Author: Vitaliy Dadalyan

Get Ready for Brake Safety Day on Sept. 7

<img width="150" src="http://www.automotive-fleet.com/fc_images/news/m-brake-inspection-guy-j-j-keller-1.jpg" border="0" alt="

Photo: J.J. Keller & Associates

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Photo: J.J. Keller & Associates

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The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's Brake Safety Day is set to take place on Thursday, Sept. 7 across North America.

Law enforcement agencies will conduct inspections on large trucks and buses to identify out-of-adjustment brakes and brake system and anti-lock braking system violations, as part of CVSA's Operation Airbrake Program.

This year's Sept. 7 Brake Safety Day follows up on CVSA's May 3 unannounced Brake Safety Day and replaces the seven-day Brake Safety Week campaign from previous years.

The goal of Brake Safety Day is to reduce the number of accidents caused by poorly maintained brakes on commercial vehicles by conducting roadside mechanical fitness inspections and identifying and removing vehicles with critical brake violations from the road.

The event will also feature outreach and educational efforts by inspectors, carriers, and others. Brake Safety Day activities seek to educate drivers, mechanics, owner-operators, and others on the importance of proper brake maintenance, operation, and performance.

On Brake Safety Day, inspectors will primarily conduct the North American Standard Level I Inspection, which is a 37-step procedure that includes an examination of both driver operating and vehicle mechanical fitness requirements.

Ahead of Brake Safety Day, J.J. Keller has published a free whitepaper to help carriers prepare for the event, The Importance of Brakes: Key Components, Inspection, and Maintenance.The whitepaper explains how air brakes function and details necessary measures to keep brake systems in good condition.

Bendix has also offered a series of tools and tips to prepare for Brake Safety Day.

Pre-Trip Readiness: Walk around the vehicle daily to visually inspect brake components and listen for audible air system leaks. Examine wheel-ends to make sure that the air chambers, pushrods, and slack adjusters are not damaged or hanging loose. Once or twice a week, get under the vehicle to check air disc brake rotors for ...Read the rest of this story

Christopher Burruss, Former TCA President, Joins Blue Tree Systems

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Photo via Blue Tree Systems

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Photo via Blue Tree Systems

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Transportation telematics provider Blue Tree Systems has appointed Christopher Burruss, former president of the Truckload Carriers Association, to its North American sales team.

As National Accounts Manager, Burruss will spearhead the strategy to implement electronic logging devices/hours of service, reefer monitoring, driver performance scoring, and fuel economy products in some of the country's largest fleets. Burruss will focus on working with North American fleets to promote Blue Tree's platform, which offers solutions for trucks, reefers and dry trailers.

Having previously served for more than ten years as president of TCA, Burruss has more recently managed national accounts at Bose Corporation. He has also served as president and CEO of the Tennessee Trucking Association and the North American Transportation Management Institute, and as vice president of the Missouri Trucking Association. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

"Chris' deep wealth of knowledge and experience has made him a key addition to Blue Tree Systems,” said Tim Van Cleve, vice president sales, Blue Tree Systems North America. “We are delighted that he has taken the opportunity to help us realize the potential for Blue Tree in the North American market."

Related: Truckload Carriers Association President Steps Down

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SAF-Holland Invests $4 Million in Manufacturing Expansion

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Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson speaking about the SAF-Holland Dumas facility expansion.

Photo: SAF Holland

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Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson speaking about the SAF-Holland Dumas facility expansion.

Photo: SAF Holland

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SAF-Holland has announced that is expanding its operations in Dumas, Ark., opening a new facility to accommodate increased demand from current customers.

The expansion takes place as part of an ongoing restructuring of SAF-Holland's North American plant network. The network is currently being centralized and placed closer to the customer base of the trailer and truck industry to strengthen long-term competitiveness. Internal logistics processes are also being streamlined to improve lead-time responsiveness.

“Our investment in Dumas will enable SAF-Holland to expand the North American business as we prepare for increasing market demand also in the mid-term,” said Bjoern Meyer, vice president of operations, Americas. “It allows SAF-Holland closer proximity to our OEM customers and enhances our level of service to our distributors and fleet customers. Ultimately, the location provides a means to expand our distribution network to not only support existing customers but result in additional customers.”

SAF-Holland has increased its Dumas staff by over 40%, creating 60 new jobs to date with plans to end up at approximately 65 total new positions, according to the company. As budgeted, it will invest approximately $4 million in the facility for additional manufacturing and warehousing space, paint line, robotic welding cells, and other new technology and equipment to step up the group's capacities in axle and suspension systems in the Americas region.

SAF-Holland currently employs 143 in Dumas where it manufactures trailer suspension and axle systems for commercial vehicles including Wabash National and Great Dane trailers.

“We appreciate the continued confidence SAF-Holland has in our workforce that led to this expansion,” said Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson. “The jobs being created are the advanced manufacturing jobs that spur economic development and raise the quality of life for employees and their families.”

Related: SAF-Holland Unveils More ...Read the rest of this story

FMCSA: Agency Will Reply to Anti-ELD Petition Filed by OOIDA

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator Spokesman Duane DeBruyne has acknowledged that the agency has received a petition filed by the Owner Operator Independent Driver Association that seeks to delay implementation of the electronic logging device ELD mandate, which goes into effect Dec. 18.

OOIDA has said that its Aug. 29 petition points out that “26 states have not yet incorporated an electronic logging regulation into state law and are not authorized to enforce the rule until they do so.”

Queried by HDT as to whether or not FMCSA holds that states cannot enforce the new ELD rule until they too have passed into law specific ELD rules, DeBruyne replied that the agency is “presently preparing a fact-based response.” He also emphasized that “the congressionally mandated ELD rule did not change federal hours-of-service regulations.”

DeBruyne added that the ELD mandate is “estimated to save more than 25 lives and prevent more than 500 injuries resulting from crashes involving large commercial motor vehicles each year.”

The OOIDA petition states that “serious legal problems arise because states are attempting to enforce federal safety standards that have not been made part of state law.” Todd Spencer, OOIDA executive vice president, stated the association is “concerned about numerous states issuing citations for the violation of non-existent state laws.”

In its news release, OOIDA also referenced the action taken earlier this week by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance. As reported by HDT on Aug. 28, CVSA sees no reason to delay the December start date for the electronic logging device mandate, but its members will delay implementing out-of-service criteria related to ELDs until April 1, 2018. In addition, CVSA said each jurisdiction will have discretion as to whether they actually issue citations in the beginning.

On Sept. 1, CVSA Deputy Executive Director Adrienne Gildea told HDT, “We are ...Read the rest of this story

Trucking Gives Generously to Help Houston Recover from Harvey

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Photo via JMS Transportation Facebook Page

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Photo via JMS Transportation Facebook Page

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Trucking industry companies across the nation are pledging charitable support for the victims of Hurricane Harvey and the long recovery effort ahead.

The following is just a small sample of companies and people who have seen the destruction from Harvey's floods and decided to give support in any way they can.

In a joint effort, U.S. subsidiaries of Daimler, including Daimler Trucks North America and Mercedes-Benz USA, are donating $1 million in total to victims of the storm. The donation will be given to the American Red Cross to be used for immediate disaster relief, emergency assistance, and other services.

The Illinois Trucking Association is collaborating with the Texas Trucking Association and has contacted its members that have terminals near Houston to offer equipment, supplies, and money to the Harvey recovery effort. ITA has asked any members with trailers or available trucks and drivers to assist in taking supplies to the area. It also asked for collections of supplies to be picked up by ITA, and for monetary donations as well. Collection sites will be set up in Illinois at the following locations and dates:

Wed. Sep. 6: 9 a.m. -Noon at JX Peterbilt - Bloomington (607 Truckers Ln, I-55 Exit 160)Wed. Sep. 6: 2-5 p.m. at CIT Trucks - Springfield (3440 Gatlin Dr, I-55 Exit 100A)Thur. Sep. 7: 9 a.m.-Noon at Cadence Premier Logistics - Joliet (2250 S Chicago St, Rt 53 & Laraway)Sat. Sep. 9: 4-6 p.m. at CIT Trucks - Troy, Ill. (2120 Liebler Dr, I-55/I-70 Exit 18) *ITA is also in need of pallets, boxes, and shrink wrap.

Love's Travel Stops is giving $1 million total to the mid- and long-term relief and recovery efforts. Love's will give $500,000 to the United Way Harvey Recovery fund, which ensures that 100% of donations will be ...Read the rest of this story

FMCSA Suspends Certain Rules in 26 States to Help Fuel, Supplies Flow in Wake of Hurricane Harvey

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FMCSA is suspending certain trucking regulations in 26 states and the District of Columbia to aide in the recovery effort from Hurricane Harvey. Image: FMCSA

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FMCSA is suspending certain trucking regulations in 26 states and the District of Columbia to aide in the recovery effort from Hurricane Harvey. Image: FMCSA

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To aid in the effort to bring supplies and fuel to the areas affected by Hurricane Harvey, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the State of Texas have temporarily suspended several trucking regulations.

FMCSA announced on Sept. 1 that due to an expected shortage of fuel products, including gasoline, diesel, aviation fuel, propane and home heating oil, "due to refinery delays and interruption of delivery through pipelines as a result of damage from Tropical Storm Harvey," it has declared a regional emergency declsaration for 26 States and the District of Columbia. "Motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance to the emergency transporting fuel products into and from these States and jurisdictions are granted emergency relief from Title 49 CFR Parts 390 through 399," the agency stated.

The suspended regulations include those concerned with driver hours of service, inspection, repair, and maintenance, hazardous materials transportation, driving, and parking, and other health and safety standards.

Texas Governor Greg Abbot (R) has issued a temporary waiver of the International Fuel Tax Agreement, suspending requirements that trucking firms track and pay tax on the amount of fuel used in Texas when delivering relief supplies and fuel into the state. The suspension is aimed at speeding up the movement of needed relief supplies and fuel into the state and immediately reducing the cost and administrative burden.

"As Texas begins the recovery process in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, it is important that Texans have access to much-needed resources, including gasoline and fuel." said Gov. Abbott. "Texans should rest assured that their state government is doing every possible to ensure the accessibility and affordability of the necessities allowing us to ...Read the rest of this story

Economic Watch: Manufacturing Jumps as Employment, Construction Slow

Job growth slowed in August, according to government numbers released Friday, while other economic reports showed manufacturing hitting a six-year high as total construction spending unexpectedly slowed – and consumers are in the best mood since 2000.

Employers added 156,000 non-farm jobs in August, according to the Labor Department, less than analysts were expecting, while trucking payrolls fell. The nation's unemployment rate ticked upward from to 4.4% from the 16-year low of 4.3% the month before.

The department also revised downward its estimate of how many jobs were created in June and July by a combined total of 41,000.

Hiring has slowed from higher levels earlier in the year, but is better than it was in May and March, when 145,000 and 50,000 jobs were added, respectively. Employment growth has averaged 176,000 per month thus far this year, about in line with the average monthly gain of 187,000 in 2016.

The for-hire trucking industry shed 1,600 jobs in August, while the wider transportation and warehousing sector added 1,900, due to big gains in employment in the support activities for transportation, and in the couriers and messengers categories where e-commerce and last-mile delivery growth are having an impact.

Job gains occurred in manufacturing, construction, professional and technical services, health care, and mining. Manufacturing employment rose by 36,000 in August and has added a total 155,000 jobs since a recent employment low in November 2016.

While the latest number of job additions is a bit disappointing, what's likely to get the attention of Federal Reserve policy makers is the lack of wage growth in the report, according to Nathan Janzen, senior economist at RBC Economic Research.

“Despite ostensibly tighter labor markets, wage growth has been stuck at 2.5% over the last five months, similar to the 2.6% average increase last year,” he said. “The lack of further acceleration in ...Read the rest of this story