TheTrucker.com

Georgia DPS highlights trucking safety in weekly social media post

ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Public Safety has shared to their Facebook page a photo of a flatbed trailer with a glaring safety violation. The post, shared on Monday, shows a red rig with a flatbed full of freight as part of their “Violation of the Week.” The post asks, “Can you spot the violation?” The GDPS did not say who the driver was or provide any other information. The post created a flurry of comments on the agency’s Facebook page. “Missing a strap or two,” commented Richard Plant. “What are straps?” Jay Smith quipped. Brad Banks remarked: “He must’ve put Velcro on the bottom of the pallets holding them on.”

EcoFins reduce drag effect

NORTH FORT MEYERS, Fla. — Tire Protector USA has developed EcoFins, which are designed to help reduce drag effect by spinning the air as it leaves the rear of an 18-wheeler. Each vortex lasts several meters in length, keeping the airflow controlled and restricting it from becoming turbulent, creating a stabilizing effect on large, wind-prone vehicles, according to a news release. “This allows the vehicle to move forward more easily as it encounters less drag,” the news release stated. “The result is a reduction in required energy (fuel) to maintain the required speed and creating more stability.” The same EcoFins Vortex Generators technology is also available in side skirts. “EcoFins side skirts are of revolutionary design with vortex generators included, will help stabilize the trailer increasing fuel mileage up to 20% over other side skirts on the market,” according to the news release.

Man sentenced in death of tanker welder

WASHINGTON — A North Dakota man has been sentenced to time served and 18 months of supervised release after pleading guilty earlier this year to one count of obstruction of an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) violation that led to another man’s death. According to an Oct. 14 news release from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General, Stephan Reisinger will also have to pay a $100 special assessment fee. Reisinger worked as a maintenance manager at Nabors Completion and Production Services Co. (NCPS) in Williston, North Dakota, when another employee was fatally injured in an Oct. 3, 2014 explosion. The man was welding on an uncleaned tanker trailer that had been used to transport produced water, a liquid byproduct generated during the extraction of oil and natural gas, when it exploded, the news release stated. During OSHA’s investigation into the employee’s death, Reisinger falsely stated that “just water” was in the tanks but, in the plea agreement, admitted to knowing the tanker trailers transported produced water, which can contain flammable chemicals.

Dozens of migrants found locked in refrigerated trailer

EDINBURG, Texas – Falfurrias Border Patrol Station agents discovered 75 migrants on Oct. 27 in a refrigerated trailer hauling pallets of flour. Agents found the individuals while conducting an immigration inspection on the driver of a tractor trailer, according to a news release. The primary agent was questioning the driver regarding his citizenship when a border patrol canine alerted to the trailer. “The tractor trailer was moved to a secondary exam area where a second canine alert was recorded,” the news release stated. “Border patrol agents opened the trailer doors and discovered 75 shivering migrants attempting to stay warm.” All were determined to be citizens from Central America and Mexico. The driver was placed under arrest, and the 75 migrants were taken into custody. All of the subjects were medically screened, with no one requiring further medical attention. At the time of the discovery, the trailer’s refrigerator was set to 58 degrees Fahrenheit and the doors were padlocked shut from the outside.

Wreaths Across America announces new national tour

COLUMBIA FALLS, Maine — Wreaths Across America (WAA) will begin a national tour in February 2022, with trips to South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. WAA is the non-profit organization that’s known for placing wreaths on veterans’ headstones at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. However, in 2020 alone, the organization placed more than 1.7 million sponsored veterans’ wreaths at 2,557 participating locations nationwide, according to a news release. “(WAA) is overwhelmed with the outpouring of support from communities throughout the country for its Mobile Education Exhibit (MEE),” the news release stated. “The MEE is a rolling interactive exhibit that remembers the nation’s fallen veterans, honors those who serve and teaches the next generation about the value of freedom. In February 2021, the MEE left Maine and began its national tour in Alabama and will be finish this year’s tour as a member of “the escort to Arlington” — the week-long outreach event which will culminate at Arlington National Cemetery for Wreaths Across America Day on Dec. 18.” In March 2022, WAA will return to Alabama and will also visit Mississippi for the first time. In April 2022, Louisiana and Arkansas will be the tour’s focus. In May 2022, the MEE will turn north and visit Ohio, Michigan and parts of Wisconsin, according to the news release. The exhibit will continue in Wisconsin in June 2022, then travel to Minnesota. From there, it will make its way out west, welcoming home Vietnam veterans in all new areas of the country, including Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington and Oregon. Starting in September 2022, the MEE will make its way back east with stops in Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri before joining next year’s escort to Arlington. “The goal of the Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit is to bring communities together and teach about the organization’s mission while remembering the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes,” said Don Queeney, director of transportation. “The exhibit serves as a mobile museum, educating visitors about the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes as well as to serve as an official ‘welcome home’ station for our nation’s Vietnam veterans.” The public tour stops for the MEE are free and open to the public, with local COVID-19 safety procedures in place to protect the health of all visitors in accordance with the CDC’s recommendation. To sponsor a wreath or for more information, click here. Each sponsorship goes toward a live, balsam wreath that will be placed on the headstone of an American veteran on Dec. 18, as part of National Wreaths Across America Day.

California to partner with USDOT on infrastructure

SACRAMENTO – The State of California and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) have announced a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure improvement partnership. According to a news release from California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office, the agreement “allows California to expedite work on a network of related projects – rather than using a piecemeal approach – that collectively will help grow the economy, protect the environment, facilitate the movement of imports and exports and bring supply chain processes into the 21st century to create resilience throughout the critical trade corridors of California and the U.S., including around San Pedro Bay and the Inland Empire.” Newsom said that his state’s ports and infrastructure system are key to the country’s supply chain. “Thanks to our collaboration with the Biden-Harris Administration, this innovative federal-state partnership will help us fast-track those projects that will make our ports and infrastructure even more efficient,” Newsom said. “This partnership will help us jumpstart and support multiple infrastructure projects to improve our supply chain, making sure goods get to where they need to go faster, cheaper, and in a more environmentally-friendly manner.” Projects that could receive support through this agreement include: Port-specific upgrades Expanding capacity for freight rail Developing inland port facilities for increased warehouse storage Railyard and truck electrification Highway upgrades to improve truck travel times Grade-separated crossings to reduce the number of rail-street intersections and improve safety and efficiency Land ports of entry to expand trade capacity and cross-border commerce Other eligible projects of critical importance identified by the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA). Under the Emerging Projects Agreement, the Build America Bureau at USDOT will support CalSTA in developing California infrastructure projects designed to improve the capacity and resiliency of the goods movement chain, according to the news release. The partnership will also assist project sponsors in exploring financing opportunities for billions in infrastructure investment, in part through the USDOT credit assistance programs Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) and Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF), the news release stated. “Our supply chains are being put to the test, with unprecedented consumer demand and pandemic-driven disruptions combining with the results of decades-long underinvestment in our infrastructure,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “That’s why this administration is working around the clock to address both near-term and long-term challenges to our supply chains, including investments such as those in the bipartisan infrastructure deal.” Buttigieg added: “(This) announcement marks an innovative partnership with California that will help modernize our infrastructure, confront climate change, speed the movement of goods and grow our economy.” In tandem with these longer-term solutions, the State of California and the Biden-Harris Administration are working on short-term solutions to address bottlenecks, the news release stated. Earlier in October, Newsom issued an executive order that directs state agencies to help identify additional ways to alleviate congestion at California ports, building on earlier efforts this year by CalSTA and the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) to ease supply chain issues by engaging with supply chain stakeholders on key challenges and identifying short-term and long-term solutions. The Biden-Harris Task Force is working with private companies from across the supply chain to expand supply chain operations to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and helping them to make faster handoffs to each other. So far, both the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the ILWU, Union Pacific Railroad and retailers, including Walmart, Target, FedEx, UPS, and The Home Depot, have committed to expanding hours. Further, USDOT is working with local and state DMVs to cut bureaucratic red tape and make it easier for truck drivers to obtain commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) – this has already proven successful as DMVs are issuing 60 percent more CDLs this year compared to last. “The COVID-19 pandemic put a spotlight on California’s ports and the importance of our state’s infrastructure in moving goods throughout the U.S. and around the world,” CalSTA Secretary David S. Kim said. “Today’s agreement will go a long way toward quickly upgrading infrastructure to support a more efficient and resilient supply chain that will flex California’s power in global trade. I am proud to work with the Biden-Harris Administration on long-term solutions to enhance California’s infrastructure and strengthen resilience throughout the supply chain.” The Newsom Administration’s Port Envoy, John D. Porcari, said: “The Emerging Projects Agreement today provides the State of California with a foundation to build a comprehensive program of public and public-private projects that will help build a stronger, more resilient goods movement chain that grows the economy by exporting and importing more goods.” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said: “Having our federal and state transportation agencies working in unison to help fund infrastructure is exactly what we need. We have projects in need of funding that will reduce cargo delays, improve efficiency, reduce emissions and improve safety for waterfront workers and motorists throughout the region.” Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero said: “This federal-state partnership will ensure the creation of local infrastructure projects aimed at improving freight movement between the San Pedro Bay ports complex and distribution centers in the Inland Empire. “This plan builds on our ongoing efforts to identify immediate and long-term solutions that will expedite cargo shipments and address an historic cargo surge and forecasted cargo growth.” Both the State of California and USDOT have made clear that infrastructure projects must be considered based on their potential for strengthening supply chain resilience and in a manner that addresses equity and environmental justice. California’s recently-enacted budget includes $250 million for ports, $280 million for infrastructure projects at and around the Port of Oakland, and $1.3 billion over three years for zero-emission trucks, transit buses and school buses, including the deployment of more than 1,000 zero-emission port drayage trucks.

Old Dominion sees big profits in Q3

THOMASVILLE, N.C. — Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. has announced record profits for the third quarter of 2021. The company’s revenue growth of 32.3% included a 15.7% increase in less-then-truckload (LTL) revenue per hundredweight and a 13.7% increase in LTL tons, according to a news release. Greg C. Gantt, Old Dominion’s president and CEO, said that the increase in quarterly revenue “reflects the strength of the domestic economy and unprecedented demand for our best-in-class service. Our superior service offering and available network capacity are fundamental qualities that differentiate Old Dominion in the marketplace and support our ongoing ability to win market share.” The increase in LTL tons was the result of a 19.4% increase in LTL shipments that was partially offset by a 4.8% decrease in LTL weight per shipment, the news release said. The decrease in weight per shipment was primarily due to our continuing efforts to reduce the number of heavy-weighted shipments in our network to preserve capacity and improve our operating efficiency. “These efforts, as well as the 0.8% increase in average length of haul, also had the effect of increasing our reported yield metrics,” Gantt said. “The 10.1% increase in LTL revenue per hundredweight, excluding fuel surcharges, reflects the changes in the mix of our freight as well as the success of our long-term pricing strategy that focuses on individual account profitability.” Gantt further stated that Old Dominion’s operating ratio “improved to a company record of 72.6% for the third quarter of 2021. We improved many of our cost categories as a percent of revenue during the quarter due to the leverage created by our balanced revenue growth as well as improvements in our operating efficiency.” Gantt added: “Our operating supplies and expenses, however, increased as a percent of revenue due primarily to the significant increase in fuel prices. We also increased our use of purchased transportation during the third quarter to supplement the capacity of our workforce. The average number of full-time employees increased 20.9% as compared to the third quarter of 2020, and we intend to continue hiring additional employees during the fourth quarter to support our volume growth and reduce our reliance on purchased transportation.”

XTL Group purchases Georgia-based CBT Inc.

TORONTO – The Canada-based XTL Group (XTL) has acquired CBT Inc. (CBT), a logistics company based in Oakwood, Georgia, for an undisclosed sum. According to an XTL news release, CBT was founded in 1989 by Connie Banks and is located in the Gainesville/Hall Country area of Georgia that’s known as the “Poultry Capital of the World.” “Over the past 32 years, CBT has built an extensive transportation network around major food processors, food service providers and the grocery/retail industry that is abundant in this region,” the news release stated. “Refrigerated and frozen transportation service is a key part of their customer network. CBT has been recognized for many years as a certified woman-owned, family business, and Connie will continue to be an integral part of both CBT and XTL’s mutual success.” This acquisition is the second of its kind in XTL’s history, the first taking place in February with the purchase of Transport Savoie, a refrigerated, x-border carrier now operating as Savoie Express Inc. “After many years servicing the domestic refrigerated market, we expanded into the x-border refrigerated market in 2018. Since then, we recognized the opportunity to advance our organic growth strategy with strategic acquisitions that further enhance our geographical footprint in North America.” said Serge Gagnon, president and CEO at XTL. “We knew we had the right fit when we met the exceptional team of dedicated professionals at CBT who embody our core values.” CBT will bring additional assets to XTL’s logistics offerings, including US domestic dry van, flat bed, heavy haul, over-sized, specialized and hazmat services, according to the news release. The location of northeast Georgia also allows for XTL to increase their presence in the United States, opening up opportunities between Canada and Mexico and accessing U.S. capacity, the news release stated. “Serge Gagnon and his committed team of leaders at XTL complement the similar characteristics that CBT has built its reputation on,” said Connie Banks, founder and CEO of CBT. “Together with my experienced team of employees we have brought to realization a dream I started 32 years ago and we are proud to have been chosen as XTL’s first US transportation partner. We are excited about the future growth and fresh ideas available to us.”

Crews to reconstruct part of Kentucky highway prone to landslides

COVINGTON, Ky. — A section of U.S. 42 in northern Kentucky that has been prone to landslides will be closed for two years so that crews can reconstruct the roadway. The closure of the 1.2-mile section of highway in Gallatin County will begin Nov. 1, a statement from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said. Along with constructing a new road, crews will relocate utilities and install a tie-back wall, officials said. “Crews have been doing preliminary work since July, and now the next phase of the project is ready to go,” said Bob Yeager, chief district engineer for the Department of Highways District 6 office. “The project will greatly improve safety by correcting landslide problems between Markland Dam and Craigs Creek.” Motorists traveling in the area should following detour signs. The $18 million project is scheduled to be completed in November 2023.

Maine Turnpike rates rising

PORTLAND, Maine — The Maine Turnpike Authority (MTA) is hiking rates effective Nov. 1. According to a news release, trucks with five axles using cash and traveling the entire length of the turnpike will now pay $32, up from $28. Six-axle trucks will pay $36.05, up from $32.05. Maine E-ZPass rates will increase from 7.7 cents per mile to 8.0 cents. MTA officials say the hikes are needed to help fund improvements after a slowdown in travel hit their bottom line hard during COVID-19. Large trucks will account for around $6 million of approximately $18 million in annual revenue that the increases are slated to bring in, according to the MTA.

Agents intercept big rig smuggling scheme

SIERRA BLANCA, Texas – United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) canine detection teams recently discovered dozens of illegal immigrants being smuggled in the back of an 18-wheeler on Interstate 10 in western Texas. According to a CBP news release, border patrol canine detection teams working the Sierra Blanca Checkpoint on Oct. 23 encountered a tractor trailer in the primary inspection lane. When a K-9 officer alerted to the trailer, agents directed the vehicle to the secondary inspection lane, the news release said. There, agents opened the trailer doors to discover a total of 31 undocumented migrants from Guatemala and Mexico concealed among pallets of crushed aluminum. “The vigilance and teamwork displayed by agents and their K-9 partners saved multiple individuals from a potentially dangerous situation,” Big Bend Sector Chief Patrol Agent Sean L. McGoffin said. “Transnational criminal organizations continue to expose undocumented migrants to unsafe conditions with little to no regard for their well-being.” The driver and three occupants from the tractor trailer were turned over to Hudspeth County Sheriff’s Office for prosecution. All undocumented migrants were medically evaluated and processed accordingly.

Hub Group buys Choptank Transport

OAK BROOK, Ill. — Hub Group has acquired Choptank Transport, Inc., expanding its brokerage business to more than $1 billion of revenue. According to a news release, the acquisition “bolsters Hub Group’s presence in the refrigerated transportation space and adds a complementary offering to serve its customers’ multimodal transportation and logistics needs. The addition of Choptank is an important strategic milestone toward achieving Hub Group’s goal of over $6 billion of revenue by 2025.” Hub Group Chairman and CEO David Yeager said of the acquisition: “We are excited to welcome Choptank’s employees, customers and carriers to Hub Group. This acquisition delivers on our strategy to provide the industry’s premier supply chain solutions and will advance our position in the growing cold-chain segment.” The news release stated that the acquisition enhances Hub’s over-the-road refrigerated transportation solutions offering and complements its growing fleet of 450 refrigerated intermodal containers. Hub Group intends to further invest in its refrigerated transportation offering by purchasing 550 refrigerated intermodal containers in 2022, bringing the size of its fleet to 1,000, according to the news release. “Choptank adds scale to Hub’s brokerage service line, with combined revenue of over $1 billion across dry van, refrigerated and LTL freight expected for 2021,” the news release stated. “The acquisition is expected to result in numerous complementary cross-selling opportunities for both Hub’s and Choptank’s customer bases. With this transaction, Hub’s non-asset business lines will contribute over 40% of total revenue.” In addition to its carrier network, Choptank’s 400 employees will join Hub Group. “Our team is excited to join Hub Group,” said Choptank CEO Geoff Turner. “We share similar values of service, integrity and innovation, which we are excited to bring together to fuel our continued growth. Choptank brings our wealth of industry experience, a strong carrier network, and innovative technology that, when combined with the industry presence and reputation of Hub Group, will unlock value for our customers and move our business forward.” Funding for the transaction of $130 million was provided by cash on hand, the news release stated, adding that Choptank expects to generate over $450 million of annual revenue in 2021.

TXDOT asking for input on I-20 study

The Texas Department of Transportation is asking for input as part of an Interstate 20 corridor study. The study area spans along I-20 from the I-10 junction in Reeves County to the Texas/Louisiana state line, a distance of 635 miles. Findings and recommendations from the study will be used to help guide the future of the I-20 Corridor. Click here to be routed to the study.

Cyber attackers strike Marten Transport

WASHINGTON — Marten Transport Ltd. officials have told the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that they were the victims of a cyber attack in early October  that “accessed and encrypted files on (company) servers.” In a Wednesday filing with the SEC, the company said that the unauthorized access happened on Oct. 3 and included the download of “certain data files.” “Promptly upon discovery of the incident, the Company launched an investigation and engaged legal counsel and industry-leading incident response professionals,” the SEC filing stated. “The Company has notified law enforcement and will provide any notices that may be required by applicable law.” The filing further stated that “while the investigation of the incident is ongoing, the Company has implemented a series of containment and remediation measures to address this situation and reinforce the security of its information technology systems. As a result, the Company was able to restore full functionality to its information technology systems quickly with minimal disruptions to its operations.” Based on its preliminary assessment, Marten officials said they do not believe the incident will have a material impact on its business, operations or financial results. “Nonetheless, the investigation indicates that certain employee data may have been at risk during the event and, out of an abundance of caution, the Company is offering its employees with credit monitoring and identity restoration services at no cost for two years,” according to the SEC filing. Marten, located in Mondovi, Wisconsin, employs more than 3,000 people. This is the latest in a string of recent cyber attacks on companies in the United States. Sinclair Broadcasting, which owns dozens of television stations throughout the U.S., is still recovering from an attack that came several weeks ago. It crippled the stations’ abilities to provide full newscasts for several days. Click here to read the full SEC filing.    

Navistar settles EPA violations with $52M fine, destruction of engines

WASHINGTON — Navistar Inc. has agreed to pay a $52 million civil penalty and mitigate at least 10,000 tons of nitrogen oxide in order to resolve violations of the Clean Air Act. According to the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ), Navistar tried to skirt new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emissions laws by labeling 2009 heavy-duty diesel engines as 2010 models. Stricter regulations on emissions went into effect in 2010. In addition to the fine, Navistar will also forfeit its current account of nitrogen oxide credits, and purchase and destroy enough older diesel engines to prevent 10,000 tons of future emissions, the USDOJ said in a news release. In 2015, the United States filed suit against Navistar alleging that in 2010, after the lower emission standards went into effect, the company sold 7,749 engines that were not certified and did not meet the new standards. Navistar had marketed and sold the engines installed in its International-branded trucks as being EPA-certified model year 2009, even though it completed all manufacturing and assembling processes for the engines in 2010. The court held that the engines were, in fact, from model year 2010 and required to be covered by a 2010 certificate of conformity. “This settlement shows we will hold companies accountable when they skirt the law to gain advantage at the expense of public health,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The department’s steadfast pursuit of this case achieved a just result, including that the company must mitigate the harm it caused and, in doing so, specifically must consider assisting communities overburdened by pollution.” Acting Assistant Administrator Larry Starfield for the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance said that “older diesel engines without modern emissions controls emit significant amounts of air pollution that harms people’s health and takes years off people’s lives. This harm is greatest in communities near busy roadways, which are too often overburdened by high levels of ozone and particulate matter pollution. Today’s settlement will protect these vulnerable communities by preventing the emission of 10,000 tons of NOx from older, heavily-polluting commercial vehicles and equipment.”

More than $590K of meth seized from semi at border

LAREDO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers seized more than $590,000 worth of meth recently during a semi-truck search. The incident occurred on Oct. 21 at the World Trade Bridge after CBP officers encountered a Daily Express consignment truck arriving from Mexico. The truck was hauling one mini split air conditioning unit, according to a CBP news release. The 2019 Freightliner was referred for a canine and non-intrusive imaging system inspection, resulting in the discovery of 29.93 pounds of alleged methamphetamine within the air conditioner. the news release said. The narcotics have an estimated street value of $598,769. CBP seized the narcotics, and the case was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation. “Methamphetamine is a powerful and highly addictive chemical substance that gravely affects its consumers,” said Port Director Alberto Flores, Laredo Port of Entry. “Officers at the Laredo Port of Entry utilize their enforcement tactics to target high-risk commodities and intercept these deadly narcotics before they can harm our communities.”  

Senator files bill to exempt truckers from vaccine order

WASHINGTON — Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., has introduced legislation to exempt truckers and other essential workers from COVID-19 vaccine mandates that are soon-to-be-implemented by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration at the direction of President Joe Biden. Dubbed the Keeping Our COVID-19 Heroes Employed act, the measure defines essential workers as anyone who a governing body deems essential or who has been exempt from any restrictions during the pandemic response. Todd Spencer, president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, hailed Blackburn for her intervention. “OOIDA thanks Sen. Blackburn for introducing legislation that will ensure vaccination remains a personal decision for truckers,” Spencer said. “Throughout the pandemic, we provided our members with the most up-to-date information on vaccines but have always maintained that vaccination is a personal choice just like any health decision.” OOIDA’s stance has been that truckers already are confronted with an excessive amount of regulations and mandates. “Trucking is one of the most regulated professions in the country, and the ongoing supply chain crisis has exposed the unpaid wait times and other difficult working conditions drivers are often forced to endure,” Spencer said. “These are just a couple of the reasons the industry has long suffered from an excessively high driver turnover problem. Congress must ensure that the industry can better attract and retain drivers who have always been critical in keeping the supply chain moving. This legislation will help accomplish that.” To view the full bill, click here.

Rand McNally GPS software updated

CHICAGO — Rand McNally has announced a major, over-the-air upgrade to its Rand Navigation GPS software. The upgrade, which involves a full map update and extensive improvements to the routing and interface, will be available for all latest model Rand McNally TND™ and OverDryve® tablet devices, according to a news release. The full-map update includes revisions to highway and roads, travel center and truck services, truck-specific and general points of interest, as well as rest areas, scales, weigh stations and more. “Rand McNally’s year-round proprietary research layers on 33 percent more truck-specific road data than other GPS providers,” the news release stated. Although there have been interim updates, this upgrade includes enhancements that go well beyond updated maps and points of interest.” The upgrade will be rolling out to devices through the month of November. “This major upgrade is part of Rand McNally’s commitment to ongoing improvements and feature enhancements to existing products,” said John McAvoy, Rand McNally’s Vice President of Geographic Information Systems. “We are committed to not only providing ongoing map updates, but also continuous improvement of the features and functionality of our software and devices.”