A new study of “last mile” logistics will be unveiled by the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics (IML) and component manufacturer ZF at the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover later this month.
[When released, the study can be accessed online by clicking here.]
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...Read the rest of this storyA new study of “last mile” logistics will be unveiled by the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics (IML) and component manufacturer ZF at the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover later this month.
[When released, the study can be accessed online by clicking here.]
read more
...Read the rest of this storySource: FTR
">Source: FTR
">FTR's Trucking Conditions Index improved in July reflecting improved market prospects as a result of moderate economic growth and a regulatory environment that is tightening capacity.
The July TCI jumped to a reading of 5.99 for the month, a significant gain over June's 2.92 and May's abysmal 1.69 reading. TCI readings for the rest of the year and into 2017 should remain near the current level, according to FTR.
FTR expects increased regulatory drag over the next 18 months which should increase pricing and margins for fleets that have capacity.
“The freight market is doing slightly better than just treading water, but there is still a disconnect between activity in the spot and contract markets,” said Jonathan Starks, chief operating officer at FTR. “This is a result of the slow growth environment that we are in right now.”
Contract carriers are being used the most by shippers and there hasn't been enough extra freight to spill over into the spot market, according to Starks. This caused spot rates to fall and helped shippers to put pressure on contract carriers.
“I believe that those conditions will soon be turning, especially for van freight,” said Starks. “One note of caution is in the flatbed segment. The big reductions in oilfield activity has continued to put too much carrier capacity back into the spot market, and pricing is still weak for this segment. Until oil prices move higher or housing and business investment rally, the long-haul flatbed market is going to continue to struggle for volumes and rates.”
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Another step has been completed in a proposed rulemaking that would allow CDL drivers with controlled insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) to operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce without first obtaining an individual exemption for that medical condition from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Sixteen months ago, the agency proposed that the rules be changed to simplify the obtaining of exemptions by drivers who treat their diabetes with insulin.
The proposed rule would let drivers with ITDM obtain a Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC) at least annually to operate in interstate commerce if the treating clinician— the healthcare professional responsible for prescribing insulin for the driver's diabetes— provides documentation to the Medical Examiner that the condition is “stable and well-controlled.”
FMCSA said in its notice of proposed rulemaking that it believes this new procedure would “adequately ensure that drivers with ITDM manage the condition so that it is stable and well-controlled, and that such a regulatory provision creates a clearer, equally effective and more consistent framework than a program based entirely on exemptions.”
The agency added that its own evidence reports as well as ADA studies and other data “indicate that drivers with ITDM are as safe as other drivers when their condition is well-controlled.”
The public comment period on the NPRM closed back on July 6, 2015. That same month, FMCSA requested that its Medical Review Board (MRB) review and analyzie the over 1,250 comments received and provide recommendations the agency “should consider when making a decision about the next steps in the diabetes rulemaking.”
Now, FMCSA has announced the MRB report is available and that it is seeking public comment on the board's recommendations.
In its notice published in the Federal Register for Sept. 9, the agency said it “believes that public comment on the [MRB] recommendations will assist it ...Read the rest of this story
In support of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's annual Brake Safety Week, Bendix is offering upkeep tips for drivers and fleets.
Part of CVSA's Operation Airbrake, Brake Safety Week is an annual outreach and enforcement campaign aimed at improving commercial vehicle brake safety. This year's event takes place from Sept. 11-17 and will include thousands of inspection on large trucks and buses conducted by local, state, provincial, territorial and federal safety officials in the U.S. and Canada.
“The road to safer vehicles may begin with new technologies and improved braking components, but it also requires supporting them through proper maintenance and ongoing, proactive training and technical knowledge,” said Fred Andersky, Bendix director of government and industry affairs. “The best-equipped vehicle out there is not running at its safest without the right upkeep and know-how both in the garage and on the road.”
Maintenance MattersFriction selection, air system care, and upkeep of components affecting brake stroke all contribute to brake performance– which means they have a role to play in preparation for Brake Safety Week.
Whether a vehicle uses foundation drum or air disc brakes, it's important to know when new friction is needed. Check friction regularly for cracks or missing pieces, ensure adequate thickness, and examine drums and rotors for signs of dragging brakes or overheating linings. For reference, the American Trucking Associations' Technology and Maintenance Council's Recommended Practice 627A aligns directly with CVSA inspection guidelines and provides visual illustrations for acceptable and out-of-service conditions.
When relining brakes on vehicles affected by federal Reduced Stopping Distance (RSD) regulations, ask suppliers for evidence of compliance. Not all replacement friction marketed as acceptable under RSD will actually perform to the standard.
Because an effective and safe air braking system is dependent on maintaining clean air, Bendix recommends monthly checks for moisture in the system, supported with the use ...Read the rest of this story
