IIHS Tests Show Clear Safety Benefit of Side Underride Guards

Recently conducted tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety have demonstrated the potentially life-saving benefit of placing side underride guards on trailers. As a result, IIHS contends that mandating such guards should be considered by policymakers.

IIHS said that comparing crash data on trailers with and without side underride guards in collisions with passenger sedans at 35 miles per hour shows that passengers are more likely to sustain fatal injuries when hitting a trailer without the guard. One test evaluated the AngelWing side underride protection device from Airflow Deflector, while a second test was on a trailer with only a fiberglass side skirt.

Without a side underride guard, the sedan wedged underneath the trailer, shearing off the roof and leaving passengers vulnerable to injury.

With the side impact guard, the sedan was prevented from going under the trailer, allowing the car's airbags and safety belt to properly restrain the test dummy in the driver's seat.

In both tests, a midsize car struck the center of a 53-foot long dry van trailer. The side underride guard was able to absorb the impact and bend without allowing the car to go underneath the trailer.

An IIHS study in 2012 found that underride guards have the potential to reduce injury risk in 75% of large truck side crashes producing fatality or serious injury to a passenger vehicle occupant. The proportion increased to almost 90% when restricted to crashes with semi-trailers.

"Our tests and research show that side underride guards have the potential to save lives," said David Zuby, IIHS executive vice president and chief research officer. "We think a mandate for side underride guards on large trucks has merit, especially as crash deaths continue to rise on our roads."

Federal law requires large trucks to have rear underride guards, but not side underride guards. At least three U.S. cities ...Read the rest of this story

McNeilus and Agility Fuel Solutions Strengthen Partnership

McNeilus Truck & Manufacturing, Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company, announced the strengthening of its strategic alliance with natural gas industry leader Agility Fuel Solutions at WasteExpo 2017.

“By enhancing our relationship with Agility, we can provide added value for our customers,” said Brad Nelson, president, McNeilus Truck & Manufacturing, Inc., and Oshkosh Corporation's Commercial Segment. “Linking Agility's design and manufacturing expertise with our extensive installation, parts distribution and service capabilities creates a product and support system for natural gas fleets that is unmatched in the industry.”

The newly strengthened alliance is designed to offer fleets a broad and differentiated offering of designs and capacities to meet the needs of any customer. For instance, McNeilus will now be authorized to process claims, provide parts, and service for Agility's CNG systems and conduct Agility CNG installations throughout its branch network.

Agility's strategic partnership with Cummins, the leading provider of engines to the trucking industry, has produced Blue iQ, an integrated engine and fuel system with performance enhancements, diagnostics improvements, and telematics services. Ultimately, customers will receive a world class customer experience and benefit from the products and services of all three proven market leaders.

“Improving air quality around the world begins locally with cleaner and quieter refuse trucks in our communities,” said Kathleen Ligocki, CEO for Agility Fuel Solutions. “Agility is proud to introduce Blue iQ™ to the refuse industry through our alliance with McNeilus Truck & Manufacturing. Together we offer North America's best-in-class products, sales network, and service.”

To learn more about this complete CNG solution visit www.mcneiluscompanies.com/.

Related: McNeilus and Agility Fuel Systems Strike Alliance

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Isuzu Begins Production of Class 6 FTR

Eight wheelbase lengths, ranging from 152 to 248 inches, accommodate bodies from 14 feet to 30 feet, allowing for a wide variety of body applications. (Photo courtesy of ICTA)

Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc., distributor of low cab forward trucks, has announced that production of its all-new entry in the Class 6 medium-duty truck segment — the 2018 Isuzu FTR — began May 8, 2017.

The truck is being produced at a new 80,000-square-foot Spartan Motors facility in Charlotte, Mich.

“We believe that the all-new FTR is the truck of the future,” said Shaun Skinner, president of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America. “This truck's combination of low-cab-forward design, Class 6 GVWR, and four-cylinder diesel engine gives it fantastic maneuverability, the ability to carry more cargo than a conventional Class 6 truck, and outstanding fuel efficiency."

The FTR is powered by Isuzu's 4HK1-TC 5.2L turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine — a first in the segment, according to the truckmaker. It generates 520 lb.-ft. of torque and 215 hp and carries a B10 durability rating of 375,000 miles — meaning that 90% of engines should reach that mileage before requiring an overhaul. The truck has a gross vehicle weight rating of 25,950 pounds.

"We're also thrilled to be working with Spartan Motors in Michigan,” Skinner added. “Much of the engineering for this truck was done at the Isuzu Technical Center of America in Plymouth, Michigan, and many of the parts for it are U.S.-sourced. This is a true medium-duty Class 6 truck designed and built for this market, in this market.”

Eight wheelbase lengths, ranging from 152 to 248 inches, accommodate bodies from 14 feet to 30 feet, allowing for a wide variety of body applications.

The new truck assembly plant where the FTR is being produced represents a $6.5 million investment and has already brought new jobs to ...Read the rest of this story

For-Hire Freight Eases Back from Record High

Freight Transportation Services Index, March 2012 - March 2017. Graphic: U.S. DOT

After setting a new record high a monthly gauge of freight moved by the nation's for-hire transportation industry retreated, according new Transportation Department figures.

Its Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) fell 1.5% in March from the month before, after reaching an all-time high in February. The March index level registered 124 while the February reading was revised downward to 125.9 from 126.4, still a record, as January was revised up slightly.

When the level of March is compared to the same time in 2016 it is up 3.2%.

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. The index measures the output from trucking, rail, inland waterways, pipelines and air freight.

The March decline was due to decreases in trucking, rail carloads, rail intermodal, and water, while air freight and pipeline grew. It took place against a background of mixed signals in other economic indicators that showed employment and personal income grew while housing starts declined. Also, a measure of industrial production rose by 0.5% in March, but this was entirely due to growth in utilities, as manufacturing output declined.

The 0.5% first quarter decrease in the freight TSI from the previous quarter took place as gross domestic product growth slowed to an annual rate of 0.7% from 2.1% in fourth quarter 2016,

The slowdown in GDP growth in the most recent two quarters was preceded by a third quarter decline in Freight TSI and the rapid GDP growth in the third quarter was preceded by a 2.1% increase in Freight TSI in the second quarter.

Despite these recent economic trends, the freight TSI remains at a historically high level. For all four months from December 2016 through March ...Read the rest of this story

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