Mitigating the weather’s impact on trucking

We talk a lot about “big data” in the trucking business these days: how to use data to save fuel; plan more efficient routes; even how to generate more profits.

read more

A Christmas Tree’s Journey by Truck Begins

The 52nd U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree – an 80 year-old, 80-ft. tall Englemann Spruce – began a 4,000-mile roundabout journey from the Payette National Forest in Idaho to Washington, D.C., last week hauled by a special Kenworth T680 driven by Gary Amoth, owner of Idaho-based Gary Amoth Trucking. The tree will visit 27 communities across the country before arriving in the nation's capital in late November. (Photos courtesy of Kenworth Truck Co.)

Hopeful for Highways

U.S. Capitol Photo: David Cullen

November the Eighth is the day of reckoning for Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. But no matter if Secretary Clinton or Mr. Trump prevails, the next President will face a still-gridlocked Congress.

Yes, the Democratic Party may, if they can gain four or five seats (depending on which party takes the (White House) regain control of the Senate, but it will be a slim majority that will prevent them from pursuing a bold agenda. The Republican Party may lose some seats in the House, but since most of those voted out will be so-called Establishment Republicans, House Speaker Paul Ryan (WI-R) will have a harder time pushing bipartisan measures— that is if he can even hold onto his leadership post.

Maybe that projected reality is why fully 40% of the way-inside-the-Beltway insiders responding to a just-out lobbying survey contend that the legislation most likely to get passed in 2017 will be a “comprehensive infrastructure bill.” The survey, commissioned by communications firm Rasky Baerlein, sought to quantify what lobbyists, think-tankers and association executives figure will fly next year on Capitol Hill.

One can surmise that these experts on the inner workings of Congress concluded that with partisan politics still poisoning the two chambers, the best hope for breaking the logjam will be on an issue that throughout our nation's history has been debated and advanced almost always without even a whiff of partisanship attached to it— building and maintaining roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure to smooth commerce and ensure national defense.

On the other hand, maybe these observers are being a tad unrealistic. Consider that they tagged as the second most likely measure (by 22%) to pass Congress next year the confirmation of Merrick Garland as a Justice of the Supreme Court

Follow @HDTrucking on ...Read the rest of this story

DOT to Set Up Alternative-Fuel Corridors to Facilitate Adoption

Source: Federal Highway Administration 

The U.S. Department of Transportation is establishing a network of 55 alternative fueling and charging corridors for electric, natural gas, hydrogen, and propane fuel vehicles.

The corridors will help drivers find routes with places to recharge or refuel an alternative-fueled vehicle to help facilitate faster adoption of cleaner vehicles. The corridor designation initiative was announced by the Obama Administration to accelerate deployment of electrical vehicles and charging infrastructure.

It spans 35 states and Washington, D.C., and 48 out of 55 routes will be designated as electric-vehicle charging corridors.The corridors will include signage indicating a charging station or alterative-fueling location that was developed by the Federal Highway Administration. Along the corridors, drivers can expect either existing or planned charging stations within every 50 miles.

The corridor designations were divided into two categories: signage-ready and signage pending. Signage –ready corridors currently have sufficient facilities to warrant signage along the corridor while signage-pending corridors have demonstrated plans for future operational infrastructure.

A spokesperson for the FHWA indicated that there were no plans for specific signage indicating fueling stations that could accommodate commercial vehicles but the plan is in the early stages and is still being developed in participating states and organizations.

“Alternative fuels and electric vehicles will play an integral part in the future of America's transportation system,” said Anthony Foxx, U.S. Transportation Secretary. “We have a duty to help drivers identify routes that will help them refuel and recharge those vehicles and designating these corridors on our highways is a first step.”

Related: Nearly a Third of Major Urban Roads in Poor Condition

Follow @HDTrucking on Twitter

TRP’s New Lubricant Program Includes Options for Heavy Duty Engines

TRP has expanded its lubricant product offering to include a full line of lubricants for all makes of trucks and buses.

Available in the U.S., Canada and Latin America, TRP Engine Oil, TRP Synthetic Transmission Oil and TRP Synthetic Gear Oil are the new additions to the company's catalog.

“Providing industry professionals with products they can depend on, TRP products are designed and tested to exceed the rigors of the road,” said Mark Santschi, product marketing manager at Paccar Parts. “This new competitively-priced line of premium-grade products rounds out the existing fluids portfolio along with our existing successful North American TRP Coolant product line.”

Formulated to guard against wear and corrosion in demanding applications, the four products in the TRP Lubricant Program protect axle components, transmissions and engines for longer life and smoother operation across a wide range of operating conditions.

TRP Engine Oil (SAE 15W-40 and SAE 10W-30)

Perfect for a mixed fleet, TRP Engine Oil protects today's four-stroke diesel and gasoline engines, and keeps older engine models running smoothly as well. Made to combat the sludge, varnish and ash deposits that can occur at high operating temperatures, TRP Engine Oil also protects against oxidation, corrosion and rust. It also provides Diesel Particulate Filter protection, resulting in longer DPF life, less downtime and lower maintenance expense.

TRP Synthetic Transmission Oil (SAE 50 Synthetic)

For all-climate, year-round protection of heavy-duty manual transmissions, TRP Synthetic Transmission Oil offers exceptional performance. Recommended for a broad range of heavy-duty truck transmissions including Eaton and Meritor, TRP Synthetic Transmission Oil has a high viscosity index and low pour point for easy shifting in low temperatures. Its formulation protects against gear wear and copper corrosion, while providing thermal and oxidation stability.

TRP Synthetic Gear Oil (SAE 75W-90 Synthetic)

TRP Synthetic Gear Oil is recommended as a rear axle and differential oil in over-the-road and ...Read the rest of this story

Nearly a Third of Major Urban Roads in Poor Condition

Urban road conditions in major metropolitan areas are in terrible shape and could deteriorate further as traffic increases and transportation remains underfunded, according to a new report by the TRIP national transportation research group.

The report found that around 32% of the nation's major urban roads have pavement that is in substandard or poor condition, including interstate highways, freeways and other arterial routes.

Just 28% of roads in major urban areas were rated as being in good condition.

The five urban areas with populations of 500,000 or more listed with poor road conditions were: San Francisco/Oakland, Los Angeles, San Jose, Detroit, and Milwaukee. TRIP found that 71% San Francisco's urban roads were in poor condition, nearly 11% worse than Los Angeles at number two.

“This important TRIP report highlights the need for federal leadership to address the nation's infrastructure deficit," said Ed Mortimer, U.S. Chamber of Commerce executive director of transportation infrastructure. "With both presidential candidates highlighting the importance of rebuilding America's infrastructure, the time is now to address this critical issue."

TRIP estimates that rough driving over these poorly maintained roads costs drivers nearly $112 billion per year. Vehicle travel growth rates have returned to pre-recession levels and commercial transportation has also grown significantly, according to TRIP, putting the nation's underfunded infrastructure under even more strain.

Road deterioration translates into increased ownership, repair, fuel, and tire costs, per TRIP, and it can also accelerate depreciation of vehicles.

“With state and local governments struggling to fund needed road repairs and with federal surface transportation funding falling short of the amount needed to make needed improvements, road conditions are projected to get even worse,” said Will Wilkins, TRIP executive director.

“Without adequate investment at the local, state and federal levels, our nation's crumbling pavements will be more than just a nuisance for drivers – they'll be a roadblock ...Read the rest of this story

Verizon-Fleetmatics Deal Finalized

Logos via Verizon and Fleetmatics.

Verizon Communications has completed its $2.4 billion acquisition of Fleetmatics Group to become the largest provider of telematics systems for commercial fleets, the company has announced.

Verizon acquired the Dublin, Ireland-based Fleetmatics for $60 per share in a transaction that closed on Nov. 7. Fleetmatics shares will no longer be traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Verizon now takes over the Fleetmatics North American headquarters in Waltham, Mass.

Verizon now controls about 25% of the telematics market, following its acquisition of Telogis, and counts about 1.4 million units in service. Verizon has begun integrating Telogis, after finalizing the acquisition of that privately held company on July 29. The Federal Trade Commission has approved both mergers.

The Verizon-Fleetmatics merger has received approval from the Irish High Court on Aug. 1 and Fleetmatics shareholders.

Fleetmatics brings to Verizon more than 42,000 customers, approximately 826,000 subscribers, and 1,200 employees.

"With the close of this transaction, Verizon Telematics is squarely positioned as the global leader in fleet and mobile resource management, leveraging the combined strength of three world-class platforms, now serving every segment of the market," said Andrés Irlando, CEO of Verizon Telematics. "We'll continue to work urgently to solve our customers' most critical challenges in deploying their mobile workforces utilizing our newly combined assets, coupled with the industry's largest distribution channel and customer support team."

Related: Verizon to Acquire Fleetmatics

Follow @HDTrucking on Twitter