Policy Activists: Truck Loads Already Too Large

Monday, May 4, 2009

As a transportation bill moves through Congress, activists petition to fight big
rigs carrying larger loads, calling it a public health crisis.

At a news conference on Monday, the Truck Safety Coalition led by advocate Joan Claybrook introduced families whose loved ones had been lost to highway fatalities due to commercial truck accidents. One victim's father expressed that larger trucks would be a greater hazard than currently exists.

Truck cargo industry group Coalition for Transportation Productivity instead calls for tractor-trailers to add an axle, thus giving them 22 wheels instead of 18. They are pushing for higher load limits as cargo demand increases and safer roads based on fewer trucks being on the road and more even distribution of weight.

How to Find Qualified Truck Drivers and Owner Operators Without Breaking the Bank

How to Find Qualified Truck Drivers and Owner Operators Without Breaking the Bank

Recruiter and trucker matching service truckingjob.org is now competitively priced at only $19.95/month.

The uniqueness of this service is that recruiters don't have to search on a site to find outdated applications or screen callers over the phone. Recruiters don't have to pay hundreds of dollars to employment agencies and third party driver services.

Just subscribe to the TruckingJob.org service and receive qualified American and Canadian driver applications by email in real time.

Secure payment is by credit card or Paypal and there is no long-term commitment required.

Check them out and see for yourself at http://truckingjob.org

How to Find Truck Loads Fast Without Searching

How to Find Truck Loads Fast Without Searching

Introducing FreightMail.com Freight Matching Service

The uniqueness of the FreightMail.com service is that trucking companies don't have to search for loads or trucks. Just enter your origin and destination states and equipment types on your FreightMail.com settings and you will receive Loads and or Trucks by email in real time. You don't have to search for information that might be outdated by the time you search for it.

You can change your trucks or loads settings at any time and turn the emails on or off at any point as well. FreightMail.com uses some of the most sophisticated secure payment processing technology on the Internet so your personal information is always safe.

Here are some of the key benefits to using FreightMail.com

* Receive truck loads by email as soon as they are posted
* Customize to your State and equipment
* No searching required
* Paypal secure, Paypal verified
* No commitment, cancel any time
* 100% Money Back Guarantee

Freight-matching service freightmail.com is now competitively priced at only $9.95/month. They also offer a 7-day free trial for new customers. Payment is by credit card or Paypal. There are no extra fees and no long-term commitment is required.

Join free at http://freightmail.com

Recession Leads to Oversupply of Drivers

Recession Leads to Oversupply of Drivers
Sunday Jan 4, 2009

Green Bay firm Schneider National Inc., one of the largest trucking companies in the US, has announced that it will stop training new truck drivers.

Schneider has not limited itself to hiring exclusively experienced drivers since the mid-1980s.

Before the current economic downturn, a nationwide driver shortage prevailed. There was high turnover that drove up pay; thus leaving trucks idle regardless of demand.
This has all changed now as large numbers of trucking companies fail and a greater amount of trucks sit idle. So with fewer options, more truckers are deciding to stay where they are.

According to the American Trucking Association and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, there is no longer a driver shortage but in fact an oversupply. For Schneider, though, due to the low freight volume, it is hardly worth it to spend approximately $8,000 and 45 days to train new drivers vs. $1,500 and 4 days to orient an experienced driver to their company.

Despite being on a downward trend, however,the American Trucking Association reported an increase in monthly freight tonnage for November 2008. Until the economic tide changes, companies can look forward to greater savings and their pick of
experienced drivers looking for work.

US Passes Bill to Fund Building of Hybrid Trucks

US Passes Bill to Fund Building of Hybrid Trucks
October 3, 2008

H.R. 6323, the Heavy Hybrid Truck Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 2008, which offers grants to build, test and sell hybrid heavy-duty trucks just passed the US House of Representatives.

This legislation, proposed by Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.). , encourages research on hybrid trucks that could have the potential to use 60% less fuel, especially significant for trucks that idle for hours upon reaching their destinations.

The bill is said to authorize $16 million per year through fiscal 2011. By encouraging the research of technology that reduces fuel consumption and emissions, and exporting vehicles using such technology, the world will feel a ripple effect of a reduction in emissions as well.

Loans May Soon Be Available to Truckers Affected by High Cost of Fuel

Loans May Soon Be Available to Truckers Affected by High Cost of Fuel
October 3, 2008

After meetings with many truckers to discuss their challenges associated with the rising cost of fuel; US Rep. Brian Baird (D-Wash) has proposed legislation to provide them with low-interest loans.

"Truckers provide the backbone of our nation's retail economy,” says Baird. In light of recent Wall Street disasters, Congressman Baird looks to support independent truckers and small businesses, not just the large corporations. “This legislation would...help keep them, and our economy afloat."

Under the proposed bill, transportation businesses affected by high fuel prices would be eligible to apply for emergency loans up to $250,000 via the Small Business Administration. This could prevent these firms from going out of business and serve to stimulate the faltering economy.

Rep. Norm Dicks (D-Wash.), Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), Rep. John Salazar (D-Colo.), and Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-S.D.) have agreed to co-sponsor the proposed legislation in hopes that it should be included in the upcoming economic stimulus package. The Northwest Log Truckers Cooperative and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association also support this bill.

Trucking Industry Shrinking, Nearshoring on the Rise

Trucking Industry Shrinking, Nearshoring on the Rise
October 3, 2008

As over 3000 trucking firms are expected to shut down in the next year and others scaling down operations, capacity may be strained. And as extra shipping fees are being added on, wholesale prices will probably inflate and retailers will not be able to pass too many costs onto the consumer. Small businesses in the same region are advised to pool their resources to have better standing with the trucking companies.


Local manufacturing looks like it will be on the increase though since the prices of cargo transport from China has tripled in the last 5 years; not counting the ocean freight costs from other nations as well. And since oil prices are not likely to dip to pre-2007 levels either, many companies seek to avoid outsourcing, thus cutting their delivery times. Volkswagen, Ikea and others have already begun increasing output at their plants and building new ones in the US. At the same time, food retailers are focusing more on pushing local produce, and imports of out-of-season items may be more costly and less commonly found.

The Future Looks Cleaner

The Future Looks Cleaner
August 21, 2008

There is no getting around the inevitable. As fuel prices continue to dominate world markets, the smart money will be following the development of alternate fuel sources. On the other hand, dependence on fuel is not going to disappear in the coming years. As new energy sources are sought and researched, others are seeking methods to reduce our current usage and make the most of our present situation.

Recycling has become a way of life in many countries. Local ordinances in many locales require homeowners to sort their trash. Many municipalities encourage disposal of waste items with recycling in mind by providing designated receptacles in public places. Water recycling for agriculture is quite common, especially in countries where water shortages are chronic. But, what about recycling the fuel that we burn in our vehicles?

Clean Power Technologies, of Calgary, Alberta, is committed to the development of hybrid fuel technology for a variety of vehicles including locomotives, heavy trucks, and light cars. The company's flagship product is the Clean Energy Storage and Recovery (CESAR) System. CESAR takes otherwise wasted heat from the exhaust of a standard combustion engine and converts it to clean power for the vehicle through a heat recovery system.

A heat exchanger captures waste energy in an accumulator, where the energy is stored in the form of steam. The steam can then be used "on demand" either in the source engine or in a secondary vapor engine. The secondary engine can produce power even after the source engine has been shut down.

Although Clean Power has conducted tests of the CESAR system on passenger vehicles, their primary application, at this point, has been use of the system in the trucking industry. It has proven very efficient for powering trailer refrigeration systems. Initial tests have shown a 40 percent increase in fuel efficiency. It can also be used to power other auxiliary truck systems, such as cab cooling and heating. The potential economic benefits of this system are tremendous. At the same time, the environmental benefits are no less impressive. The CESAR system prevents noxious and hazardous waste from entering the atmosphere and puts it to positive use in a clean, safe fashion.

As development continues towards use of this system in passenger vehicles, Clean Power is continuing its research to develop systems applicable to all transportation sectors.

Emission control and energy recycling – examples of partnering necessity and ingenuity for a cleaner tomorrow.

Honoring the Saviors

Honoring the Saviors
August 21, 2008

It is difficult to travel the United States and not find a museum or Hall of Fame that honors and pays tribute to great individuals who have made a lasting and memorable contribution to the history of America. Some of those honored are veritable legends, their stories known to every child in school. Others are less known, their glorious achievements, nonetheless, being charted and remembered by caring historians, ensuring that future generations will carry the torch of history.

In some cases, important aspects of history might be totally obliterated from our collective memories, were it not for the efforts of a devoted minority.

Travelers to Memphis, Tennessee make their way to Graceland, the mansion of entertainment legend Elvis Presley. More than half a million visitors make their way to Graceland each year, making it the second most visited "museum-home" in America (the White House is first).

Unknown to many Americans, though, is that Tennessee is also home to a museum that honors an important part of our lives that we often take for granted.

Chattanooga, Tennessee is a city that played an important role in transport history. During the heyday of the railroads, the city was a major transportation hub, being a terminus for many railway lines and river transport systems.

As the age of railroads faded and motor transport became supreme, Chattanooga became the birth place of one aspect of motor transport that cannot be ignored.

More than 10,000 visitors a year visit one of Chattanooga's major tourist sites – the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum. Curator Jim Starry maintains this one of a kind museum. The first tow truck wrecker was designed and used in Chattanooga in the early 1900's. Since then, tow trucks have become an indispensable part of our lives.

The museum is stocked with some of the earliest models of tow trucks, collected from various parts of the world. The Hall of Fame pays tribute to the best and brightest of the tow truck world, many of whom have literally put their lives on the line to save drivers in distress from dangerous situations.

In order to qualify for a spot in the Hall of Fame, one must be in the business for a minimum of 20 years, or invented something pertaining to the towing business, says Curator Starry. Similarly, the Hall of Fame looks for those towing professionals who are active members of their communities, giving of their time and resources to contribute to the benefit of others. Towing professionals from around the world, from America to Australia, have already earned places of honor in the museum's Hall of Fame.

Finally, the Hall of Fame pays tribute to tow truck drivers who have been killed in the line of duty. Rescuing cars in snow storms or at accident sites can often be perilous. These drivers will forever be honored in Chattanooga.

From the first tow truck in the early 1900's, Chattanooga is now the largest manufacturer of tow trucks in the world. The city has certainly earned its place of honor it the world of transport.

In Trains We Trust

In Trains We Trust
August 20, 2008

With the end of the current business sessions of the 110th U.S. Congress on the horizon, farmers across America and their representatives are doing their utmost to bring pressure on U.S. lawmakers to grant one more vital bill.

The average consumer has surely noticed that prices of food, both domestic and imported, have been on the rise. There are various reasons for the price hikes. However, one factor that has been common to most markets is the effect of high fuel prices.

How does the price of a barrel of crude oil from the Middle East affect the price of hamburger rolls made from U.S. grown wheat?

In factoring the wholesale and eventual retail prices of food items, transportation is a key factor. Local grown tomatoes sold at a farmer's market will have a much lower price than produce that has been shipped halfway across the country. On the other hand, supplying fresh daily produce to all corners of the nation is a luxury not enjoyed by many countries on this globe. Luxury, though, has its price tag.

Truck transport was the most common mode of long haul transportation until recently. The flexibility of routes, combined with the affordability of the transport mode, made trucking the choice of many farmers and suppliers. However, as trucking companies have been re-thinking the economic viability of long haul transport, railroad freight has become a realistic option. In many cases, trucking combined with rail freight has proven to be a successful combination.

Farmers across America have been relying more on rail service to ship their crops to the designated markets. Washington, D.C., though, has been making the economic reality of rail freight difficult for the farmers. In order for food prices to remain reasonable, rail prices must be reasonable. Antitrust exemptions granted to the freight rail industry allow the rail companies to charge farmers exorbitantly high prices. Removal of these exemptions would force the rail companies to become competitive and, thus, would reduce the rates and provide better service, also a complaint of the farmers. The lower rates would be passed on to the consumer. As many farmers rely heavily on the railroads, they feel that they are being held captive with no place to turn, and no other options.

The American Farm Bureau Federation has been pressuring members of the House and Senate to eliminate the Freight Rail Antitrust Exemptions. Senate bill 772 and House bill 1650 are companion bills that would make the antitrust exemptions obsolete. Farmers, growers, and consumers hope that the bills soon find a favorable place in the nation's law books.