Study: New taxes could fund universal California health care

Daily preparations make getting through Roadcheck easier

Pilot Flying J offers Roadcheck advice and updates on new roadside service.

Michael Donner, regional manger with Pilot Flying J Truck Care, has advice for any truck drivers that might be cramming to be ready for a possible inspection next week during Roadcheck.

“Drivers should be preparing daily for these inspections and not just this one big push,” he said.

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Nonpartisan Group Compiles Report on Infrastructure Reform

In a detailed report, the Committee for Economic Development of the Conference Board made recommendations for improving America's roads and bridges. The nonprofit, non-partisan, business-led public-policy organization delivers analysis and solutions to critical national issues.

Noting that the National Highway System carries more than 75% of heavy truck traffic as well as 40% of all highway traffic and 90% of all tourist traffic, CED made several recommendations in its report, including more private investment in road building and maintenance, streamlining regulatory review, improving project selection, investing in technology and moving toward user fees to fund roads and bridges.

The study was spurred by discussions by Congress and the Trump Administration to increase investment in repairing, expanding and modernizing the country's infrastructure. The report, Fixing America's Roads & Bridges: The Path Forward, examines the role U.S. surface transportation plays in economic activity.

The report recommended greater private sector investment because lifecycle costs are better incorporated into the upfront cost of a project. Private money also incentivizes faster project completion because delays can incur contractual penalties as well as rewards, according to the study. Businesses were also seen as a way to increase the adoption of cost-saving technologies.

On the public side of things, CED encouraged public officials to be smarter about selecting projects based on a data-driven approach. Rather than putting political needs (pork projects) at the forefront of project selection, investment decisions should be made with the entire transportation network in mind instead of on a stand-alone basis.

CED also advocated for more reliance on user fees to cover operational and maintenance costs using mileage-based fees. These fees can fluctuate based on the demand for road space at particular times of the day through managed traffic lanes in congested areas. The belief is that travelers are more willing to pay a fee or a premium ...Read the rest of this story

LoadHandler Power Products Adds Six Starters and Alternators to Lineup

The LoadHandler Power Products all makes starter and alternator line now offers six new alternators and starters in a variety of application configurations to provide completely new, drop-in replacement coverage for popular medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.

LoadHandler Power Products starters and alternators are a line of rotating electrical products that have been tested for medium- and heavy-duty applications. Each LoadHandler product was engineered to meet and exceed OEM specifications and carries a one-year warranty.

The new medium- and heavy-duty LoadHandler alternator series now includes 140-, 150-, 160- and 200-amp coverage in several brushed and brushless designs.

The new LoadHandler starter series has a high-torque, high-efficiency design to provide fast, reliable starting power. The line now includes heavy duty gear reduction and straight drive starters, engineered for common medium- and heavy-duty applications.

“LoadHandler Power Products provide reliable performance at a value-driven price,” said Jonathan Smith, assistant director, aftermarket sales and marketing, Prestolite Electric. “For medium and heavy duty applications where performance is critical, the extensive new line of LoadHandler 100% new, drop-in replacement starters and alternators provides a robust solution that can impact your bottom line.”

Each LoadHandler product features application-specific technology to help ensure durability and performance in a wide array of operating environments.

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Whip Around Offers Free Version of App in Time for 2017 Roadcheck

Whip Around has announced that it will be offering a new basic version of its vehicle inspection software for free in time for the 2017 International Roadcheck.

The latest upgrade to its vehicle inspection software is set to provide organizations with increased data collection, deep analytics, and leaderboards across a fleet. The service will enable smaller operators to benefit from Whip Around's mobile vehicle inspection app (e-DVIR) and its cloud-based manager's dashboard for free.

The free version of Whip Around supports up to three vehicles, one driver, one manager, and one form. At any time, a fleet can upgrade to a premium subscription from 20 per month which will support unlimited drivers, their chosen fleet size, unlimited customized forms and a faults management module.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer this in time for Roadcheck 2017. With an emphasis on securing loads this year our mobile apps and intuitive dashboard reporting will help drivers and fleet owners stay on top of compliance and therefore hopefully reduce the risk of fines and unplanned maintenance,” said James Colley, Co-Founder of Whip Around. “We have spent a lot of time focusing on different segments within the transport industry and we want to put some focus onto smaller fleets that make up a significant share of the industry. We believe the freemium service will provide an easy stepping stone into mobilizing their inspection and reporting processes”.

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