Infrastructure Plan: Here’s Hoping Action Will Speak Louder than Words

Secretary Chao addressing attendees of AASHTO meeting in Washington on Feb. 28. Photo: via Twitter @USDOT 

When it comes to the glacially swift rollout of President Trump's infrastructure plan (now under way for well over a year), it can be perhaps be said, to paraphrase Winston Churchill broadly, that never before has so little been said to so many about so much.

Case in point is the latest policy speech given by Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, who is charged with selling the $1.5 trillion invest-and-incentivize plan on Capitol Hill.

Chao, who has teased parts of the plan and hinted at other aspects of it in various speeches she has made over the course of the past year, threw a fresh tidbit out on Feb. 28.

Addressing attendees of an American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials meeting in Washington, DC as the keynote speaker, she advised that a new White House publication was due out soon that promises to dish out “background on the plan.” And yes, that wording screamed “vague” to me as well.

Chao described the administration overall plan as a “comprehensive infrastructure proposal… it is broad, ambitious, and has ignited a necessary debate throughout the nation and in the Congress on infrastructure priorities and processes.”

We've all heard that before. But the DOT Secretary did make a point that those who don't live and breathe policy might need to hear. Pointing out that the Trump plan is “a 10-year investment to modernize our country's infrastructure assets,” Chao pointed out that it is “comprehensive and separate from a reauthorization package” that typically covers a shorter timeframe.

Chao also reiterated that Trump's overarching goal is to “stimulate at least $1.5 trillion in infrastructure investment, which includes a minimum of $200 billion in direct ...Read the rest of this story

Daimler Pumping R&D into Electric Trucks, Connectivity, Autonomous Trucks

Daimler Trucks has a 'Baby 8' eActros electric truck in fleet testing in Europe; is an e-Cascadia next? Photo: Mercedes-Benz

Daimler Trucks is not taking disruption sitting down. Last week the Germany-based company announced that it's investing 2.6 billion euros ($3.2 billion) in research and development at its trucks division by 2019, as it gets ready to produce electric heavy-duty commercial vehicles starting in 2021, along with continuing work on connectivity and autonomous driving technologies.

Daimler is placing Mercedes-Benz eActros emissions-free electric trucks with some customers so they can test them in real-world conditions, with real drivers and real freight. If all goes well, the electric truck could go into full production starting in 2021.

And last year Daimler subsidiary Mitsubishi Fuso brought its electric eCanter medium-duty cabover to the U.S., where UPS is among the fleets evaluating it in real-world operations.

The eActros may technically be heavy-duty, it's more of what we call a Baby 8 in this country, noted Roger Nielsen, Daimler Trucks North America President and CEO, in a conference call with trucking reporters this week. At the same time, however, he hinted that we will see an announcement in the coming months regarding electric heavy-duty trucks in North America. It's not the first time he's hinted at this, telling reporters last fall during the ATA Management Conference & Exhibition that he's love to see an e-Cascadia.

During the recent conference call, Nielsen noted “Driving future technology” as one of his six goals for 2018, along with leveraging the global resources and “cutting-edge technology” of DTNA's global parent.

“Our customers are all interested in future technology,” he said. “ We want to put future technology out there that makes sense for our customers. They don't want new technology for the sake of technology – they want new ...Read the rest of this story

2 massage therapists accuse Steve Wynn of sexual misconduct

Two massage therapists have claimed in new lawsuits that casino mogul Steve Wynn used his power to coerce them into sexual acts, making them the latest women to accuse the billionaire of sexual misconduct. ...

Vionic 5X7 LED Headlight Made for Durability

Maxxima has introduced the Vionic 5X7 Integrated Dual-Beam LED headlight, a rugged light designed for exceptional low- and high-beam illumination in commercial vehicles and industrial applications.

The Vionic 5X7 Integrated Dual-Beam light can be used as a direct replacement for OEM halogen lamps. Its five LEDs produce bright, white light with good road coverage, and the lightweight, low-profile design and polycarbonate lens with Maxx-Shield coating provide increased durability and easy fitment.

Other features include:

• FMVSS-108 and CMVSS-108 compliant
• 12/24 VDC
• Standard OEM 3-blade connector
• Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.6 x 3.7 inches
• Weight: 2.1 lbs.
• 5-year warranty

Maxxima's Vionic 5X7 Integrated Combo DRL/Dual-Beam LED headlights are available now through Maxxima's network of aftermarket distributors in the United States and Canada.

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Analysis: Could History Repeat Itself With Truck Capacity?

If you've ever taken a close look at any prospectus for an investment, you've seen the phrase cautioning, “past performance is no guarantee of future results.” That's not bad advice any time you spend a large sum of money. And it's also wise to remember the old phrase, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

Will increasing freight demand and truck sales lead to an excess of truck capacity in the near future? Source: DAT

The recent booming truck sales bring to mind a past we'd just as soon not repeat. When you look back just four years ago to 2014, a lot of heavy-trucks were sold. At the time, it was the best year since a record finish in 2006. Freight demand in 2014 had suddenly increased, and everyone was trying to move more cargo, as indicated in the amount of shipments as well as freight spending.

But when 2015 rolled around, things weren't as rosy.

There was excess truck capacity in the marketplace, not just because there was less cargo to move, but also because fleets had more trucks. The result? Trucks not moving to their full potential, or even sitting on the fence, while freight rates dropped.

What's interesting is that when you look at how the economy was performing during that time, it was always expanding, but at times the rate of expansion was less strong than at other times. When the gross domestic product was in a higher gear, which meant more goods were being shipped by truck, the freight markets either led the way or followed. When the GDP was lower, trucking followed the same pattern.

As 2017 moved forward, things once again improved in terms in the amount of freight, rates and the overall economy. Truck sales started booming again, and the economy turned ...Read the rest of this story

Trump says U.S. to impose hefty tariffs on steel, aluminum imports

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday he would impose tariffs of 25 percent on imported steel and 10 percent on aluminum, in a move the administration said would protect U.S. industry, but which critics said would fail to boost jobs and risked stoking a trade war with China. Trump, speaking after a meeting with U.S. steel and aluminum makers said the duties would be formally announced next week. “We're going to build our steel industry back and our aluminum industry back," he said.

SelecTrucks Launches Roadside Select

SelecTrucks has launched a new heavy-duty emergency roadside assistance program, Roadside Select. This program is powered by Roadside Masters, North America's largest 24/7 roadside assistance program for commercial vehicles, currently serving thousands of owner-operators and fleets. Roadside Masters is widely trusted among owner-operators for their quick response times, coast to coast support and top-notch customer service.

With response times under an hour, Roadside Select enables owner-operators and drivers to get back on the road as quickly as possible. Roadside Select accommodates drivers who speak different languages via multilingual call centers. Roadside Select is available for all used semi-trucks purchased at any one of the 24 SelecTrucks centers across North America.

Every used truck customer is unique, and SelecTrucks is proud to offer this program to provide peace of mind, no matter where their route takes them.

“Roadside Select is a helpful tool to protect our customers in the unfortunate event of an emergency,” said Bryan Howard, director of sales and distribution. “It is just one more way that we at SelecTrucks are looking out for our customers' best interests.”

The services provided to Roadside Select members include:

• Best-in-class towing: Your truck and trailer will be towed together for up to 50 miles, the greatest distance offered nationwide.
• Mobile mechanic: If your truck can be fixed roadside, a mechanic will be brought to you in lieu of towing.
• Flat tire assistance, tire replacement, and tire repair
• Delivery service: fuel, oil, fluids and replacement parts
• Jump starts and pull starts
• Lock-out and replacement key services

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