Get smart

I'm sure a few of you remember the original TV series from the 60s with Don Adams and Barbara Feldon. In 2008 there was a remake movie that did okay at the box office. But, that's not what I am talking about in transportation and trucking. In the late 90s, when Freightliner introduced the SmartShift, I can recall the process of finding a name for the steering column mechanism for shifting an automated mechanical transmission. I was not keen on the often used “smart” being added to anything and everything at the time.

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J.J. Keller & Associates Offers Transportation Safety Management Training

J.J. Keller & Associates has introduced Everyday Transportation Safety Management: A proactive and Practical Approach for the Transportation Safety Professional, new resource for transportation safety professionals.

The publication was developed to help transportation safety professionals comply with complex and changing Department of Transportation regulations, foster a safety culture and protect a company's bottom line. It includes callouts to draw attention to critical aspects of the regulations, as well as best practices and actionable content for structuring and maintaining transportation safety programs.

The major topics in Everyday Transportation Safety Management reflect common challenges in maintaining a safe, efficient, compliant operation: safety responsibilities, safety compliance management, maintaining a safety fitness rating, risk management and loss prevention, and safety training. It also addresses employee retention and involvement.

“This valuable resource will help novice and seasoned safety professionals alike navigate their safety journey,” said Mark Schedler, senior transportation editor for J. J. Keller. “It takes the approach that safety is always a work in progress, with many barriers to be addressed.”

Everyday Transportation Safety Management is also available in an online edition that provides access to the content from anywhere, using a web browser and mobile device. An update service is available to ensure that transportation safety professionals can stay current with any changes to DOT regulations.

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Spot Van, Reefer Rates Soften Over Past Week; Flatbeds Continue Inching Up

A 7.7% gain in spot truckload freight volume and a 2.1% dip in capacity were not enough to buoy spot truckload rates during the week ending Feb. 4, according to DAT Solutions and activity from its network of load boards.

While the national average flatbed rate showed a modest gain as van and refrigerated freight rates both fell last week. However, rates for each trailer types remain higher than they were in February 2016 while the average cost of diesel during the period was unchanged from the week before at $2.56 per gallon.

Flatbed load availability jumped 21% while the number of flatbed truck posts was virtually unchanged. That led to a 21% increase in the flatbed load-to-truck ratio to 21.9 loads per truck nationally.

The average flatbed rate edged up 1 cent to $1.92 per mile, the third straight week of penny-a-mile rate increases.

Regionally, spot flatbed rates were mixed as several top-paying lanes experienced a drop-off or modest gains:

The spot market for vans was steady last week as the number of load posts increased less than 1% and truck posts fell 2%. The load-to-truck ratio gained 3% to 2.6 loads per truck and the national average rate slipped 3 cents lower to $1.66 per mile and is down from $1.72 three weeks earlier

Also, outbound rates declined in many major markets:

In the West, Stockton, Seattle, and Denver all slipped 5 cents lower compared to the previous week, and Denver-Chicago dropped below $1 a mile to 97 cents ...Read the rest of this story

NAFTA doubts and ELDS continue to haunt trucking

USA Trucks’s Troubles Could Invite Activist Scrutiny, Again

For-Hire Freight Movements Rise Again, Tying Record High

Graphic: U.S. DOT

The amount of for-hire freight moved across multiple transportation modes increased 1% in December from the month before, the third consecutive monthly gain, according to the Transportation Department.

This latest reading of the Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) also ties the all-time high level hit during July 2016 as December shipments increased 2.9 % from the same time a year ago.

The November index was revised upward to 123.5 from 123.2 in last month's release. Monthly numbers for August through October were also revised up slightly while figures from January through June 2016 were revised down slightly.

The Freight TSI measures the month-to-month changes in for-hire freight shipments by mode of transportation in tons and ton-miles, which are combined into one index and includes the output from trucking, rail, inland waterways, pipelines and air freight.

The December Freight TSI grew due to increases in trucking, pipeline, rail intermodal, and water, while air freight and rail carloads declined. According to the department, it was driven by economic growth from increased industrial production during month along with gains in employment and personal income.

For the final quarter of 2016, the Freight TSI improved 2.9% from the previous quarter's downturn of 1.1% as growth in the nation's gross domestic product slowed to an annual pace of 1.9% from 3.5% during the third quarter.

The department noted the fourth quarter slowdown in GDP growth was preceded by a third quarter decline in Freight TSI and the rapid GDP growth in the third quarter was preceded by a strong increase in Freight TSI in the second quarter.

The fourth quarter 2016 Freight TSI increase is the largest gain since the fourth quarter of 2011 and is 1.8% above the level at the beginning of 2015. The index remains high compared to earlier years, rising 31.7% since the low of ...Read the rest of this story

U.S. Xpress Expands Military Recruitment Initiative

Photo: U.S. Department of Transportation

The Veterans Administration has granted accreditation to U.S. Xpress as part of the Post 9/11 GI Bill Apprenticeship Program that allows eligible veterans to receive educational benefits from the VA while training as a driver or technician for the company.

Veterans who enter the program can receive their tax-free educational benefits as an income supplement on top of their U.S. Xpress salary. These benefits can be upwards of $25,700, depending on years of service.

Typically a truck driver coming to U.S. Xpress can earn between $50,000 and $70,000 depending on which driving opportunity he or she qualifies for, according to the company. U.S. Xpress said that with the VA benefits, veterans in the training program can now earn up to $82,000 in their first year with the company.

“At U.S. Xpress, we value the strong work ethic and leadership experience veterans can bring to our company,” said Eric Fuller, president and chief operating officer of U.S. Xpress. “Beyond that, veterans have a sense of productivity, accountability and a ‘can-do' attitude that will serve them well in the trucking industry, which is why we actively look to hire veterans in every aspect of our company.”

Upon enrolling in the Post 9/11 GI Bill Apprenticeship Program, veterans are allowed to draw their GI Bill benefits for up to 24 months, giving them additional compensation and financial stability as they transition from military to civilian life.

The amount each veteran is entitled to receive depends upon the length of service and service type (Active Duty, National Guard or Reserve). After completing the Apprenticeship Program, veterans will become a certified Heavy Duty Truck Driver or Diesel Technician for U.S. Xpress.

U.S. Xpress launched its Military Recruitment Initiative in July 2016 as part of the company's commitment to providing veterans with opportunities to join the trucking industry.

“Our ...Read the rest of this story