Regulatory roundup: state of trucking 2018
The latest on legislative, regulatory, administrative, and enforcement issues across the industry.
The latest on legislative, regulatory, administrative, and enforcement issues across the industry.
Arkansas-based motor carrier sees driver wages up 18%, but it aims to recoup those costs through new shipper contracts.
Avancargo, a freight logistics startup from Argentina has on-boarded over 18,000 trucks on its platform and is helping them connect with shippers digitally.
The city hopes to use its role as a landlord to help move truck traffic on to barges and to trains.
The Indian trucking ecosystem suffers from a lack of visibility and transparency, which Vaahika is looking to address by digitizing logistics and creating a bridge between carriers and shippers.
Mike Roeth, executive director of NACFE, spoke last week at the Meritor/P.S.I. Fleet Technology Event, telling the audience that one of the lessons he learned from NACFE’s Run on Less program in 2016 was that drivers still have plenty of influence over fuel economy, despite technology advances.
Long known for its automatic tire inflation system (ATIS), P.S.I. adding a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) to its portfolio of solutions to help fleets more effectively manage tire maintenance.
Michigan-based asset-light logistics provider aims to boost western U.S. presence with latest acquisition.
Rail seems to be benefiting from higher diesel prices and capacity constraints with SONAR data suggesting more loads are shifting to intermodal in shorter lengths of haul.
The major east-west highway was closed for less than 48 hours. The biggest impact on trucking may come in the next few weeks, when the crops normally hauled out of Georgia just aren’t there.
Four new inbound truck lanes recently opened at Virginia International Gateway, increasing the capacity at the terminal’s gate complex by 30 percent.
Most of the move has no impact on ecommerce or last mile, but one small change could bring some new demand.
About 80 miles of the major east-west interstate highway were closed eastbound with a smaller amount closed westbound.
Netradyne, a startup that uses computer vision to understand and improve driver behavior, has raised $21 million in its Series B funding, led by Microsoft’s venture arm, M12.
Most of the hit is coming from an arbitration award with BNSF. Its conference call with investors is a change in its normal practice.
Loadsmart, a logistics technology company that uses data analytics to provide instant quotes and capacity, has raised its Series A financing led by Maersk Growth.
Volumes still strong in run-up to tariffs, as retailers ramp up imports.
Gains in rates will moderate in coming quarters, but underlying issues of driver availability will keep market tight.
Norfolk Southern has control over a small connector railroad in the Hampton Roads port area, and CSX says it is using that control to block CSX from launching significant intermodal service there.
It’s a wide range of opinions that are expressed in FMCSA’s call for comments on changes in the HOS rule.
Tri-state Truck Center in Memphis is part of a family-owned dealership chain. The Memphis location has historical significance, as it was built on the site of Martin’s Stadium, home of the Memphis Red Sox Negro League team for decades.
In Today’s Pickup: Michael is headed toward the Gulf, a quote by Hunter Harrison and a not-complimentary look at the job of a truck driver.
The master agreement was ratified with less than 50% of the vote. Now it appears some of the local deals were as well.
High spot market trucking rates have caused more carriers to move to that market, but the majority of carriers in a new Transporeon Group survey have remained loyal to their shippers.
Fatalities in all other types of accidents were down. Crashes involving large trucks were the only one moving the other way.
Differences remain in what is best path for drivers to follow, but all agree that port congestion is a problem that needs fixing.
The rank-and-file rejected the agreement, but the union says it didn’t meet a minimum level to not accept a deal. UPS appears baffled by all of this.
Wolfe Research downgraded several trucking stocks Friday after their analysts revealed concerns over spot rates, according to Seeking Alpha
Intermodal has attracted more freight thanks to tight truck markets, but growth rates will moderate.
FreightWaves reached out to OOIDA for their perspective on the current state of affairs in trucking. We also want to engage in a dialog from the fragmented industry interests, seeking points of agreement, as well as naming points of contention.
It’s been quite a few weeks in the discussions regarding precision railroading vs. not-precision, for lack of a better term. Also: OPEC pumping strong, Bangkok a growing intermodal hub
Indices are clearly signaling that the container volume coming in through the Long Beach/LA port is surging and bodes well for the holiday shopping season.
Venture capital-backed firm incorporates road, weather and hours-of-service data to providing real-time tracking.
In addition to funding the FAA for the next five years, the bill includes language that could be used to further integrate unmanned aircraft systems, like drones, into the commercial landscape.
As part of a wide-ranging DOT initiative to prepare for driverless vehicles, FMCSA will address regulations that could be slowing the development of these technologies in the commercial vehicle space.
SambaSafety, powered by Vigillo, just announced the development of a new CSA scorecard utilizing item response theory methodology.
North American Class 8 net orders came in around 42,800 units in September, falling 19 percent from August’s 53,069 units, according to preliminary data released by ACT Research.
Newly launched venture called Transmission aims to bring low-cost ELD product to drayage and intermodal motor carrier.
Driver churn continues to plague the industry as the turnover rate at large truckload carriers has reached its highest point in five years.
Just weeks after a federal judge sided with the company and decertified a class of about 11,000 current and former drivers who filed suit, J.B. Hunt has reportedly reached a $15 million settlement with the drivers.
Logistics company argues that it has improved conditions at warehouse one year after its purchase.
Rising driver wages and fuel costs pushed up the cost per mile to operate a commercial vehicle in 2017, according to an annual report released by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI). The group said it cost $1.69 per mile to operate a truck last year, up 6% from 2016’s cost.
New Prime vs. Oliveira aims to settle who can arbitrate and who is a transportation worker under Federal Arbitration Act.
BNSF will use the CSX system to haul intermodal freight from the LA/Long Beach port, and service on the CSX system will be added from the New York/New Jersey port.
As peak season nears, EnVista’s Senior Project Manager Mark Taylor gave FUEL 2018 attendees his best tips to navigate the sea of surcharges that lies ahead.
Industry veteran Jeffery Barrie has been named CEO of DB Schenker USA, effective Nov. 1, 2018. Barrie will lead all operations in the U.S. and report directly to Philippe Gilbert, Region Americas CEO.
Tired truck drivers? That’s a big concern based on a new survey by the National Safety Council that found 97% of transportation employers are worried about employee fatigue.
In a time when consumers are opting to spend less time in the kitchen, restaurants and grocery stores, convenience is king and grocery delivery services are popping up everywhere.
The depreciating Indian rupee coupled with rising fuel prices have hit the Indian transportation corridor quite hard. The Indian government is now coming up with new regulations and innovative transportation practices to ease pressure.
Cashflow Corner presented by TriumphPay …There are numerous tips available on how truck drivers can save money on the road, and while not all will work for everyone, chances are you can benefit from something on this list.
It’s taken several years, but the eight biggest manufacturers of rear underride equipment now get the top grade from the IIHS.
Tender volumes are taking many by surprise, but not those that understand what is happening with the use of ELD’s by small carriers, especially in the dry van segment.
An annual review of the logistics business gets published; dueling intermodal views; and a startup gets a big chunk of funding.
The annual report by Infosys and others reflects an industry that is largely satisfied with the work that is being done, but with a recognition of areas that need improvement.
A response to an earlier piece discussing railroad attendance at IANA’s recent expo and the benefits of precision railroading.
Under California law, drivers making their way through the Golden State are entitled to a 30-minute meal break for every five hours worked.
FMCSA Administrator Martinez and his officials listened to truck drivers and fleet owners as they asked for more flexibility in the hours of service. The usefulness of split sleeping and breaking up the mandatory 30 minute break were brought up most frequently.
Update: Latest labor action brings attention to drayage drivers as NFI says union is trying to “force” representation on drivers.
Discussions around the topic of autonomous trucks would not be complete without it addressing three main concerns – job security of drivers, data privacy, and liability issues.
“A well-spec’d long-hood conventional stands out in a crowd,” Kyle Cousins, vice president of operations of Fleenor Bros, said after receiving one of the first W990 model tractor from Kenworth.
On Thursday night at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Kenworth Truck Co. introduced its newest long-hood tractor, the W990.
The popular electronic logging device (ELD) exemption for agricultural haulers is up for renewal before Sept. 30, but it’s longer-term fate may hang with Congress’ ability to pass a budget – or at least a Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government open beyond Sunday.
ATA chairman outline group’s legislative priorities for this year.
Total trailer net orders came in at over 38,000 units in August, representative of a 31 percent increase month-over-month and a staggering 142 percent increase year-over-year.
Volvo Trucks will introduce an all-electric truck in California next year before making them commercial available in North America in 2020, the company said.
Military members looking to become truck drivers may have an easier time in doing so as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has authorized states to waive the commercial learner’s permit (CLP) knowledge test and driving skills tests.
Germany has spent $580 billion towards renewable energy infrastructure, but still would fall woefully short of its emissions reduction goals of 2020. Andreas Kuhlmann, chairman of German Energy Agency explains why.
How good is the technology and powertrains on modern tractors? A group of journalists driving similarly spec’d Mack Anthem sleeper models, achieved over 8 mpg – even as high as 10.5 for one day – with the trucks on a three-day run from Asheville, NC, to New Orleans.
The two companies have reached a new milestone in their collaborative effort to create 150 women-owned businesses in transportation. The program announced that it had welcomed its 50th participant last week.
On September 22, 2018, Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 1402 into law in the state of California following a hard-fought battle surrounding labor liability in ports, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
The long-anticipated Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill is up for a vote and it does not include the controversial meal-and-rest break provision that the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and other industry forces were seeking.
The report on online transportation platforms does not draw any conclusions about why it’s happening, but it has plenty of data to back up that it is occurring.
The numbers look good but deteriorating service is tarnishing the traditional role of intermodal.
XPO already has an extensive tuition-free training program in-house. This move expands it out the front door.
Bernd Heid from McKinsey elaborated on the future of mobility, drawing instances of disruptions in the transportation industry and the need for adapting business models to market and regulatory requirements.
The scenario laid out by a leading energy economist is that the market needs a way to soften the blow of higher oil prices that would be spurred by the new environment rule.
Leaders from state departments of transportation across the country participated in a panel discussion about connected and automated vehicles, and the winding road to their ubiquitous adoption.
It also marks the sixth time in eight months NA Class 8 net orders topped 40,000 units, according to ACT Research.
The smartest minds on Wall Street use charting analytics to quickly identify and then track trends in multiple data sets. Why? Because it works. And now freight professionals are learning how to do the same.
ZF, the German automaker has released innovative trucks that can load and unload at the warehouse and last-mile electric delivery vans with level 4 autonomy.
J.D. Power is forecasting more new truck deliveries in the coming months, but demand is still expected to outpace supply into the second quarter of 2019.
Hyundai is working on mass producing hydrogen fuel cell powered heavy-duty electric trucks, which would make an entry into the Swiss commercial market between 2019 and 2023.
Shareholders in Roadrunner would have the right to buy more shares, and if they don’t, the company’s preferred shareholder would step in.
With ELDs in nearly every truck, it was only a matter of time before insurance companies started to utilize the devices. Progressive is among the first, launching a new discount program for truckers that provide Progressive access to their ELD data.
Ford Trucks unveiled its new F-MAX tractor, boasting a high-performance engine with 500 PS, 2500 Nm and 400 kW of braking power. The tractor also has 6% higher fuel optimization over previous models, and delivers lower cost of ownership with 7% reduced maintenance costs.
A significant increase in the use of scrubbers would have an impact on the amount of middle distillates that the shipping sector needs to consume under IMO2020 rules.
Volvo Trucks enters the electromobility age with FE and FL Electric truck variants and Vera, a fully autonomous electric truck concept that could redefine transportation within logistics hubs.
Customers in some cases can move back and forth between the rails and the roads, and how brokers deal with that was the subject of an IANA panel discussion.
Lower age threshold part of ongoing move to reduce emissions.
While things like bonuses and increased pay are already being employed to attract drivers, the shortage continues to worsen
FreightWaves spoke to ArcBest officers about Off Wall Street’s research report, which they said raised concerns about off-balance sheet liabilities related to pensions.
Jim Filter of Schneider says he’s seeing benefits from CSX paring back its footprint and focusing on a smaller range of lanes.
Cashflow Corner presented by TriumphPay …Factoring can be a great way for small businesses, especially trucking companies, to manage their cash flow effectively and not devote valuable time that can be better spent hauling the next load because you are chasing down a late payer.
A panel of experts from all sides of the market confronts the driver squeeze, and says productivity improvements could be like adding new drivers.
Parcel giant UPS announced today that it expects to hire about 100,000 seasonal employees to support the anticipated surge in package volume that will begin in November and continue through January 2019.
Over the years, Punjabis have consolidated their stand as one of the most dominant trucking communities in India. Migration and a different rulebook seems to have little effect in making their presence felt in the U.S.
Retention, training, and the capacity crunch are undeniably hot button issues in 2018, and, in response, SmartDrive and FreightWaves collaborated to distribute a survey to uncover trends in driver incentive programs.
XPO’s seasonal numbers are up 20% from last year. Those sorts of needs is why Amazon has a unique program for a unique group of people.
It may no longer be a hurricane, but Florence is still expected to exact a toll on the Carolinas and then further inland over the next several days as the slow-moving storm drops rain measured in feet rather than inches across a wide swath of area.