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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

Trooper cited after slamming into back of 18-wheeler

By The Trucker News Staff -

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) trooper who was caught on his own dash camera slamming into the back of a big rig in December received only a “minor misdemeanor traffic citation,” according to the OSHP. According to an OSHP report, trooper Jarid Fitzpatrick, 25, was following the tractor-trailer too closely in the early morning hours of Dec. 15 along Interstate 70 in Columbus. OSHP officials said in a statement that Fitzpatrick told them he did not have any recollection of the incident or what led to crash. The truck driver involved, 58-year-old Thomas Ervin, of Heath, Ohio, was uninjured. Fitzpatrick, who was not on call at the time of the accident, was hospitalized with a broken wrist and concussion. Fitzpatrick called for assistance on his radio following the crash, which sandwiched the front half of his cruiser underneath the semi-trailer. Below is dash camera footage of the accident.

Bridge funding being doled out by feds to states

By The Trucker News Staff -

WASHINGTON – From California to the east coast, all 50 states are beginning to see funding to help repair deteriorating bridges that are vital to the nation’s infrastructure and economy. The U.S. Department of Transportation has launched the Bridge Replacement, Rehabilitation, Preservation, Protection and Construction Program (Bridge Formula Program) as part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The program, to be administered by the Federal Highway Administration, represents the single largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the interstate highway system – providing $26.5 billion to states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico over five years and $825 million for Tribal transportation facilities. The total amount that will be available to states, D.C. and Puerto Rico in Fiscal Year 2022 is $5.3 billion along with $165 million for tribes. The FHWA also published initial guidance on the new program. “The Biden-Harris Administration is thrilled to launch this program to fix thousands of bridges across the country – the single largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the Interstate highway system,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Modernizing America’s bridges will help improve safety, support economic growth, and make people’s lives better in every part of the country – across rural, suburban, urban, and tribal communities.” Nationwide, the Bridge Formula Program is expected to help repair approximately 15,000 highway bridges. In addition to providing funds to states to replace, rehabilitate, preserve, protect, and construct highway bridges, the Bridge Formula Program has dedicated funding for Tribal transportation facility bridges as well as “off-system” bridges, which are generally locally- owned facilities not on the federal-aid highway system. “This record amount of funding, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will allow states and Tribal governments to fix the bridges most in need of repair,” Deputy Federal Highway Administrator Stephanie Pollack said. “It will also modernize bridges to withstand the effects of climate change and to make them safer for all users, including cyclists and pedestrians. Every state has bridges in poor condition and in need of repair, including bridges with weight restrictions that may force lengthy detours for travelers, school buses, first responders or trucks carrying freight,” she added. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes an incentive for states to direct the new Bridge Formula Program funds to off-system bridges owned by a county, city, town or other local agency. While states generally must match federal funding with up to 20 percent state or local funding, the guidance issued today notes that federal funds can be used for 100 percent of the cost of repairing or rehabilitating such locally owned off-system bridges. More than $563 million in federal dollars is heading to Michigan to fix and maintain highway bridges. The funding will help repair about 1,240 bridges considered to be in poor condition, the transportation department said. Improvements also will be made to more than 5,950 bridges deemed to be in fair condition. Illinois will receive $1.4 billion to help upgrade its deteriorating bridges. The funding over five years will include $274.8 million in Fiscal Year 2022, that state’s delegation said in a news release, which also says Illinois is home to “more than 2,374 bridges in poor condition.” The money will go to the Illinois Department of Transportation, which will determine how to invest it across the state for bridge upgrades. “With $1.4 billion set aside for Illinois, this is poised to be a new era in infrastructure that will move our economy forward and create jobs,” Senator Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said in the news release. “I’m proud to have supported this historic, much-needed legislation.” Since 2011, commute times in Illinois have increased by more than seven percent and that on average, every Illinois driver pays $609 per year in costs due to driving on roads in need of repair, the Democratic delegation said. U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., said the funding will “create jobs, reduce commute times and most importantly, ensure that our bridges serve as safe and helpful connections throughout our great state.” West Virginia is slated to receive more than $500 million to repair and upgrade bridges across the state. West Virginia would receive the funding over the next five years, starting with $101.3 million for fiscal year 2022, the Charleston Gazette-Mail reported. The state has one of the highest percentages of structurally deficient bridges in the country, according to an analysis of federal data by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association. The number of West Virginia bridges that need repair increased from 1,222 in 2016 to 1,545 in 2020, the organization found. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Virginia officials using road sensors to monitor unsafe tires

By The Trucker News Staff -

RICHMOND — Officials with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) say they have removed 13,000 unsafe tires from commercial vehicles traveling on Interstate 81 in just one year using in-road sensors. The technology, called Tire Anomaly and Classification System (TACS), enables weigh station technicians to identify commercial vehicles traveling with flat, missing, mismatched or underinflated tires and call the driver into the station to arrange for a repair, according to the DMV. TACS was installed at the Stephens City Motor Carrier Service Center along I-81 near Winchester in June 2020. An average of nearly 1,200 unsafe tires are detected each month. This year, DMV will install the TACS technology, produced by International Road Dynamics Inc., to the Troutville Motor Carrier Service Center on I-81 near Roanoke and the Alberta Motor Carrier Service Center on I-85. “DMV’s motor carrier service centers put the most innovative technology to work to keep truck drivers — and all motorists — safe,” said Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine. “Bringing TACS on board is yet another commitment toward innovative solutions to make the Commonwealth’s roads safer.” DMV operates 13 permanent motor carrier service centers and 12 mobile crews throughout the Commonwealth. A typical motor carrier service center is staffed with size and weight compliance agents who weigh vehicles, collect truck data and partner with the Virginia State Police to issue citations for non-compliance. “Tire blowouts can cause serious crashes. By detecting unsafe tires, most times before a truck driver even knows there is a problem, we can prevent crashes from occurring and save lives,” said DMV Commissioner Richard D. Holcomb, the governor’s highway safety representative. “The hard-working folks at DMV’s motor carrier service centers take very seriously the role they play in keeping our highways safe; TACS gives them another tool with which to work.”

Oversized skillet hauled by semi to Tennessee museum

By The Trucker News Staff -

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A giant cast-iron skillet being hauled by a big rig caused quite a stir along Interstate 59 last week on its way to a South Pittsburg, Tennessee, museum. The skillet, billed as the world’s largest at more than 18 feet across, was making its way to the Lodge Cast Iron Shop to be a center attraction at a new museum there. The skillet weighs 14,360 pounds — and even more when it’s loaded with eggs and bacon. Unfortunately, though, museum officials say there are no plans to cook a giant breakfast with this behemoth. “In 2021, we celebrated 125 years of Lodge Cast Iron, and as we look ahead to 2022 and the next 125 years, we’re thrilled to be bringing the Lodge Cast Iron Museum to South Pittsburg,” said Mike Otterman, CEO and president of Lodge Cast Iron. “Covering everything from the history of cast iron to how it’s used today, the museum is an exciting opportunity to celebrate our community and share Lodge with the world through this unmatched experience.” Below is video of the skillet being hauled to its destination.

Truck driver arrested for driving while intoxicated

By The Trucker News Staff -

VERSAILLES, Ind. — Indiana State Police (ISP) troopers arrested a South Carolina truck driver on Jan. 14 for operating a commercial motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of nearly three times the legal limit. Mikhail Popov, 62, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, was arrested and transported to the Jackson County Jail on preliminary charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a prior conviction. Preliminary charges also included operating while intoxicated/endangerment and operating with a blood alcohol of .15% or greater. According to an ISP news release, the investigation began around noon when a motorist reported observing a 2016 Freightliner pulling a trailer that was driving erratically on Interstate 65 southbound in Bartholomew and Jackson counties. The vehicle was located and stopped near the 54 mile marker just north of Seymour in Jackson County. During the traffic stop, troopers observed that Popov showed signs of being intoxicated. Popov was transported to the Seymour Police Department, where he submitted to a breath test for intoxication. The test determined that Popov’s BAC was .225%.  

McLeod announces major update to trucking software

By The Trucker News Staff -

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — McLeod Software, a supplier of transportation management and trucking software for carriers, brokers, 3PL providers and shippers, saw its sales grow by 32 percent in 2021. That’s a new company record. On Monday, the company also announced that version 22.1 of its LoadMaster Enterprise and PowerBroker software programs are ready for use. “With the release of Version 22.1, McLeod Software continues to focus on a layered security approach to protect from external cyber threats,” a company news release stated. “Security updates add precautionary layers protect the gateways from those outside your trusted network. McLeod uses security measures in layers to decrease the likelihood that an attack can reach the sensitive data and systems that run a customers’ business.” McLeod’s updates include a host of new capabilities across its software suite. For example, “the IntercompanyFusion module allows McLeod’s DataFusion EDI (electronic data interchange) solution to provide visibility, two-way communication and data sharing to manage the freight exchange between internal companies without the need for double entry of the order,” according to the news release. “This feature vastly reduces the effort associated with moving a load between two internal companies under the corporate structure.” There are also new capabilities and enhancements to trailer sharing for LoadMaster, a tool “designed specifically for transportation corporations composed of multiple entities, allows trailers to be shared between internal companies,” the news release stated. “This can be especially helpful when demand is heavy, and capacity is tight. Behind-the-scenes enhancements optimize the dispatch approval process and keep track of shared trailers, regardless of which company in the organization owns the trailer.” Credit card usage has also been addressed in the software update. Using the data import tool, a process has been created to import credit card transaction information from a credit card service provider into regular vouchers/AP open items. “This process offers tremendous time savings for your administrative staff and reduces the risk of errors by manual entry,” the news release stated. “This import adds transactions to create a visible audit trail and history record and the ability to adjust the transaction amounts, GL accounts, descriptions, and dates prior to voucher posting.” Click here for full details about McLeod’s software and the updates provided in this most recent version.  

Schneider receives award for pandemic-related work

By The Trucker News Staff -

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Transportation logistics carrier Schneider has been awarded the SanMar Mask Award, recognizing the company’s role in supporting the mask distribution supply chain during the COVID-19 pandemic. Schneider is the only carrier to receive such recognition. Early in the pandemic, SanMar, a Seattle-based apparel and accessories supplier, pivoted from manufacturing apparel to producing masks for hospitals, healthcare workers and others battling the spread of COVID-19, according to a news release. “This effort was part of a coalition of U.S. apparel companies working with the White House to build a supply chain to produce millions of much needed face masks in a time of short supply,” the news release stated. “SanMar has had previous experience with Schneider and knew they can be counted on to deliver their products safely and efficiently.” SanMar director of Global Logistics John Jansen called his company’s relationship with Schneider “one of our most strategic in the transportation and shipping space.” “Especially in these challenging times, we can depend on Schneider,” Jansen added. “When we need additional equipment, capacity or other services it’s really easy to pick up the phone and make that call.” When it was time to distribute the masks, SanMar turned to the Schneider team to haul them out of Seattle to their destinations. “I’m proud that SanMar was confident they could look to Schneider to be a part of this supply chain,” said Schneider Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Jim Filter. “Since we began working together in 2016, our relationship has steadily grown and there is a strong bond of trust. Our drivers were able to provide critical capacity to deliver masks.”

I-95 motorists in Conn. mystified by ‘singing road’

By The Trucker News Staff -

STONINGTON, Conn. — It’s been compared to the sound of a pod of humpback whales, or the soundtrack from a horror movie. The unusual noises on a stretch of Interstate 95 in southeastern Connecticut have gotten it dubbed “the singing road” or “the singing highway,” and it has motorists perplexed. Some who responded to queries from The Day newspaper said it had them worried about a problem with their car’s tires or bearings, prompting them to seek a mechanic. Others have seen motorists pulled over on the side of the road checking their car. Transportation officials told The Day that the sound heard between exits 91 and 92 in Stonington comes from “high frequency rolling” of the roadway that’s done in chilly temperatures — part of a general resurfacing project expected to hit full stride in 2024. “Potholes and crumbling pavement are very difficult to repair during cold weather therefore this resurfacing was performed as a temporary fix ahead of the winter season,” state Department of Transportation spokesperson Kafi Rouse told the newspaper. “This resurfacing is a temporary solution until full-scale milling and resurfacing paving can be performed as part of a larger project.”

Kentucky extends suspension of CMV restrictions as part of ongoing tornado relief efforts

By The Trucker News Staff -

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky Transportation Secretary Jim Gray has extended for another month an official order temporarily suspending certain restrictions on motor carriers engaged in restoring power, clearing debris and delivering fuel to areas stricken by the Dec. 10, 2021, outbreak of tornados and other severe weather. “Our cabinet is ready to help ensure that needed relief gets quickly to areas that have lost electric power and otherwise are experiencing hardships due to the outbreak of tornados, high winds and flash flooding cited in the emergency declared by Gov. Andy Beshear,” Gray said. With the extension, the order is effective through 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on Feb. 18. It temporarily relieves commercial drivers from maximum driving times and weigh station stops if providing response to affected areas. In addition, the order authorizes the Transportation Cabinet’s Department of vehicle regulation to waive permit fees for overweight/over-dimensional vehicles. To ensure the safety of the traveling public, carriers must comply with safety requirements and have a copy of the order in the truck cab if operating under the authority of the official order.  

Study shows vast CO2 reduction if commercial trucks were electric

By The Trucker News Staff -

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — A new report by the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) claims that if four key market segments in trucking — vans and step vans, medium-duty box trucks, terminal tractors and heavy-duty regional haul tractors — were to go fully electric, then U.S. and Canadian fleets could eliminate about 100 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the atmosphere. Total U.S. CO2 emissions in 2019 were 6,558 million metric tons. Carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas emitted through human activities. In 2019, CO2 accounted for about 80 percent of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions from human activities. “We expect that this work will encourage fleets to explore the deployment of commercial battery electric vehicles (CBEVs) in their operations where they make sense,” said Mike Roeth, NACFE’s executive director. “This will help manufacturers to improve their products for quicker return on investment and help others to better support the efforts of the trucking industry to progress the use of CBEVs.” Thirteen fleet-OEM pairs participated in the study run: Anheuser-Busch with a BYD tractor; Frito-Lay with a Cummins box truck; Penske with a Freightliner eCascadia; NFI with a Kalmar Ottawa terminal tractor; DHL with a Lightning eMotors van; Day & Ross with a Lion6 truck; Ryder with a Lonestar Specialty Vehicles terminal tractor; Purolator with a Motiv-Powered step van; Ruan with an Orange EV terminal tractor; Biagi Bros. with a Peterbilt 579EV; Roush Fenway Racing with a ROUSH CleanTech truck; NFI with a Volvo VNR and Servall Electric with a Workhorse C1000. An in-depth report, Electric Trucks Have Arrived: Documenting a Real-World Electric Trucking Demonstration, documents NACFE’s Run on Less – Electric (RoL-E) demonstration, which was conducted in September 2021. It shares the methods used to select the participating fleets, routes and equipment, as well as what was measured and details of the Run’s findings and lessons learned. The report documents the four market segments in which fleets are having success with CBEVs: vans and step vans, medium-duty box trucks, terminal tractors and heavy-duty regional haul tractors. Throughout the run, NACFE tracked vehicle operations continuously via a digital tracking device, and updated metrics in real-time via a public website with the ability to view results by day or over a span of days. “It’s not the technology of the future. It is technology for now. Manufacturers are going into production starting now and over the next several years,” said Tim Farney, vice president of global sales for Dana Inc.’s Commercial Vehicle Division. The report includes information on state of charge, daily range, speed profiles, regenerative braking recovery, number of deliveries, charging rate, energy consumption, trucking activity, energy-in per day, energy-out per day and weather conditions. It also documents driver reaction, regional factors that impact CBEVs, maintenance and the role of utilities in the successful deployment of CBEVs. NACFE also enumerated 23 lessons learned in five categories — charging, measuring performance, standards, operations and utilities. See a full list of lessons learned here. The combustion of fossil fuels such as gasoline and diesel to transport people and goods was the largest source of CO2 emissions in 2019, accounting for about 35 percent of total U.S. CO2 emissions and 28 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. This category includes transportation sources such as commercial highway and passenger vehicles, air travel, marine transportation and rail.                          

Female truck driver sues Walmart over uniform pants

By The Trucker News Staff -

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A female delivery driver for Walmart has filed a class-action lawsuit against the retail giant over the style of pants that are issued as part of the required uniform. The lawsuit states that the pants amount to “blatant sex discrimination by Walmart against its female drivers.” Diana Webb has driven for Walmart since July 2020. In the lawsuit, she alleges that she has had to purchase her own pants because the ones provided by the company weren’t comfortable and didn’t fit properly. Drivers are required to wear a uniform consisting of pants and a shirt while at work and are subject to “immediate termination” if they don’t, according to the lawsuit. Walmart denies the allegation. Walmart provides the uniform to drivers, but “only provides men’s pants for both male and female drivers,” the lawsuit states. These pants are “uncomfortable and poorly-fitting for the female drivers,” the lawsuit states. “For female drivers, it is impossible to wear the men’s pants provided by Walmart specifically made to fit only male employees due to anatomical differences between the sexes.” Female drivers are able to buy their own pants but must pay the bill themselves, the lawsuit states. The suit also claims that Walmart laundered and dry-cleaned drivers’ company-issued pants, but if staff chose to buy their own then Walmart doesn’t provide these services, according to the lawsuit. “Female drivers are therefore required to either suffer discomfort, or purchase and launder their own pants, out of their own pocket, with no option for reimbursement,” the lawsuit states. Webb said that she complained to her supervisors and HR multiple times before filing the lawsuit, but no action was taken. Supervisors had also denied Webb’s request for reimbursement for the multiple pairs of pants and shorts that she’d bought to wear for work, according to the lawsuit. Randy Hargrove, a Walmart spokesperson, told the McClatchy News service that the company “is committed to providing our private fleet drivers with various clothing options to meet our guidelines. No associate, male or female, is required to wear company provided pants.” “Months before the lawsuit was filed, Ms. Webb was fitted for company provided pants which she now has,” Hargrove added. “We continue to review our clothing offerings for male and female drivers. We take these allegations seriously and will respond in court as appropriate.”

PACCAR recall focuses on methane detection systems

By The Trucker News Staff -

BELLVUE, Wash. — PACCAR Incorporated is recalling certain 2016-22 Peterbilt 567, 579, 2021-22 Peterbilt 536, 2017-21 Kenworth T880, 2016-22 Kenworth T680, 2018-20 Kenworth T440, 2020 Kenworth T270 and 2021 Kenworth T280 tractors because the methane detection systems will not function if they lose power, according to a report filed with the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration. Dealers will re-wire the warning alarm free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Feb. 26. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at (940) 591-4220 and Kenworth customer service at (425) 828-5888. PACCAR’s numbers for this recall are 21KWH and 21PBN.

Daimler issues recall over lighting problems

By The Trucker News Staff -

PORTLAND, Ore. — Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2018 Freightliner Custom Chassis models because the rear-mounted power distribution module may have internal damage, which could result in the rear marker lights, brake lights or turn signals to malfunction, according to a report filed with the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration. Models affected include: XBP, 2017-20; XBR, 2017-22; XBS, 2016-19; XCL, 2016-23; XCM, 2017-21; XCP, 2016-23; and XCR and 2017-23 XCS recreational vehicle chassis. The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Feb. 20. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at (800) 547-0712. DTNA’s number for this recall is FL917. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recalls 20V-404 and 18V-502. Vehicles previously recalled will need to receive the new remedy repair once it is available.

Vehicle restrictions anticipated in Pennsylvania ahead of winter storm

By The Trucker News Staff -

​HARRISBURG, Pa. – Ahead of snowy conditions, cold temperatures and high winds expected across most of the state this weekend, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) are advising motorists to avoid unnecessary travel during the storm. Additionally, the agencies anticipate implementing various speed and vehicle restrictions throughout the storm. Restrictions will be communicated via variable message boards, the 511PA traveler information website and smartphone apps. Motorists can also sign up for personalized alerts on the website. Effective at 3 p.m. Sunday, vehicle restrictions are planned for the following roadways at Tier 2 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan: All interstates south of Interstate 80, not including Interstate 80 PA Turnpike I-76 (Mainline) from the Ohio border to the New Jersey border, including all western extensions PA Turnpike Northeast Extension (I-476) from I-276 to I-80 The entire length of U.S. 22 The entire length of Route 33 Effective at 7 p.m. Sunday, vehicle restrictions are planned for the following roadways at Tier 2 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan: All interstates north of I-80, including I-80 PA Turnpike Northeast Extension (I-476) from I-80 to Clarks Summit Effective at 7 p.m. Sunday, vehicle restrictions are planned for the following roadways at Tier 3 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan: I-70 east of I-79 I-99 Effective at 11 p.m. Sunday, vehicle restrictions are planned for the following roadways at Tier 3 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan: I-81 north of I-84 I-84 I-380 Under Tier 2 restrictions, the following vehicles are not permitted on affected roadways: Tractors without trailers Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded enclosed trailers, open trailers or tank trailers Tractors towing loaded tandem trailers unless there are chains or another approved Alternate Traction Device on board Enclosed cargo delivery trucks that meet the definition of a CMV Passenger vehicles (cars, SUV’s, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers Recreational vehicles/motorhomes School buses, commercial buses and motor coaches Motorcycles. On roadways with Tier 3 restrictions in place, no commercial vehicles are permitted EXCEPT loaded single trailers with chains or approved Alternate Traction Devices. Additionally, all school buses, commercial buses, motor coaches, motorcycles, RVs/motorhomes and passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers are not permitted on affected roadways while restrictions are in place. “PennDOT urges motorists to avoid travel if possible,” according to a news release. “If travel is necessary, use caution, reduce speeds and be aware of changing weather conditions. PennDOT will pre-treat roadways where necessary ahead of the storm to help prevent ice from forming a bond with the pavement during the early stages of a storm.” PennDOT officials note that “salt is not a silver bullet, and drivers may encounter icy spots on the roadway. With freezing temperatures, roads that look wet may actually be icy, and extra caution is needed when approaching bridges and highway ramps where ice can form without warning.” To help make decisions regarding winter travel, motorists are encouraged to “Know Before You Go” by checking conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. Last winter in Pennsylvania, preliminary data shows that there were 301 crashes resulting in four fatalities and 143 injuries on snowy, slushy or ice-covered roadways where aggressive driving behaviors such as speeding or making careless lane changes were factors.

J.B. Hunt announces partnership with Waymo Via

By The Trucker News Staff -

LOWELL, Ark. — J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. has announced a long-term partnership with autonomous driving technology company Waymo Via. According to a news release from J.B. Hunt, the “strategic alliance with Waymo Via … will advance innovative efforts to integrate commercial autonomous driving technology in transportation and logistics, with ultimate plans to complete fully autonomous transport in Texas in the next few years.” Craig Harper, chief sustainability officer and executive vice president at J.B. Hunt, said that the company’s pilot program with Waymo last year helped them learn more about how autonomous vehicles operate and how that technology could work for their company. “This strategic alliance will continue that momentum and further explore the intricate details that would make this a value-driven solution for customers,” Harper said. “We believe autonomous driving technology will help us create the most efficient transportation network in North America, and our collaboration with Waymo Via is a pivotal step towards fulfilling that mission.” Waymo and J.B. Hunt completed their first trial runs in Class 8 autonomous rigs last year, moving freight along Interstate 45 in Texas for one of J.B. Hunt’s leading customers. The upcoming pilots will take place in the same lane. “Our collaboration with J.B. Hunt in 2021 was incredibly fruitful,” said Charlie Jatt, head of commercialization for trucking at Waymo. “Establishing this strategic alliance marks an exciting moment for our relationship, and more importantly, paves the way for us both to help grow the foundations for successful deployment and to capitalize on the benefits of autonomous driving technology. We’re incredibly grateful for our relationship with J.B. Hunt and their shared vision for the safety and efficiency benefits we can bring to the industry at a critical time.”

Slow-moving superload lumbering across Pennsylvania

By The Trucker News Staff -

DUNMORE, Pa. – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is advising motorists of a superload being transported from West Milton, New York, to Wampum, Pennsylvania. The superload, which is 213 feet long and weighs 294 tons, will move as a rolling slowdown using two traffic lanes and will result in traffic stoppages and travel delays, according to PennDOT. The majority of the transport, currently scheduled to be completed on Jan. 21, will take place during nighttime hours. Movement could be impacted or delayed by winter weather. Perkins Specialized Transportation Contracting of Becker, Minnesota will transport the load. “The superload travel plan will involve 16 counties and will feature ramp maneuvers, unusual traffic patterns and slow-moving vehicles,” according to PennDOT. “Drivers will need to remain alert for this slow-moving, two-lane operation, which will travel at the posted speed limit or 30 mph — whichever is lower.” Department updates on the superload’s travel can be followed on social media with the #PAsuperload22 hashtag. Motorists are encouraged to “Know Before They Go” by checking conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

Georgia preps for winter weather with CMV ‘pull-ins’

By The Trucker News Staff -

ATLANTA — The Department of Public Safety Motor Carrier Compliance Division (MCCD) is asking commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), including motor coaches and buses, to begin preparing for inclement weather expected as early as Sunday morning in metro Atlanta and north Georgia counties. MCCD has begun conducting 100 percent “pull-ins” of all CMVs at the weigh stations throughout the state. This will continue throughout the day and until the winter weather warning has been discontinued. Once CMVs pull into the weigh stations, MCCD officers will recommend that they take alternate travel routes outside of the perimeter. CMVs are not allowed to travel within the perimeter of Atlanta, except for the following circumstances: Pick-up or deliveries Traveling to or from a motor vehicle terminal Traveling to a repair facility inside the perimeter Traveling to or from their residence inside the perimeter CMV drivers will also be reminded of the tire chain requirements once access to a roadway has been limited due to inclement weather conditions. Please review the attached fact sheets regarding driving in hazardous conditions; traveling through the I-285 Perimeter of Atlanta during inclement weather; and tire chain requirement in Georgia.

NCI driver Johnny Malone achieves 4 million safe miles

By The Trucker News Staff -

IRVING, Texas — Johnny Malone, a driver for National Carries Inc. (NCI), has been recognized for achieving 4 million accident-free miles with the carrier. Malone, who started driving for NCI 1993, has operated five separate tractors during his 28 years with the company. According to a statement from NCI, Malone puts the safety of the motoring public first and foremost. “Johnny Malone has been a pillar within our organization, first as a fleet driver and later as an owner-operator,” said Ed Kentner, director of media for NCI. “He represents his hometown of Henderson, NC very well. His work ethic, his pride in appearance, and his willingness to help anyone at any time are second to none. National Carriers is proud to have someone of Johnny’s caliber representing the ‘Elite’ Fleet.” In recognition of his achievement, NCI Malone honored with a short ceremony. In recognition of his accomplishment, he was presented with a crystal keepsake and a winter jacket.

New study alleges FMCSA underreports cocaine, opioid abuse among truckers

By The Trucker News Staff -

CONWAY, Ark. – A University of Central Arkansas (UCA) study says that truck drivers abuse cocaine more than marijuana, contrary to reports by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The study compared 1,429,842 truck driver pre-employment urine drug test results reported by the federal government’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (DAC or Clearinghouse) with 593,832 urine and hair test results submitted by carriers in the Trucking Alliance. The DAC is administered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), but the FMCSA only accepts urine test results. “Our research found that DOT is seriously underreporting the actual use of harder drugs by truck drivers, such as cocaine and illegal opioids,” said Doug Voss, professor of logistics and supply chain management at UCA in Conway. “Our analysis clearly concludes that hair testing identifies these harder drugs at higher percentages than the single urine testing method relied on by the federal government.” In 2020, the FMCSA disqualified 54,955 commercial truck drivers for failing a urine test for illegal drug use. Marijuana was cited by FMCSA as the primary drug of choice. However, the UCA study found that FMCSA would likely have disqualified twice that many truck drivers, another 58,910, had they submitted to a hair drug test. Unlike marijuana, cocaine would have been the primary drug among this driver population. UCA researchers found that: Trucking Alliance drivers are less likely to use illegal drugs than the national truck driver population. They passed their urine drug tests 269% more frequently than drivers in the clearinghouse. However, among Trucking Alliance drivers who were disqualified for failing their hair test, cocaine was identified 16.20% more frequently and opioids were identified 14.34% more frequently than the DAC urine test results. Researchers found statistical evidence that urine testing is effective at detecting marijuana, while hair testing detects marijuana, but also a higher percentage of harder drugs, like cocaine, heroin and opioids. The severity of this issue is compounded by the finding that an additional 58,910 DAC drivers would likely have been disqualified in 2020, if the drivers had submitted to hair testing. “Federal law prohibits truck drivers from using illegal drugs, yet thousands are escaping detection,” said Lane Kidd, managing director of the Trucking Alliance. “Drug-impaired truck drivers are a critical public safety issue but employing these drivers can be a considerable liability risk.” “Until hair is recognized as a single test method, employers should consider what Trucking Alliance carriers are doing and require driver applicants to pass the required urine test and also a hair test,” Kidd added. “Driving a tractor trailer while under the influence is a lethal combination and we must keep these drivers out of trucks until they complete rehabilitation and return to duty.” The FMCSA has not yet responded to the study’s findings.