Hanjin Woes Boost West Coast Spot Market Truck Freight, Rates

As the West Coast feels ripple effects from the bankruptcy of Hanjin Shipping Co., nationally the number of load on the spot truckload freight market fell 5% during the week ending Sept. 24 compared to the week before as truck capacity increased 3%, according to DAT Solutions, its network of load boards.

Those conditions helped send average van and refrigerated load-to-truck ratios down 10% last week with vans at 2.8 available load per posted truck and reefers at 5.5 to 1. The flatbed load-to-truck ratio was 13.2 to 1, unchanged from the previous week.

The ratios are back on par with August levels, according to DAT, but spot truckload rates didn't move much with flatbeds down 1 cent from the week before, for a national average of $1.88 per mile. Vans and reefers were unchanged at an average of $1.64 per mile and $1.91 per mile, respectively. All reported include fuel surcharges.

In contrast, Los Angeles jumped to the second highest spot for the market with the most available outbound loads, behind Chicago. Spot van freight volume and rates surged there last week, up 2 cents to $2.01 per mile. Los Angeles-Phoenix, increased 4 cents to $2.61 per mile, the highest outbound rate, as rates on eastbound, long-haul lanes market made greater gains compared to the previous week.

According to DAT Analyst Peggy Dorf, the bankruptcy of the world's seven largest commercial shipping company started a ripple effect on the whole supply chain, which includes trucking.

"Even if they didn't have cargo on Hanjin ships, big retailers are starting to shift inventory from West Coast distribution centers to other distribution centers farther east,” she wrote in the DAT blog. “October is a critical month for retail freight in advance of the Christmas season, and retailers want to prevent stock-outs while they wait ...Read the rest of this story

Two-truck platooning could deliver 4% average fuel savings

Platooning could potentially deliver a 4% average savings over two trucks in real-world operating conditions, according to Trucking Efficiency's most recent Confidence Report. That is after accounting for traffic, terrain and time when equipped trucks will not be operating in a platoon, explained Michael Roeth, North American Council for Freight Energy (NACFE) executive director.

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Ministers discuss ELDs, systems to protect “vulnerable” road users

EPA Testing Results on Propane Autogas Ford Transit

In a recent Environmental Protection Agency emissions test, the Ford Transit showed dramatic reductions of harmful emissions while performing on propane autogas when compared to the same engine operating on gasoline.

What is the Significance of EPA Testing?

EPA testing is required for any alternative vehicle fuel system operating in the United States. Without this complex certification process, alternative fuel manufacturers and vehicle operators would be liable for emissions tampering on vehicles, which can result in significant fines. Not only does this process look at tailpipe emissions directly, but also builds in emissions deteriorations factors to 120,000 miles, meaning the emissions standard will be met for the entirety of a typical vehicle's lifecycle.

The Results

Through this rigorous EPA testing protocol, propane autogas has clear, proven benefits over gasoline:

Why Should This Matter to Your Fleet?

With more and more companies mandating sustainability goals for their companies, fleets can be confident that propane autogas is a measurable and legal way to comply with these initiatives. This, compiled with the addition cost savings of operating on propane autogas, make it a viable alternative fuel that fleets can take advantage of right now.

As Stuart Weidie, President of Alliance AutoGas, notes, “Propane autogas helps company owners and fleet managers produce immediate results for their sustainability programs – and reduces operating costs at the same time.”

For more about Alliance AutoGas visit www.allianceautogas.com.

Related: The All-New Propane Autogas Ford F-750

* Emissions testing conducted on a 2015 Ford Transit equipped with 3.7L port fuel injected engine. Testing conducted at Roush Laboratories at average temp 76.15 °F, April 2, 2015 with an odometer reading of 2,088 miles.

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West Virginia trucks haul flood relief to Louisiana

The severe 1,000-year flooding that struck Louisiana back in August left a trail of devastation in its wake – devastation that continues to be set right, however, by shipments of donated supplies to affected areas. Earlier this month West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) soldiers loaded five of their tractor-trailers with much-needed donated goods and headed down to the Pelican state. (All photos by Sgt. Zoe Morris of the 153rd Public Affairs Detachment)

PeopleNet and TMW Recognize Innovators at User Conference

PeopleNet and TMW Systems recognized the winners of their 2016 Innovator of the Year awards at their joint in.sight User Conference in Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 27.

The awards are presented to customers from each company every year to recognize those that have made the most innovative use of technology in their businesses.

A joint award was presented to Solar Transport. The carrier achieved improved fuel mileage and enhanced driver safety by implementing technologies from companies.

The recipients of the PeopleNet awards were selected from three tiers, based on fleet size. Plus, a Canadian fleet was recognized. PeopleNet 2016 Innovators of the Year included OrTran Express (less the 100 vehicles), Solar Transport (100-500 vehicles), DOT transportation (more than 500 vehicles) and Grimshaw Trucking (Canadian Innovator).

TMW Systems recognized fleets in specific categories and the recipients included OrTran Expres (truckload), Liquid Freight (non-asset), Grimshaw Trucking (less-than-truckload, intermodal and specialty), Western Refining, Inc., (energy), Master Fleet (maintenance), Nebraska Furniture Mart (private) and Royal Trucking Co. (business intelligence).

Related: TMW Systems, PeopleNet Hold First Joint User Conference

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TMW Introduces Mobile Applications for Innovative IES

Photo: Jim Beach

Mobile apps designed for TMW Systems Innovation IES Access and Access Plus truck management systems were introduced at the PeopleNet TMW in.sight User Conference in Nashville Sept.27.

IES Mobile Dispatch allows fleet managers to review ending EDI tenders and key information such as customer, load-at location, consignee and bill-to information from their Android or iOS mobile devices.

The app also lets managers search and review available loads, match those loads to drivers and equipment and then dispatch the load from the same interface. It offers quick access to customer account information and also allows them to review stops and advance funds to s driver.

IES Mobile Driver enables drivers to review and manage trip details, messages and other information using their smartphone. Both Android and iOS devices are supported.

Once drivers log into the app, they can see details on their trips, hours of service and other information. The app's driver hours tab shows a breakdown of the drivers current-day hours-of-service, hours driven in the past eight days and hours available for the current week. Drivers can also use the app to view maps, load characteristics and ETA for each stop.

Related: TMW Systems, PeopleNet Hold First Joint User Conference

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