House Transpo Committee Boldly Goes Online

Photo: U.S. Department of Transportation

Despite its ultra-wonky clunkiness, “infrastructure” is a word that keeps right on trending hard inside the Beltway. And that's a good thing for trucking. But talk is not action.

Apparently not content to wait for what may be in the trillion-dollar infrastructure plan promised but yet to be released by the Trump administration, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has opted to push out to social media its take on what's needed for infrastructure “to take on the challenges of the 21st century” via a new web-based informational campaign.

Dubbed “Building a 21st Century Infrastructure for America”— or “#building21” for short— the initiative aims to explain the committee's “vision for America's infrastructure that promotes job creation, encourages economic development, and prepares the Nation for the breakthroughs in mobility that are around the corner,” said Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA).

A key element of the campaign is a dedicated website designed to “focus attention on policies that will build a 21st century infrastructure.”

The site, which went live on Feb. 6, so far features the perspectives of Shuster and other committee members as well as a “vision statement” for the initiative.

“This isn't simply a website,” said Shuster. “The committee will continue to hold hearings, listening sessions, and roundtables throughout the Congress as part of our agenda to explore what system users, manufacturers, and consumers need to truly develop an infrastructure and transportation network that is second to none.”

One can only hope the committee's digital effort will at the very least spur more discussion on Capitol Hill of:

To be sure, it is boldy stated on the website that you should: "Tell us at #building21."

Related: The Not-So-New ...Read the rest of this story

Optronics Offers Bar-Style Combo Light

Optronics International has introduced the Fusion Thinline surface-mount LED combination stop, tail, turn, and backup lamp.

The company says it is the first to combine stop, tail, turn and backup functions into a common bar light format, named for its long, thin configuration. Fusion lamps are already available in four-inch round and six-inch oval formats with grommet and flange mount versions.

At 20.5 inches long, one inch wide and three-quarter-of-an-inch thick, Fusion Thinline surface-mount LED combination stop, tail, turn, and backup lamps can be mounted nearly anywhere on a vehicle, including vehicle body panels, frame posts, docking plates, or gussets.

The low-profile surface-mount design hugs the vehicle surface, and lets users avoid cutting large mounting holes that can reduce structural integrity and promote corrosion.

Wiring for the Fusion Thinline requires only one half-inch hole and two small mounting holes for either rivets or screws. Damaged lamps can be rewired and replaced easily, according to Optronics.

The lamps meet all FMVSS 108 photometric requirements for visibility and safety. Lenses and housings are made of a polycarbonate material that is sonically welded. The lamps employ a solid-state, surface-mount device design that protects the electronics against moisture, shock, and vibration.

All Fusion lamps come with one-diode lifetime warranty protection that will replace the lamp if even one diode fails. The new Fusion LED combination stop, tail, turn and backup lamps, part number STL264RB, are expected to begin shipping in early spring 2017.

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Q. As a trucking fleet, what should I look for in a telematics provider?

A. When it comes to telematics, it's important to consider a solution that provides much more than just GPS location on a map. With a comprehensive telematics solution provider, you'll gain insight into service interval alerts, automated odometer mileage for business vs. privacy reports, and drivetrain trouble codes to immediately alert when something breaks in one of your vehicles. By reviewing and analyzing this data, fleets can avoid costly vehicle downtime, improve employee safety and productivity, and increase revenue.

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Q. I run a mixed fleet, could telematics help me better spec my vehicles?

A. Telematics not only helps you keep track of your current fleet, but can help you make data-driven decisions about its future. Route optimization can help you optimizing your assets through the identification of most and least-used vehicles. Alternatively, you can potentially reduce fuel consumption and associated costs by moving to CNG after mapping out routes that include an adequate map of applicable filling stations.

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Q. I’m an owner-operator, are there any benefits to adding telematics to my truck?

A. To remain in compliance with the ELD mandate, owner-operators must install these ELDs. Telematics is an added benefit of utilizing these devices, giving you a complete view of your fleet vehicles and drivers.

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Q. I’m a small trucking company, do I really need telematics?

A. Regardless of your fleet's size, telematics can reduce costs, reduce idling, improve driver behavior, and keep your vehicles well-maintained and running smoothly.

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Q. What are common challenges that I could face in trying to add telematics to my fleet?

A. Cost can be an issue to some fleets before they understand the overall return on investment and cost savings that are made possible with a open platform fleet management solution. Another area that can be challenging in trucking is resistance from drivers who may feel like the technology overreaches. It's important to rollout telematics in a way that is inclusive of driver feedback and to make sure they understand how it could also benefit them (such as helping exonerate drivers in the case of false claims).

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