Feb 01, 2019

Trucking Industry Update February 1, 2019

By Jeremy Feucht
Did you Know?
7% of truckers in the US are women?
Trucking tip of the Week
As spot market rates continue leveling off, being professional and courteous will go along way in keeping brokers coming your way. Your rates may be a bit higher than the going average, but if you can follow through on your promises while being courteous and professional, you will win in the long run.
Dangers on the Road
May the road become a little less dangerous for drivers in 2019? Two pieces of legislation have again been introduced into the House of Representatives, that if passed, would allow truckers with concealed weapons permits to carry across state lines. This law has been brought up every year since at least 2014 after a trucker named Michael Boeglin was shot and killed in Detroit. The chances of any piece of legislation passing is around 4% and with the current climate surrounding guns in the major metropolitan areas, do not expect much from these bills.
Human Trafficking
Truckers have long been sought out to combat human trafficking. Truckers have also been targets of legislation to deter them from being involved in human trafficking rings. Trainings have been setup across the US so drivers know what to look for in these situations and what they should do if they suspect a human trafficking case. One company based in Washington state has decided to be part of the solution as well. Kam-Way trucking is partnering with Washington State Patrol to place pictures of missing children on the sides of the trailers. The program is called “Homeward Bound.” Let’s hope this program returns these missing children home!
Possible New Toll
Virginia is suggesting a new toll throughout the entirety of I-81. Gantries are expected to be set up every 30-40 miles. At the rate being suggested, truckers would need to pay $55 to travel the length of the interstate. It remains to be seen

Trucking Industry Update February 15, 2019 <h4>Trucking Industry Update February 15, 2019</h4> <h6>By Jeremy Feucht</h6> <h1></h1> <h1>Did you Know?</h1> The regulation of the transportation industry, including today’s semis, began in earnest this week in history. On February 10, 1966, Ralph Nader testified before Congress regarding a book he had published called “Unsafe at Any Speed.” His testimony initiated the move towards an emphasis on safety as opposed to power and speed. <h1>Trucking tip of the Week</h1> With all the winter weather still occurring across the US, it is important to make sure you are keeping your headlights clear of dirt. Road dirt and other debris mixed with wet conditions can make your headlights less effective. Remember to wipe them off during your pre- and post-trip inspections. <h1>Trucker’s Fees</h1> One week after news broke that the US House of Representatives is considering a move towards a weight mileage tax on truckers, the US Senate has announced a similar initiative. While discussions are ongoing, there is also talk about increased fuel taxes in the interim while the weight/mileage change in implemented. During the hearing that occurred on February 13, the number thrown around was an increase of nearly $.20 per gallon. If you would like to listen to the hearing, you can access it <a href="https://www.commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/hearings?ID=A73B1CC1-D6D6-4B18-A419-9F33FB5F69BA">here</a> (fast forward to the 2:12:00 mark). <h1>Autonomous Technology</h1> TuSimple, a company attempting to lead the way in autonomous trucking, has raised nearly $100 million dollars in a funding campaign. With its latest round of funding, TuSimple is now pushing a <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/autonomous-trucking-leader-tusimple-closes-110000387.html">$1 billion dollar valuation</a>. This ultimately means that TuSimple is making gains in their push towards a fully autonomous truck. However, this technology has yet to be fully approved for use in the US. While some states have allowed testing, many others have not. This will be an interesting topic to watch moving forward. <h1>Declarations of Emergency</h1> There are at least 32 states under declarations of emergency due to winter conditions in the US. Several are set to expire by the end of the week. Please check the <a href="https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/emergency-declarations">FMCSA’s Declaration of Emergency page</a> to ensure you are not caught in a bad situation. If you are operating under the HOS exemption granted by such declaration, make sure the declaration is still in effect, so you do not receive a citation for hours violations.

Feb 15, 2019 • Carriers

Trucking Industry Update February 8, 2019 [p]By Jeremy Feucht [p] [p]Did you Know? [p]The average trucker spends nearly $60,000 in fuel each year! [p]Trucking tip of the Week [p]Be careful when using a GPS. Many truckers get stuck on roads that are not meant for semis due to GPS routing. Make sure your GPS is built for big rigs prior to purchasing. [p]Trucker’s Fees [p]<a href="https://legislature.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sessioninfo/2019/standingcommittees/190205_stra_0130PM-Agenda.pdf">Two potential pieces of legislation called Routing Slips</a>, have come forward in Idaho that could increase the financial burden placed on truckers driving through the state. The Routing Slips would add a weight-mileage charge to truckers. Although the wording of the potential bills has not been released to the public, it is believed that IRP and IFTA would remain in place if passed. [p]HOS Exemption for Cement Trucks [p]<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/02/06/2019-01267/hours-of-service-of-drivers-american-concrete-pavement-association-inc-application-for-exemptions">Cement truckers have been granted</a> an extension from a portion of the hours of service ruling and a new exemption on another hours of service rule. For the next five years, cement trucks will be allowed to continue to receive an exemption to the 30-minute break rule. Within the same ruling, companies operating cement trucks will be granted an exemption from a major stipulation of the short-haul rules. Instead of having to start and stop service at the same spot each day, cement truck drivers will now be allowed to start and stop service wherever necessary. They will not have to keep track of RODS when working within short-haul distances even though they are not starting and stopping in the same locations. <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/02/06/2019-01276/hours-of-service-of-drivers-national-cattlemens-beef-association-livestock-marketing-association">Cattle farmers</a> have requested a similar exemption. No word on when or if it will be approved. [p]Virginia Toll Legislation Denied [p]Virginia had toyed with the idea of adding tolls the <a href="https://www.gobytrucknews.com/virginia-cancels-plans-for-tolls-on-i-81/123">entire length of I-81</a>. The tolls would have cost a driver as much as $55 per day. Luckily, this legislation has been denied and will not be brought to life.

Feb 08, 2019

Trucking Industry Update January 11, 2019 [p]By Jeremy Feucht [p]Did you Know? [p]What is arguably the most popular song about truckers, “Convoy” by CW MCCall reached #1 on the pop charts in the US on January 10, 1976. [p]Trucking tip of the Week [p]The beginning of a new year means preparing for tax season. Staying organized should always be a top priority. Make sure to collect your medical expenses, your statements from your brokers and/or factoring company if you do not have them already. [p]Autonomous Trucking [p]TuSimple, one of the first autonomous startups in the US has begun its commercial trips. Running mainly in the regulation-lite Arizona, TuSimple is running <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2019/01/07/autonomous-trucking-startup-tusimple-is-taking-3-to-5-commercial-trips-a-day/">three to five trips per day with 11 trucks</a>. Their desire is to have 40 trucks by June and to be running into Texas within the next couple of months. While they claim to be fully autonomous, their vehicles always have two people in the cab. The first is behind the wheel and the second is going over the data the truck provides from the trip. [p]Regulations <a href="https://www.freightwaves.com/news/driver-issues/fmca-says-no-to-california-rest-rules?rq=California%20fmcsa">[p]The FMCSA ruled</a> that the state of California could no longer require drivers to take a half hour break every five hours on duty. The federal rule is a half hour break after 8 hours on duty. A petition created by the ATA and the Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association challenged the California ruling and won a victory however, it may not last long. <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/trucking-companies-exposed-liability-risk-165621944.html">The Teamsters Union is appealing the decision</a>. [p]Technology [p]Daimler announced this week at the big technology conference, CES, that they will be selling semis that have the capability to keep the <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/trucking-companies-exposed-liability-risk-165621944.html">truck from drifting out of their lane beginning in 2019</a>. Much like passenger cars and SUVs have adopted over the last couple of years, Daimler feels the same technology would be beneficial to truckers as well. Like we have stated several times in the past couple of months, CEO of Daimler Trucks North America Roger Nielsen, states that fully autonomous vehicles are a long way from becoming a reality.

Jan 11, 2019