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The Trucker News Staff

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About The Trucker News Staff
The Trucker News Staff produces engaging content for not only TheTrucker.com, but also The Trucker Newspaper, which has been serving the trucking industry for more than 30 years. With a focus on drivers, the Trucker News Staff aims to provide relevant, objective content pertaining to the trucking segment of the transportation industry. The Trucker News Staff is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Posts by The Trucker News Staff

$1B in grants secured for clean energy medium, heavy duty trucks

By The Trucker News Staff -

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Clean transportation and energy consultants Gladstein, Neandross & Associates (GNA) announced Thursday that it has secured more than $1 billion in public agency grants and funding for more than 500 transportation stakeholders who are transitioning commercial transportation to low-and-zero-emission technologies. “These funding awards have directly supported client deployments of more than 8,400 clean medium-and-heavy-duty vehicles, several hundred clean fuel and electric charging stations, along with other innovative clean transportation projects,” according to a news release. Additionally, $50 million in monetized credits will be provided to clients via California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard program. GNA manages more electric fuel supply equipment than any other LCFS service provider under CARB’s program. “In reaching this milestone, GNA has maintained a 90% success rate on grant applications,” the news release stated. “This track record reflects GNA’s diligence working with clients to craft outstanding projects and grant applications that deliver on the public benefit goals of grantmaking agencies at the forefront of emissions reduction policy efforts. In addition to routinely developing and submitting successful applications, GNA’s Funding 360 program informs clients by tracking and reporting on new grant opportunities across North America.” Erik Neandross, CEO of GNA, said that “our partners — the progressive fleets, vehicle manufacturers, and public agencies — are a huge part of this success, and this milestone represents the progress we are making together to transform transportation.” “Grant funding, including new funding streams created by expanding LCFS programs and the federal infrastructure bill, will continue to rapidly grow the advanced transportation market for the foreseeable future. GNA looks forward to continuing to support our clients in maximizing the financial benefits of advanced vehicles and clean fuels.” The news release stated that “with nearly one third of U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions attributed to transportation, and heavy-duty trucks emitting the bulk of harmful particulates and NOx emissions, GNA continues to help clients across the transportation industry measurably reduce or eliminate emissions and achieve corporate sustainability goals. GNA’s grant writing work places a significant focus on improving air quality in communities most impacted by diesel truck emissions, which are disproportionately low-income and communities of color.” Recent winning grant applications for include: Joint Electric Truck Scaling Initiative (JETSI), a South Coast Air Quality Management District led project to deploy 100 battery-electric Class 8 Freightliner and Volvo trucks with NFI and Schneider in Southern California, benefitting disadvantaged communities and serving as a replicable model for other large-scale, zero-emission fleets. Frito-Lay’s initiative to replace the use of all diesel-powered freight equipment with near zero emission tractors using low carbon renewable natural gas fuel, and an array of on and off-road zero-emission technologies at one of its largest manufacturing facilities in Modesto, California. “It is immensely rewarding to work with our clients to secure initial research grants, and then ramp up to full implementation with grants for deployment,” Karen Mann, GNA partner and senior vice president of programs, said. “By paying attention to economic viability and technical feasibility of projects, we craft an impactful and achievable grant application, and help our clients define market direction for clean transportation.”  

Trucking industry to Biden: Increase domestic oil production now

By The Trucker News Staff -

ARLINGTON, Va. — The American Trucking Associations (ATA) is calling on the Biden administration to take immediate steps to boost domestic energy production as gasoline and diesel fuel prices soar on the heels of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, there was some cause for hope late Thursday as benchmark U.S. crude oil for April delivery fell $2.68 to $106.02 a barrel Thursday. Brent crude for May delivery fell $1.81 to $109.33 a barrel. But any relief at the pump won’t likely be seen for at least a couple of weeks, according to industry analysists. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average price for a gallon of diesel fuel in the U.S. is still hovering right at $5 per gallon. In a letter sent Thursday afternoon to the White House, the ATA outlined specific actions the U.S. can take to provide relief at the pump for motor carriers and motorists across the country. Fuel is the second largest operating expense for trucking fleets, and surging diesel prices threaten to decimate trucking capacity at a time when the supply chain is already under extreme stress. “The trucking industry is the backbone of the American economy, moving 73 percent of our nation’s freight, or 10 billion tons of goods annually,” wrote Chris Spear, president and CEO of ATA, in the organization’s letter to Biden. “Our ability to do so on a cost-efficient basis for our customers throughout the supply chain depends on certain economic conditions, including fuel prices, which are typically a fleet’s second highest operating expense. Right now, escalating fuel prices are driving up the transportation cost of all goods, adding yet another layer of inflationary pressure on every sector throughout the entire economy.” Spear wrote that the impact is particularly hard on the 97 percent of motor carriers that operate 20 trucks or fewer and are designated as small businesses. “These fleets do not operate at a scale necessary to negotiate lower fuel prices or to offset costs from shippers,” Spear stated in the letter. “Lacking the financial reserves to weather this storm, many of these companies are at risk of failing given current projections for global crude prices over the next 12 months. This would decimate U.S. trucking capacity, unleashing catastrophic consequences for a supply chain that’s already overstressed.” Spear wrote that increasing oil and natural gas production in the U.S. would “help bring down domestic fuel prices, providing immediate relief to our nation’s supply lines. We cannot let an energy crisis compound the supply chain crisis, and we have the power and resources to prevent that from happening.” Specifically, ATA calls on the administration to: Expedite onshore and offshore oil and natural gas permitting to spur expanded production; Initiate immediate lease sales in current production areas in the Central and Western Gulf of Mexico; Encourage expedited carbon capture & sequestration rulemaking to ensure that America remains the world’s leader in carbon reduction technology development; Work with both domestic and international oil and natural gas producing nations to help reduce global oil prices; and Consider timed releases from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. In 2019, commercial trucks consumed 46 billion gallons of diesel and gasoline. Motor carriers spent $112 billion on diesel fuel that year, when the annual cost of diesel ranged between $2.97 and $3.17 per gallon. This week, the U.S. Department of Energy reported the national average diesel fuel price at $4.85 per gallon as of March 7—the highest price in U.S. history. Diesel fuel prices on the West Coast are extraordinarily high, with an average price of $5.76 per gallon in California. More than half the cost of a gallon of diesel fuel is attributed to the price of crude. Crude prices are now well over $100 per barrel, with forecasters predicting $185 per barrel by year’s end. “These trend lines are not sustainable for the trucking industry and signal a major warning for the supply chain,” Spear wrote to the president. “We cannot afford to ignore our nation’s current energy needs in a fog of partisan idealism about the future of energy use. The trucking industry supports an all-of-the-above approach when it comes to securing our energy future. But the transition to cleaner and renewable fuels over the horizon requires a practical, actionable bridge in the here-and-now, beginning with the abundant sources readily available at home.” Spear concluded: “Taken together and immediately, the actions outlined above would bring immediate relief at the pump for America’s truckers and all motorists. ATA stands ready to assist you in keeping our economy and nation united, connected and strong.”    

Traffic shifts resuming on I-294 in Illinois

By The Trucker News Staff -

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. – The Illinois Tollway is scheduled to resume work on the Central Tri-State Tollway (Interstate 294) Project’s southern section between Interstate 55 and 95th Street, including the continued reconstruction and widening of the roadway to five lanes in both directions. All work is weather dependent. Electronic message signs and construction signage will be put in place in advance to alert drivers to changes in traffic patterns. Up-to-date information regarding lane closures will be available in the Illinois Tollway’s Daily Construction Alert. On I-294 between the I-55 Interchange and 75th Street, beginning the week of March 14, traffic is scheduled to be shifted on southbound I-294 with overnight lane closures scheduled between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. Traffic will be reduced to a single lane at times while work is under way to shift southbound traffic to the right onto newly constructed pavement. Once the complete, southbound traffic will be reduced to three lanes. Northbound I-294 between 75th Street and the I-55 Interchange will be reduced to three lanes with traffic shifts beginning in early April. The new traffic configuration will shift northbound I-294 traffic to the left with three lanes traveling on the southbound side in a counterflow configuration. A fourth northbound lane will be maintained as an exit only lane to I-55. Traffic in both directions between I-55 and 75th Street will remain in this configuration through late summer. Work in this area includes continued construction of the northbound mainline pavement, reconstruction of the I-294 bridge over I-55, noise wall construction and storm sewer and utility work. Additionally, during the week of March 14, on northbound I-294 between 83rd Street Plaza to LaGrange Road, traffic is scheduled to shift and overnight lane closures, including intermittent 15-minute closures, will be needed to complete the work. When the shift is complete, two northbound I-294 lanes will be traveling on the southbound side in a counterflow configuration and two northbound lanes will remain on the northbound side shifted to the inside. Southbound traffic in this area is currently shifted and will remain in this configuration. Traffic between 83rd Street Plaza and LaGrange Road will remain in this configuration through late spring. Work in this area includes northbound pavement and utility work. During the week of March 28, on southbound I-294 between the 83rd Street Toll Plaza and 95th Street traffic shifts will be scheduled to begin with overnight lane closures to complete the shifts. Four lanes of traffic will be maintained on southbound I-294 with two lanes shifted into the northbound side in a counterflow configuration. Traffic traveling in the counterflow lanes will not have access to the 95th Street exits. Northbound traffic in this area is currently shifted and will remain in this configuration. Traffic between the 83rd Street Toll Plaza and 95th Street will remain in this configuration through early summer with work continuing on the northbound I-294 bridge over 87th Street and the beginning of construction for the new southbound I-294 bridge over 87th Street. Work also includes mainline construction and noise wall, median, storm sewer and utility work. In addition, the ramp connecting eastbound Archer Avenue to southbound I-294 will remain closed through the summer and traffic shifts are scheduled on the ramps connecting 75th Street to I-294. Additional traffic shifts will be scheduled in spring including in both directions on I-294 between I-55 and the Mile Long Bridge, as well as on the ramps connecting I-55 to northbound I-294 and southbound I-294 to I-55. The traffic shifts, lane reductions and ramp detours will continue through the end of 2022 to complete the reconstruction and widening on I-294 between I-55 and 95th Street. Work in this area is being coordinated with the Illinois Department of Transportation, Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways, Village of Burr Ridge, City of Countryside, City of Hickory Hills, Village of Hodgkins, Village of Indian Head, Village of Justice, as well as local fire and police departments. Construction updates, project information, maps and detour information for work that is part of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project is available in the Projects section on the Tollway’s website at www.illinoistollway.com.

Yellow Corporation settles lawsuit with feds

By The Trucker News Staff -

NASHVILLE — Yellow Corporation announced this week that it has reached a $6.8 million settlement with the U.S. government to end a lawsuit alleging that the company overcharged Uncle Sam for certain freight shipments for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) between 2005 and 2013. In reaching that agreement, Yellow admitted no liability while denying the government’s core allegations. Yellow continued delivering for the government during the lawsuit period, adding that its volume of DOD-related freight is larger now than when the lawsuit was filed. The U.S. Department of Justice filed its claim against Yellow on on Dec. 12, 2018, alleging that the company, which was then doing business under its prior name, YRC Freight Inc., overcharged DOD from a period between September 2005 and October 2013 for thousands of shipments that were lighter and cheaper than the weights that the carrier charged the Pentagon. “We remain confident that we complied with the then-existing rules and our contractual obligations,” said Leah Dawson, Yellow’s executive vice president and general counsel. “While we believe we had strong defenses, we decided, in the best interests of all parties, to resolve this matter for a small fraction of the amount originally demanded.” Darren Hawkins, CEO of Yellow, said the company is “pleased to have come to a resolution.” “Now we can continue to focus on the important work ahead,” he added. “With our nation’s current supply chain constraints and the critical role Yellow plays in delivering freight, there’s no time for distraction. Putting this matter behind us also helps Yellow move forward with its corporate mission of transforming our nearly 100-year-old company into one of the nation’s preeminent super-regional and long-haul less-than-truckload carriers.”

Collision with tractor-trailer leaves 1 dead on I-84

By The Trucker News Staff -

UNION COUNTY, Ore. — A two-vehicle crash Wednesday on Interstate 84 in Oregon has left one person dead. At approximately 8:50 a.m., Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers and emergency personnel responded to a two-vehicle crash on I-84 near milepost 259. Preliminary investigation revealed an eastbound silver Mercedes GLS, operated by Brian Burton, 59, of Portland was stopped in the roadway for an earlier commercial motor vehicle (CMV) crash. An eastbound blue Freightliner, operated by Eddi Morales, 30, of Othello, Washington, came around a curve and was unable to stop and collided with the left side of the Mercedes. Burton sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. A passenger in the Mercedes, Helen Burton, 62, of Portland, was uninjured. Morales was also uninjured in the crash. I-84 eastbound was closed for more than five hours. Icy roadways and speed are being investigated as contributing factors to the crash. OSP was assisted by Union County Fire and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Road project aims to increase safety in northern Kentucky

By The Trucker News Staff -

COVINGTON, Ky. — A project intended to help drivers in Covington travel north on the interstate is slated to begin this month, officials said. Construction of a Texas Turnaround that will help move traffic north on Interstate 71/75 will begin on March 16 if weather permits, a statement from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said. The turnaround, which started in Texas, helps traffic move more efficiently through busy highway interchange areas, the statement said. Currently, drivers coming onto the interstate from Fourth Street in Covington must cross multiple lanes of traffic on a bridge to go north, engineer Bob Yeager said in the statement. “The new travel pattern will provide more time for drivers to safely change lanes,” he said. The project is scheduled to be complete by Dec. 1.

TruckLabs launches the third generation of TruckWings

By The Trucker News Staff -

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — TruckLabs announced Tuesday the launch of the third generation of its flagship product TruckWings — an active aerodynamic device that automatically closes the gap between the cab and trailer at highway speeds to reduce drag and save what the company claims is 4% to 6% on fuel. Better truck aerodynamics from TruckWings is an “all of the above” approach, improving the efficiency of trucks across all fuel sources of diesel, natural gas, hydrogen and electric. Diesel trucks benefit from lower fuel costs and lower emissions. Alternative fuel trucks decrease their cost per mile but also benefit from significant range extension, which is a critical barrier for electric truck adoption. Fleets can trust TruckWings’ performance because each unit has live telematics tracking uptime and flagging any exceptions. Through automated reporting, fleets can track exact fuel and carbon savings by truck or route. This reporting enabled TruckLabs to combine learnings from 500 million miles with countless hours of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) input and collaboration back into this Third Generation Product including: Installation time has been reduced from eight hours to two hours by lifting a pre-assembled system directly to the back of the cab. This modularity also enables TruckWings to be quickly transferred from one truck to another as fleets upgrade or even switch OEM. Sensors and wire harnesses have been repositioned and hardened to IP67 standards OEM-level shaker plate test of over 1.3 million miles validated the mount system strength Side hinges have been doubled and spaced to distribute high crosswind loads more evenly New, flexible edges allow for minor contact without damage The hinge units now allow for quick-service with a sub-10-minute installation. Hinge service is recommended at 300,000 miles, which helps TruckWings remain effective for one million miles or more. “TruckWings have achieved millions of gallons of fuel savings for our customers to date,” Daniel Burrows, CEO of TruckLabs, said. “With the release of our third-generation platform, we’re excited to extend these fuel savings to any fleet, any tractor, and any fuel type. We have significantly decreased TruckWings’ installation time and total cost, and enhanced durability and longevity so that fleets can realize fuel savings benefits faster and longer. Through TruckWings and our other product TripDynamics, a fuel-saving driver engagement technology, we’re delivering on our goal to innovate the trucking industry through technology, helping to create a more sustainable future for the commercial transportation industry.” TruckWings’ third-generation platform is now available for pre-order from a truck dealer for installation at a chosen modification center. To learn more, visit TruckWings.com or TruckLabs.com.  

Embark hires Teamsters senior legislative representative to lead federal policy effort

By The Trucker News Staff -

SAN FRANCISCO — Embark Trucks, Inc. announced Wednesday the addition of Sam Loesche to its public policy team. The company stated in a news release that the move is “to deepen the company’s commitment to improving driver livelihoods by working closely with public sector stakeholders and drivers to roll out autonomous truck technology.” “Loesche joins Embark to lead its federal policy work as the company continues to announce new partnerships with fleets and recently unveiled the Truck Transfer Program, which will put Embark-powered autonomous trucks directly into the hands of carrier Knight-Swift and its drivers.” Over the past five years, Embark officials say they have pursued a proactive and industry-leading approach to autonomous truck policy that “has helped build a clear regulatory pathway for commercialization.” One of the company’s very first hires was Jonny Morris as head of public policy in 2017. Since then, the company touts that it “has established a long track record of working with federal and state policymakers, law enforcement, and labor groups to clarify regulatory pathways to commercialization, improve driver livelihoods and prioritize safety as it deploys its technology.” Embark added former Secretary of Transportation and Labor Elaine Chao to its board of directors in 2021 as part of its strengthening efforts. “Loesche joins Embark with a unique perspective drawn from over a decade of working with organized labor,” the news release stated. “For the last eight years, he led federal policy and legislative affairs for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, one of the nation’s largest and most diverse labor unions. Before the Teamsters, Loesche worked as a legislative aide at the United Auto Workers.” At Embark, Loesche “will further strengthen Embark’s long-standing relationships with federal policymakers, including the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and members of Congress  to enumerate the safety, labor and environmental benefits of autonomous trucking ahead of commercial deployment of the Embark Driver in 2024,” according to the news release. The Embark Driver is the company’s flagship software that “sees with multiple redundant sensors, never gets tired or distracted and is always thinking ahead.” The company says it simulates up to 1,200 scenarios per second, with a 60 second prediction horizon while driving. Embark officials say their company’s operating model is “designed to apply autonomous driving technology to the treacherous and grueling long-haul truck miles where human drivers struggle with distraction and fatigue.” Further, the company news release stated that “the Embark Driver enables truckers to pursue more desirable short-haul jobs to stay closer to their families and loved ones, all while reducing the risk of deadly motor vehicle accidents on highways. Embark is currently working with shipper and carrier partners to determine how best to utilize the limited driver workforce to address the growing demands of the national supply chain, and when and how to have drivers haul loads alongside autonomous capacity.” Jonny Morris, head of corporate affairs at Embark, said that “from the beginning, one of Embark’s goals has been to improve the safety and working conditions of truck drivers in America. As we bring our autonomous truck technology to market, we envision a world where drivers get to spend more nights at home and we have fewer accidents on our roads. Sam will ensure that we work hand-in-glove with federal policymakers as well as labor, environmental and safety groups to make that dream a reality.”

Juice Technology predicts top electric vehicle trends for 2022

By The Trucker News Staff -

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Juice Technology AG, producer of electric charging stations and software and the market leader in mobile charging stations for electric vehicles, released on Wednesday its insights into the top trends influencing electric vehicle (EV) adoption in the U.S. market during 2022. The Biden administration has set a target of 50% of EV sale shares in the U.S. by 2030. To meet this goal, Lars Thomsen,  a futurologist with Juice Technology, outlines the key factors that need to come into alignment: Inventory — The global supply chain shortage has made it very difficult to go to a vehicle sales lot and give an EV a test drive. That will begin to change by mid-2022 as more players begin to enter the market with new options. Pickup trucks, one of the most popular U.S. choices, will be more available with Ford, Rivian, Tesla and others offering models. This menu of choices will enable a jump to more than 15% EV share in the U.S. next year. Pricing Competition — To get to a 50% sales share, auto manufacturers will need to produce a range of price point models. Consumers can buy/order a range of Teslas, from its ‘cheapest’ model hovering around $45,000 to a roadster with a $200,00-plus price point. It will also offer a ‘cybertruck’ at a price point around $40,000 to compete with other EV trucks but production delivery has not been set. Over the next several years, consumer EV selection will have to be greatly expanded beyond glamour models like Tesla to meet a variety of transportation needs. Charging Options — Charging infrastructure in the U.S. will grow exponentially in the coming months and years. Besides charging stations, U.S. consumers will need convenient and reliable at-home charging options. This likely will become the primary method for EV charging. In particular, the availability of mobile and stationary wall boxes, with portability for recreational travel, will become a major force in enabling U.S. EV market adoption. In addition, hotels and restaurants will upgrade their infrastructure to accommodate EV charging, equipping up to 10% of their parking spaces with AC stations for traveling guests. This will entail approximately a half-million chargers over the next two years. Fleet Market Expansion — Commercial expansion will also be driven by similar factors: more inventory and model options and wide availability of both public charging stations and onsite/portable chargers. Powerhouse players like Amazon will greatly expand the EV market. Amazon will fleet up to 100,000 Rivian e-vans in the next two years in addition to deploying other EV models. Additionally, the United States Postal Service fleet will be largely electrified over the next three to four years comprising approximately 260,000 vehicles. Charging convenience will be a factor in servicing all of these commercial and municipal service vehicles that typically make multiple stops in any workday. “Accelerating EV adoption in the U.S. will require great expansion of EV inventory, pricing models, auto manufacturers’ competing on incentives to attract new consumers and a wide availability of charging stations and at-home/portable chargers,” Thomsen said. “With these trends in play, the U.S. EV market will be poised for expansion, particularly as electric trucks, fleets and flexible charging options materialize. Given the dramatic scope of the EV transition goals, particularly for U.S. consumers, the public and private sector must make a 110% effort to ensure EVs are affordable and doable for the average family or commercial business.”

GPA increasing Brunswick’s annual capacity to 1.4M vehicles

By The Trucker News Staff -

SAVANNAH, Ga. – At the Brunswick State of the Port event Wednesday, the Georgia Ports Authority unveiled plans to grow capacity at Brunswick’s flagship auto port and its breakbulk terminal for forest products. “We’re expanding berth and terminal capacity at both Colonel’s Island and Mayor’s Point so that we are ready to take on additional trade,” Griff Lynch, GPA executive director, said. “The investments we are making will lay the groundwork for job growth and new opportunity in the Brunswick region.” As the nation’s second-busiest hub for Ro/Ro cargo, behind only Baltimore, the Port of Brunswick moved 650,000 units of vehicles and heavy machinery in Calendar Year 2021, an increase of 10 percent over the previous year. “A testament to the trust customers have in the Georgia Ports Authority and its partners across the logistics community, the Port of Brunswick delivered an outstanding performance this year – despite economic headwinds,” Gov. Brian P. Kemp, said. “In the coming years, Georgia’s posture as the number one state for forestry and as a global leader in the automotive industry – for automakers of both combustion and non-combustion engines – will continue to strengthen, and I’m confident given the exemplary leadership and hardworking Georgians who keep cargo moving, that the Port of Brunswick will continue to be a driving force behind the Peach State’s success.” At the Wednesday event, hosted by the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce, GPA Chief Administrative Officer Jamie McCurry outlined a $150 million development plan. GPA will add a fourth berth at Colonel’s Island, 360,000 square feet of new warehousing, and 85 additional acres for autoprocessing. The new pavement and buildings are slated to be completed in 2023. The additional auto storage on the south side of the island will increase the terminal’s annual capacity from 1.2 million to 1.4 million vehicles. Colonel’s Island has a total of 355 acres permitted for expansion. “Home to more than 20 automaker brands, Colonel’s Island is poised to become the Southeast’s premier auto port,” GPA Board Chairman Joel Wooten said. “With more room to grow, better connections to inland markets, and an operation dedicated to Roll-on/Roll-off cargo, Colonel’s Island is the region’s busiest gateway for autos and machinery.” The new berth, recently approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will include a concrete deck and system of mooring dolphins extending Ro/Ro vessel berthing space from 3,355 feet to 4,630 feet. Construction is anticipated to begin at the end of 2022 and take two years to complete. In addition to growing the auto trade, GPA will upgrade near-dock storage areas to better accommodate heavy machinery used in agriculture, construction and warehousing operations. The GPA also reported that bulk cargo handled by terminal operator Logistec totaled 902,000 tons at East River Terminal last year, while Mayor’s Point handled 88,380 tons of forest products in 2021.

8-vehicle crash closes southbound lanes of I-81 in Rockbridge County, Virginia

By The Trucker News Staff -

ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, Va. — At least one person is dead after an eight-vehicle crash Wednesday in the southbound lanes of Interstate 81 in Rockbridge County, Virginia. Four tractor-trailers and four passenger vehicles were involved in the crash, according to WXFR. They reported that the crash happened at 6:15 a.m. Wednesday morning. The Virginia Department of Transportation said both southbound lanes of Interstate 81 were closed near mile marker 198, between exit 200 at Fairfield and exit 195 at Lexington. Traffic was diverted onto Route 11 at exit 200 at Fairfield and exit 205 at Raphine. As of this writing, the left lane at mile marker 198 has been reopened only to allow the passage of vehicles that were trapped south of exit 200. Otherwise, the current detour remains in place. Southbound #I81 update: Left lane at mile marker 198 in #Rockbridge County has reopened ONLY to release vehicles "trapped" south of exit 200. Detour remains in place for all other traffic, but we hope to lift the detour soon. pic.twitter.com/eB53HW7zBF — VDOT Staunton (@VaDOTStaunton) March 9, 2022 Cleanup efforts are underway. The trucks reported spilled lumber and water bottles on the highway. WXFR said that they were told that the cleanup will take a significant amount of time. Southbound #I81 update: Crews have finished pumping fuel from wrecked tractor trailers. They continue removing vehicles and spilled cargo. Both southbound lanes remain closed at mile 198 in #Rockbridge County. Major backups. Traffic detoured onto Route 11. pic.twitter.com/qZRITpZBmk — VDOT Staunton (@VaDOTStaunton) March 9, 2022 The person who died in the crash has not been identified, and it is not known which vehicle they were driving. There was also another crash involving a tractor-trailer near the end of the Rockbridge County backup, according to WXFR. Virginia Department of Transportation officials said that crash has only resulted in a shoulder closure at this time.

Rosco Vision to exhibit at NTEA’s 2022 Work Truck Week

By The Trucker News Staff -

NEW YORK — Rosco is showcasing new safety technologies as well as popular flagship products this week at the Association for the Work Truck Industry (NTEA) Work Truck Week Show in Indianapolis. The Rosco D•CAMS — a Digital Monitor and Camera System — has been engineered to replace exterior rearview mirrors for increased safety and visibility. “Offering better visibility around the vehicle, Rosco’s D•CAMS covers views shown in both the flat lens and convex lens of rearview mirror heads,” a news release stated. “The aerodynamic design of the exterior cameras and housings helps with fuel savings and efficient operations compared to traditional rearview mirrors. At night and in low light conditions, D•CAMS delivers clear and bright images without reliance on external light sources and offers better views in all weather conditions.” Rosco is also showcasing the DV6 camera powered by RoscoLiveⓇ. Rosco’s DV6 is an HD Video recorder with DMS technology that captures and processes full HD footage of the driver and the road with local and cloud storage options. Other new products include the Dual-Vision DV440, and 360HD surround-view camera system.  

CalAmp, Noregon partner to deliver remote diagnostics

By The Trucker News Staff -

IRVINE, Calif. — CalAmp announced on March 3 its partnership with vehicle data expert Noregon® to deliver remote vehicle diagnostics and predictive maintenance capabilities to transportation, logistics and fleet operators. This partnership aims to blend real-time data insights from CalAmp iOn™ fleet management software, edge computing and cloud platform services with predictive algorithms in Noregon’s TripVision remote diagnostic software to enable preemptive alerts to vehicle issues before critical failures occur. “By integrating TripVision with iOn, operators gain not only a holistic view into their tractors, trailers and cargo but also advanced vehicle diagnostics to ensure fleet and driver safety, while preventing costly vehicle downtime that can significantly reduce productivity and profitability,” a news release stated. TripVision provides calculated health and safety scores for each vehicle — color-coded based on severity — along with recommended action plans to inform maintenance decisions that optimize fleet performance. Predictive health scores in TripVision can even estimate the mileage and time for when a fault will escalate. “This supports early issue detection, which can help reduce maintenance costs, prevent roadside breakdowns, and maintain vehicle uptime,” according to the news release. “Together, CalAmp and Noregon aim to empower more proactive, full visibility, fleet maintenance and operations.” “We are thrilled to work with the vehicle data experts at Noregon and to integrate TripVision’s predictive maintenance capabilities with our iOn and edge computing solutions,” said Jeff Clark, chief product officer for CalAmp. “Together, we can offer fleet operators unmatched fleet visibility and diagnostic intelligence in one unified view to ensure their trucks maintain optimal performance while enabling operational efficiency and profitability of the entire fleet.” “CalAmp stands apart in is its ability to triage the telematics data from the tractor to the trailer to the cargo inside. Through our partnership, Noregon will have the opportunity to incorporate new data on trailer components and contents in TripVision. We look forward to working with CalAmp to bring more visibility and diagnostics solutions to the transportation and logistics marketplace to help fleet operators make smarter decisions about vehicle and trailer health, safety, and performance,” said Bill Hathaway, chief executive officer for Noregon.  

Pilot launches $1B ‘New Horizons’ initiative

By The Trucker News Staff -

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Pilot Company announced Wednesday a $1 billion initiative focused on upgrading the experience and equipping its stores for the future of travel. The three-year project, called New Horizons, marks the company’s largest investment in store modernization to date and will fully remodel more than 400 Pilot and Flying J travel centers, as well as make upgrades at several more locations across the country. Based on guest and team member feedback, New Horizons includes top to bottom store overhauls, remodeling restrooms and showers, expanding kitchen and dining areas, improving driver-focused amenities, expanding digital engagement with guests and installing the latest in fueling and retail technology. “For 63 years, we’ve been proud to fuel millions of journeys and as we have done since our founding, we will continue to evolve the travel center experience to meet the changing needs of our guests and team members,” Shameek Konar, Pilot Company CEO, said. “We are listening to what our guests want most at our locations and how we can improve our offerings to make their travels easier and more enjoyable. New Horizons will incorporate this feedback as we overhaul our entire network to deliver on what our guests value today and prepare our stores for the future.” The New Horizons project will be completed in several phases as the company progresses its store design and incorporates new innovations. The first phase is now underway with more than 50 Pilot and Flying J travel centers planned to be renovated this year. Key enhancements of New Horizons include: Store exteriors and interiors: Top to bottom overhauls from the curb to the counter, including more energy-efficient lighting for well-lit parking lots, improved fueling experience, updated branding, refaced walls and store features with industrial style accents to create a welcoming environment that leaves a lasting impression. Restrooms, showers and laundry: Adding more and remodeling existing facilities with modern, energy efficient fixtures – including touchless where possible – new tile, fresh paint and brighter lighting. Seating and lounges: Expanding spaces for guests to relax with comfortable furnishings and additional dining areas. Retail, food and beverage: Redesigned store layouts will increase variety and bring more of Pilot’s signature fresh deli items, including pizza, homestyle meals, grab-and-go foods, and premium coffee to more locations, all in an easy-to-shop atmosphere. New technology: Installing state-of-the-art retail and fueling technology, including adding self-checkouts, to increase efficiency and enable team members to further personalize the guest experience. Improved team member areas: Upgrading, reconfiguring and expanding breakrooms and workspaces, including installing new kitchen equipment and back-office solutions, to make team members’ jobs easier and able to focus more on providing great service. Future innovations include equipping stores with fueling alternatives, including electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, and developing a strategy to support low emission and zero emission vehicles. As part of New Horizons, Pilot Company is furthering its investment in the communities where its stores are located through its giving back program. This year, Pilot Company will donate more than $500,000 to support local school districts in the areas where its building new locations or remodeling stores. The contributions will go towards providing students with equal access to educational technology, a key focus area of giving back for the company. To learn more about Pilot Company’s giving initiatives, visit pilotcompany.com/about. “Our team members are an integral part of the guest experience, and we want to equip them with the tools to succeed while furthering our commitment to being a great place to work,” Konar said. “With New Horizons, we are investing in the total Pilot experience – from our team members to our guests and to the communities we serve.” For more information about New Horizons, visit pilotflyingj.com/new-horizons and to learn more about Pilot Company, visit www.pilotcompany.com.  

ORBCOMM adds camera analytics, sensors to enhance truck telematics solution

By The Trucker News Staff -

ROCHELLE PARK, N.J. — ORBCOMM Inc. announced on Monday that it has added new feature enhancements to its data-driven truck telematics solution to improve the visibility, efficiency, safety and experience for fleets, drivers and their customers. ORBCOMM unveiled its innovative technology during a Press Conference at the American Trucking Association’s Technology and Maintenance Council Annual Meeting on March 6 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The solution’s new features include: Cargo Camera Sensor: ORBCOMM is continuing to enhance its portfolio of camera and video intelligence solutions with the launch of its new Cargo Camera sensor. ORBCOMM’s latest camera technology enables fleets to immediately identify the status of a trailer with images that show load and unload progress, load shift, cargo or asset damage, dunnage and cleanout verification. The device can send images to the back office when the trailer’s door is opened or closed while paired with a door sensor as well as when the driver begins or ends a move for optimal visibility and security. Image capture can be triggered manually from the back office at any time so that dispatch can see the status of the trailer when needed. With its large storage capacity, the sensor can capture, store and transmit hundreds of images. As ORBCOMM’s Cargo Camera technology continues to evolve, the sensor will leverage state-of-the-art machine learning and artificial intelligence strategies that will help customers gain deeper insights about their operations, including how to maximize utilization of their trailer space, turnaround time and profitability. Tractor ID Sensor for Refrigerated Trailers: ORBCOMM’s new sensor integrates with ORBCOMM’s refrigerated trailer solution to address the costly industry pain point of incorrect tractor-trailer pairing. The ORBCOMM Tractor ID sensor ensures the tractor will connect to the desired trailer, while filtering out nearby trailers that could otherwise lead to inaccurate pairings, increasing driver efficiency and retention. By validating those drivers are transporting the correct refrigerated cargo to the correct location on time, ORBCOMM’s Tractor ID sensor helps to prevent the loss of revenue due to increased fuel usage from wasted driving hours and cargo spoilage leading to high insurance claims as well as improve customer satisfaction. Safety and Maintenance Integrations: ORBCOMM has completed a new integration with Bendix focused on fleet safety and collision avoidance. Bendix’s software collects and transmits safety data and video of severe events off the vehicle along with driver identification and transforms it into actionable information in real time. With Bendix, ORBCOMM customers can assess driving trends and develop targeted driver training to improve fleet safety and compliance. ORBCOMM is also partnering with Noregon to help customers achieve greater savings on vehicle maintenance and increase uptime with their TripVision software and is adding trailer maintenance to provide a complete picture of fleet health. “ORBCOMM is delivering innovative sensor technology and feature enhancements to provide the transportation industry with the most comprehensive, data-driven truck solution that extends from the asset’s nose to tail,” Chris MacDonald, ORBCOMM’s senior vice president of North America sales, said. “We are empowering our customers with deep insights about their operations to address their pain points, increase the efficiency of their fleet and their drivers and enable them to make more informed business decisions – all through one integrated platform.”

ATA, TMC honor 4 with Silver Spark Plug

By The Trucker News Staff -

ORLANDO, Fla. – American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) honored four trucking industry professionals on Monday with its highest honor — the Silver Spark Plug —at the opening of TMC’s 2022 Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition. “The Silver Spark Plug is given to individuals who demonstrate professional excellence in commercial vehicle maintenance as our industry’s highest honor,” TMC Executive Director Robert Braswell said. “Our winners this year represent the highest-level expertise and ability in our industry, and we are pleased to recognize them with this award.” This year’s honorees are: Kenneth Marko, national fleet sustainability manager, Frito-Lay North America Amanda Schuier, Jetco Delivery Jim Boyd, manager, fleet technical services. Southeastern Freight Lines Brandon Uzarek, technical service engineer, Accuride Corp. “For decades, TMC and its members have set the standard for professional excellence in our industry – and these four individuals have truly exceeded that standard,” ATA President and CEO Chris Spear said. “With the myriad of challenges facing our industry, having expert technicians – able to keep our trucks on the road and moving – has never been more important, and the winners of the Silver Spark Plug are examples of the kind of professionalism and expertise that everyone in our industry should emulate.” “The Silver Spark Plug honors those who TMC members who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to improving our industry,” TMC General Chairman Stacy Earnhardt, vice president of asset management and specialized services for Best Specialized, said. “I congratulate all these winners for their achievement and commitment to the ideals of TMC.”

Old World Industries, TMC announce new technician scholarship program  

By The Trucker News Staff -

ORLANDO, Fla. –American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council, along with Old World Industries, announced Monday that they have partnered to offer a series of scholarships for students looking to pursue an education in heavy-duty commercial vehicle maintenance. The program — underwritten by OWI — will be called “The PEAK Performance Scholarships” and will support two students with up to $12,500 each for their education at a college or vocational school of choice. “OWI is excited to support students who are serious about establishing themselves in the heavy-duty transportation and maintenance industry,” OWI CEO Greg Noethlich said. “We remain committed to helping those passionate about truck maintenance develop the necessary skills to lead the next generation of heavy-duty experts into successful careers for many years to come.” To qualify for the scholarships, students must have a 2.5 or higher-grade point average and graduate from an accredited vocational, public, private, or parochial high school. Applications must be accompanied by a letter of 400 words or less explaining why applicants want to be involved in the commercial transportation maintenance field as a technician. “Finding innovative solutions to our industry’s ongoing technician shortage is a priority for TMC, and the Council is pleased to be able to partner with OWI to bring this scholarship opportunity to fruition,” TMC Executive Director Robert Braswell said. “The initiative, which adds to TMC’s existing portfolio of scholarship offerings, will provide greater choice for deserving scholarship-seeking students looking to prepare for a career as a commercial vehicle technician.” A complete list of scholarship rules is featured on the application and can be found on TMC’s website. Completed scholarship application packages must be received by the TMC office by April 15 and winners will be notified by May 15. “We want young people to continue their dream and be able to pursue their ultimate ambitions and goals,” Noethlich said. “We encourage everyone, including heavy duty truck organizations and individuals, to share the website and deadline with their friends, family and colleagues so interested students are aware and have ample time to apply.”

FMCSA nixes driver reporting of annual violations

By The Trucker News Staff -

WASHINGTON — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will no longer require commercial drivers to provide previous traffic violations to their employers on an annual basis. The new rule will take effect on May 9. According to an FMCSA filing with the Federal Register, the rule was “duplicative of a separate rule that requires each motor carrier to make an annual inquiry to obtain the motor vehicle record for each driver it employs from every state in which the driver holds or has held a CMV (commercial motor vehicle) operator’s license or permit in the past year.” Eliminating this requirement will save drivers and carriers money, the FMCSA filing states, because “they will no longer spend time completing a list of convictions for traffic violations or certificate of no convictions. It also results in cost savings to motor carriers, as they no longer have to file the lists or certificates in driver qualification files.” The FMCSA says that the resulting cost savings will amount to almost $25 million over 10 years, at a 7% discount rate. The annual cost savings are estimated to be $3.5 million. The FMCSA is also amending the rule for drivers licensed in Mexico or Canada “to provide that motor carriers must make an annual inquiry to each driver’s licensing authority where a driver holds or has held a CMV operator’s license or permit.” The FMCSA will require that drivers report any active driver’s licenses, along with the issuing authorities, on their employment applications. Around 80% of those commenting supported the rule, including the American Trucking Associations, the Truckload Carriers Association, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, and the Tennessee Trucking Association.    

Collision with commercial vehicle leaves Wyoming teen dead

By The Trucker News Staff -

WHEATLAND, Wyo. — A Monday morning collision in Wyoming has left a teenager dead after colliding with a commercial vehicle. The crash happened around milepost three on Wyoming 320 north of Wheatland, according to Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP). WHP said that a 1994 Mercury Grand Marquis was headed north on Wyoming 320 when the driver lost control of the vehicle and entered the southbound lane colliding with a 2014 Peterbilt commercial vehicle. The roadways were snow and ice-covered at the time of the crash. The driver of the Mercury is identified as 18-year-old Wheatland resident Karson M. Yorges. Yorges was not wearing a seatbelt and succumbed to his injuries at the crash scene. The driver of the Peterbilt has been identified as 44-year-old Fort Laramie, Wyoming, resident Russell G. Smith. Smith was wearing a seatbelt and was not injured in the crash. The crash is still under investigation for potential contributing factors. This is the 13th fatality on Wyoming’s roadways in 2022 compared to 18 in 2021, 11 in 2020, and 27 in 2019 to date.

Volvo Trucks to offer new advanced roadside assistance service tracking feature

By The Trucker News Staff -

ORLANDO, Fla. — Volvo Trucks North America announced the launch of an all-new service tracking feature to its Volvo Action Service roadside assistance program at the American Trucking Association’s Technology and Maintenance Council event this week in Orlando. “The service tracker will enhance the customer experience during an unplanned stop through a digital, user-friendly platform,” a news release stated. “The company aims to have a portion of its vendors onboarded with the advanced feature beginning in Q2 of this year.” “Not only will the service tracker provide a convenient and modernized experience for our customers, but it will also help our highly trained Volvo Action Service employees be more efficient,” Ashley Murickan, product marketing manager of Volvo Trucks North America, said. “As nearly every form of communication is digital, we are going above and beyond to provide complete visibility and elevated roadside assistance for our customers.” The Volvo Action Service tracking feature offers operational advantages such as efficiency gains, automatic dispatching and enhanced insights for the preferred vendor network. For customers and roadside assistance vendors, the new connectivity features enable Volvo Action Service employees to expedite getting the driver back up and running by: Providing transparency through accurate, real-time updates throughout the breakdown event. Improved estimate time of arrivals (ETAs) for roadside assistance vendors by leveraging a digitized preferred vendor network. Modern service experiences with higher visibility and live tracking of the provider’s location via an interactive map – like ride share platforms. Less or shorter phone calls to customers with the option to communicate directly via text throughout the breakdown event. An added benefit of the feature demonstrates customer transparency and ensures safe and clear communications through connectivity, by offering visibility of the provider truck, name and contact information. The ETA is also updated with live traffic conditions and job progress for even further insights to both customers and the certified experts at the Volvo Uptime Center in Greensboro, North Carolina, which provides all Volvo Trucks customers 24/7 assistance across North America. “This new technology serves as a true milestone in our efforts to improve customer productivity and uptime,” Magnus Gustafson, vice president of aftermarket quality and operations at Volvo Trucks North America, said. “Volvo Action Service plays a critical role in keeping us ahead of the curve in the connectivity space, and this added tracking feature will enable Volvo Trucks to deliver on a high-quality customer experience.”