered Salcedo to pay $422,170.86 in restitution to the bedding company and $477,090.00 to the IRS, and separately ordered forfeiture of a money judgment totaling $422,170.86 in proceeds derived from the fraud. Hummel previously pled guilty and was sentenced on May 17, 2024, to two years of probation for conspiring to commit wire fraud and honest services fraud. D’Agostino also ordered Hummel to pay $161,784 in restitution to the bedding company and ordered forfeiture of a money judgment totaling $17,000.

TSR rolls out guide to help fleets ensure proper use of seat belts

By Bruce Guthrie - June 10, 2024

New York, N.Y. — A new initiative has been launched to help safety efforts on the highways. An announcement was made June 6 that Together for Safer Roads (TSR), a leading global NGO focused on building cross-sector partnerships to improve fleet trucking safety, announces the publication of “Seat Belt Safety Standard Operating Procedures: How to create and maintain a culture of safety by promoting seat belt safety procedures.” This new guide marks significant progress in establishing seat belt safety utilization standards as part of TSR’s Fleet Trucking Global Safety Standards Initiative. The initiative, launched during the 2023 UN Global Road Safety Week, aims to establish operator-focused guidelines and best practices for effective implementation of fundamental safety tools and technologies including: telematics, automatic braking, airbags,, side view mirrors, and seatbelts. The first phase has been dedicated to developing “Gold Star” Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) aimed at increasing driver seat belt utilization rates for fleets. According to its press release, extensive research and stakeholder engagement, TSR identified a critical need for detailed SOPs that address both human behavior and specific seat belt hardware and technology. The new handbook, based on insights from fleet managers, drivers, and public and private sector leaders, highlights the importance of consistent seat belt use and offers practical guidance to enhance safety measures. “Today marks a significant milestone in our mission to improve global fleet trucking safety, said Peter Goldwasser, executive director of Together for Safer Roads. “The SOPs outlined in our guide represent a comprehensive framework for promoting and supporting seat belt usage within organizations.” Key aspects of the SOPs include: Training for Seat Belt Compliance: Building a foundation of knowledge and cultivating a culture of safety through comprehensive training initiatives. The SOPs stress the importance of integrating seat belt safety goals into organizational and operational practices. This includes incorporating seat belt usage into driver performance evaluations, and utilizing data analytics to measure and enhance compliance. Seat Belt Software and Hardware Selection: Adopting the most reliable and effective technological solutions to bolster seat belt compliance and monitoring. Purchasing and Evaluating Vehicle Seat Belt Safety Systems: Ensuring that the procurement of vehicles and their safety equipment is guided by informed, safety-focused decisions. This involves establishing clear criteria for seat belt safety features and assessing the safety records and seat belt technology of potential vehicle models to maintain compliance with seat belt safety regulations. Seat Belt Utilization Enforcement: Creating mechanisms for compliance, while ensuring accountability and timely corrective actions. Communication for Seat Belt Safety Awareness: Establishing clear channels and protocols for disseminating safety information, collecting feedback, and fostering dialogue. To make the necessity of seat belt usage more relatable and impactful, the SOP incorporates interactive training methods and anecdotal storytelling to educate drivers about the importance of seat belt safety. Documentation of Seat Belt Safety Compliance: Ensuring meticulous record-keeping, accessibility, and regular updates to all seat belt safety-related documents.The SOPs emphasize the importance of measurement and evaluation (M&E) in ensuring the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of seat belt safety initiatives. They outline the role of M&E in accountability, performance improvement, resource allocation, learning, evidence-based decision-making, impact assessment, transparency, risk management, efficiency, and stakeholder engagement. Within each section, practices are categorized as currently existing practices, industry best practices, and easy to implement takeaways, providing fleet leaders a range of tools to implement in their own management practices. The initiative’s development and subsequent testing are being conducted in collaboration with leading fleet partners, including AB InBev, Republic Services, The City of New York Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), PepsiCo, and Interstate Waste Services. These partners emphasize the collective responsibility of organizations to contribute to long-term improvements in global fleet trucking safety. “As a major user of roads worldwide, improving the safety of our vehicles and their operation not only benefits us but also enhances road safety for everyone. We’re excited to team up with TSR to set better technical standards on the proper use of seatbelts. This important work demonstrates the positive change industry collaboration can have on our communities,” said Andres Peñate, Global VP for Corporate Affairs of Ab-InBev. “As the operator of one of the largest independently-owned fleets in the US, and a network of drivers across the globe, maintaining driver safety, health and wellbeing is essential,” said Daniel McGuigan, EHS Director at PepsiCo. “At PepsiCo we’re proud of this important collaboration and look forward to continuing to work to advance seatbelt usage and best practices.” “Starting with the most fundamental safety instrument of seatbelts is a good choice that shows the thorough nature of this initiative,” said Jim Olson, Vice President, Safety, at Republic Services. “We are committed to supporting these types of efforts to improve fleet safety and ultimately save lives.” NYC DCAS Deputy Commissioner and Chief Fleet Officer Keith Kerman said, “Wearing your seatbelt is the law. It’s also basic commonsense and the life you save will be your own. As our NYC fleet operators traverse millions of miles of New York City streets, attention to proper seatbelt usage is of utmost importance. We are proud to be part of the effort to call attention to this issue and elevate road safety here in our city and around the world.” “It is crucial to make sure that every fleet driver buckles up, every time, and these standards will drive that goal,” said Sal Mastriani, Vice President of Risk Management at Interstate Waste Services. “It’s exciting to see this concrete progress being made and to collaborate with TSR on expanding the safety standards.” The next phase of TSR’s Fleet Trucking Global Safety Standards Initiative will focus on using fleet telematics to drive safety.Increasingly, fleet operators purchase and use telematics systems to improve road safety, monitor their services/products and efficiency, and better support their drivers. Telematics systems gather key data on what is happening on-the-road and in vehicles. To address safety, most fleet operators focus on a few main metrics – speeding, harsh braking, harsh cornering, close following, reversing actions, and seatbelt use – as addressing these behaviors have, to date, shown the best correlation with road safety. TSR’s report will unpack these key safety telematic metrics and showcase how fleet operators have deployed and refined them in their operations. Focusing on experiences from fleet operators, it provides case studies and other examples that show how organizations are using their telematics data to drive a culture of safety. The target audience for this next report is safety managers who are implementing telematics programs and are looking for support in how to design and implement them. This work will also provide citations and other resource-level information that can be used to support training materials from TSR’s FOCUS program.

Nearly 1,000 ZM electric trucks slated for distribution in global markets

By Bruce Guthrie - June 10, 2024

TORRANCE, Calif. — 32GROUP, the distributor for ZM Trucks’ zero-emission battery electric and fuel cell electric commercial vehicle products in select markets of West Asia, North Africa and Southern Europe, placed its first 900-unit truck order with ZO Motors North America for sales in their region during the recent Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Las Vegas. In a June 5 press release, 32GROUP stated that it plans to become the top supplier of new energy commercial vehicles in the region using ZM Trucks’ intelligent, zero emission vehicle platforms, which “not only offer emission benefits but also reduce noise, improve driver comfort, and assist transport companies in complying with ever-increasing regulatory requirements.” In addition to solutions for charging infrastructure, 32Group says it will provide a complete range of support services. The parties are further exploring joint ventures with KD manufacturing to service the region.