TheTrucker.com

Efforts to clear debris from Kentucky roads underway

MADISONVILLE, Ky. — Several roadways in tornado-hit western Kentucky are still being cleared. According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), crews are working to clear highways across 11 counties. Roads that are still impassable include: In Hopkins County, US 41 between Mortons Gap and Earlington In Caldwell County, KY 293 and KY 278 near the UK Agriculture Research Center east of Princeton In Christian County, US 41 inside Pembroke city limits All other routes are passable but may still be covered in debris–possibly including fallen power lines. KYTC recommends that motorists avoid these areas due to potential hazards and the need for relief efforts to have access. Meanwhile, workers, volunteers and members of the National Guard fanned out in areas of Kentucky slammed by a series of tornadoes to begin the long process of recovery, including replacing thousands of damaged utility poles, delivering bottles of drinking water and continuing to search for the dead. The tornado outbreak Friday that killed at least 88 people in five states — 74 of them in Kentucky — cut a path of devastation that stretched from Arkansas, where a nursing home was destroyed, to Illinois, where an Amazon distribution center was heavily damaged. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said the death toll could grow as authorities continued to work around debris that slowed recovery efforts. Nearly 450 National Guard members have been mobilized in the state, and 95 of them are searching for those presumed dead. “With this amount of damage and rubble, it may be a week or even more before we have a final count on the number of lost lives,” the governor said. According to the Associated Press, Kentucky authorities said the sheer level of destruction was hindering their ability to tally the damage. Still, efforts turned to repairing the power grid, sheltering those whose homes were destroyed and delivering supplies. Across the state, nearly 25,000 homes and businesses were without electricity on Tuesday, down slightly from the day before, according to poweroutage.us. More than 10,000 homes and businesses had no water as of Monday, and another 17,000 are under boil-water advisories, Kentucky Emergency Management Director Michael Dossett told reporters. A fund set up by the state collected $6 million in donations, according to the governor. Kentucky First Lady Britainy Beshear launched a Christmas toy drive for children affected by the storm. She is asking for unwrapped toys, books, and gift cards of $25 that will be distributed to families in need. State and local officials said it could take years for some of the hardest-hit areas to fully recover. “This again is not going to be a week or a month operation, folks. This will go on for years to come. This is a massive event,” Dossett said. Five twisters hit Kentucky in all, including one with an extraordinarily long path of about 200 miles (320 kilometers), authorities said. In addition to the deaths in Kentucky, the tornadoes also killed at least six people in Illinois, where the Amazon distribution center in Edwardsville was hit; four in Tennessee; two in Arkansas, where the nursing home was destroyed and the governor said workers shielded residents with their own bodies; and two in Missouri. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced Monday that it has opened an investigation into the collapse of the Amazon warehouse in Illinois. Mayfield, home to 10,000, suffered some of the worst damage. Debris from destroyed buildings and shredded trees covered the ground in the city. Twisted sheet metal, downed power lines and wrecked vehicles lined the streets. Windows were blown out and roofs torn off the buildings that were still standing. Not far from Mayfield, a church serving as a shelter in Wingo said it expected to host more than 100 people Monday night. Glynda Glover, 82, said she had no idea how long she would stay at the Wingo shelter: Her apartment is uninhabitable since the wind blew out the windows and covered her bed in glass and asphalt. “I’ll stay here until we get back to whatever normal is,” she said, “and I don’t know what normal is anymore.” On the outskirts of Dawson Springs, another town devastated by the storms, homes were reduced to rubble and trees toppled, littering the landscape for a span of at least a mile. Jack Whitfield Jr., the Hopkins County judge-executive, estimated that more than 60% of the town, including hundreds of homes, was “beyond repair.” “A full recovering is going to take years,” he said. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Minnesota wraps highway construction for ’21

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MDOT) has announced that all lanes and ramps on Interstate 94 between Highway 241 in St. Michael and Wright Co. Road 19 in Albertville and between Highway 25 in Monticello and Highway 24 in Clearwater are open. Motorists may see minor work continue along the interstate, but all major construction activities for the 2021 season are complete. MDOT is making improvements to a 39-mile stretch of I-94 between Maple Grove and Clearwater that include more travel lanes, bridge replacements, new bridges, improved drainage and the resurfacing of deteriorating pavement. Additionally, a new interchange is being constructed on I-94 near the city of Dayton. “The improvements will reduce congestion, improve safety, improve freight movement, enhance economic vitality and provide a smoother ride for users of I-94,” according to an MDOT news release. The project began in 2019 and is expected to be complete by 2022 What to expect over the winter Maple Grove to Rogers Crews are wrapping up final activities and will use intermittent lane closures during non-rush hour times through Sat, Dec. 18. Once lane closures end, work is complete on this section of I-94. St. Michael to Albertville Crews are wrapping up work at the Hwy 241 and O’Day Ave. roundabout through December. This work will require some intermittent lane closures. Motorists will have three lanes of traffic in both directions between St. Michael and Albertville during the winter. Barrier will remain in place at certain work locations. Monticello to Clearwater Motorists have three lanes of traffic in both directions between Hasty and Clearwater and two lanes of traffic in both directions between Hasty and Monticello during the winter. Barrier will remain in place at certain work locations. I-94 open to three lanes in both directions between Hasty and Clearwater. I-94 open to three lanes in both directions between Hasty and Clearwater. What to expect in spring 2022 St. Michael to Albertville Most of the work is complete on this section of I-94. Crews will return in the spring to finish improvements to the Hwy 241 bridge and clean up the work area. Monticello to Clearwater Crews will return in the spring to complete eastbound lanes. All I-94 traffic will be shifted to the westbound side of the freeway, with two lanes available in both directions. Crews will also make parking lot and pedestrian access improvements at the Enfield Rest Area. Since major construction activities have slowed down, we’ll only send email updates out as necessary over the winter. Keep an eye out for an email update in early spring with details of 2022 construction activities and start dates. More information is available by visiting the I-94 Maple Grove to Clearwater project webpage by clicking here.

PennDOT updates traveler information site, app

HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has updated its 511PA traveler information service to include new features and alert customization for passenger and commercial vehicle drivers. Two of the enhancements are tailored to commercial vehicle drivers. PennDOT said in a news release that 511PA now includes locations for all bridges under the legal height of less than 13 feet, 6 inches over state roads. This information can be viewed on the web map and is also available as an alert that can be heard in drive mode on the mobile app. “511PA helps travelers plan ahead year-round but can be especially useful in winter,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “511PA allows users to view color-coded winter conditions, see plow truck locations, and now receive alerts more tailored to their needs.” 511PA allows motorists to set up personalized travel alerts for specific roadways, days of the week and times of the day. New to this feature, users can now select the type of alerts they would like to receive, rather than receiving all alerts. Categories include incidents, roadwork, general travel information, travel restrictions and weather-related alerts. Additionally, motorists can now use just an email or mobile phone number for speed and vehicle restrictions or full roadway closures without creating a personalized account. The 511PA mobile app now allows drivers to specify vehicle type – either commercial or passenger vehicle. If commercial vehicle is selected, vehicle restrictions and low-bridge data is turned on in drive mode by default. Further, 511PA now also includes EV charging station locations as an option on its traffic map. “511PA is a valuable tool that helps motorists plan safe travel by providing them with as much information as possible,” Gramian said. “These new features are just another way we put our data to work for all motorists, including those driving passenger or commercial vehicles, and now electric vehicles, too.” Click here to access 511PA.  

Proposed bill aims to protect trucking industry from insurance fraud

WASHINGTON – Many in the trucking industry are heralding the proposed Highway Accident Fairness Act as a way to improve the safety of truckers and motorists on the nation’s highways. Led by Representatives Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, and Garret Graves, R-La., the recently introduced bill would also “better protect trucking companies from the financial burdens of defending against or settling fraudulent insurance claims resulting from staged collisions,” according to a news release from Cuellar’s office. The release further stated that truckers are often “the target of staged collisions, which puts both civilian and truckers in serious danger. The trucking companies and local law enforcement are then subject to significant financial burdens from the emergency response and litigation fallout. This bill closes these loopholes and ensures that highways remain safe economic and civilian transit corridors.” Indeed, a report earlier this year by the American Transportation Research Institute showed that once “uncommon and unsophisticated,” fraudulent activity targeting motor carriers and commercial drivers is now a “serious and pervasive threat to the trucking industry. Fraud against trucking companies often comes in the form of staged accidents in which “entire teams involving medical and legal stakeholders as well as fake victims and spotters often work together,” the ATRI report noted. Chris Spear, president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations, thanked Cuellar and Graves for their efforts, calling the measure a “common-sense bill to curb rampant lawsuit abuse against the trucking industry.” “Staged accidents, third-party litigation financing, and disproportionate nuclear verdicts are perverting civil justice into a profit center, jeopardizing highway safety and adding more costs and strain to our nation’s supply chain,” Spear said. “This legislation would restore balance and fairness to the system and help ensure justice drives accident litigation – not profiteering and windfalls.” Specifically, the Highway Accident Fairness Act of 2021 would: Assure fair and prompt recoveries for highway accident victims with legitimate claims; Provide for federal court jurisdiction over interstate cases of national importance; Maintain stability in the movement of interstate commerce and protect the public from the safety hazard of staged collisions; Provide transparency when litigation finance companies invest in highway accident lawsuits as a profit-making opportunity; Protect motor carriers and insurers from the financial burdens of defending against, settling or being found liable for fraudulent claims that result from staged collisions; and Protect law enforcement agencies from expending resources dealing with the aftermath of staged collisions. “Highways are a significant component of our economic supply chain,” Cuellar said. “Every single day, goods flow across states to get food on shelves and products in homes. We must commit ourselves to keeping these transit corridors open and safe all year round. “That is why we must pass this important legislation protecting our truckers from staged collisions that cause dangers for civilians on the road and economic problems for trucking companies provided an essential service. Thank you to Rep. Graves and the American Trucking Association for their support.” Graves said that in his state, drivers pay some of the highest insurance rates in America. “This is unacceptable, and the solutions don’t require rocket science,” he said. “Our bill will prevent criminal rings from further increasing the cost to drive and do business in Louisiana. One $4.7 million settlement caused all of our insurance rates to go up. Our legislation cracks down on fraudulent claims, increases safety on the roads, and will help to lower insurance rates for drivers. Thanks to Rep. Cuellar for joining the effort, the American Trucking Association, and all those supporting.”    

Truckers helping those in need after devastating storms

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Indiana owner-operator Daniel Koors, along with a group of other truckers, is set up at the Lexington Walmart with a dry van trailer taking donations for those affected by the weekend tornadoes, which destroyed many communities, including Mayfield, Kentucky. Koors said that the outpouring of support has been overwhelming. He said he and others will deliver the truck, along with cash donations, to the hardest-hit areas in Kentucky. To keep track of their progress, visit the Disrespected Truckers Facebook page by clicking here. The donation truck will be at the Lexington Walmart at 2350 Grey Lag Way until late Monday, Koors said. To those who wish to give a monetary donation, the group accepts funds through Venmo (@tornadoreleif), CashApp ($brownsfan2022) or Zelle ([email protected]). Additionally, anyone who wants to buy items, such as water, coats, shoes, clothing, blankets, baby wipes, diapers, feminine products, underwear, socks, deodorant and non-perishable foods, on the Walmart website can set the pickup person as James Toller at the Lexington Walmart located at the above address. Koors said that cash will most likely go toward helping those affected by the storms pay for hotel rooms.

Commercial driver restrictions temporarily lifted as part of tornado relief

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky Transportation Secretary Jim Gray has signed an official order temporarily suspending certain restrictions on motor carriers engaged in restoring power, clearing debris and delivering fuel to areas stricken by tornados and other severe weather that began Dec. 10. “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. The order is effective through 12:01 a.m. Eastern on Jan. 14, 2022, and may be extended, if needed. 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.

Truck driver among those killed at Amazon facility

CHICAGO — One of the six Amazon workers who were killed in a tornado Friday night in Illinois was a truck driver. Austin J. McEwen, 26, of Edwardsville, died in a bathroom trying to help others, according to a co-worker. “He was my friend and he didn’t make it,” coworker Brian Erdmann, who was on his way to make a delivery to the warehouse, told Reuters. “If I would have got back 45 minutes earlier, I probably would have been at the same place. I would have been right there with him.” Search efforts at the Amazon facility were expected to take several days, but authorities said they did not expect to find additional survivors. The Associated Press reported that the company has not said how many people were in the building not far from St. Louis when the tornado hit at 8:35 p.m. Friday — part of a swarm of twisters across the Midwest and the South that leveled entire communities. Authorities said they didn’t have a full count of employees because it was during a shift change and there were several part-time employees. Both sides of the warehouse used to prepare orders for delivery collapsed inward and the roof caved, according to Edwardsville Fire Chief James Whiteford. Authorities received reports of workers being trapped and the fire unit arrived within six minutes, Whiteford said. Police helped pull people from the rubble. While 45 employees survived, six people were killed and a seventh person was airlifted to a hospital. Whiteford said crews would search the rubble for several days. Madison County Coroner Stephen Nonn on Sunday identified the six people who were killed. Four, including McEwen, were from Illinois: 29-year-old Clayton Lynn Cope of Alton, 46-year-old Larry E. Virden of Collinsville and 62-year-old Kevin D. Dickey of Carlyle. Two others — 28-year-old Deandre S. Morrow and 34-year-old Etheria S. Hebb — were from St. Louis. “He would go out of his way for anyone,” she told The Associated Press in a written message. Nonn’s said Sunday there were no pending reports of missing people related to the building collapse. “Search efforts continue to ensure that there are no additional victims,” he said in a statement. The damage to the building was extensive; the structure’s steel support pillars were exposed after the walls and roof caved. “These walls are made out of 11-inch thick concrete, and they’re about 40 feet tall, so a lot of weight from that came down,” Whiteford said at a Saturday news conference. Employee Amanda Goss had just started her first week in a new job as an Amazon delivery driver when the tornado hit. “As I look up, the corner of the building was shaking, and it comes down the garage area and then I felt the gates coming in behind me,” Goss told KTVI-TV. “All I do is sit there in my van hoping it don’t move.” The Amazon facility, among three in Edwardsville, is a 1.1 million square foot “delivery station” that employs about 190 workers across several shifts, according to Amazon. The facility, which opened in July 2020, prepares orders for “last-mile delivery” to customers. Edwardsville is about 25 miles northeast of St. Louis. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their loved ones, and everyone impacted by the tornado,” Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said in a statement. “We’re continuing to support our employees and partners in the area.” Amazon said that when a site is made aware of a tornado warning, all employees are notified and directed to move to a shelter. But company officials declined to answer specific questions about when employees were warned. A union representing retail employees that has pushed to organize Amazon employees blasted the company for “dangerous labor practices” for having employees work during the severe weather. “Time and time again Amazon puts its bottom line above the lives of its employees,” Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union Requiring, said in a statement. “Requiring workers to work through such a major tornado warning event as this was inexcusable.” The Associated Press contributed to this report.  

Arizona completes rebuild of I-10/Houghton Road interchange

TUCSON, Ariz. — All lanes of the Houghton Road interchange at Interstate 10 are now open as the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has completed a new kind of interchange for southern Arizona. The $24.4 million project features a diverging diamond interchange, which highway officials say will improve safety and traffic flow in a rapidly growing part of southeast Tucson. Unlike a traditional diamond interchange, each direction of Houghton Road traffic temporarily shifts to the left while crossing the freeway. This allows for left turns onto the entrance ramps without waiting at an additional traffic signal. The design also promotes safety because drivers turning left don’t cross traffic while entering the on-ramp. Signals, signs and pavement markings help guide drivers through the interchange. The interchange features larger entrance and exit ramps, along with more space for traffic to merge onto I-10 westbound. Over the freeway, the old two-lane Houghton Road bridge has been replaced with a structure that features six lanes and improved access for pedestrians and bicyclists. ADOT traffic engineers said they chose the diverging diamond design because it can handle higher traffic volumes in the growing part of the southeast Tucson area, where traffic is expected to increase by as much as 50 percent by 2045. ADOT minimized traffic disruption by keeping most of the interchange open during the project, which began in August 2019. While all lanes are open, intermittent lane restrictions are possible in the next two weeks as construction crews wrap up minor project details. In the spring, drivers should expect overnight lane restrictions when warmer overnight temperatures allow for final paving on I-10 and the ramps. More than 115 diverging diamond interchanges are in use in the U.S., including two half-diverging diamond interchanges on the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway and a full diverging diamond interchange I-17 and Happy Valley Road in Phoenix.

Central Freight shuttering operations this month

WACO, Texas — Citing steep operating losses that could not be overcome, executives with Waco, Texas-based Central Freight Lines announced Sunday that the company will close by the end of December. The closure means that 2,100 employees at the less than truckload carrier (LTL) will be jobless right at Christmastime. New shipments will stop Monday and all current orders are expected to be completed by Dec. 20, according to a news release. “We make this announcement with a heavy heart and extreme regret that the company cannot continue after nearly 100 years in operation,” the news release stated. “We would like to thank our outstanding workforce for persevering and for professionally completing the wind-down while supporting each other. Additionally, we thank our customers, vendors, equipment providers, and other stakeholders for their loyalty and support.” The news release further stated that the company “explored all available options to keep operations going. However, operating losses sapped all remaining sources of liquidity, and the company’s liabilities far exceed its assets, all of which are subject to liens in favor of multiple creditors.” Company officials said that “despite diligent efforts,” Central “was unable to gain commitments to fund ongoing operations, find a buyer of the entire business, or fund a Chapter 11 reorganization. Given its limited remaining resources, the company concluded that the best alternative was a safe and orderly wind-down. As we complete the wind-down process, our primary goal will be to offer the smoothest possible transition for all stakeholders while maximizing the amount available to apply toward the Company’s obligations.” Central Freight is in negotiations to sell a substantial portion of its equipment. Additionally, Central Freight is coordinating with other regional LTL carriers to afford its employees opportunities to apply for other LTL jobs in their area. Discussions are ongoing and no purchase of assets or offer of employment is guaranteed. Central Freight Lines was founded in 1925 in Waco by W.W. “Woody” Callan Sr., who bought a Model T and drove it from Waco to Dallas to pick up some goods for a Waco merchant. The company was founded as Central Forwarding and Warehouse company. Through the years, the company grew to become one of the nation’s largest LTL carriers.  

Expect winter delays over Interstate 5 in Pacific region

MEDFORD, Ore. — Unprepared drivers may face challenges through next week as a mix of winter storms are forecast for the Interstate 5 corridor and Cascade mountain passes. Conditions may cause either delays or closures so drivers should remain flexible. “We are strongly urging drivers to come prepared when traveling over the mountain passes, especially with more than a foot of snow forecast for the I-5 corridor between Ashland and Redding,” said Oregon Department of Transportation (ORDOT) interim District Manager Jeremiah Griffin. Since this is the first major winter storm of the season, Griffin urged drivers to check their travel kits and make sure their vehicle is ready for winter driving, including: Chains, and know how to install them Tires have good tread Wipes are clean and in good condition Heater and defroster. Items for travel Coats, hats, blankets No less than a half tank of gas Cell phone and charger Water and snacks Medications Drivers should not drive over their abilities, according to an ORDOT news release, which notes that “the wisest decision may be to wait until conditions improve.” “There are no shortcuts,” said Jackson County Search and Rescue Coordinator, Sgt. Shawn Richards. “Stay on the main roads, don’t overly rely on your GPS to take a back road, inform family or friends of your travel timeline and know your vehicle’s limitations.”

Heavy snow, thunderstorms hamper travel across large swath of U.S.

RELIANCE, S.D. — Winter storm warnings stretch from Colorado, into Wyoming, across South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. Many major highways are slick or covered with snow, including Interstate 90 across South Dakota. According to the National Weather Service, a rapidly deepening area of low pressure over the Central High Plains will move northeastward to the Upper Great Lakes by Saturday morning. The low will move into Southeastern Canada by Saturday evening, as the associated front moves off the East Coast overnight Saturday. The storm will produce snow over parts of the Northern/Central Rockies into parts of the Southwest on Friday morning.  By Friday afternoon, heavy snow will develop over parts of the Northern/Central Plains into the Upper Mississippi Valley, expanding into parts of the Upper Great lakes by Friday evening. The heavy snow will wind down over the Upper Great Lakes on Saturday into Sunday morning.  The snow will result in reduced visibility and hazardous driving conditions. Moreover, showers and thunderstorms will develop along and ahead of the cold front, mainly during the late afternoon into Saturday morning. Some of the thunderstorms will be severe. Therefore, the SPC has issued an Enhanced Risk of severe thunderstorms over parts of the Middle/Lower Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee Valleys through Saturday morning. The hazards associated with these thunderstorms are frequent lightning, severe thunderstorm wind gusts, hail, and a few tornadoes. Furthermore, there is a 10% or greater probability of EF2-EF5 over the region. The threat for severe thunderstorms decreases slightly on Saturday into Sunday morning. However, the SPC has issued a Slight Risk of severe thunderstorms over parts of the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys on Saturday into Sunday morning. The hazards associated with these thunderstorms are frequent lightning, severe thunderstorm wind gusts, hail, and a few tornadoes. In the meantime, the thunderstorms will contain areas of heavy rain. Therefore, the WPC has issued a Marginal Risk of excessive rainfall over parts of the Lower Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee Valleys through Saturday morning. The associated heavy rain will create localized areas of flash flooding, affecting areas that experience rapid runoff with heavy rain. The Marginal Risk of excessive rainfall will move slightly south and eastward to include parts of the Southern Appalachians, Ohio/Tennessee Valleys into the Lower Mississippi Valley on Saturday into Sunday morning. Likewise, the associated heavy rain will create localized areas of flash flooding, affecting areas that experience rapid runoff with heavy rain. Meanwhile, onshore flow will aid in producing rain and higher elevation snow over the Pacific Northwest on Friday.  On Saturday, a front will come onshore over the Northwest as rain, heavy at times, and higher elevation snow moves into Northern California. As a result, there is a Marginal Risk of excessive rainfall over parts of the Northwest into Northern California on Saturday into Sunday morning. The associated heavy rain will create localized areas of flash flooding, affecting areas that experience rapid runoff with heavy rain.  Additionally, heavy snow will develop over the Cascades through Sunday morning. Check road conditions in areas affected by heavy winter weather through the weekend. Tap here for Colorado Tap here for Iowa Tap here for Michigan Tap here for Minnesota Tap here for Nebraska Tap here for South Dakota Tap here for Wyoming

New autonomous trucking route planned for Texas

SAN FRANCISCO and HOUSTON — A trucking industry technology company is preparing to launch a new autonomous trucking lane between Houston and San Antonio. Embark Trucks, Inc. has also unveiled a new autonomous trucking facility and plans to hire aggressively in the greater Houston area in 2022. Embark announced these plans, along with a partnership with the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, on Thursday. Company officials say the partnership with Texas A&M will allow use of their state-of-the-art test track and plans to work closely with the Center for Autonomous Vehicles and Sensor Systems (CANVASS) and faculty in the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering. There, Embark will perform research and testing as it prepares for its driver-out pilot in 2023, according to a news release. The initial runs will use backup safety drivers, the company said. “Establishing a footprint in the Houston area was both a strategic selection and natural fit for Embark,” the news release stated. The company said that the Houston area offers them three key advantages as it scales its business: Houston is a trucking hub that is uniquely positioned for commercially viable long-haul autonomous freight. Houston is located at the center of key 600+ mile trucking lanes which are ideal for automation, as they cannot be completed in a single day by a human driver due to hours-of-service limitations. Hauls on such lanes can see rapid improvements in speed using autonomous freight. For example, a 600 mile run could take approximately 22 hours to complete manually assuming full compliance with the federal hours of service rules, while that same run would take just 12 hours to complete autonomously. The Houston area is home to leading academics and research institutions dedicated to autonomous vehicle technology, such as those at Texas A&M University. Embark expects to work closely with these partners to test, deploy, and validate its technology. Houston also has a mature trucking and autonomous vehicle workforce, representing a deep talent pool for Embark to draw from as it expands its headcount in the region. Texas boasts a thriving autonomous vehicle sector, due in part to the Lone Star State’s extensive public-private partnerships. By engaging with developers to support the safe operation of autonomous trucks, the Texas Departments of Transportation (TxDOT) and Public Safety (TxDPS) have established Texas as a leader well-positioned to reap the safety and efficiency benefits of the technology. Embark will continue to cultivate its relationships with state and local agencies as it prioritizes highway road safety and responsible integration of autonomous trucks into the state transportation system. “Together, these factors enable Embark to better execute against its go-to-market timeline as it prepares for commercial launch of the Embark Driver in 2024,” the news release stated. Embark officials said they expect to begin hauling freight for its partners between San Antonio and Houston as early as 2022. “Texas is the center of America’s trucking industry, and it’s the perfect home for Embark’s expanded operations. We’re excited by the talent and entrepreneurial spirit that Houston has to offer,” said Stephen Houghton, chief operations and fleet officer at Embark. “Our new footprint in Texas will support our growing network of partners and fuel our rapid growth across the Sunbelt. As we scale our operations, we will continue to work closely with local and state governments and other organizations so that we improve the safety, sustainability, and efficiency of trucking with autonomous technology.” Embark officials say their partnership with Texas A&M University is one of the cornerstones of this expansion. “Embark will use the university’s expertise and the test track at the RELLIS Campus to pioneer novel AV capabilities and achieve its remaining technology milestones,” according to the news release. “These milestones represent the final hurdles to deploying commercially viable autonomous trucks, and include challenges such as emergency vehicle interactions, pulling over to safety in emergency situations, and performing evasive maneuvers, among others.” “Embark’s mission to safely, robustly, and effectively roll out commercial autonomous trucks aligns closely with TEES’ mission to turn research and development activities into useful applications and business activities,” said Dr. Srikanth Saripalli, Director of CANVASS. “We’re excited to welcome Embark to our RELLIS Campus. Our faculty and students will have the unique opportunity to apply theory to the real world by working together with Embark on engineering projects.” Embark officials said that their expansion into Texas builds on several years of engagement with Texas state officials to share information on the development of autonomous trucks. Embark is a longstanding participant in the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) Task Force, helping prepare the Texas transportation system to take advantage of the safety and efficiency benefits of the technology.  

Arizona officials pass measures to ease burdens on truckers

PHOENIX — Arizona Governor Doug Ducey and the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) announced two initiatives Thursday designed to help relieve the supply chain strain and make life easier on truckers. Ducey said the state is reopening two long-closed rest stops so commercial drivers have additional opportunities to rest and is extending the validity of commercial driving learner’s permits. Arizona will also be working closely with other states to pass similar measures, Ducey’s office said. “We are working to make sure commercial drivers and Arizona families have the support they need this holiday season,” Ducey said. “Prices are rising and commercial drivers are under an incredible amount of stress as they transport goods. Today’s action will help alleviate this stress. My thanks to the Arizona Department of Transportation for streamlining requirements for commercial drivers and strengthening Arizona’s supply chain.” ADOT Director John Halikowski said that his state’s highways “are critical for our economy, and the trucking industry is one of the key transportation modes for moving goods through our state and around the country. We are pleased to take these steps to make processes easier, while enhancing safety for commercial drivers at this important time of the year.” To facilitate more commercial drivers being able to obtain credentials, through executive order, the governor will extend the validity of the commercial learners’ permit (CLP) from six months to one year, in alignment with federal law. This gives a student more time to fulfill training requirements without having to reapply for a new permit. The purpose of the CLP is to allow a student to operate a commercial motor vehicle for training purposes with a licensed driver present. The executive order, in alignment with the current federal waiver, will temporarily allow a commercial driver to keep their CDL past the date that the person’s medical certification is required, until Feb. 28, 2022. CDLs are regulated by the federal government. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) previously initiated a series of waivers, including one that allows a driver to keep their CDL active temporarily after the expiration of a medical certificate. Arizona will adopt this practice temporarily, until Feb. 28, 2022, to keep current CDL holders on the road and alleviate supply chain challenges. CDL holders can upload documents online, as well as verify the status of their Arizona medical certificate, at azmvdnow.gov. Using recent guidance provided by FMCSA, ADOT will move forward with rulemaking to open commercial driver license services to Authorized Third Party providers. During the 2021 legislative session, HB 2134 was signed into law, allowing ADOT to expand commercial driver license services to its authorized third party providers. As CDLs are regulated primarily by the federal government, ADOT requested and received guidance from FMCSA to determine which actions would be permitted under federal law. Once fully implemented, individuals will have expanded options to receive CDL services from Authorized Third Party providers, providing an increase in convenience and accessibility to obtain a license. Accessibility to rest stops Last week, Ducey directed ADOT to reopen two previously closed rest areas at Parks (Interstate 40) and Christiansen (Interstate 17). Both are now open to serve the public, providing additional opportunities for drivers to park and rest. This is a temporary measure, however, as these rest areas will only be open through Jan. 18, 2022. The move is to provide relief for critical deliveries during the holiday season, state officials said. Arizona officials are also launching the Arizona Transportation Consultancy Project, which, they say, will strengthen and further enable ADOT to collaborate with other states and adopt similar improvements that Arizona has implemented. “Jumpstarting the supply chain is a cross-jurisdictional issue that requires the improvement of processes across multiple states,” a news release stated. “Arizona has undertaken many successful initiatives to make obtaining a CDL and the necessary permits simpler and more accessible to drivers, including the expansion of online services.” ADOT is also upgrading the Medical Examiner Certificate (MEC) submission process to allow handwritten MECs to be processed digitally, using advanced technology; expanding CDL services to authorized third party providers; and preparing to modernize its commercial vehicle permitting system. “While these efforts have produced excellent results for Arizona, improvements can’t be confined to Arizona to solve our nation’s supply chain issues,” the news release stated. “The Arizona Consultancy Project will help other states achieve similar improvements. By sharing best practices and ideas found in the Arizona Management System, providing technical assistance on implementation of programs and sharing state-created intellectual property, processes can be improved across the country.”

New Love’s locations offer 280 parking spaces across nation

OKLAHOMA CITY – Love’s Travel Stops announced Thursday the opening of four new stores. Combined, the locations will offer 280 big rig parking spaces and add 190 jobs. The new stores are in Great Falls, Montana, Drayton, North Dakota, Pacific Junction, Iowa, and Dalhart, Texas. “Love’s is continuing to open new locations into the holidays to help get professional drivers and four-wheel customers to their destination safely and quickly,” said Greg Love, co-CEO of Love’s. “Whether it’s fuel, fresh food and drinks or a gift for a loved one – like a toy or today’s latest electronics – customers can get what they need when they stop at one of our over 570 locations across the country.” In honor of the grand openings, Love’s will donate $2,000 to nonprofits in each town. The donation will go to CASA-CAN in Great Falls, Montana; the Twilight Fund in Dalhart, Texas; an organization chosen at a later date in Drayton, North Dakota, and it will be split between Glenwood Public Schools and the Glenwood Public Library in Pacific Junction, Iowa. Following is a breakdown of each locations’ amenities: PACIFIC JUNCTION, IOWA More than 10,000 square feet. Subway. 84 truck parking spaces. 51 car parking spaces. Three RV spaces. Six diesel bays. Five showers. Laundry facilities. CAT scale. Bean-to-cup gourmet coffee. Brand-name snacks. Fresh Kitchen concept. Mobile to Go Zone with the latest GPS, headsets and smartphone accessories. Dog park. DALHART, TEXAS More than 8,000 square feet. Chester’s Chicken and Godfather’s Pizza. (Opening Dec. 13) 77 truck parking spaces. 48 car parking spaces. Five RV spaces. Five diesel bays. Four showers. Laundry facilities. CAT scale. Bean-to-cup gourmet coffee. Brand-name snacks. Fresh Kitchen concept. Mobile to Go Zone with the latest GPS, headsets and smartphone accessories. Dog park. DRAYTON, NORTH DAKOTA More than 7,000 square feet. Taco John’s. (Opening Dec. 13) 63 truck parking spaces. 45 car parking spaces. Six RV spaces. Six diesel bays. Four showers. Laundry facilities. CAT scale. Bean-to-cup gourmet coffee. Brand-name snacks. Fresh Kitchen concept. Mobile to Go Zone with the latest GPS, headsets and smartphone accessories. Dog park. GREAT FALLS, MONTANA More than 9,000 square feet. Chester’s Chicken, Godfather’s Pizza and Subway. (Opening Dec. 13) 56 truck parking spaces. 49 car parking spaces. Five diesel bays. Four showers. Laundry facilities. CAT scale. Bean-to-cup gourmet coffee. Brand-name snacks. Fresh Kitchen concept. Mobile to Go Zone with the latest GPS, headsets and smartphone accessories. Dog park.

Certain Diamler trucks being recalled over tire/rim issues

WASHINGTON — Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling several tractor models due to tire and rim noncompliance. According to a news release from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the tractors involved are: 2011-22 Freightliner SD 108; Freightliner SD 114; 2016 Freightliner Coronado; 2011-22; Western Star 4900; Western Star 6900; 2013-22 Western Star 4700; and 2022 49X vehicles. The tires and rims are not approved and rated for these vehicles from the Tire and Rim Association or tire manufacturer, the news release states. “As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard,” according to the news release. “Unapproved tires that are not rated for the vehicle can cause tire performance issues, increasing the risk of a crash.” The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Jan. 15, 2022. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at (800) 547-0712. DTNA’s number for this recall FL-908.

Oregon to receive $52 million for electric vehicle charging

SALEM, Ore. – Oregon’s electric vehicle infrastructure is about to get supercharged. The state is set to receive $52 million of additional funding over the next five years for EV charging infrastructure. The money is part of the $1.2 billion in additional transportation funding from the recently passed federal infrastructure package. The federal government makes the initial decisions on how that $52 million can be spent. ODOT should receive the first set of federal guidelines in February 2022. Suzanne Carlson, ODOT Climate Office director, says her office expects the federal guidelines will steer the funding to Alternative Fuel Corridors, which are national highways that are eligible for federal grant funding to add public EV charging and other alternative fuel infrastructure. The program is overseen by the Federal Highway Administration. Oregon has seven corridors designated under the program: Intestates 5, 84 and 82, and U.S. 26, 101, 20 and 97. Forming public-private partnerships to award the funding may be a key component, based on past rounds of federal funding. ODOT already has experience here. Earlier this year, ODOT invested $4.1 million to support EV Charging Solutions’ upgrades to Oregon’s slice of the West Coast Electric Highway. The agency also partnered with local firms Forth, Kittelson & Associates, and Rocky Mountain Institute to complete a future electrification needs study in 2020-21, which examined Oregon’s EV charging needs over the next 15 years. Jeff Allen, Forth’s executive director, is optimistic about Oregon’s EV future. “Oregon’s early leadership and hard work means we are extremely well-positioned to make good use of this federal funding to build out a charging network that will make it easy for Oregonians to drive electric wherever they go across the state,” said Allen. According to ODOT data, Oregonians are adopting EV’s at a swift rate. New EV registrations in 2021 are on track to increase by about 70 percent compared to 2020. That increased adoption rate coincides with results from ODOT’s future electrification needs study, which presents a clear roadmap for ODOT and partners to follow to electrify the system for multiple types of vehicles. “With the study’s findings, we can be more strategic and keep up momentum on EV adoption rates,” said Carlson. “Our role will be to make targeted state investments, secure more federal grant funding, and make sure public EV charging is equitable and practical.” Transportation electrification is high on the agency’s list of strategic priority outcomes and is a key component in state government’s effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. About 40% of the state’s total GHG emissions come from the transportation sector, including freight and aviation. “Moving quickly to electrify transportation is just one piece of Oregon’s emission reduction plan,” said Carlson. “Together with other ongoing investments in bike and pedestrian programs, public transit, and climate resiliency, we’ll be able to make strong progress on our work to address climate change in Oregon.”  

Nebraska launches revamped highway information site

LINCOLN, Neb. —Nebraska has unveiled a revamped version of its highway information website and app. At a ceremony in late November, the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT), together with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) and the National Weather Service (NWS), debuted the new Nebraska 511, which “promises to bring better service to travelers and Nebraskans alike as they plan for winter travel,” a news release stated. “Nebraska 511 has been a staple for Nebraskans and travelers alike for more than two decades,” according to the news release. “What originally started as a phone service has evolved to also include a web application as well as a mobile app.” The service provides information on construction, road conditions, closures, lane restrictions, highway cameras and other important information. From November of 2020 to October 2021, the 511 system was utilized by 1.5 million users. New features of the updated Nebraska 511 include integrated weather, dedicated information to commercial carriers, overhead digital signs and their messages, updated icons, and an improved user interface. With the rollout, Nebraska highway officials are also reminding motorists of the importance of preparing for winter weather as the season rapidly approaches. ‘‘Winter is often a long season in Nebraska, bringing cold temperatures, snow, and at times, dangerous wind,” said NDOT Director John Selmer. “NDOT is proud to partner with the Nebraska State Patrol and the National Weather Service to be as prepared as possible when winter weather strikes to keep roadways open, and when necessary, close them for the safety of the traveling public and our teammates. The work we do, together with the information provided in our 511 service helps keep motorists moving while providing the best information possible for decision making. NDOT’s teammates in our State Operations Center work day and night to keep motorists updated through the 511 system as well as use our dynamic message boards to give advanced notice whenever possible.”

Houston rapper-turned-trucker loses rig in fire

FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas — A rapper-turned-trucker who goes by the stage name of Lil’ Troy said he is lucky to be alive after his rig burned to the ground Monday on Interstate 10. Lil’ Troy, whose real name is Troy Birklett, told ABC 13 that just as he was about to exit the interstate, he saw flames shooting from the hood. “It took them a while to put the fire out. While they were there, it went boom again! So, I thank God for the fire department,” Birklett told ABC 13. “They came and made sure nobody else got injured at the same time.” Investigators are working to determine how the fire started. Birklett is also working with his insurance company to replace the truck. In 1999, the rapper had a hit with “Wanna Be A Baller.” He now owns Birklett Trucking Company in Missouri City and was on his way home from Arkansas when the fire broke out.

Big rig strikes Wisconsin trooper’s car

DANE COUNTY, Wis. — No one was injured Wednesday when an 18-wheeler struck a Wisconsin State Patrol (WSP) cruiser along Interstate 94. According to a WSP Facebook post, two WSP cruisers were engaged in a traffic stop, both with emergency lights activated, when a semi failed to move over and sideswiped one of the units. The trooper of the damaged unit was in the driver’s seat at the time but was not injured, the post stated. The Dane County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an investigation.

Trucking firm to pay $500K in sex discrimination settlement

MINNEAPOLIS – A Minnesota-based trucking company has been ordered to settle a federal lawsuit after a court said it discriminated against women truck drivers because of their sex. Stan Koch and Sons Trucking will pay $500,000 and furnish other relief to settle the lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the federal agency announced on Wednesday. According to the EEOC’s lawsuit, Koch’s use of the CRT Test, an isokinetic strength test developed by Davenport, Iowa-based Cost Reduction Technologies, Inc., discriminated against women truck drivers because of their sex. Specifically, the EEOC alleged that the CRT Test disproportionately screened out women who are qualified for truck driver positions at Koch. “Such alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits workplace discrimination, including the use of employment practices that have a disparate impact on women because of their sex and that are not job-related and consistent with business necessity,” an EEOC news release stated. The EEOC filed suit in U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process. The EEOC recently won a similar case against Iowa-based tucking company Schuster Co. for use of the same physical abilities test. Prior to the parties coming to an agreement on damages and other equitable relief, a federal judge had ruled in the EEOC’s favor on liability, finding that the test disproportionately screened out women who had been given conditional offers of hire by Koch to work as truck drivers or who were already employed by the company and were required to take the test to return to work following an injury. In addition, the judge found that Koch did not present evidence to show that the test was job-related and consistent with business necessity. The five-year consent decree resolving the EEOC’s lawsuit against Koch was approved by Magistrate Judge Hildy Bowbeer on Dec. 6. The decree requires Koch to pay $500,000 in monetary damages and make job offers to a class of women whose job offers were revoked by Koch after they failed the CRT test. The decree enjoins Koch from using the CRT test, and, if it chooses to use any other physical abilities test that has a disparate impact on female drivers, it must first demonstrate that the test is job-related for the position in question and consistent with business necessity. The decree also requires Koch to make regular reports to the EEOC regarding its hiring practices for the duration of the decree. “Less than two months ago, on Oct. 22, the United States issued its National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality,” said Julianne Bowman, the EEOC’s district director in Chicago. “This case, where the court found that the use of an isokinetic strength test as an employment screen was unlawful because it had a negative impact on women and it was not shown to serve any legitimate purpose that benefited the company, is an example of the type of enforcement activity the EEOC will take to help fulfill the goal of ensuring economic security to American women.” Gregory Gochanour, the EEOC’s regional attorney in Chicago, added, “This case should serve as a reminder to employers that when they use a hiring screen they cannot rely on justifications like ‘It seemed like common sense’ or ‘Of course it’s better to have stronger employees if the job has some physical tasks.’ Employers have to demonstrate with valid evidence that the tests they use can actually predict the outcomes they are looking for.”