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Feds share more details about Trucking Action Plan

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced new details Thursday about the Biden-Harris Trucking Action Plan. The plan is designed to help bolster what many consider one of the most critical industries in the nation. President Joe Biden has said that truckers are facing unprecedented challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the related supply chain crunch that has created bottlenecks worldwide. Boiled down, the plan will: Expand registered apprenticeship programs; create the Women in Trucking Advisory Board; dole out $32 million to states to improve the commercial driver’s licensing process; create a new task force dedicated to investigating predatory truck leasing arrangements; begin two studies to explore truck driver pay and unpaid detention time; and begin the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot, an under-21 pilot program for truck drivers mandated in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. “In some parts of the trucking industry, 90% of drivers turn over each year,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. “Making sure truck drivers are paid and treated fairly is the right thing to do, and it will help with both recruiting new drivers and keeping experienced drivers on the job.” Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh added: “In the 30 days since the administration’s Driving Good Jobs Initiative was launched, there is new energy and enthusiasm behind the effort to ensure jobs in the trucking industry are good, safe and sustainable jobs attractive to new generation of truck drivers who will remain in the industry over the long term. Industry has to and is stepping up to partner and in the last month, we are already working with more than 100 employers to expand registered apprenticeships for drivers, an important step to making this shift a reality.” Registered Apprenticeship Accelerator  The DOL and DOT have launched the 90 Day Trucking Apprenticeship Challenge to accelerate the expansion of registered trucking apprenticeships. The DOT says such apprenticeships are “a proven workforce strategy for helping employers and organized labor partners develop and retain a skilled workforce.” Since the launch of the challenge 30 days ago, more than 100 employers and industry partners have pledged to expand registered apprenticeships. For example, more than 20 employers are already close to launching brand new apprenticeships, which will put thousands of new skilled and safe drivers on the road in trucking jobs trained using the “earn while you learn” registered apprenticeship model, according to the DOT. Over the next 60 days, the DOL and industry partners will continue to host informational meetings and work with employers, industry groups and labor organizations to further support the development of registered apprenticeships across the industry. Women of Trucking Advisory Board The advisory board is designed to help increase the number of women in trucking. According to the DOT, the board will review and report on the current challenges facing female drivers and those interested in joining the profession, such as barriers to entry, on-the-job safety risks, mentorship, quality training and opportunities for advancement. USDOT’s Federal Motor Safety Carrier Administration (FMSCA) will begin soliciting nominations for the advisory board “to ensure that the composition of the board represents a cross section of women in the trucking industry,” according to the DOT. This week, the White House is convening a virtual roundtable to gather input on how to build a more inclusive and equitable workplace for women in the trucking industry. Truck Leasing Task Force  Along with the FMCSA, the DOL and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) will form a Truck Leasing Task Force that will review leasing arrangements to identify actions that could make leases more equitable and transparent. The task force will be focused on reviewing and reporting on concerns such as: common truck leasing arrangements, with a specific focus on inequitable terms and transparency; truck leasing arrangements for ports that involve a requirement for trucks to convert to zero emissions; loans and other arrangements between incoming driver trainees and training schools and/or trucking companies to understand the extent to which these result in outsized and unanticipated debt for incoming drivers; and looking into predatory truck leasing arrangements with DOL and in coordination with the CFPB. Detention Time Study FMCSA will begin a study on driver detention time and its impact on safety and compensation. Unlike past studies on the impact of driver detention time, this study will use a cross section of electronic logging device data to provide “a much more detailed understanding of wait times for drivers across jurisdictions and industry sectors,” according to the DOT. Data used will be aggregated and anonymized to ensure driver privacy. In addition to quantifying detention time, the study will also review how detention time influences the likelihood of a crash or an hours-of-service violation. Compensation Study  FMCSA has begun partnering with the Transportation Research Board to conduct a study of the impacts of various methods of driver compensation on safety and driver retention. Specifically, the study will review the safety effect of payments made to truck drivers per load or per mile versus payments per hour. The study will also review the amount of time a truck driver spends away from home, driving and detained to determine true working hours, and then determine true hourly wages. Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot  FMCSA will soon begin screening motor carriers to determine their eligibility to participate in the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot (SDAP), which will allow qualified drivers between the ages of 18 and 20 to pilot 18-wheelers across state lines for the first time. In the coming days, FMCSA will publish a Federal Register Notice that outlines the program safety requirements, including a requirement that participants meet the qualification standards of the DOL’s registered apprenticeship program. “FMCSA will also conduct outreach to motor carriers with excellent safety records inviting their participation in the program,” the DOT stated. Funding to States for CDL Licensing “DOT and FMCSA are supporting state departments of motor vehicles as they return to — or even exceed — pre-pandemic commercial driver’s license (CDL) issuance rates, which is helping bring more truck drivers into the field,” according to the DOT. As part of the Trucking Action Plan 30-day commitments, FMCSA announced more than $30 million in funding available to help states expedite CDLs. The FMCSA has also sent all 50 states a toolkit detailing specific actions they can take to expedite licensing and will work hand-in-hand with states to address challenges they are facing.

Washington DOT urges truck drivers to slow down in icy conditions

TACOMA — The Washington Department of Transportation (WDOT) is urging drivers, especially those of big rigs, to slow down during winter weather. On a Twitter post Wednesday, WDOT wrote: “Just to give you an idea of what closed I-90 at MP 95 near Elk Heights this morning – collisions. It’s still icy out there and we really need folks to slow down. We are out putting down deicer, but it’s not going to help if drivers keep thinking they can go 60 or 70. It’s not OK.” The message was posted along with several photos of jackknifed 18-wheelers. No serious injuries were reported.

WIT names Aldijana Miljkovic January Member of the Month

PLOVER, Wis. — The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has named Aldijana Miljkovic as its January 2022 Member of the Month. She is the owner of Lina Express Inc., a Women-Owned Small Business-certified (WOSB) trucking company located in the Chicago area. Miljkovic out working as a receptionist for a trucking company, with no experience or knowledge of the industry. She quickly moved up the corporate ladder, becoming a recruiter, a dispatcher, an accounting manager and then an operations manager. Through this process, she realized her love for the industry and discovered her passion. Eager to explore this new-found passion, Miljkovic bought a truck and became an owner-operator as a side job. She hired her first team of drivers, and she continued working as an operations manager. After five years, that side business had grown to include eight trucks and a team of drivers. “My boss wasn’t happy with my side growth and constantly reminded me, ‘It’s a man’s world.’ At the same time, I was managing his 75 trucks and my 8 trucks with no problem,” she said. After eight years of working for the same company, Miljkovic said she felt underappreciated and “put down” by its leadership. So, she parted ways with the company and obtained her own authority. “I’m proud I got my WOSB certificate and am now running my own company, under my own authority,” she said, adding that her company provides less-than-truckload services to the lower 48 states. Miljkovic has now been in the trucking industry for nearly a decade. She says her goal is to empower other women and make sure they know that they can do anything — regardless of what others might say.

Dozens of immigrants found stuffed inside tractor cab, sleeper

LAREDO, Texas – The Texas Department of Public Safety found 28 undocumented immigrants jammed inside the cab and sleeper area of a bob-tail tractor on Wednesday near Laredo. There were 21 males, six females and one juvenile male found inside the truck after a traffic stop. Authorities arrested the truck’s driver, Dartavious Raytrell Dixon, of Houston, on 28 felony counts of human smuggling.  

OSHA: Some in trucking industry exempt from vaccine mandate, others aren’t

WASHINGTON – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued clarification Wednesday regarding the trucking industry and the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for American workers, saying that there is “no specific exemption from the standard’s requirements for truck drivers.” However, OSHA also stated that “even where the standard applies to a particular employer, its requirements do not apply to employees ‘who do not report to a workplace where other individuals, such as coworkers or customers, are present’ or employees ‘who work exclusively outdoors.’” Therefore, OSHA wrote, “the requirements of the ETS (Emergency Temporary Standard) do not apply to truck drivers who do not occupy vehicles with other individuals as part of their work duties.” Truckers who are alone in their cabs will also need to ensure that they have minimal contact with others at pickup and drop-off sites. OSHA describes minimal contact as use of restroom facilities or dropping off paperwork. OSHA said that the ETS requirements do apply to truck drivers who work in teams (e.g., two people in a truck cab) or who must routinely enter buildings where other people are present. The mandate for companies employing 100 or more to require vaccines for workers went into effect on Monday. The mandate requires vaccines or regular tests and effective masking. If companies don’t comply, they can face hefty fines beginning later this year. The Supreme Court is currently hearing arguments on whether the vaccine mandate is legal. Several stakeholders in the trucking industry are part of that challenge.    

COVID-19 likely to continue affecting global supply chain

COLUMBUS, Ind. – The world’s global supply, manufacturing and transportation sectors should prepare for continued COVID-19-related disruptions for the foreseeable future, according to a new report from Americas Commercial Transportation (ACT) Research Co. “COVID risks have increased materially as the highly contagious Omicron variant continues its global sweep, and reports indicate growing strains on staffing across the US and global economies,” an ACT news release noted. According to Kenny Vieth, ACT’s president and senior analyst, the world should be planning for a January of meaningful labor disruption, along with increased manufacturing challenges, both locally and globally. “Low-cost manufacturing countries with low vaccination rates have had trouble in previous COVID waves,” Vieth said. “The Delta variant knocked Indian steel production off-line and disrupted automotive sub-assemblers in Southeast Asia. To combat Omicron, the Chinese government has instigated shelter-in-place quarantines, continuing their strict lockdown policy. As China remains the world’s workshop, Chinese parts suppliers and ports going off-line is a real short-term risk.” Vieth continued, “Beyond the bad news, there is the silver lining that Omicron’s rates of serious infection and mortality are materially lower, especially for the vaccinated. And the Omicron has almost taken the more serious Delta variant off the map: On Dec. 10, there were 43 Omicron cases in the US. On Jan. 4, 95% of new US COVID case were the new variant.” Regarding the impact to the North American commercial vehicle industry, Vieth said that despite broad-based demand strength, traction on commercial vehicle build has been elusive. “The exception at year-end was better Classes 5-7 build rates related to the ability of the large pickup truck-based OEMs to move chips from smaller to larger GVW vehicles,” he said. “That allowed some additional incomplete units to be finished into year-end. With fewer components requiring semiconductors, trailer production also showed some modest traction into year-end, suggesting some easing in commodities capacity.” He concluded, “It appears that the industry will begin 2022 with still unfinished 2021 units. At the levels we suspect, this is an unprecedented situation. If your company has parts on all those ‘built, but not built’ units, some adjustment will be required to align your 2021-22 output with reported and forecast data.” ACT Research is recognized as the leading publisher of commercial vehicle truck, trailer and bus industry data, market analysis and forecasts for the North America and China markets.  

Truck safety expert: Surge in big rig wrecks related to supply chain pressures

FORT WORTH, Texas — A Texas attorney who specializes in trucking safety says he’s worried about the uptick in 18-wheeler accidents, claiming that the pandemic is only making matters worse. Over the past year, the number of trucking accidents has been steadily increasing nationwide, resulting in hundreds of deaths and thousands of serious injuries. Although winter weather conditions can be blamed for a portion of these incidents, some legal experts point the finger elsewhere. Fort Worth attorney Seth D. McCloskey of the Law Offices of Steven Laird PC attributes the surge in commercial truck accidents across the country on supply chain pressures created by the COVID-19 pandemic and the way, he claims, that the major trucking companies have “mishandled the worker shortage.” The number of fatalities from truck crashes increased by 10.5 percent in the first three months of 2021 alone, according to the Associated Press. “We’ve seen an increased demand placed on commercial drivers as a whole,” McCloskey said. “Motor carriers and trucking companies are having a very difficult time keeping up with demand. The pandemic has really played a huge role in this labor shortage.” Because of the sheer size of 18-wheelers, truck crashes often result in serious injuries and deaths. A recent fiery collision in North Texas involving a fuel tanker not only caused major delays but resulted in one death and others injured. “The trucking industry is quite frankly allowing some of this to take place, putting profit over safety,” McCloskey said. “Safety is taking a backseat at this point in time. That’s the reason we are seeing more and more fatalities and serious injuries on roads in Texas and across the country.” McCloskey warns the end might not be near. “It’s probably going to get worse before it gets better. We are reading reports, we are seeing the studies. Everyone needs supplies,” he said. “The trucks are going to keep rolling, the danger is going to continue to be there as long as the pandemic is surging.”

Sun glare blamed for Tennessee fatality involving semi

ROANE COUNTY, Tenn. — Sun glare is the likely cause of a deadly Monday morning crash along Interstate 40 in Tennessee involving an 18-wheeler and multiple other vehicles, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP). An incident report noted that the tractor-trailer driver had slowed down due to another crash ahead of them when a Ford Transit slammed into the back of the semi’s trailer. Both people inside the Ford died at the scene, the THP said. Two people inside the semi were uninjured. The THP said that the sun was a likely factor in three separate accidents, including the fatality, that happened in this same area of I-40 about 50 miles west of Knoxville, Tennessee.

Firm tracks truck drivers’ chief concerns over past year

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Breakdowns and issues with payments, whether they were on time or short, represented the top concerns for truckers in 2021, according to the Professional Driver Agency (PDA), a transportation analytics firm. On Tuesday, PDA released its first-ever top 10 list of truck drivers’ concerns, identifying the leading driver frustrations from last year based on thousands of interviews with truckers. “PDA has spent the last several years collecting data from tens of thousands of drivers on issues and frustrations they experience out on the road,” said Scott Dismuke, vice president of operations for PDA. “This year’s list offers key insights into the challenges drivers are facing in a very critical freight and tight driver market.” Topping the list in 2021 were mechanical issues with the tractor. “Equipment supply chain issues are clearly leading to driver frustration,” Dismuke said. “With orders for new tractors still constrained by part delays and labor shortages, equipment issues are not going away any time soon.  We see this trend continuing this year and possibly beyond.” The second biggest issue for drivers in 2021 was regarding compensation and pay rates not being competitive. “Compensation is almost always at the top of any driver issues list and last year was no different,” Dismuke said. “In 2021, we saw very aggressive driver recruitment as well as many industry-wide pay increases. Drivers see the advertisements; they know what companies are offering.  If drivers aren’t making what carriers are promising, in this market, they have multiple options to go elsewhere.” Drivers complaining about equipment assignment and mechanical/breakdown tractor issues was the third top issue of 2021. “Once again, equipment supply chain problems come into play with this issue.  However, providing clean and properly inspected equipment to new drivers during this equipment shortage will be key going into 2022,” Dismuke said. “We have said consistently that the cleanliness and the operability of a driver’s truck at assignment is the first impression a carrier makes on a new driver.” The complete list of concerns is listed below. Tractor: Mechanical breakdown issues Compensation: Pay rate not competitive Equipment assignment: Tractor broken down Home time: Wants daily home time Miles: Inconsistent miles Trailers: Mechanical issues/tires Compensation: Paycheck inaccurate Miles: Poor scheduling/planning Communication: Slow response by driver manager Equipment: On board communication device not working

Love’s announces plans for 40 new locations in ’22

OKLAHOMA CITY – Love’s Travel Stops plans to open more than 40 locations and add more than 3,000 truck parking spaces and 3,000 jobs in 2022, the company announced Tuesday. This comes on the heels of the company opening 38 new locations and adding more than 3,000 truck parking spaces in 2021. The company also touts that it donated “several million dollars to support its core customer-professional truck drivers, sick and homeless children, veterans and more,” according to a news release. “This year, we will continue to improve the amenities and services our customers have come to love and expect when they stop at our locations, new features will also be added that we think will wow them,” said Shane Wharton, president of Love’s. “Our customers and team members made last year a great one, and we expect the same for this year, as we continue to get customers back on the road quickly and safely.” The company issued the following highlights for 2022. Love’s will: Open more than 20 Love’s Truck Care and Speedco locations, which continues to be the nation’s largest oil change and preventive maintenance network with the most comprehensive roadside coverage for professional drivers and 1,500 maintenance bays and 420 locations across the country; Continue to enhance the Love’s Connect mobile app with new features; Expand the Love’s-branded product line and introduce new fresh and hot food offerings, including salad, sandwich and breakfast items made fresh daily; Add new products to Love’s Mobile to Go Zone, the largest selection of today’s technology on the highway; and Increase fueling options across the U.S. through Trillium, a leading provider of alternative and renewable fuel supply, design, installation and operations.

Ice Road Trucker, America’s Trucking Sweetheart, other personalities join TNC Radio lineup for 2022

HOUSTON — TNCRadio.LIVE, a free streaming radio station dedicated to truckers, is adding new programming and personalities to its regular lineup for 2022. Beginning this month, the voices of Alex Debogorski of The History Channel’s “Ice Road Truckers,” along with “America’s Trucking Sweetheart” Marcia Campbell and Dr. Christopher Cortman of “Building Strong Minds,” will be heard on the station, according to a statement released by TNCRadio on Jan. 11. Launched in mid-2020, TNC Radio.LIVE features a predominately talk-show format, which includes live shows and popular podcasts along with music, the station is available online at www.tncradio.live and via Google Play, the Apple App Store, Alexa and many other platforms and devices. “This has been an incredible journey and we are very enthusiastic about our future,” said Tom Kelley, the station’s managing partner. “Since the station was founded, we believed that if we kept our focus on building a safe place for drivers to get the news and information they need, and the music and entertainment they want, we would be successful.” In October 2021, the streaming station launched its “TNCRadio Prime Time” lineup, airing from 7-9 p.m. Eastern time daily. The shows, produced by TNCRadio.LIVE, are available as a podcast a few days after the original broadcast “Our first season was extremely well received, and we are grateful to our many listeners who have jumped in with us,” said Shelley Johnson, co-host of “Women Road Warriors,” a lively talk show designed to empower and inspire women in the trucking industry. Johnson is also an executive vice president and one of the founding partners of TNCRadio.LIVE. “We are so happy to announce that Ice Road Trucker Alex Debogorski, “America’s Trucking Sweetheart” Marcia Campbell, and Dr. Chris Cortman of “Building Strong Minds,” can all be heard on TNCRadio starting in January 2022,” she said during a formal on-air announcement. Debogorski, a standout on The History Channel’s “Ice Road Truckers” series, is known for telling stories about his nearly 50-year career spent driving trucks in Canada. “Basically, all we have to do is just wind (Alex) up and get out of the way,” Kelley said with a laugh, describing “Tale Lights,” a show new to the TNCRadio Prim Time lineup. Kelley noted that the show “is the perfect format for Alex. The program is geared around letting drivers do what they do best. Next to being a safe driver, every decent driver loves to tell their stories. Alex is one of the best storytellers you have ever heard.” By his own account, noted musician and trucker “Long Haul Paul” Marhoefer has been a big fan of Marcia Campbell’s for many years. “Having Marcia back on the air is going to be a huge hit for a lot of us,” said the singer. “It was a very sad day when she left the airways in 2020. Even if it’s only going to be once a week, I know many drivers have been waiting a long time for this.” The pandemic has certainly increased health awareness in industries across the board, and trucking is no exception. The show “Building Strong Minds,” featuring noted author and psychologist Dr. Christopher Cortman, will take on subjects that drivers sometimes avoid discussing. “We will tackle anything and everything, from stress, anxiety, loneliness and depression to practical tips on how to improve relationships from the road,” said Kelley, who is producing the show. This year marks the second season of the TNCRadio.LIVE Prime Time lineup and includes Season 1 holdovers “Women Road Warriors,” hosted by Johnson and motivational author, speaker and driver Kathy Tuccaro; “TruckersLife Radio,” hosted by Ron Fraser, president of TFC Global; and “The Train Station” with longtime Houston radio host Bill Waldrop. Waldrop was recently named one of the station’s corporate partners. The TNCRadio Prime Time slot also includes “Keep on Talkin’” with host founding partner and truck driver Tom Kyrk, which introduces listeners to many of trucking’s most interesting people. Finally, Ron Samuels, TNCRadio.LIVE vice president and founding partner, brings his nearly 60 years in radio to the table with a new show. “Reverse Gear,” a look back at the history of popular music, will give the listeners an opportunity to not only remember some of the best songs of the last six decades, but also to see how the artists who wrote and performed some of these classics made their mark in the industry. TNCRadio.LIVE began broadcasting in mid-2020 and provides on-going weather, traffic, and emergency information and entertainment to the Transportation Industry, primarily to commercial drivers. The station is privately owned. TNCRadio.LIVE is a DBA of IMSICO LLC, a Texas Company. For more information about TNCRadio.LIVE or to listen free of charge, visit www.tncradio.live.

TBS Factoring acquires Financial Carrier Services

OKLAHOMA CITY — TBS Factoring Service has acquired Financial Carrier Services (FCS) out of Charlotte, North Carolina. According to a Jan. 5 statement released by TBS, this acquisition will provide a wider array of services to current and potential clients of both companies, and paves the way for TBS’s future expansion into the transportation and logistics industries. Since 1968, TBS Factoring Service has been dedicated to serving truckers. Having started as a small, family-owned company, TBS continues to honor its roots by remaining committed to exceptional service and doing what’s best for the client. FCS was founded on the notion that no matter how large or small a trucking company may be, each and every one deserves a great factoring experience. Specializing in recourse factoring and with a loyal client base, FCS was the top choice when TBS made the decision to start strategic acquisitions. With new ownership under NATF Holdings, TBS continues to expand its footprint in the transportation industry with mergers and acquisitions. As an experienced leader and innovator in transportation, NATF Holdings continues to invest in logistics solutions designed to solve supply chain challenges. Among the tools now available to TBS clients and obligors is an end-to-end fulfilment service platform that simplifies and streamlines the fulfilment process, using advanced algorithms to save users up to 40% of their time previously wasted on manual processes. Utilizing their vast experience in the global transportation industry — from the United States to Europe and Latin America — TBS plans to dedicate its attention to supporting the industry as we all seek to solve the supply chain challenge together. Even with such big plans, TBS remains focused on its clients. From developing new technology that makes submitting paperwork easy to providing instant credit approvals and attending truck shows and conferences across the country to learn and share, TBS strives to make truckers’ lives easier. As TBS grows, more benefits, services, and solutions will open up to current and potential clients. Acquiring FCS is the first step in a journey to revolutionize how factoring can benefit all kinds of industry.

LTL carrier Saia signs letter of intent for 100 Nikola tractors

PHOENIX — Less-than-truckload carrier Saia Freight has signed a letter of intent to purchase or lease up to 100 heavy duty Nikola Tre electric tractors within the next two years. The agreement will be in effect after the “satisfactory completion of a demonstration program,” Saia officials said. The demonstration program will include three battery-electric trucks to be operated in separate locations across the Saia network and is expected to begin in the first half of this year. Deliveries of 100 production vehicles are tentatively slated for 2022 and 2024, with the initial 25 targeted for this year. “We are thrilled that Saia has chosen to work with us,” said Pablo Kozine, Nikola’s president of energy and commercial division. “Saia is a leader in the freight and logistics industry and will be a key development partner for Nikola. This announcement represents another milestone in our continuous progress towards the delivery of zero-emissions vehicles, energy solutions and the sales and service network required to support our valued customers.” Saia President and CEO Fritz Holzgrefe reciprocated Koziner’s enthusiasm about the deal. “We are excited to partner with Nikola Corporation as we work to integrate battery-electric trucks into our tractor fleet,” Holzgrefe said. “We are deeply committed to conducting our business operations in a responsible and sustainable manner, reducing our impact on the environment while still providing our customers with exceptional service.”

PepsiCo set to take delivery of Tesla tractors

MODESTO, Calif. — Soda giant PepsiCo is slated to receive 15 Tesla Class 8 electric tractors by the end of January, according to various reports from online blogs that cover the budding automotive company. PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta had announced last spring that the company would be taking delivery of the trucks in late 2021, though that didn’t happen. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said late last year that his company has suffered from supply-chain issues, along with most every other major firm in the world. The website driveteslacanada.com posted several photos showing two Tesla tractors outside the company’s Giga Nevada plant. Additionally, the website also shared photos that it said were of massive charging stations, known as Megachargers, located at a Frito-Lay facility in Modesto, California. Frito-Lay is a part of PepsiCo’s suite of brands.

Carrier Transicold helps refrigerated fleets with new technology

ATHENS, Ga. — As North American wireless carriers move to phase out 3G service, Carrier Transicold is introducing a program to help trucking fleets upgrade telematics technology on their refrigerated trucks and trailers. The company says that new eSolutions bundled subscriptions eliminate large upfront hardware costs by packaging equipment fees and airtime service into a monthly plan. Carrier Transicold is a part of Carrier Global Corporation, touting itself as “the leading global provider of healthy, safe, sustainable and intelligent building and cold chain solutions.” “Regardless of the 3G telematics equipment currently being used on a fleet’s Carrier Transicold refrigeration units, fleet managers now have the advantage of upgrading to our eSolutions 4G LTE equipment without a major capital investment up front,” said David Brondum, director of telematics for Carrier Transicold. “A bundled subscription ensures reliable equipment performance with full warranty support for the life of the contract, and it provides protection against obsolescence as cellular networks sunset earlier technologies in favor of newer generation telecommunications.” Program features include: A monthly fee that covers the hardware, software and airtime service subscription, allowing fleets to convert a capital outlay to an operating expense; Three-or-five-year contract options. Guaranteed equipment performance, including parts and labor warranty coverage, for the life of the contract; and Installation and equipment commissioning by authorized Carrier Transicold dealers. Hardware includes the transceiver module, antenna and wiring harness as well as optional peripheral components such as fuel sensors, temperature probes and door switches.

PACCAR shows off new technology at Consumer Electronics Show

LAS VEGAS — PACCAR Inc. showcased a variety of new technology for its tractors at the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show, held Jan. 5-7 in Las Vegas. The Peterbilt line unveiled the first Model 579 equipment with advanced autonomous systems, and Kenworth brought its T680E battery electric vehicle to the show. Both Peterbilt and Kenworth are manufactured by PACCAR. Additionally, PACCAR Parts showed off some new charging solutions for electric tractors. Designed for pickup and delivery, regional haul and drayage applications, the Kenworth T680E is available as a day cab as either a tractor or straight truck in a six-by-four axle configuration, according to a Kenworth news release. The model is offered in an 82,000-pound gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and is equipped with 536 horsepower, continuous power and up to 670 horsepower peak power, along with 1,623 pound-feet of torque. It has a top speed of 65 mph. The zero emissions T680E has an estimated operating range of 150 miles, depending on application. The Class 8 battery electric vehicle utilizes the industry standard SAE CCS1 charge port, can be fully charged in approximately three hours and features Meritor’s Blue Horizon 14Xe™ tandem electric powertrain. “Kenworth is leading the way in zero emissions solutions,” said Kevin Baney, Kenworth general manager and PACCAR vice president. “The Kenworth T680E builds upon Kenworth’s excellent heritage of providing fleets and truck operators with outstanding and productive trucks driven by quality, innovation and technology. The new Kenworth T680E provides our customers with a true, zero emissions solution that will help to achieve their own green program objectives.” Turning to automated driving, PACCAR’s Peterbilt Model 579 features Aurora Driver, a Level 4 advanced autonomous system. Introduced in early-2021, PACCAR touts the Model 579 as “the most technologically advanced truck Peterbilt has ever built.” PACCAR says that the tractor features major improvements in aerodynamics, efficiency, comfort, technology and uptime. “Aurora is designing its industry-defining technology to deliver the benefits of self-driving technology safely, quickly and at large scale,” according to a PACCAR news release. Aurora has incorporated the New Model 579 into its heavy-duty test fleet, which is hauling freight for customers today. “Our partnership with PACCAR to co-develop self-driving Class 8 trucks builds on a deep technical foundation and years of collective expertise. The team is making progress as we prepare to launch Peterbilt’s first autonomous trucks at scale,” said Sterling Anderson, Aurora chief product officer and co-founder. “Together, we’re building a product and business that will make our roads safer and our supply chains more efficient, and we’re excited to share a glimpse into that future at CES.” To round out its CES displays, PACCAR’s parts division, along with EnTech Solutions and Schneider Electric, showcased several of their new charging devices. PACCAR Parts touts itself as “a leader in providing EV charger solutions tailored to fleets of all sizes.” A news release from PACCAR Parts stated that the company’s “cooperation with EnTech Solutions and Schneider Electric benefits customers by streamlining the purchase process, including advising them on PACCAR’s full line of EV chargers, conducting site assessments, providing quotes and completing installations.” David Danforth, PACCAR Parts general manager and PACCAR vice president, said that his company “values our strong partnership with EnTech Solutions and Schneider Electric to deliver innovative, industry-leading products and services helping customers maximize uptime.” “We are dedicated to using the latest technology to provide outstanding EV charger solutions,” he added. EnTech Solutions, a full-service clean energy solutions provider, supports customers with a comprehensive EV charging approach, from electrification concept and design to installation and optimization. EnTech Solutions is the preferred charging installer for Kenworth and Peterbilt customers and dealers. “We are proud to partner with PACCAR Parts and Schneider Electric to bring clean, resilient power solutions to the EV fleet marketplace,” said Suzanne Betker, EnTech Solutions vice president of e-mobility solutions. “Customers are benefiting from our trilateral partnership, which delivers our combined expertise for their fleet electrification journey.” At Schneider, Electric Director of Automotive and eMobility Bobbi Dillow-Walsh said that her company is in full support of PACCAR Parts and the growing electrification needs of EV customers. “The industry needs more dynamic energy solutions to deliver sustainability and resiliency, such as microgrids, and we are proud to partner with this team to deliver results,” Dillow-Walsh said.  

Georgia DPS crack down on rubbernecking photographers

RURAL GEORGIA — On a recent afternoon during a routine post-crash inspection of a commercial motor vehicle, Georgia Department of Public Safety (GDPS) officers noticed several other big rigs slowing down and taking photos. So they hopped in their patrol cars and made several stops. “These trucks and more were stopped because the drivers were driving by recording the crash scene,” a GDPS Facebook post stated. “For your safety and the safety of all drivers – Put the Phone Down, and Don’t Drive Distracted.” Several comments on the GDPS’s site were not in favor of the pullovers. “They sit on the side of the road with binoculars and whatever else they can come up with,” wrote Josh Pittman. “They go to extreme lengths to generate revenue.” “Safety is number one,” wrote Brian Bowen. “But officer’s should have to follow the same laws. I see them all the time on their phone and even using the computer in their vehicle. Don’t tell me that they can do it safely and then write tickets to the public.” Joan Pritchard had a different take, writing, “Good job. Need all these idiots of the road.”

Winter storms continue to bear down on U.S., causing major travel issues

SEATTLE — The latest winter storm to hit the Pacific Northwest brought a halt to travel across Washington’s Cascade mountains, flood warnings, school closures and icy roads Thursday. Meanwhile, things aren’t looking any better in the east, where a major winter storm is pressing down hard on the region. Truckers are feeling the effects in a major way, as truck stops up and down snowy interstates in Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia are overflowing capacity. “It’s a nightmare right now,” said Kay Stephens, a tanker truck driver based in Kentucky. “There’s no parking, it’s cold, the roads are bad. There are going to be a lot of delays.” The major route across Washington’s Cascades — Interstate 90 over Snoqualmie Pass — was closed Thursday due to high avalanche danger, heavy snow and low visibility. Stevens Pass on U.S. 2, White Pass on U.S. 12 and Blewett Pass on U.S. 97 were also closed Thursday. Transportation officials said Thursday evening that the four mountain passes likely would remain closed until Sunday. “Conditions are too dangerous for crews to be in the pass areas,” Washington Department of Transportation officials said. “Snow and debris continue to slide onto the highways. Crews are working in areas where it is safe to plow, clear catch basins and do other work to have those areas ready when we can reopen.” It’s unusual — and maybe unprecedented — to have all four passes close simultaneously for more than a few hours, The Seattle Times reported. The ports of Seattle and Tacoma said exporters from eastern Washington and beyond are not able to get their cargo to the docks. Puget Sound Energy said Thursday that crews were responding to power outages in mountain pass regions because of heavy snow weighing down trees and branches and that the communities of Hyak, Easton, Greenwater and Skykomish were especially hard hit. Heavy rain and snowmelt additionally caused flooding concerns in western Washington and Oregon as the latest atmospheric river moved into the region. Flood advisories were in place Thursday with some in effect through Saturday. In Centralia, Washington, south of Olympia, cars on Thursday evening were driving through water over the road on some streets. Residents in that area near the Chehalis River were told to prepare to evacuate because of expected major flooding starting Thursday afternoon. A shelter opened Thursday at Centralia Middle School. BNSF Railway reported a landslide south of Centralia that prompted a 48-hour stoppage of Amtrak train service between Portland and Seattle. Major flooding was also expected along sections of the Newaukum and Skookumchuck rivers in Lewis and Thurston counties, the National Weather Service warned. Mason County was urging residents Thursday in the Skokomish Valley area to either evacuate or shelter-in-place for several days as flooding and road closures were expected. After days of rain and snow in Oregon, a Thursday morning slide in the Columbia River Gorge forced the closure of Interstate 84 in both directions between exit 17 in Troutdale, Oregon, and exit 62 in Hood River, Oregon. Both directions of I-84 reopened around 7 p.m. Thursday. “Smaller slides continue in the #ColumbiaRiverGorge & we’re still monitoring the freeway. Conditions remain volatile w/ continued rains & temps dropping below freezing in many parts of the state,” Oregon Department of Transportation officials said on Twitter. In Eastern Oregon, OR 334 was closed Thursday by heavily drifting snow. In Central Washington, Yakima got about 8 inches of snow Thursday, while Ellensburg saw over a foot. Steve Bodnar, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Spokane, said Wenatchee could receive 20 inches of snow Thursday, with nearby Leavenworth receiving 22.5 inches. At least 4 inches of snow fell early Thursday in Spokane, and the snow had turned to light freezing rain by late Thursday afternoon, the Weather Service said. Numerous school districts in Spokane County and other counties around the state canceled classes Thursday, while others delayed the start of classes. “If you don’t have to go to work or you don’t have to be out on the roads, try not to be,” said Washington State Patrol Trooper Ryan Senger in Spokane. WINTER STORMS TRACKING EAST In the east a winter storm that has already left areas of the South with more than 6 inches of snow moved into the Northeast on Friday during the morning commute and prompted many school districts to close for the day. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker urged people to stay off the roads and take public transportation if possible, as the storm was forecast to drop as much as a foot of snow in coastal areas of the state. There were already 12 inches of snow in Hebron, Connecticut and 10 inches in Burrillville, Rhode Island by 8 a.m., according to National Weather Service spotters. Schools in Boston closed, and Providence, Rhode Island, public schools switched to distance learning, but New York City kept the nation’s largest public school system open. “Children need to be in school. We don’t have any more days to waste” after the many closures and remote-learning days of the pandemic, said New York Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat dealing with his first major storm after taking office Saturday. He said he was also mindful of children who rely on in-school meals and working parents who can’t stay home. Officials urged caution on the roads and reduced speed limits in some areas. A commuter bus spun out of control and wound up blocking multiple lanes on the Massachusetts Turnpike just outside Boston early Friday. No injuries were reported, but the bus caused a huge traffic jam. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Thursday night declared a state of emergency for the entire state and delayed opening state offices for nonessential employees until 11 a.m. Philadelphia and Newark Liberty International airports reported many flights were canceled or delayed. Travelers were advised to check with their airlines. From late Thursday through Friday afternoon, 4 to 7 inches of snow were expected in parts of central and southern New Hampshire, and south-central and southwest Maine, according to the weather service. The storm brought record-setting snow to some areas of the South on Thursday. Nashville saw 6.3 inches of snowfall Thursday, shattering the city’s previous Jan. 6 record of 4 inches  that had stood since 1977, the National Weather Service said. Freezing rain and sleet coated areas around the Tennessee-Alabama state border, said Scott Unger, a meteorologist for the service in Nashville. Tee Perkins, a truck driver from Ontario, said his rig was “slipping and sliding a little bit” along Interstate 40 near Nashville, so he decided to pull off at the nearest truck stop to rest for the night on Thursday. “It’s too damn bad to drive right now,” he said. “Just park it and wait it out. It ain’t worth a wreck.” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear closed state offices at noon Thursday and later extended the closure through Friday. The largest snowfall in Kentucky by Thursday evening was 8 to 9 inches in a swath from Elizabethtown to Bardstown and Nicholasville to Lexington, said meteorologist Brian Schoettmer of the weather service’s Louisville office. Eastern Kentucky recorded 6 to 8 inches, and far western Kentucky had about 3 inches. The Trucker staff contributed to this report.

PennDOT to restrict certain vehicles on Interstate 78

ALLENTOWN, Penn. – Due to a forecasted winter storm, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will be temporarily restricting certain vehicles on Interstate 78 in east central Pennsylvania beginning at 8 p.m. on Thursday. Vehicle restrictions reflect Level 1 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan, and will be in effect on the following roadways: Interstate 78 in Berks, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Under Level 1 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 unloaded or lightly loaded tandem trailers; 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; and Motorcycles. Speed limits will be restricted to 45 miles per hour on these roadways for all vehicles while the vehicle restrictions are in place, and commercial vehicles not affected by the restrictions must move to the right lane. Additional speed restrictions on other interstates could be added depending on changing conditions. “The purpose of the restriction is to help ensure the interstates remain open during the most challenging conditions of the winter storm,” according to PennDot officials. “When conditions improve, PennDOT will remove the travel restrictions. “Although PennDOT crews are treating roadways, the department’s primary goal is to keep roads passable, not completely free of ice and snow. PennDOT will continue to treat roadways throughout the storm until precipitation stops and roads are clear.”    

Gang members sentenced in Love’s robberies, assaults

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas— Three Houston gang members have been ordered to federal prison following their convictions of robbery and assaulting at least one customer at a Love’s Travel Stop. On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge David S. Morales handed Christopher Bernard Brown, 39, a 90-month federal prison sentence to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. He must also pay restitution. According to U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery of the Southern District of Texas, Brown pleaded guilty Sept. 30, 2021. At the sentencing hearing, the court heard about approximately 33 related truck stop robberies and numerous employees and customers who were traumatized as a result of Brown’s and others’ actions, according to a news release from Lowery’s office. A news release from Lowery’s office said that Brown and Thomas Alec Buckley, 26, worked in concert with co-conspirators Wesley Jerome Davis, 28, and Kevin Wilson, 33. “They threatened or used physical force towards customers or employees to steal or attempt to steal ATMs and the currency they contained from at least nine Love’s Travel Stops throughout Texas and Louisiana,” the news release stated. The multi-district and interstate Hobbs Act conspiracy occurred between May 29-Sept. 2019. During the robberies, Brown typically served as a scout or lookout while Davis, Wilson, Buckley or others wore masks and gloves and placed straps or chains around the ATMs. Then, a vehicle connected to the chains would accelerate to dislodge the bolted-down machines. Co-conspirators would lift the dislodged ATMs into the waiting vehicle and quickly drive away. The attempts failed in Angleton, Natalia and Domino. However, the robbery crew was able to obtain monies from the stolen ATMs in Hungerford, Seguin, Lufkin, Cleveland and Three Rivers, as well as Vinton, Louisiana. In the Three Rivers robbery, co-conspirators came into contact with Love’s employees or customers, at which time Brown yelled, “What are you gonna do?! What are you gonna do?!” The masked or hooded suspects also made menacing gestures towards the employees. Love’s Travel Stop employees did not intervene with the men for fear of sustaining serious bodily injury. In Seguin, a good Samaritan attempted to stop the ATM robbery but Davis struck him twice, at which time he fell to the floor and suffered bodily injury from a head wound. Davis and Wilson pleaded guilty July 29, 2021. Previously, Morales sentenced Wilson to 90 months imprisonment, while Davis was ordered to serve a 60-month sentence. Wilson and Buckley also pleaded guilty in a related robbery case Nov. 22, 2019. Buckley remains on bond pending sentencing. Brown will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.