The Nation Archives

Crews still dousing fire-damaged Walmart center’s hot spots

The Associated Press - March 17, 2022

PLAINFIELD, Ind. — Crews continued working Thursday to douse hot spots at a Walmart warehouse distribution center near Indianapolis, a day after a fire swept the sprawling building and produced a smoke plume so large it was spotted by a weather satellite. Plainfield Fire Chief Brent Anderson told reporters at the scene just west of Indianapolis that the fire had been contained and crews rotated every four hours overnight to battle hot spots in the middle of the fire-damaged building, which was still producing smoke. “It’s gonna take quite a bit of manpower and work to remove some of the obstacles in our way,” he said Thursday. The roughly 1,000 employees who were inside the distribution center when the fire began were not injured, but one firefighter suffered minor injuries fighting the blaze. The National Weather Service posted a satellite loop on Twitter showing that the black pillar of smoke produced by the fire was visible Thursday in satellite imagery. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating the fire’s cause. Officials said the investigation into the fire’s cause and origin could take days, even weeks. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency were testing for hazardous materials and air quality issues from the fire.

Leonard’s Express wins Trucking Association of New York’s fleet safety award

The Trucker News Staff - March 17, 2022

FARMINGTON, N.Y. — Leonard’s Express has won the Trucking Association of New York’s Fleet Safety Award in the large class, general commodities truckload category. The TANY Fleet Safety Awards were developed to recognize member fleets in good standing that have the best record of safe operation in New York State. To qualify for an award, the judging committee must determine that a fleet has an exemplary safety record and a proven culture of safety. “Most companies talk about creating a ‘culture of compliance,’ but Leonard’s Express has safety built into the fabric of the company,” according to one of the Fleet Safety Award judges. “From cutting-edge technology in the vehicle to cutting edge training technology outside it. From quarterly group safety meetings to more intimate one-on-ones, there is no step Leonard’s Express won’t take to ensure that their drivers and equipment are the safest on the road. As a judge, it was wonderful to see the great work fleets of all sizes do in New York to ensure our roads are safe, but Leonard’s Express went above the call. That is why they earned the right to be called one of New York’s safest fleets.” All Leonard’s Express trucks are equipped with safety equipment such as dashboard cameras and speed monitoring devices. These tools provide drivers instant feedback on how to keep themselves and other motorists safe on the road. “Leonard’s Express is committed to the safety and well-being of our drivers and the public, who we share the roads with,” Katie Griffin, director of fleet safety for Leonard’s Express, said. “This commitment starts on day one with orientation and training and includes an in-depth study of safety rules and regulations, electronic logging devices, our clearly defined accident policy, and regular vehicle maintenance. Drivers with less than six months of experience go through a rigorous training program, and, when it’s needed, we use driving school resources for retraining of more seasoned drivers. In addition, all drivers are assigned time on our state-of-the-art truck simulator.” Accidents are rare, but when they do occur, cameras are key to accident documentation, investigation, and prevention. Leonard’s has also instituted quarterly safety meetings, and its Risk Control Team interacts with drivers regularly. “We’re honored to receive the TANY Fleet Safety Award,” Griffin said. “Our drivers are exceptional workers. This award demonstrates that we, and they, are among the best in the industry.”

Tornado alley: Safety experts leverage technology, communications to avoid tragedies on the road

Dwain Hebda - March 17, 2022

There’s not much on the topic of tornadoes that Emory Mills doesn’t know. As safety director for Oklahoma City-based FTC Transportation, she’s spent nearly two decades plying her trade in the heart of Tornado Alley. This region of the U.S., which includes Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and parts of many adjoining states, sees the highest number of tornadoes in the world. It’s the kind of real-world proving ground that has turned Mills into an expert on surviving twisters — and it shows. Despite the company’s location, FTC has never suffered a loss of life among its employees due to a weather event. Mills says consistent communication is one big reason for this. “We do have an orientation, and we try to cover all of the different safety aspects (in it),” she said. “We do monthly newsletters, so when we move into springtime, we make sure that information is out there — even though tornadoes aren’t just in springtime; they come year-round in this area.” Mills’ description of the frequency of tornados isn’t just anecdotal. There were 1,376 confirmed tornadoes in the U.S. last year according to Statista.com. That’s the third-highest number in any given year over the past decade — despite the fact that the usual “tornado season” months showed lighter than normal activity. April, for instance, had the fewest tornados since 1992; June had the fifth-lowest outbreak on record; and 2021 boasted the first May in history to not have a tornado rating an F3 or higher. However, October and December 2021 had the most twisters on record — 146 and 222, respectively — ranging from the relatively innocuous F0 (65-85 mph winds) to the much more severe F3 (136-165 mph). This odd pattern of occurrences underscores the need for constant reiteration of safety protocols, even among experienced drivers. “We have a pretty seasoned crew, for the most part,” Mills said. “We do ongoing training on different safety practices whether it’s weather-related, equipment-related, traffic — whatever it may be. “Those are just refreshers, but even our most seasoned drivers sometimes tell me, ‘You know what? I learned something I didn’t know,’” she continued. “We all need refreshers and reminders, because everybody gets complacent or forgetful.” Technology has also come to play a major role in keeping drivers safe while out on the road during stormy weather. “Carriers should be sending information to drivers along the way — sending warnings and instructing people to reroute,” said Jane Jazrawy, co-founder and CEO of Ontario-based CarriersEdge. “You should also give the drivers their own access to weather information or tell them how to find it using traditional methods with a browser,” she said. “Even if you don’t have any fancy technology, (that knowledge is) going to help the driver find out for themselves what’s going on around them.” Technology isn’t the “be-all and end-all” when it comes to driver safety, Jazrawy said. Companies need to have a plan that outlines various scenarios and informs their drivers on what the company expects them to do in these situations. “In order for the driver to be prepared for this kind of thing — especially when they’re not used to it — as a carrier you want to have a plan,” Jazrawy said. “There should be a plan that the carrier communicates to the driver on what they’re expected to do and what parameters they are working with, especially if they haven’t been in the situation before.” For example, Jazrawy said, just knowing the difference between a tornado “watch” and a tornado “warning” can help a driver avert a catastrophic situation. Per the National Weather Service, a tornado watch means conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in and around the “watch” area. A tornado warning, on the other hand, means a developing tornado has been detected by National Weather Service Doppler Radar or has been reported on the ground by reliable sources. The latter bulletin should alert people to take shelter immediately. “Carriers often don’t have plans; they just assume that the driver knows what to do,” Jazrawy said. “Even if it’s something that you think you’ve lived through and you know about, you have to tell people what to expect, what it looks like and what to do.” The same attention should be paid to informing drivers what to do when confronted with these dangerous weather situations. Personal safety should always be stressed over the safety of the equipment, meaning drivers have to know the plan when weather conditions around them deteriorate. “The truck is absolutely NOT the first place of shelter,” Mills said. “Neither is parking under an overpass or going to a ditch. People think if they get out of their vehicle and hit the ditch, ‘I’m safe, I’m in a ditch, I’m low-lying,’ only to be injured by flying debris,” she explained. “It’s not a matter of being sucked up by the tornado; it’s a matter of the debris that’s flying about.” Drivers who find themselves impacted by a tornado warning while on the highway often find it hard to find shelter. “Obviously, we would rather drivers be in an underground shelter of some sort or a safe room, but not all truck stops are equipped with that,” Mills said. “At the very least, if they can get to a rest area, a truck stop, something that has some sort of building structure where they can get to the centermost part away from windows. But basically, get away from the truck.” A good company tornado action plan will also educate drivers about what to do after the storm has passed, from checking in to convey their personal status as well as that of their truck to receiving further bulletins on what to do next. Katie Griffin, director of fleet safety with Leonard’s Express in Farmington, New York, says that after the storm passes and the driver’s well-being has been confirmed, the plan should swing into a different mode to help resume service. “First off, our account management team will relay the information to our customers to let them know that there will be delays. Customers, of course, are understanding,” Griffin said. “The account management team works out the next delivery date and time,” she continued. “Then we coordinate to route other drivers to relay and pick up the trailer to get the delivery made or determine if we’re able to get the driver that was originally on the load to deliver at a different time.” This type of detailed preparedness is one reason Griffin’s team was just announced as the winner of the 2021 Trucking Association Safety Council Fleet Safety Award, presented by the Trucking Association of New York. “We continually convey the message, ‘Driver safety comes first,’” Griffin said. “Drivers communicate with our office about where they’re at, and we can often reroute them to avoid bad situations. If that’s not possible and they’re running into bad weather, they know they are to park it.”

Michigan Legislature votes to halt gas tax; Whitmer opposed

The Associated Press - March 16, 2022

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan lawmakers voted Tuesday to suspend the state’s 27.2-cents-a-gallon gasoline and diesel taxes for six months, finalizing a bill that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signaled she will veto. The Republican-sponsored legislation was approved 24-14 on mostly party lines in the GOP-controlled Senate after the House passed it last week. It would save drivers facing higher pump prices about $725 million by freezing the taxes from April through September. Whitmer, a Democrat, has instead supported halting the federal 18.4-cents-per-gallon gas tax and 24.4-cent diesel tax while calling for negotiations to commence on permanent, targeted state income tax deductions and credits for retirees and lower-wage earners. She will soon veto a separate Republican-backed measure that would cut the state income tax, bolster deductions for seniors and bring back a child tax credit. The statewide average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gas was $4.23, down slightly from a record high last Thursday. It was up from $4.18 a week ago and $3.35 a month ago.

ACT Research: US used truck retail sales prices continue to climb

The Trucker News Staff - March 16, 2022

COLUMBUS, Ind. – Preliminary used Class 8 retail volumes (same dealer sales) grew 20% month-over-month, but were 14% lower compared to February of 2021, according to the latest preliminary release of the State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks published by ACT Research. Other data released in ACT’s preliminary report included month-over-month comparisons for February 2022, which showed that the average retail price rose 8%, as average miles were flat and average age rose 1% compared to January. Compared to February of 2021, the average retail price was 85% higher, with average miles and age greater by 3% and 7%, respectively. ACT’s Classes 3-8 Used Truck Report provides data on the average selling price, miles and age based on a sample of industry data. In addition, the report provides the average selling price for top-selling Class 8 models for each of the major truck OEMs – Freightliner (Daimler); Kenworth and Peterbilt (Paccar); International (Navistar); and Volvo and Mack (Volvo). This report is utilized by those throughout the industry, including commercial vehicle dealers to gain a better understanding of the used truck market, especially as it relates to changes in near-term performance. “Presumably, the bumps in December and January new truck production freed the logjam of trucks headed to the used truck market,” Steve Tam, vice president at ACT Research, said. “As evidence, preliminary same dealer retail sales popped in February, more than the expected seasonal gain. More importantly, it is obvious that demand for used equipment remains robust. Regardless, inventory is still in short supply, so longer-term comparisons continue to be unfavorable.” Tam said preliminary average retail selling price for Class 8 trucks has yet to show any signs of retreat, climbing 8% month-over-month in February. “Near-term growth continues to be overshadowed by longer-term comparisons, where prices were up 85% year-over-year and 85% year-to-date,” Tam said. “It is also worth noting that the higher prices are shrugging off the fact that, collectively, used trucks are older and have more miles on them for just about every time period comparison. The presumption is that fleets have been forced to hold onto their trucks longer than normal as they await delivery of the supply-chain constraint delayed new units.”

Suspect in truck driver’s slaying arrested after multi-state investigation

The Trucker News Staff - March 16, 2022

WHITE COUNTY, Ind. – A Florida man is behind bars after his arrest in connection to the murder of a truck driver in Indiana. Miguel Ibarguren, 44, of Miami, Florida, is accused of killing Aristide Garcia, 63, of Los Angeles, whose body was found by crews cleaning Interstate 65 near the 187.5-mile marker near Monticello, Indiana. First responders said that Garcia’s body was found in a ditch on the east side of I-65. Garcia was pronounced deceased at the scene by the White County Coroner. Indiana State Police detectives and crime scene investigators responded to the scene to investigate. On March 10, the White County Coroner ruled that Garcia’s manner of death was a homicide. After the White County Coroner identified Garcia, detectives discovered that he was reported missing by his employer in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, after the semi-truck he was driving was located. During the investigation, Detectives worked to develop probable cause to arrest Ibarguren. It is believed that Ibarguren was Garcia’s co-driver for a national trucking company. White County Judge issued a warrant for Ibarguren’s arrest on March 13. Detectives found Ibarguren in Arlington, Texas, on March 15 where he was safely taken into custody with the assistance of the Arlington Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Ibarguren is currently being held in jail in Arlington and awaits extradition. Ibarguren is facing murder charges in the death of Garcia.

Industry leaders endorse White House plan to improve supply chain

The Trucker News Staff - March 16, 2022

WASHINGTON — The Biden-Harris administration and U.S. Department of Transportation announced this week the launch of a major supply chain initiative, Freight Logistics Optimization Works (FLOW), to help speed up delivery times and reduce consumer costs. FLOW is an information sharing initiative to pilot key freight information exchange between parts of the goods movement supply chain. It includes eighteen initial participants that represent diverse perspectives across the supply chain, including private businesses, trucking, warehousing, and logistics companies, ports, and more — with the hope and expectation to include more partners going forward. These key stakeholders will work together with the Administration to develop an information exchange to ease supply chain congestion, speed up the movement of goods, and ultimately cut costs for Americans. FLOW builds on the Biden administration’s continued efforts to address supply chain challenges in both the short term and the long term. Here’s what industry leaders across the supply chain are saying about this initiative: True Value “We are honored to be recognized as a leader in supply chain management and asked to serve on this White House task force. These have been exceptional times, and I’m very proud of the innovative solutions our entire operations, merchandising and inventory teams employed to get products to our retailers as quickly as possible.” – Chris Kempa, CEO of True Value Company Port of Los Angeles “We look forward to helping drive this important initiative forward. This nationwide supply chain data visibility effort will support system resiliency, improve our trade competitiveness and empower American businesses to get products to market with greater consistency and reduced cost.” – Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka FedEx “Data is critical to all participants in the supply chain, and in the ocean environment, there is tremendous opportunity to achieve better optimization of current data by making more effective use of it from origin to delivery point. FedEx supports the administration’s efforts to bring stakeholders together to begin the conversation in FLOW.” – Udo Lange, President and CEO of Fedex Logistics Target “As part of our commitment to helping find solutions to the challenges facing the U.S. supply chain, Target is pleased to work with White House officials, the U.S. Department of Transportation and industry leaders to increase data transparency to move goods more efficiently and continue to meet the needs of American families and the U.S. economy.” – Scott Fremont, Target’s Vice President of Transportation Land O’Lakes “As a farmer owned cooperative, spanning the entire agricultural supply chain, optimization, innovation, and visibility are key components of a healthy and resilient agricultural industry. Land O’Lakes looks forward to partnering with the U.S. Department of Transportation to develop solutions to improve the supply chain ecosystem.” – Yone Dewberry, Land O’Lakes SVP & Chief Supply Chain Officer Direct Chassis Link Inc “As the largest intermodal chassis provider in the United States, DCLI works closely with partners across the supply chain. We look forward to supporting the Biden Administration’s Freight Logistics Optimization Works (FLOW) initiative and its efforts to improve data sharing in ways that enhance the movement of cargo through our nation’s ports.” – Bill Shea, DCLI CEO Port of Long Beach “Developing common data standards to facilitate freight movement is an important part of truly bringing our industry into the 21st century. The Biden-Harris Administration is playing an important role in clearing obstacles for much needed coordination across the supply chain to make goods movement more efficient.” – Mario Cordero, Port of Long Beach Executive Director Flexivan “Any initiative aimed at increasing the level of transparency, generating more standardized and timely shipment/volume data holds the promise of enabling all players across the supply chain to effect improvements in demand planning that will positively impact the efficient flow of goods moving into and out of the U.S. As a service provider, more consistent, timely and accurate forecast of market demand at a detailed level is critical to asset planning particularly during times of supply chain stress.” – Ronald D Widdows, Flexivan CEO CH Robinson “C.H. Robinson is supportive of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s efforts to establish voluntary data sharing standards and best practices that will improve the overall velocity of freight in the U.S. freight transportation system. With approximately 2 billion annual digital transactions with shippers and transportation providers, C.H. Robinson’s scale and data information advantage will be an asset to the Freight Logistics Optimization Works (FLOW) project, and we look forward to collaborating with the other participants.” – Bob Biesterfeld, CEO, C.H. Robinson Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) “Greater transparency — knowing where a vessel or a container is at every stage of transit — would provide the predictability cargo owners and logistics providers need to optimize the use of resources. Through better communication, aspects of the supply chain such as timing on production, staffing, trucks and chassis, and warehouse space can be fine-tuned for greater efficiency and velocity.” – Griff Lynch, GPA Executive Director Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) “We are pleased to join and support the FLOW initiative led by the US Department of Transportation as we strongly believe that a common and interoperable digital infrastructure throughout the container shipping industry is a critical step to make supply chains more efficient, secure and resilient. Collaborating with governments and other key industry stakeholders is of paramount importance to MSC and there is no doubt that this initiative will strengthen the foundation for the seamless, end-to-end exchange of information we all need to keep global trade moving today – and tomorrow.” – André Simha, Chief Digital & Information Officer at MSC Gemini Shippers Association/ Fashion Accessories Shippers Association “Peter Drucker famously said, “If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it”. For many small and medium American exporters and importers, the dearth of clear, real time, and accurate supply chain data hinders their ability to cope with and manage the supply chain shocks being experienced in North America today. A robust and holistic supply chain data infrastructure would help all companies, and especially small and medium enterprises, optimize and manage their supply chain operations.” – Kenneth O’Brien, President / CEO of Gemini Shippers Association/ Fashion Accessories Shippers Association Prologis “Considering that the flow of goods through Prologis buildings represents 2.5% of global GDP, we play a unique role in the global supply chain. We are pleased to be part of this effort to use data to improve the systems that support the movement of goods in this nation. We’re hopeful this public-private effort will help create a stronger, more resilient supply chain.” – Gary Anderson, Chief Operating Officer of Prologis Industry Leaders Supply Chain Optimization and Resilience (SCORe) Coalition “Our current suboptimal data infrastructure and lack of appropriate data sharing undermines the competitiveness of the US supply chain and US national security. The SCOre Coalition applauds the Administration for taking steps to address this urgent issue by endorsing the concept of a national freight data portal and agreeing to work closely with the private sector to bring it to fruition. By enabling greater collaboration, real time visibility, and ability to plan for supply chain actors, a portal would enhance the efficiency, agility, and resilience of the US supply chain and make the US less vulnerable to supply chain disruptions.” – Jeff Weiss, chief counsel to the Supply Chain Optimization and Resilience (SCORe) Coalition Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) “There are currently limited pathways for digitalised data to travel freely across the end-to-end-supply chain. As a result, ‘blind spots’ exist along the shipment journey, making supply chains less predictable, and hence, less reliable. Having an interoperable digital infrastructure will help eliminate blind spots by increasing the availability and reliability of data. DCSA and its members are committed to contributing to the Department of Transportation initiative to create a standards-based, interoperable digital infrastructure.” – Thomas Bagge, CEO, DCSA

Report: U.S. Senate passes bill that would make Daylight Savings Time permanent

The Trucker News Staff - March 15, 2022

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate passed a measure Tuesday that would make Daylight Savings Time permanent across the U.S. The next step is approval by the U.S. House of Representatives. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Florida) will be leading a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi calling for immediate House passage of his bill, dubbed the “Sunshine Protection Act.” “If the legislation clears the House and is signed into law by President Biden, it will mean Americans will no longer have to change their clocks twice a year,” according to Axios. The Sunshine Protection Act is a bi-partisan bill co-sponsored by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida). It breezed by the Senate with unanimous consent. If approved by President Biden, Daylight Savings time will become permanent in 2023. Axios reported that health groups have called for ending the seasonal shifting of clocks. Health experts told the House during a hearing last week that sleep deprivation and health problems as negative effects associated with changing clocks. The last time Congress made Daylight Savings Time permanent was in the 1970s and that decision was reversed less than a year later after the early morning darkness proved dangerous for school children and public sentiment changed.

Oil prices drop as nation waits for fuel prices to follow

The Associated Press - March 15, 2022

NEW YORK — Oil prices tumbled more than 6% Tuesday, taking some pressure off the world’s high inflation, and a barrel of U.S. crude fell below $97 after starting the week above $109. But when will relief come at the pump? With diesel fuel averaging more than $5 per gallon and gasoline at more than $4.30 per gallon on average, prices at the pump are crimping budgets across the nation. If oil prices stay at this level, there could be more meaningful relief on the way at the pump, perhaps as much as 20 cents a gallon, predicted Tom Kloza, global head of energy analysis at the Oil Price Information Analysis, which tracks gasoline prices for AAA. But it’s not surprising the drop in gasoline prices has trailed the drop in oil prices. “(Fuel) prices can go up like a rocket and come down like a feather,” said Kloza. Carl Hummel, owner and president of HOC Transport Co. in Akron, told the Akron, Ohio, Beacon Journal this week that his midsize company of about 75 trucks anticipated a major price increase and took what steps it could to lessen the impact. “We bought two loads ahead,” he said in a phone interview Tuesday. “We bought extra fuel because we knew the price was going up.” That will provide temporary relief, he said, but the long-term effect of higher diesel prices will be an ongoing burden for his company and the transportation industry as a whole. Fuel costs are just the latest roadblock for trucking companies, with driver shortages and extensive regulation a constant challenge. Kulwant Singh, owner and president of Parhar Trucking in Akron, said in a phone interview Tuesday with the Beacon Journal that smaller companies like his are reeling from the rapid diesel price increases. Singh’s company owns five trucks, delivering dry goods and produce from Florida, but is struggling with fuel costs. “It’s crazy right now — it’s killing the freight industry,” he said. “It has been really hard on the transportation industry.” Renewed COVID-19 worries come on top of a lengthy list of concerns for markets, which have caused wild hour-to-hour swings in recent weeks. The war in Ukraine catapulted prices for oil, wheat and other commodities the region produces. That’s raising the threat that already high inflation will persist and combine with a potentially stagnating economy. Central banks around the world, meanwhile, are preparing to pull the plug on the support they poured into the global economy after the pandemic struck. The Federal Reserve is beginning a two-day meeting on interest rates, and the wide expectation is that it will announce on Wednesday an increase of 0.25 percentage points to its key short-term rate. That would be the first increase since 2018, pulling it off its record low of nearly zero, and likely the first in a series of rate hikes. The Fed is trying to slow the economy enough to tamp down the high inflation sweeping the country, but not so much as to trigger a recession. Inflation is already at its highest level in generations, and the most recent numbers don’t even include the surge in oil prices that occurred after Russia invaded Ukraine. Data released Tuesday showed inflation was still very high at the wholesale level last month, but at least it wasn’t accelerating. Producer prices were 10% higher in February from a year earlier, the same rate as in January. On a month-to-month basis, inflation rose 0.8% in February from January, versus forecasts for 0.9%. That’s a slowdown from January’s 1.2% month-over-month inflation. So the numbers are still very high and will keep the Fed on track to raise rates on Wednesday, economists said, but at least they weren’t worse than expected. A separate survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York showed that manufacturing in the state declined for the first time since early in the pandemic. A weakening economy could make the Federal Reserve less aggressive about raising rates. Treasury yields dipped immediately after the reports. The yield on the 10-year Treasury was holding at 2.14%, unchanged from late Monday. The two-year yield, which moves more on expectations for Fed policy changes, fell to 1.84% from 1.87%. Also helping to pull down yields were the tumbling oil prices. A barrel of U.S. crude dropped 6% to $96.84. It had briefly topped $130 last week when worries about disruptions to supplies because of the war in Ukraine were at their height. Brent crude, the international standard, fell 6.5% to $99.90 per barrel. A reprieve on fuel prices helped a wide variety of stocks, and the majority of companies in the S&P 500 were rising. Airlines led the way after several raised their forecasts for revenue this quarter. American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines all soared 7% or more. Tech and other high-growth stocks also recovered some of their earlier losses as Treasury yields fell. Higher interest rates can hurt such stocks more than others because they’re seen as more expensive relative to their earnings. In overseas stock markets, European indexes were down modestly. Stocks in Shanghai slumped 5% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng lost 5.7% despite the release of data showing strong increases in Chinese retail sales, industrial production and investment in January-February. It followed a decision by China’s central bank not to ease interest rates to spur economic growth. Shares in Hong Kong have sunk to near six-year lows after the neighboring city of Shenzhen was ordered into a shutdown to combat China’s worst COVID-19 outbreak in two years. “Fears continue to dog stock markets that lockdowns could spread, which would severely impact China’s growth,” Jeffrey Halley of Oanda said in a commentary. In other developments, the London Metal Exchange said trading in nickel will resume Wednesday, just over a week after it was suspended when the price of the metal skyrocketed to over $100,000 per ton. The announcement followed a notice from Tsingshan Holding Group, a Chinese metals giant, that it had struck a deal with its creditors on a “standstill arrangement” such that the banks would not make margin calls or close out their positions against the company while it is resolving its nickel margin and settlement requirements. Russia is the world’s No. 3 producer of nickel. Its price and that of many other commodities has surged on speculation over possible disruptions to supplies as Russia contends with widening economic sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine. The Trucker Staff contributed to this report.

Preliminary U.S. trailer orders steady for third consecutive month

The Trucker News Staff - March 15, 2022

COLUMBUS, Ind. – The order pace for U.S. trailers that closed 2021 and opened 2022 continued for the third straight month in February. Preliminary estimates point to OEMs booking 26.5k net orders for the month, down 0.7% sequentially but 3.9% better than the same month last year. Final February results will be available later this month. This preliminary market estimate should be within +/- 3% of the final order tally. ACT Research’s State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers report provides a monthly review of the current US trailer market statistics, as well as trailer OEM build plans and market indicators divided by all major trailer types, including backlogs, build, inventory, new orders, cancellations, net orders, and factory shipments. It is accompanied by a database that gives historical information from 1996 to the present, as well as a ready-to-use graph packet, to allow organizations in the trailer production supply chain, and those following the investment value of trailers, trailer OEMs, and suppliers to better understand the market,” Frank Maly, director of commercial vehicle transportation analysis and research of ACT Research, said. “The careful order management efforts underway at OEMs were confirmed by the pace of February order acceptance. Net orders have averaged 26.6k trailers per month since November, and February’s 26.5k volume tracks to that trajectory. Supply-chain and staffing headwinds continue to challenge OEMs in their efforts to increase output to meet extremely strong fleet equipment demands. Initial projections indicate that the supply chain has allowed OEMs to build at a hard-fought consistent rate over the last three to four months. Expect this to continue in the short-term, as the supply chain begins to adjust to underlying demand.”

Pilot Company guests raise $1.7M for American Heart Association

The Trucker News Staff - March 15, 2022

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Pilot Company and its guests and team members from across the country rallied together to raise $1,773,232 for the American Heart Association’s “Life Is WhyTM” campaign. The campaign this February had the largest donation amount in the company’s 6-year history of supporting the American Heart Association and brought the grand total raised to over $6.8 million. “What an incredible turnout we had from guests and team members donating at our stores during American Heart Month,” Brian Ferguson, chief merchant at Pilot Company, said. “On behalf of our entire team, thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this the best year yet. It’s an honor to continue supporting great organizations like the American Heart Association.” This year’s fundraising initiatives included the sale of paper hearts for $1, $3 or $5, round-up purchases to the next dollar, online donations via its website and heart-themed eGift Cards at the more than 650 participating travel centers. The company also featured exclusive offers in the myRewards PlusTM app on healthier food and beverage items. Giving back to its local communities has been a core value of Pilot Company since its first store that opened in 1958. To learn more about the company’s giving back programs, visit http://www.pilotcompany.com/about.

Stevens Transport settles EEOC disability discrimination suit

The Trucker News Staff - March 15, 2022

DALLAS – Stevens Transport, the largest refrigerated trucking company in Texas, will pay $75,000 and furnish other relief to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced Monday. According to the EEOC’s lawsuit, an applicant applied to work for Stevens Transport in the Mesquite, Texas facility in August 2019. He was contacted by a recruiter and brought in for interview. During his interview, the applicant was asked whether a gap in his employment reflected on his resume was related to a medical reason. The applicant disclosed that he had been diagnosed with hypertension for which he was required to use some medical leave while working at a previous job. The EEOC’s suit alleged that the recruiter later told the applicant that he would not be hired by Stevens Transport because he utilized medical leave with his prior employer. The EEOC alleged that Stevens Transport’s conduct violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, which protects employees from discrimination based on their disabilities and limits an employer’s ability to make disability-related inquiries. The EEOC filed suit, Civil Action No. 3:21-CV-2272, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division, after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process. The three-year consent decree settling the suit, entered by U.S. District Judge Sidney A. Fitzwater on March 14 prohibits future discrimination and, in addition to the monetary relief, requires Stevens Transport to provide annual training to employees in its corporate recruiting department. The training will cover the requirements and prohibitions of the ADA, as well as Stevens Transport’s procedure for reporting discrimination complaints. The training will include a specific discussion about legality of disability-related questions at each stage of the hiring process, including that an applicant may not be asked about their use of medical leave during the recruitment and interview process. “Employers may not ask job applicants questions about prior medical leave or health conditions before a job offer is made,” Alexa Lang, trial attorney in the EEOC’s Dallas District Office, said. “The mere fact that someone may have used medical leave when with a prior employer is not an appropriate criterion to use in determining whether to interview or hire an applicant for a position.” “Job seekers should not have to fear that disclosing a past medical condition will cost them a job opportunity when they are otherwise considered good candidates for hire.” Robert Canino, regional attorney for the Dallas District Office, said. “Preventing pre-offer screening from the workplace based on mere suppositions and generalizations about an individual’s medical history is at the heart of the ADA.”

Overnight ramp closures scheduled on I-290 near Tri-State Tollway

Joseph Price - March 14, 2022

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. – Work is scheduled to begin Monday night on the reconstruction of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) bridge over Lake Street/North Avenue. The work will require up to two weeks of nightly closures of the ramp connecting westbound I-290 to eastbound Lake Street/ North Avenue and lane closures on eastbound Lake Street. No detours will be posted. The temporary nightly closures are necessary to accommodate the installation of temporary pavement to create a work zone for removal of the old bridge over southbound I-294. Up-to-date information regarding lane closures will be available in the Illinois Tollway’s Daily Construction Alert. All work is weather dependent. Beginning Monday, the ramp connecting westbound I-290 to eastbound Lake Street/ North Avenue will close nightly at 8 p.m. No detour will be posted. In addition, one lane on eastbound Lake Street is also scheduled to close. The ramp and lane are scheduled to reopen by 5 a.m. each following morning. Similar closures will be needed nightly for up to two weeks to construct the temporary pavement and establish a work zone. Construction in this area is being coordinated with the Illinois Department of Transportation, Cook County, City of Elmhurst and City of Northlake, DuPage County as well as local fire and police departments. Construction updates, project information and maps for work that is part of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project are available in the Projects section on the Tollway’s website at www.illinoistollway.com. The $4 billion Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project is reconstructing and widening the roadway between Balmoral Avenue and 95th Street to provide congestion relief, update old infrastructure to meet current and future transportation demand and address regional needs. This work is part of the Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future. More than 220,000 vehicles use the Central Tri-State Tollway daily.

Truck convoy protesters snarling D.C. traffic, traveling closer to city’s center

The Trucker News Staff - March 14, 2022

WASHINGTON – The truck convoy protesters that traveled to the nation’s capital in recent weeks are, for the first time since arriving, causing major traffic backups across Washington, D.C., according to city officials. Alert DC on Monday afternoon sent out information saying that “due to ongoing demonstration activity on I-395, I-695 and I-295, motorists should expect significant traffic delays in reaching your destination.” “If possible, you should consider delaying travel on these routes or use alternative transportation such as Metrorail,” city officials said. “The Metropolitan Police Department has closed a number of streets and highway exits in order to keep traffic moving safely through the area. These rolling road closures are occurring in real-time as they are needed, and will be lifted as soon as they are no longer necessary.” The group, known as the People’s Convoy, has been in nearby Hagerstown, Maryland, since March 4. In a meeting with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, last week, the truckers said they wouldn’t leave until their demands to end COVID-19-related restrictions were met. “Thank you to The People’s Convoy for speaking out for freedom!” Cruz tweeted. “Petty government tyrants shouldn’t force people to make private health care decisions.” A truck driver under the YouTube account name of ZOT said Monday that “I believe we’re making a good statement today. We’re right in the swamp now and creating a horrible mess down here.” “Today we’re getting right next to their walls,” said Mike Landis, a People’s Convoy co-organizer. “We’re not going to go in and throat-punch them just yet, even though I know we would all love to do that.”

Police forced to shoot several injured cows after truck wreck

The Trucker News Staff - March 14, 2022

WILSONVILLE, Ore. – More than two dozen cows roamed loose on Interstate 5 in Oregon Sunday after the big rig trailer they were riding in tipped over, along with the tractor. According to the Oregon State Police (OSP), around 25 cows had to be rounded up and loaded onto an undamaged trailer for safe transport. However, several of the cows were so badly injured that they had to be shot on site, according to the OSP. Police have not said what caused the accident. The truck driver was not injured.

Police: Thieves use trap door in minivan to steal diesel fuel

The Trucker News Staff - March 14, 2022

HOUSTON — Houston police say suspects in a minivan used a trap door in its floorboard to steal hundreds of gallons of diesel fuel recently. Jerry Thayil, who manages Fuqua Express gas station on Houston’s southwest side, told Houston NBC station KPRC that he first noticed something was wrong while doing inventory checks. A check on the store’s security cameras showed a dark-colored minivan parking over the store’s fuel storage tanks on multiple occasions, the report said. “At first we were like, ‘I wonder what he’s doing there,’ because we didn’t see anyone get out of the vehicle. But then, we realized there’s probably a trap door inside the vehicle and he’s pumping like that,” Thayil told KPRC. Thayil said the family-owned business was hit three times for about 350 gallons of diesel per day. On the fourth attempt, Thayil tried to chase down the driver, who sped away.

8-vehicle collision kills 1 on Idaho’s I-84

The Trucker News Staff - March 14, 2022

ELMORE, COUNTY, Idaho — A Minnesota man is dead after a collision involving eight vehicles on Interstate 84 in Elmore County, Idaho, on Sunday. Investigating Idaho Troopers say the collision was reported at 3:44 p.m. on westbound I-84 near milepost 93 in Mountain Home. The crash involved three semis, two pickup trucks both pulling trailers, two small passenger cars and a utility truck. A 57-year-old man from Bena, Minnesota, who was a passenger in the same pickup, was deceased on scene. He was wearing a seat belt. Three drivers — from a semi, a pickup and a passenger car — were transported to local hospitals. Two have been treated and released. The driver of the pickup remains hospitalized. Lanes on Interstate 84 westbound were blocked for several hours. Traffic was diverted at milepost 99 to milepost 90. Traffic lanes on I-84 began re-opening at approximately 7:15 p.m. Reports say the interstate was snow-covered when the crash occurred. This incident remains under investigation by the Idaho State Police.

Little girl’s words defending truck drivers make big splash at truck stop, online

The Trucker News Staff - March 14, 2022

LANESVILLE, Ind. – What was supposed to be a routine lunchtime stop for truck driver Kevin Swisher and his young daughter Letty on March 3 has turned into an Internet sensation among the trucking community. As usual, Letty was “all over the CB and giving the Trucker Salute (a nice big honk) to as many drivers as she possibly could,” Swisher wrote on a now-viral Facebook post. After he parked his rig, known as “Little Swish,” and went inside the truck stop with Letty for a bite, he heard “a woman (who) was doing nothing but complain about big rigs and how they’re always in the way and messing things up in the economy as well as the road.” Swisher wrote that he and other truck drivers standing in line for food “were struggling to keep our mouths shut.” Just then, Letty chimed in, telling the woman that “Truckers like my dad save the world one truck load at a time, if you don’t like them, you should put back what you have because this is a truck stop and everything, like what you have in your hand and on the counter came here on a semi.” Swisher wrote that the woman left the truck stop empty handed, and Letty received a rousing ovation for her speech defending truckers. “As we made our way out the door after getting our lunch, a driver came up handing her this big bag of candy thanking her for her support and standing up for truckers,” Swisher wrote on his Facebook post. “Once back in the truck we turned up the CB and the radio was nothing but drivers talking about how this little girl stood up for what she believed in, defending those who sacrifice so much for others to keep the world moving.” Swisher’s original post has been shared dozens of times online and has thousands of Facebook likes. Swisher told The Trucker that “Letty is ecstatic knowing her story has made the impact that it has.”

Buttigieg visits with trucker, tours her rig

The Trucker News Staff - March 14, 2022

WASHINGTON — U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg posted video of a recent visit with a truck driver to his Twitter account. He toured the rig and asked questions about the life of the driver, who was only identified as “Lola.” This tour comes on the heels of Buttigieg pledging to help truck divers with an issue that has plagued the industry for decades: A lack of safe parking. Buttigieg acknowledged last week during a hearing of the Environment and Public Works Senate Committee that a lack of safe truck parking is a serious issue that must be addressed. “If you talk with any truck driver, it’s not only an issue of convenience, it’s an issue of safety,” Buttigieg said. “And, I might add, with the idling that goes on, it’s even an issue of emissions.” View the video of Buttigieg and Lola below. Had the chance to tour and ride with Lola, one of the many truck drivers getting essential goods to every community across the country. pic.twitter.com/KX6hwiBIZw — Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) March 9, 2022

Federal Highway Administration aims to make America’s roadways safer with new plan

The Trucker News Staff - March 14, 2022

WASHINGTON – The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has released a report to Congress detailing the agency’s plan to make America’s roadways safer and more accessible for all vehicles — from the tiniest Fiat to the largest big rigs. The report identifies five overarching opportunity areas that will inform FHWA as it moves ahead with its efforts to increase the proportion of federally funded transportation projects that are routinely planned, designed, built and operated. The project is dubbed “Complete Streets.” In FHWA’s Report to Congress, titled “Moving to a Complete Streets Design Model: A Report to Congress on Opportunities and Challenges,” FHWA adopts Complete Streets as its default approach for funding and designing the majority of federally funded roadways in the US. Almost 70 percent of roads on the National Highway System are not access-controlled freeways, and these roads serve a wide variety of road users and purposes. These roadways, which include most arterials in urban areas and many small-town main streets, are the focus of FHWA’s Complete Streets initiative. “A Complete Street is safe, and feels safe, for everyone using the street,” said Deputy Federal Highway Administrator Stephanie Pollack. “We can’t keep people safe on our roads if we don’t have safer roads and roads that slow down drivers to safe speeds. Through our Complete Streets initiative, FHWA will play a leadership role in providing an equitable and safe transportation network for travelers of all ages and abilities, including vulnerable road users and those from underserved communities that have faced historic disinvestment.” FHWA has committed to addressing our country’s crisis in roadway fatalities, including the recent increases among motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, by focusing on the design, construction, and operation of safe roads and on countermeasures that encourage safe speeds. The Complete Streets design model embodies both elements, making it a key component of FHWA’s implementation of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Roadway Safety Strategy. The National Roadway Safety Strategy is a Departmental roadmap to address the national crisis in traffic fatalities and serious injuries and adopts the Safe System Approach that holistically addresses safety through multiple layers of protection. One goal of FHWA’s Complete Streets initiative is to increase the proportion of transportation projects that states and other federal-aid highway funding recipients routinely plan, design, build, and operate that are safe and accessible for all users. As the Report to Congress documents, FHWA has begun assessing and revising its own policies, regulations, processes, and practices to make it easier for state and local agencies to advance and build Complete Streets. FHWA’s Complete Streets initiative will address five overarching opportunity areas: Improve data collection and analysis to advance safety for all users; Support rigorous safety assessment during project development and design to help prioritize safety outcomes across all project types; Accelerate adoption of standards and guidance that promote safety and accessibility for all users and support innovation in design; Reinforce the primacy of safety for all users in the interpretation of design standards, guidelines, and project review processes; and, Make Complete Streets FHWA’s default approach for funding and designing non-access-controlled roadways. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law defines Complete Streets standards or policies as those which “ensure the safe and adequate accommodation of all users of the transportation system, including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation users, children, older individuals, individuals with disabilities, motorists, and freight vehicles.” The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides new tools and resources that allow states and local governments to build Complete Streets. This includes a requirement that states and metropolitan planning organizations use at least 2.5 percent of their planning funding on activities related to Complete Streets or travel on foot, by bike, in a vehicle or using public transit. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law also continues to provide funding for Complete Streets activities through Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grants and the National Highway Performance Program. Surface Transportation Block Grant Program funds can also be used for Complete Streets implementation. FHWA recently released guidance for the Highway Safety Improvement Program, which can be used for Complete Streets projects and which received an additional $4 billion in funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law also created a new $6 billion Safe Streets and Roads for All competitive grant program for local governments, details of which will be announced in the coming months. FHWA’s Report to Congress, titled “Moving to a Complete Streets Design Model: A Report to Congress on Opportunities and Challenges,” is FHWA’s response to a report accompanying the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill of 2021 which stated that FHWA should review its current policies, rules, and procedures to determine their impact on safety for road users. Information on FHWA’s Complete Streets efforts and initiatives can be found by clicking here.