Quarterly Intermodal Growth Streak Ends

Graphic: IANA

Overall intermodal traffic recorded its first volume decline in the second quarter of the year following 25 consecutive quarters of growth, according to new report from the industry group the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA).

Intermodal trailer volumes dropped 28.6%, continuing a multi-year downward trend, while international shipments fell 9.3%. Domestic container loads gained 3.4%, tempering the overall loss to 6.1%. The total number of intermodal loads fell to 4.28 million from 4.55 million a year earlier.

"The second quarter intermodal volume numbers reflected current market conditions," said Joni Casey, president and CEO of IANA. "Year-end projections are still tracking for growth in both the domestic container and international volumes, however."

The seven highest-density trade corridors, accounting for nearly two-thirds of total intermodal volume, collectively dropped 5.9% year-over-year, with each corridor showing a loss. In the Southeast-Southwest and the Northeast- Midwest lanes, container performance offset the drop in trailer volumes, resulting in the smallest declines of all the corridors. Containers did the opposite in the South Central-Southwest corridor, which finished the quarter in negative territory by 17.6%.

Likewise, every region showed second quarter declines, ranging from 1.6% in Mexico to 14.9% in the South Central. The fall in international shipments between the Southwest and South Central regions was enough to pull down the overall international numbers for the quarter, according to IANA. Regional results also varied by exposure to trailers. Regions that saw the least trailer activity, including Mexico, the Northwest and Western Canada, came the closest to breaking even.

Intermodal service providers again demonstrated clear gains in the highway sector, up 17% from the previous year, thanks to excess trucking capacity. Intermodal loads fell 18.1% The net result was a total volume decrease of 3.2%.

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DuraClass Dump Body Aimed at Contractors and Municipalities

The DuraClass Yardbird is a dump body designed for contractors and municipalities with a double-wall body side for more durability.

The Yardbird features a continuous formed body sidewall and a fully enclosed top rail for better resistance to moisture and corrosion. The Yardbird, like other DuraClass dump bodies, uses high tensile steel and a fully welded construction for high strength and lighter weight.

Full-depth rear corner posts, enclosed front corner posts and an interlaced understructure give the Yardbird high strength and rigidity. Yardbirds also come standard with quick release upper tailgate pins, a cabshield with window and heavy-duty tailgate hardware.

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2016 Operation Safe Driver Week is Set for Oct. 16-22

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's Operation Safe Driver Week has been set for the week of Oct. 16-22, taking place across North America.

Law enforcement agencies will heighten traffic safety enforcement and educational outreach to combat unsafe driving behaviors by commercial vehicle drivers and passenger vehicle drivers.

Law enforcement will be tracking violations like speeding, failure to wear a seatbelt, distracted driving, failure to obey traffic control devices, traveling too closely and improper lane changes.

Last year's Operation Safe Driver Week pulled over 21,000 commercial and passenger vehicles and conducted 19,480 roadside inspections. The most common warnings and citations issued to commercial vehicle drivers last year were speeding, failure to use a seatbelt, failure to obey a traffic control device and using a handheld phone. Ultimately, 3,929 warnings were given out to commercial drivers along with 4,062 citations.

Passengers were pulled over most often for speeding and were overall pulled over at a higher rate than commercial drivers.

Operation Safe Driver Week is sponsored by the CVSA in partnership with FMCSA and with support from industry and transportation safety organizations. It aims to help improve the behavior of all drivers operating in an unsafe manner, either by around commercial motor vehicles and to initiate educational and traffic enforcement strategies to address those exhibiting high-risk behaviors.

To find out more about enforcement events going on in your area contact the agency/department responsible for overseeing commercial motor vehicle safety within your jurisdiction.

Related: Trucks Cited for Size/Weight During Safe Driver Week

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