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Erica N. Guy

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About Erica N. Guy
Born and raised in Little Rock, AR, Erica N. Guy decided to stay in her hometown to begin her professional career in journalism. Since obtaining her bachelor's degree from UAPB, Erica has professionally written for several publications about several topics ranging from lifestyle, tech, culture, and entertainment, just to name a few. Continuing her love for her hometown, she joined our team in June 2023, where she is currently a staff writer. Her career goals include continuing storytelling through her writing by being the best professional writer she can be. In her spare time, Erica enjoys trying new foods, cozying up with a good book, spending time with family and friends, and establishing herself as a future businesswoman.

Posts by Erica N. Guy

Castrol, Safety-Kleen partner to reprocess and reuse lubricants, lower products’ carbon footprint

By Erica N. Guy -

WAYNE, N.J. — On April 11, global lubricant brand Castrol announced plans to launch Castrol MoreCircular, which the company says is designed to reduce the carbon footprint of business lubricants in the U.S., during the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in Las Vegas in May. The program, created in collaboration with Safety-Kleen, a subsidiary of Clean Harbors Inc., encompasses the entire process of collecting used oil from business customers, re-refining it and integrating re-refined base oil into premium lubricants for supply to businesses. Safety-Kleen and Castrol have signed a multiyear collaboration agreement; financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed. According to a statement released by Castrol, the initiative is a result of “significant investment in research and development aimed at integrating re-refined base oils into lubricant formulations while ensuring that the new product range continues to meet or exceed the latest original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and industry standards.” The announcement comes after “successful trials with a number of Castrol business customers demonstrated the high-quality, high-performance attributes of these lower carbon footprint lubricants, which showed the same performance as the version containing virgin base oil” the statement notes. “Our ability to collect used oil from across the country and reprocess a waste product means that much of it can be used again and again. Delivering these lower-carbon-footprint lubricants can help our business customers meet their sustainability goals with the same high-quality and high performance they expect from Castrol,” said Andreas Osbar, CEO of Castrol Americas. “We believe the time is right to lead the market with an integrated, more circular — and as a result, lower-carbon-footprint — offer as our business customers are searching for levers to help de-carbonize their operations,” Osbar continued. “This is a first-of-its-kind, nationwide offer in the US, and we’re excited to partner with Safety-Kleen to deliver it.” The end-to-end offer begins with the collection of used lubricants from Castrol MoreCircular customers, such as fleet maintenance shops and industrial sites. The used oil is then reprocessed, enabling about 70% of the used product to be recovered as base oil, Castrol claims. The re-refined base oil is then blended into what Castrol describes as premium lubricants. The company estimates the reprocessed product will result in a 20% to 40% lower carbon footprint compared to Castrol’s traditional products. Re-refined base oil makes up at least 65% of the base oil in each MoreCircular lubricant; the size of the carbon footprint reduction depends partly on the percentage of RRBO used. When participating business customers purchase these lubricants, they help develop a more circular lubricants industry in the U.S. Of the more than one billion gallons of used oil generated annually in the United States, only around 20%2 are currently re-refined back to base oils. With the launch of ‘MoreCircular,’ Castrol is moving towards embracing circularity – a key principle of Castrol’s PATH360 sustainability strategy. “Safety-Kleen is proud to partner with Castrol, a recognized industry leader, to help bring increased circularity to the United States lubricants industry,” said Brian Weber, president of Safety-Kleen Sustainability Solutions. “We are North America’s largest collector of used oil with more than 200 branch locations that safely and compliantly collect more than 250 million gallons annually. Our operations span every major metropolitan area in the U.S., and we can meet the waste oil collection needs of any Castrol customer’s MoreCircular offering.”

Beshear vetoes bill that would allow fully autonomous vehicles to operate on Kentucky roads

By Erica N. Guy -

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear on April 5, 2024, vetoed the state’s House Bill 7, which would have allowed fully autonomous trucks and cars to travel on Kentucky’s roads. In his official statement, Beshear described the legislation as “broad,” noting that it “does not fully address questions about the safety and security of autonomous vehicles, nor does it implement a testing period that would require a licensed human driver to be behind the wheel.” Beshear believes further testing of autonomous technology is warranted. “Opening Kentucky’s highways and roads to fully autonomous vehicles should occur only after careful study and consideration and an extensive testing period with a licensed human being behind the wheel, which is what other states have done before passing such laws,” he said. According to a statement released April 9 by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Beshear’s vote has the backing of the union. “This bill and others like it are written by and for Big Tech, and Gov. Beshear made the right call by vetoing it,” said Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman. “We encourage every lawmaker who supported this dangerous piece of legislation to reconsider their support for it, given the devastating impact it will have on middle-class jobs and motorist safety throughout the Commonwealth. The Teamsters are asking elected officials in every state to support good union jobs, to protect public safety, and to stand against these deadly autonomous vehicle proposals wherever they pop up.” Polling data from a January 2024 survey showed that more than four out of every five Kentucky voters were not willing to support the legislators who voted for the bill. The main concern of the voters against the bill is the threat of driverless vehicles replacing jobs, taking them away from workers. There are tens of thousands of good-paying careers that could be jeopardized by HB7,” said John Stovall, President of Teamsters Joint Council 94. “The Teamsters strongly encourage working people across Kentucky to contact their lawmakers and tell them to let Gov. Beshear’s veto stand.” The Teamsters’ statement also cited the results of a national study conducted by the American Automobile Association (AAA), which revealed that more than 91% of U.S. drivers have expressed either fear or uncertainty when asked about driverless trucks and cars. “Elected officials need to listen to their constituents — not lobbyists — and let bills like HB7 die,” said Avral Thompson, Teamsters Central Region International Vice President and President of Teamsters Local 89. “Voters recognize this bill for what it is — a threat to middle-class jobs and public safety.”

Sarah Ruffcorn chosen for 2024 Distinguished Woman in Logistics Award

By Erica N. Guy -

PHOENIX — The Women In Trucking Association (WIT), Truckstop and Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) have announced that Sarah Ruffcorn, president of Trinity Logistics, has won the 10th annual Distinguished Woman in Logistics Award. “We are thrilled to recognize Sarah as the 2024 Distinguished Woman in Logistics, particularly on the 10-year anniversary of this award,” said Jennifer Hedrick, WIT president and CEO. “Sarah’s significant career accomplishments and passion for mentoring others embody the key characteristics of this honor.” Ruffcorn was chosen among three finalists for the award. She and the other finalists and winners were recognized during the TIA 2024 Capital Ideas Conference & Exhibition. “Sarah could not be more deserving of this award! She joins the ranks of distinguished women who have been recognized for their contributions to the industry,” said Anne Reinke, president and CEO of TIA. “Sarah invests in her people and the industry with her whole heart, and we at TIA are lucky to have her as a leader on our Board of Directors.” In her position at Trinity, Ruffcorn is responsible for leading a freight solutions company, arranging freight for businesses of all sizes while utilizing truckload, less-than-truckload, drayage, intermodal, expedited and technology solutions. According to WIT, Ruffcorn has a strong passion for coaching and mentoring others to help them work at their highest potential and serve others with a dedicated focus on improving people’s lives.   “Sarah, Sherri and Ramona each embody the esteemed leadership qualities celebrated by the Distinguished Woman in Logistics recognition,” said Kendra Tucker, chief executive officer at Truckstop. “We extend our congratulations to Sarah for this prestigious honor, as she persists in her dedication to improving the freight transportation industry and her passionate commitment to guiding and mentoring others to realize their full potential.” In the community, Ruffcorn also serves on the TIA Board of Directors, is chair of the TIA Women in Logistics Committee, and is on the Tidal Health Medical Partners Board of Directors. She was awarded the 2015 Delaware Business Times Best 40 under 40 award for being one of the region’s “best and brightest young professionals” and was nominated as a top five finalist for the 2019 “Distinguished Woman in Logistics” award.

NMFTA appoints Cara Walls cybersecurity director

By Erica N. Guy -

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) recently announced that it has appointed Cara Walls as its director of cybersecurity. “NMFTA has found a true leader and cybersecurity industry expert in Walls,” said Debbie Sparks, executive director of NMFTA. “Her direct experience in supply chain security brings a unique skill set and approach to handling the ever-growing vulnerabilities found in the technical connectivity of our industry. She allows us to provide one of the nation’s critical infrastructures with specific learning programs to effectively combat the exclusive and escalating threats we face.” In this new role, Walls will lead NMFTA’s Cybersecurity Conference, the annual event where experts from all facets of the supply chain, academia and the government come together, according to a news release. She’ll also “oversee the association’s cybersecurity education, industry cyber initiatives and training initiatives, which will propel the industry into a more secure environment,” the news release notes. Her methods for achieving practical, risk-based security have been adopted by many. Her accomplishments include achieving digital transformations that resulted in a 61% reduction in vulnerability exposure, cyber vault implementations for enterprise-scale recovery and cloud architecture alignment that led to a 27% lower cost. “I’m excited to build on strategic stakeholder relationships with NMFTA partners to help them meet their business’ needs and stay secure in the process,” Walls said. “Our goal is to ensure that the industry can be resilient in the face of evolving threats to the supply chain. I’m poised and ready to help navigate NMFTA and industry leaders that look to us for guidance.” Walls has more than a decade of experience in leadership cybersecurity for highly regulated global industries and companies such as Coyote Logistics, UMB, H&R Block and New York Life.

Roadrunner opens new service center in Atlanta

By Erica N. Guy -

CHICAGO — Roadrunner recently announced the opening of its new less-than-truckload (LTL) service center in Atlanta. “Our new Atlanta service is a true cross-docking facility, enabling us to improve the efficiency of our operations throughout out expansive network, and increase both the output and throughout of the Atlanta market,” said Tomasz Jamroz, COO at Roadrunner. “It provides more doors and a larger area for us to enhance our operations, using our Smart Technology. Atlanta plays a key role in our operations and aligns with our goal of providing smart long-haul LTL with the fewest number of rehandling possible.” The facility, which once belonged to now-bankrupt Yellow Corporation, was extensively renovated with new showers and a lounge area for truck drivers. The site also features 75 doors, an on-site mechanical shop with three full bay and inspection lane areas, along with an electric security fencing and gate access. Parking is also available for more than 300 trailers. The facility is the first feature a Roadrunner Flagship Driver Lounges. “The size and layout of the service center combined with its proximity to major highways allows us to offer our customers even better service,” said James Darendinger, the Atlanta Service Center manager. “Our Atlanta service center connects to every other region in the U.S., so it is an important piece in our Smart Network.” The service center continues the strategic enhancements announced by Roadrunner, including the creation of Guaranteed Service in select lanes. This offers shippers on-time delivery by the date scheduled or a full refund of charges and one-day service between its Southern California or Chicago locations. “Part of the reason we were excited to secure this location was for the addition of our Flagship Driver Lounge concept. This location will benefit not only our customers, but our employees and drivers as well,” Jamroz said.

Truckers arrested after road rage results in stabbing, Indiana police say

By Erica N. Guy -

SELLERSBURG, Ind. — On the morning of Saturday, April 6, detectives with the Indiana State Police (ISP) in Sellersburg, Indiana, reported that they were investigating a road rage incident between two truck drivers that led to a stabbing on Interstate 65. Around 10:45 a.m., 911 dispatch learned of a possible road rage incident involving two truck drivers: One driving a purple Freightliner semi and the other driving a white Volvo semi and trailer. The police report stated that the two trucks were allegedly passing and “brake-checking” each other on I-65 heading northbound a few miles south of the Henryville exit. Detectives were then dispatched to the rest stop near the area where the incident took place. Once at the scene, detectives noticed one of the truck drivers was stabbed multiple times — allegedly by the other. The detectives quickly called for a medical helicopter to transport the driver to the University Hospital in Louisville for his wounds. The detectives gathered more information about the incident and identified the victim as Daniel Andrews of Springfield, Missouri. The second driver, who was stopped later after fleeing the scene of the stabbing, was identified as Lyndon Smith of Gadsden, Alabama. Additional information led the detectives to believe that both drivers pulled off at the northbound Henryville on-ramp and were involved in a physical altercation. Smith was then arrested for false informing, which is a class A misdemeanor. Andrews was also arrested after his release from the hospital. He is charged with battery by means of a deadly weapon (level five felony), battery resulting in bodily injury (level six felony), criminal recklessness (level six felony) and aggressive driving (class A misdemeanor). Anyone who witnessed the physical altercation should contact the Sellersburg Post at (812) 246-5424.

Relay Payments continues Haul of Fame program to honor drivers

By Erica N. Guy -

ATLANTA — For the second year in a row, Relay Payments is holding its annual Haul of Fame contest, which recognizes the contributions truck drivers make in the transportation industry. The two Haul of Fame winners receive an all-expenses-paid trip for themselves and a guest to the NASCAR Cup Series race on Sept. 6-7 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. There, they’ll meet William Byron, the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports driver, and participate in a behind-the-scenes Hendrick Motorsports race day experience. “Our nation’s professional truck drivers have always been big supporters of NASCAR, and I’m honored to serve as a judge for this year’s Haul of Fame contest,” said Jeff Gordon, NASCAR veteran and vice chairman of Hendricks Motor Sports. “Relay’s sponsorship of the No.24 team helps highlight the relationship between the trucking industry and racing. Haul of Fame is another great way to celebrate truck drivers and the important role they play.” Applications are open now, and anyone can nominate a truck driver who has made substantial contributions to the trucking industry. Nominations can be submitted at relaypayments.com/haul-of-fame. The application process is as follows: Nominations open — April 9 through June 30 Public voting — for 15 finalists from July 3-31 Five finalists — Aug. 1 Celebrity judging — Aug. 1-6 Winners announced — Sept. 3 Judges include: Jeff Gordon, four-time NASCAR Series Cup champion and current vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports Timothy Dooner, a podcaster who hosts and produces FreightWaves’ “WHAT THE TRUCK?!?” Clarissa Rankin, a female truck driver, CDL school owner and TikTok influencer with 1.8 million followers who advocates for women in trucking Ryan Droege, CEO and co-founder of Relay Payments “Drivers know that trucking is hard work! And it’s even harder for women and people of color,” Rankin said. “I’m going to ask all my followers to nominate drivers who go above and beyond all day, every day. This is going to be fun, and I’m honored to be a judge to celebrate my fellow drivers!”

Arpin International ASIA receives accolades from Weichert Workforce Mobility

By Erica N. Guy -

WEST WARWICK, R.I. — Arpin International Group has announced that Arpin International ASIA was awarded the Weichert Workforce Mobility International Supplier-Partner of the Year award. The recognition continued when its team member, Elsa Agacid TSE, was presented with the first annual International Coordinator of the Year award, according to a news release. “This distinction is further proof of the caliber of work that Arpin International does on behalf of our clients,” said Bill Wilson, Weichert’s senior vice president of Global Supply Chain. “We have always considered our partners an extension of our company, and we are proud to see that the level of personal care and attention provided by Arpin International’s teams around the globe and particularly, its exceptional International Coordinator, Elsa Agacid TSE, has allowed our clients’ mobile employees to focus on their new positions and be productive right out of the gate, secure in the confidence that their household goods — arguably the most important part of a move to an employee — were in good hands.” Michael Johnsen, vice president of the Asia-Pacific Region at Arpin International, also described how he feels about the award. “Receiving the International Supplier-Partner of the Year award and having our respected team member, Elsa Agacid TSE, recognized by the innovative Weichert Workforce Mobility leadership as International Coordinator of the Year, fills us with immense pride and gratitude,” he said. “Elsa has been with Arpin International ASIA for 16 years, exclusively working on Weichert moves, garnering 95%- 99% move coordinator satisfaction scores for the past 5+ years! We are sincerely thankful to Weichert Workforce Mobility for their trust and support. We look forward to continuing to enhance this successful global partnership.”

Indiana State Police investigates fatal I-80/94 crash involving multiple big rigs

By Erica N. Guy -

HAMMOND, Ind. — The Indiana State Police has reported a fatal multi-vehicle crash in the eastbound lanes of I-80/94 at the Columbia Avenue overpass in Hammond. The collision occurred at around 1:25 p.m. on Thursday, April 4. According to the preliminary investigation report, a semi-truck was traveling eastbound in the second lane from the left. Due to traffic, the semi was slowing its speed. A Kia Sorento SUV was reported to either slow its speed or was stopped altogether behind the semi. A second semi-rear-ended the Kia at a high rate of speed. The initial impact caused the Kia to be pushed underneath the trailer of the front semi. A third semi was also rear-ended as a result of the crash. It was not reported if the truck drivers received injuries from the crash, but a passenger in the Kia was pronounced dead at the scene. The Kia driver and a child were transported to a nearby hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries. The updated status on the Kia driver and child hasn’t been released, nor has the identification of the deceased been released by the Lake County Coroner’s Office. An update on the identification will be made after the family has been notified.

Trucker Path releases new service for brokerages

By Erica N. Guy -

PHOENIX — Trucker Path has launched a new tool aimed at improving smaller freight brokerages. According to a news release, this new service will enable small-to-mid-size freight brokers to better dispatch, track and manage loads, thus competing better against larger brokerages. “Built for small-to-mid-size brokers, Trucker Path for Brokerages greatly simplifies the process of dispatching, tracking and managing loads awarded to carriers by freight brokers,” said Chris Oliver, Trucker Path’s CMO. “By enabling significantly enhanced visibility into load location and status, it improves productivity and shipper satisfaction and streamlines processes to simplify operations. Trucker Path for Brokerages will help smaller brokers differentiate themselves and compete for carriers and customers like their larger competitors.” The Trucker Path app provides a customized version of a carrier’s network, giving brokers the ability to dispatch load details directly to drivers and track the progress of loads via a dashboard. Once deliveries are completed, the driver captures and uploads paperwork using the app’s document scanner for immediate processing. “The value of Trucker Path for Brokerages extends beyond replacing cumbersome, manual, time-consuming and error-prone freight management and paperwork processes for freight brokers and their customers,” Oliver said. “For small to mid-size brokers, it also increases efficiencies and carrier satisfaction.” Carriers also benefit from all the productivity tools the Trucker Path app offers the nearly one million North American truckers who already rely on the app regularly for truck-safe navigation, destination entry/exit guidance, real-time parking availability, fuel discounts and more, Oliver added. “It helps make life on the road safer, easier and more productive for drivers while also helping improve recruiting and retention for brokers,” he concluded. Trucker Path for Brokerages is available to small to mid-size freight brokers at very affordable pricing. More details can be found at www.truckerpath.com/for-brokerages. Brokers attending the TIA 2024 Capital Ideas Conference, April 10 – 13, 2024, can visit Trucker Path booth No. 116 for more information.

Truckload Carriers Association retains new law firm

By Erica N. Guy -

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Truckload Carriers Association’s (TCA) President Jim Ward has announced that the association has hired the law firm Scopelitis Garvin Light Hanson & Feary (Scopelitis) as its general counsel. This announcement was made at TCA’s annual convention, which was held on Tuesday, March 25, in Nashville. As the law firm representing the association, Scopelitis will handle all legal matters, ranging from advising on TCA’s daily operations to reviewing and approving contracts and overseeing the association’s benchmarking program, according to a news release. Also, Scopelitis’ partners, Gregory Feary and Prasad Sharam, will be taking the lead in working with TCA. “Hiring a reputable law firm like Scopelitis Garvin Light Hanson and Feary indicates that TCA is prioritizing legal counsel in all aspects of its operations, from overseeing programs to handling contracts. This move indicates that TCA is taking the proper steps to ensure legal compliance and effective management of its affairs,” Ward said. The Firm’s more than 5,000 transportation-related clients span the country and around the globe. They include most of the major Fortune 500 transportation companies and many smaller, family-owned businesses. More information about Scopelitis can be found at www.scopelitis.com.

Netradyne launches new safety tools for truck drivers

By Erica N. Guy -

SAN DIEGO — Fleet safety firm Netradyne has expanded the roll out of its new, patented driver safety program. DriverStars, Driver Streaks and Driver Dispute “seamlessly enhance habitual safe driving skills by focusing on positive reinforcement,” the company touts in a news release. “This expansion of Netradyne’s new Driver app technology reinforces truck drivers’ safe driving behaviors.” The Driver•i device is designed to automatically capture videos when the driver achieves a positive measurement and awards a Driver Streak, a subtype of DriverStars within the Netradyne system. It also recognizes the driver’s actions, such as “creating space for a vehicle on a street shoulder or achieving separation by slowing down,” and awards another DriverStar, which “has a positive impact on drivers’ GreenZone Scores.”  “Netradyne goes way beyond identifying risks. We’re driver advocates. We empower fleets to celebrate the skill and thoughtfulness their drivers demonstrate daily. We’ve seen proof that positive reinforcement and continued performance training make a big impact on fleet safety results and overall safety culture”, said Adam Kahn, president at Netradyne. “A recent case study of 100 global customers over 90 days showed a direct correlation between DriverStars and improved safety. With a 72% increase in DriverStars, their GreenZone Scores increased by 20%, and they dropped severely risky events by 65% and moderately risky events by 34%. That includes an 81% decrease in speeding and a 22% decrease in distracted driving, which are highly correlated with accidents.” All of the features mentioned are accessible through Netradyne’s Driver·i portal and in the Driver app. Netradyne is also introducing a new Driver Dispute feature that allows drivers to dispute a claim they perceive as inaccurate. “With the turnover rate of long-haul truckers averaging 94%, empowering drivers with this capability can aid with job satisfaction and retention,” the news release notes. Safety managers are notified when a driver has submitted a dispute for a particular alert and can work with their drivers to understand the concern while helping them feel heard. “The biggest thing I’ve noticed is the reduction in phone calls and issues since implementing the Driver•i system,” said Skip Wood, executive vice president at Sharp Transit, “If we continue to prioritize our attention on drivers highlighted by the GreenZone alerts and scores (both high and low performers), we will see a dramatic improvement in overall performance.”

Averitt named as Truckload Carrier of the Year by IL2000

By Erica N. Guy -

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Averitt was recently announced as the 2023 Truckload Carrier of the Year by the logistics company IL2000. The annual Carrier of the Year award is the way that IL2000 recognizes the carriers “who consistently perform well across a spectrum of indicators, including on-time performance, rate of growth, claims track record, and demonstrable customer service,” according to a news release. Mark French, 3PL director of corporate business development at Averitt, said his company is thankful for the acknowledgement. French also lauded his company’s team for their “outstanding performance and dedication,” adding, “the team’s efforts make it easy to maintain good relationships with our partners.” For more information about Averitt’s Truckload services, visit Averitt.com/Truckload. 

TCA Scholarship Fund accepting applications

By Erica N. Guy -

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) recently announced that its scholarship fund is now accepting applications. TCA has also decided to begin accepting applicants who are full-time students attending two-year programs at accredited junior colleges, opening the selection criteria for the scholarship fund. TCA’s decision to expand the requirements of the program is expected to open more doors for students looking to pursue a career in supply chain and logistics, according to a news release. For almost five decades, the TCA Scholarship Fund has helped students form connections with the truckload industry. In 2023, the scholarship fund awarded 48 students scholarships worth up to $6,250 per year per full-time, four-year college student or up to $2,000 per full-time, two-year college student, totaling more than $140,000. For the 2024-2025 academic year, TCA projects that $159,000 will be awarded to eligible students for fall 2024 and spring 2025. Much of the program’s funds and support comes from the truckload TCA family themselves. “The longevity of this program, combined with the donor’s support and focus on paying forward to hundreds of participants, emphasizes an additional benefit of TCA membership,” said Joey Hogan, a board member at Covenant Logistics and chairman of the TCA Scholarship Committee. “To the donors, we are extremely grateful, and the addition of the junior colleges to the program recognizes the trades that are also vitally important to our industry.” This program is only available for students affiliated with a TCA member company, including for-hire carrier members and associate members. However, any student in good standing with these criteria: 1. minimum grade point average of 3.0, 2. will be attending an accredited, four-year or two-year college or university as a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior and 3. is also either a child, grandchild, or spouse of an employee or is the employee themselves of a TCA member company or is the spouse of an independent contractor or an independent contractor affiliated with a TCA member company, is encouraged to apply for the scholarship. More information on the scholarship or its application is available at www.truckload.org/scholarships/. “TCA is super excited to broaden the scholarship program to now include full-time, two-year college students,” said Zander Gambill, TCA’s vice president of membership and outreach. “This expansion is a no-brainer and will support more students looking to start a transportation-based career.”

2024 ATHS National Convention & Truck Show set for June

By Erica N. Guy -

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The American Truck Historical Society (ATHS) is inviting all truck enthusiasts and their families to the 2024 National Convention & Truck Show on June 6-8 at the York County Fairgrounds at 334 Carlisle Ave., York, Pennsylvania. The event begins with on-site registration on Tuesday, June 4. Following registration, attendees will be able to network at the Kickoff party on Wednesday, June 5. These events will lead up to the main event, the Friday night awards dinner and banquet. Registration information and questions can be on the ATHS website, www.aths.org/convention/2024-convention/ or by phone at 816-891-9900. The event is open to the public. Early Bird registration allows attendees to enjoy a savings of $10 per registrant. The deadline for the Early Bird purchase deadline has been extended to April 15.  Daily gate spectator admittance is $15 for adult members and $20 for adult non-members, with children aged 12 and under granted free entry. This includes access to the Truck Show, Vendor Expo, and Learning Sessions. Pre-sales will be available online starting in late April. With an average of around 1,000 trucks of all shapes and sizes on display, this event promises to captivate attendees of all ages. The Convention package is priced at $130 for members, encompassing week-long admission, the kickoff party, and the Awards Banquet. Additionally, a week-long admission pass is available at $50 for members and $80 for non-members. For those preferring traditional methods, a Convention Registration form https://tinyurl.com/2s375abc can be mailed along with payment to American Truck Historical Society, 10380 N Ambassador Dr. No. 101, Kansas City, MO, 64153. The 2023 ATHS sponsors include Cummins, Daimler Truck North America, Vander Haag’s, Iowa 80, Truckomat, Cat Scale, Hagerty Insurance, The Sercombe Family, Reiselt’s Machine Works and Kenworth of PA. For more information, visit ATHS’s registration webpage or contact the ATHS at (816) 891-9900.

Big rig hits, derails Maine freight train

By Erica N. Guy -

MASARDIS, Maine — A little after 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3, a tractor-trailer struck a freight train along Route 11 in Masardis, Maine. Maine State Police (MSP) report that the truck driver was unable to stop as the train was crossing Route 11. The truck hit two empty railcars, causing them to derail. Route 11 was closed for several hours while crews worked to get a crane on site to lift the rail cars. Maine Northern Railway was operating the train. Officials at the scene initially said that the clean-up could possibly take two to three days; however, the road was back open early Thursday, the MSP reported on Facebook. MaineDOT, which owns this part of the rail track, had set up a temporary detour route for vehicle traffic.

ATBS launches enhanced mobile app

By Erica N. Guy -

GOLDEN, Colo. — Trucking business management firm ATBS has launched a new addition to its app, “ATBS Hub.” For some years, feedback on how to better their services was gathered from hundreds of ATBS’ clients, according to a news release. “Over that time, the company took those suggestions and used the information to improve their work, leading to the creation of the single, secure, user-friendly resource that significantly enhances the experience for owner-operators working with us,” the news release states. The new ATBS Hub features several tools for viewing and analyzing your revenue, expenses and profitability including: Quickly Scanning and Sending Receipts to ATBS Tracking Your Per Diem Deduction and watching the tax-saving dollars add up in real-time Visualizing your Profit & Loss Statement and Profit Plan with interactive graphs and charts Accessing your Quarterly Tax Estimates and downloading them right to your phone Easily calling or emailing  your Business Consultant with the tap of a button Accessing all of your ATBS Client information from any device, any time ATBS President and CEO, Todd Amen, commented, “We’ve had tremendous feedback from everyone who has experienced the ATBS Hub. It puts managing your business and taxes in the palm of your hand so you can focus on driving and making more money.” The ATBS Hub is now available to all ATBS clients. To learn more, visit www.atbs.com/mobile-app.

Trucking Association of New York working to improve fleet safety

By Erica N. Guy -

NEW YORK — The Trucking Association of New York (TANY) has partnered with Together for Safer Roads (TSR) in an effort to improve fleet safety. According to a news release, a Fleet Safety Training Program — known as FOCUS — will be brought to TANY members with an eye on small and mid-sized fleet operators and drivers. “This collaboration builds on the success of the program in fostering safe and efficient fleet operations and represents a significant step towards enhancing safety cultures,” the news release states. The FOCUS on Fleet Safety Training Program, TSR’s signature workforce development safety program, helps independent fleet operators develop their safety culture with expertise and best practices drawn from TSR’s diverse group of leading fleets and technology companies. “Safety is a top priority across the trucking industry — and FOCUS on Fleet Safety Training is part of an active effort to ensure New York drivers, roads and communities are as protected as possible,” said Kendra Hems, president of TANY. “The program will provide drivers with the tools and training necessary for a career on the road and allow for operators of every size to build a culture of safety that goes above and beyond compliance. We are thrilled to continue this work with Together for Safer Roads and look forward to working with our members for a safer New York.” The FOCUS program is structured around three key pillars: Training and Development, Safety Leadership and Technology and includes executive coaching and before and after benchmarking. Now, TSR, in collaboration with TANY, seeks to bring this critical training initiative to New York State’s fleet operators and drivers, addressing the unique challenges and needs of this segment of driver experience. “Small–to-mid-size fleets account for roughly 97% on the road,” said Peter Goldwasser, executive director of TSR. “We are proud to partner with the Trucking Association of New York on this expansion of the FOCUS on Fleet Safety Training Program, reaffirming our commitment to saving lives and creating safer roads in New York State while gaining valuable insights that can help continue to expand this program to fleets across the country.” TSR and TANY are in the process of identifying fleets to participate in this new FOCUS cohort. Companies interested in participating or learning more are encouraged to contact Zach Miller ([email protected]). Jessica Whitaker, co-founder of fleet safety company Qworky, which is working with the TANY on the project, said that safety is fundamental for New York fleet operators. “Qworky is proud to be working with TANY and TSR to implement the FOCUS program to empower small and mid-size fleet operators across New York State with the resources, knowledge and support required to meet and exceed the highest standards of safety,” she said. 

Hirschbach Motor Lines integrates operations with John Christner Trucking

By Erica N. Guy -

DUBUQUE, Iowa — Hirschbach Motor Lines recently announced the full integration of operations, including joint branding, with John Christner Trucking. Both companies are now united as Hirschbach, with the logistics and third-party capacity offerings operating under the name Hirschbach Solutions, according to a news release. “Today marks an important milestone. The merger of these two great companies has resulted in increased productivity, visibility to capacity and freight, resulting in tremendous pride in the collective teams. Consolidating to one forward-facing image was important for the sake of clarity and brand recognition in the marketplace,” said Brad Pinchuk, Hirschbach Motor Lines’ chairman and owner. Richard Stocking, Hirschbach’s president and CEO, said the consolidation project will result in increased flexibility and capacity.. “Equipment re-branding will take place in tandem with the company’s equipment trade cycles over the next several years,” he added. “We are thrilled with the opportunity to offer our customers increased capacity as a result of this operational consolidation.” For more information, please visit johnchristner.com.

Peterbilt introduces Cummins X15N natural gas engine

By Erica N. Guy -

DENTON, Texas — Peterbilt is now offering a new Cummins X15N natural gas engine on Models 579, 567 and 520, with orders scheduled for production in the third quarter of 2024. The X15N is optimized for weight, space and durability. making it ideal for short-haul, long-haul, refuse and construction customers requiring a larger displacement engine that also significantly reduces emissions, according to a news release. “The new Xl5N natural gas engine provides another environmentally friendly solution for Peterbilt customers committed to sustainability and reducing their carbon footprint,” said Jake Montero, Peterbilt assistant general manager, sales and marketing. The X15N is available with ratings up to 500HP and 1,850 pound-feet of torque and offers up to 10% fuel economy compared to the ISX12N. It also offers improved low speed drivability and extended service intervals for reduced maintenance costs. The X15N is designed to meet the stringent 2024 and 2027 EPA and CARB regulations. Customers can place orders for the Cummins Xl5N natural gas engine option through any of Peterbilt’s 425-plus dealer locations in North America.