Between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), fleets are inundated with rules and regulations they must comply with to operate in a safe and legal manner. Then there are also state and local compliance ordinances.
read more
...Read the rest of this storyThe American Trucking Associations (ATA) and the Truck Renting and Leasing Association (TRALA) are two industry trade groups worried that the intent announced by the Environmental Protection Agency last week to “re-evaluate” parts the Phase 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) and fuel efficiency rule
read more
...Read the rest of this storyLast week, we announced the drivers and showcased the equipment that will participate in RunonLess, a first-of-its kind fuel efficiency roadshow sponsored by Shell and PepsiCo, and hosted by NACFE and Carbon War Room. It gave us a chance to share the amazing equipment and talented drivers that will demonstrate what can be done with currently available tractors and trailers to save fuel and emissions.
read more
...Read the rest of this storyThe people shortage in the trucking industry is no surprise to anyone. In part, it is the result of a national shortage of skilled labor and the lack of programs to attract job seekers to our industry as drivers and technicians.
The lack of skilled technicians is resulting in increased downtime and inefficiencies. It also leads to dissatisfaction among your current staff as they are tasked with doing more work.
read more
...Read the rest of this storyPhoto: Mack
">Photo: Mack
">North American Class 8 and medium-duty vehicle production increased in the month of July, boosted by strong order numbers, according to a report from ACT Research.
“After cutting 3,000 units from the Class 8 build plan last month, the OEMs added back nearly 6,000 units in July,” said Steve Tam, ACT Research's vice president. “This brings the OEMs' full-year expectations to over 252,000 units.”
Despite a lower build rate in July compared to earlier months, the medium-duty Class 5-7 truck market saw 15% greater production for the month.
“With orders below build, the medium-duty backlog declined to about 54,000 units of unbuilt vehicles,” said Tam. “Similarly, medium-duty inventories declined as July retail sales outpaced production.”
Related: Class 8 Truck Orders Rebound in July
Follow @HDTrucking on Twitter
...Read the rest of this storyTrailer skirts like this one benefit some carriers, but not enough fleets so they should be mandated, contend trailer makers. Photo: Utility Trailer Mfg.
">Trailer skirts like this one benefit some carriers, but not enough fleets so they should be mandated, contend trailer makers. Photo: Utility Trailer Mfg.
">The Trump administration's announcement that it will revisit parts of the Phase 2 greenhouse gas/fuel economy rules were greeted with cautious optimism by the trailer makers who pushed for the review, but with concern by other parties.
The Environmental Protection Agency announced Aug. 17 that it will revisit provisions of the Phase 2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Fuel Efficiency Standards, following concerns raised by stakeholders in the trailer and glider industry. The rules were issued jointly by the EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2016 and are the first time trailers have been covered by a federal emissions regulation.
The Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association, which petitioned the agency to reconsider the rules, says it's pleased with the agencies announcement, but it hopes the agencies will stay the implementation date while they complete their review.
The rules are still scheduled to begin with January 2018 trailer production, just a few short months away, the association noted in a press release.
“Most heavy-duty trailers are custom-ordered, and the required lead time for scheduling production means that trailer manufacturers are having to quote orders for 2018 delivery that will force customers to purchase equipment they do not want and that will not produce any fuel efficiencies in the customers' operations," TTMA said.
“Moreover, much of this equipment is still not certified by EPA, so trailer manufacturers are not certain if they can incorporate the equipment into future orders and still comply with the regulations. This is disrupting the normal ordering process and is frustrating both customers and manufacturers.”
TTMA confirmed that on August 17, it received letters from both EPA and NHTSA stating that they have reviewed its petitions for reconsideration ...Read the rest of this story
Women In Trucking Association and Freightliner Trucks are seeking candidates for the 2017 Influential Woman in Trucking award.
Created in 2010, the award recognizes women who make or influence key decisions in a corporate, manufacturing, supplier, owner-operator, driver, sales or dealership setting. The winner must have a proven record of responsibility and have mentored or served as a role model to other women in the industry.
Past recipients include Marcia Taylor, CEO of Bennett International Group; Rebecca Brewster, president and COO, American Transportation Research Institute; Joyce Brenny, president of Brenny Transportation/Brenny Specialized; Rochelle Bartholomew, CEO of CalArk International; Kari Rihm, president of Rihm Kenworth; and Ramona Hood, vice president of Customer Operations, Transportation Logistics at Genco, a FedEx company.
“Women In Trucking plays a critical role in pushing the envelope to diversify our industry, and Freightliner is proud of our ongoing involvement with this important organization and our sponsorship of this award,” said Kary Schaefer, general manager, marketing and strategy, Freightliner Trucks.
The winner will be announced at the WIT Accelerate! Conference & Expo held in Kansas City, Missouri, Nov. 6-8. Each finalist will be asked to serve as panelist for the “Influential Women in Trucking” panel discussion. Mary Aufdemberg, director of acquisitions and operations, Daimler Trucks Remarketing and WIT chairwoman, will moderate the panel. Those nominating a candidate need to ask the nominee to save the date for this event if she is named a finalist.
“The Influential Woman in Trucking Award recognizes female leaders who have been advocates and role models to others,” said Ellen Voie, president and CEO, Women In Trucking. “Over the past seven years we have seen phenomenal women both nominated and recognized. We look forward to honoring the next influential woman in trucking and her success in the industry.”
Nominations will be accepted through Friday, Sept. 1; click ...Read the rest of this story
