Does this stuff actually pay for itself?

Our clients have been getting hit by mandates left and right lately; a GPS requirement from the USPS for some of their contracts, the new EOBR rule, and CSA's impact. I have been using onboard truck technology since 1990, many of our clients have been with us for a long time. Why do they use it?

Fuel Savings:
Controlling Engine Idle. According to the Argonne National Laboratories, the average truck wastes 2196 gallons per year idling. A large diesel engine idling under no load will burn approximately 1 gallon/hour.

Controlling Speed. According to multiple tests by Kenworth, Firestone, and the American Trucking Association, fuel consumption increases by 2.2% for every 1 MPH increase over 55 MPH. If your trucks are averaging 6.6 MPH while running 65 MPH, that will increase to 7.5 MPH if they slow down to 55 MPH.

Controlling shifting and stopping habits. Hard braking is one of the largest contributors to excessive fuel consumption on "governed" trucks where speed is kept lower than normal using the ECM.

Driving Efficiency:
You are able to pay drivers for all work they do, cutting waste and overlapping tasks when possible.

Maintenance Savings:
I was talking to one of our clients last week, who runs his trucks 1 million miles before trading with no major maintenance. The reason, those habits that contribute to fuel economy also help your maintenance costs. Increase in speed from 55 MPH to 65 MPH increases tire wear 5% to 16%, depending on GVW. Increase in speed from 55 MPH to 65 MPH decreases miles to overhaul by 10% to 15%. Increase in speed from 55 MPH to 65 MPH increases oil consumption 15%. Idling for 6 hours = 42 miles of engine wear.

Dispatch Efficiency and Vehicle Utilization:
Each company is different. However, up to 42% of an average fleet's total costs are in vehicle depreciation acquisition costs. A recent Aberdeen Group survey found that reporting fleets averaged an increase in vehicle utilization of 13%

Insight from the new ATA Chairman; from the Dallas Truck Show

Hodges' view of EOBR's is accurate, although his cost estimate is high. He does not understand the cost benefits of EOBR's - or at least did not discuss them. His view of CSA2010 is right on - and he is the first person I have heard to articulate the benefit of CSA2010 to good drivers.

Click on the link for the entire article.

Simple Route Tracking

LoadTrek.net releases GPS phone based simple route tracking, which also complies with the USPS GPS requirement.

New Edition of FMCSA's Office of Analysis, Research, and Analysis "Insights"

Free CSA 2010 Resources

Carriers In CSA Pilot States to Share Experiences

Motor carriers from five pilot states for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's CSA 2010 will share their experiences during a webinar Sept. 8, from 1 to 4 p.m. CDT.

FMCSA Releases Safety Measurement System to Motor Carriers

Commercial motor vehicle carriers may now view their individual safety assessments on the Data Preview Website. This updated Website provides motor carriers with information on where they stand in each Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Category (BASIC) based on roadside data and investigation findings. Each motor carrier’s BASIC assessments are visible only to them (and to enforcement staff) until December of 2010. In December, assessments will be made available to the public. Also, enforcement agencies will use these assessments to prioritize the Agency’s enforcement and compliance assistance workload. By providing carriers with this information now, FMCSA’s approach gives carriers the earliest possible opportunity to improve compliance.

Making Roads Safe - A Decade of Action to Combat the Road Safety Crisis

Click on this link to gain an understanding of the UN's plan to encourage/help nations enhance safety on the roadways. The oilfield services industry has been notable for coordinating road safety efforts across the globe, and now we have have some coordinated government involvement as well.

Stakeholders Await Review of new Hours of Service Regulations

Weekend Entertainment - Tanker Rollover Video

CSA 2010: SMS Improvements

Good news regarding CSA for our clients - who tend to utilize their vehicles more than most companies:

1. The measure of exposure will be changed to a combination of power units and Vehicle Miles Travelled (VMT) in the Unsafe Driving BASIC and Crash Indicator.

2. The measure of exposure will change from power units to the number of relevant inspections in the Controlled Substances/Alcohol BASIC.

3. Severity weights for some roadside inspection violations will be updated.

News from the National Star Route Mail Convention

The GPS requirement will begin on selected contracts October 1. If you have not received notification and think you might be on the list, please click the link and contact us for a list of eligible contracts.

A full report will be in the next issue of the Star Carrier. You may also contact us for an update on USPS business issues, regulatory news, and other items from the convention.

Thank you to all of our clients for visiting with us - we always learn new ideas for upcoming releases to LoadTrek.net.

Fleet Owner Magazine: Paper logbooks will soon be virtually obsolete

The new CSA 2010 safety-scoring process and the pending EOBR (electronic onboard recorder) regulation will make paper drivers’ logbooks virtually obsolete, according to Fleet Owner.

Proposed new HOS Rule is at the White House

The long anticipated new Hours of Service rule is at the Office of Management and Budget. However, we still do not know what is in the new rule. The target date for letting us know the contents of the new rule is November 4.

FMCSA Policy Concerning Supporting Documentation

Understanding the USPS GPS Requirements

The United States Postal Service has announced the new GPS data requirement that will be incorporated into the postal network highway contract routes. The requirement may be retroactively applied to existing contracts as an addendum. The USPS is targeting October 1st, 2010 for network wide implementation across all affected contracts.

Click on the link to learn more about these changes, which contracts are affected, and what your options are.

Beal named to America's PremierExperts Panel

Joel Beal has been named to the panel of America's Premier Experts as the transportation technology resource.

USPS Issues new GPS Requirement

The US Postal Service has issued technically specific GPS requirements for all P+D Headout, STC, NDC, and MTEC routes effective October 1, 2010.

LoadTrek.net at the National Star Route Mail Carriers Association in Denver

LoadTrek will be at the National Star Route Carriers Association conference in Denver; August 1-4. Visit our web page and click "Book Now" to schedule an appointment with us while we are in Denver.

Upcoming Rules from the FMCSA

10/26/2010: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - new Hours of Service regulations.

12/17/2010: Expand the number of motor carriers required to have Electronic Onboard Recorders.

11/23/2010: CDL testing and Commercial Driver Permit standards.

3/4/2011: Minimum training requirements for entry level commercial motor vehicle operations.

4/4/2011: CMV driver positive controlled substances and alcohol test results database.

A Day in the Life of a LoadTrek.net Client

You Know You Need a Fleet Management System When.....

If you know these guys, direct them to www.loadtrektechnologies.com.

House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure - CSA 2010 Hearing Summary

Truckers Report High Optimism

Congressional Hearing on Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010

COMMITTEE: House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

SUB-COMMITTEE: Highways and Transit Subcommittee

EVENT: Highways and Transit Subcommittee hearing on "Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010: Understanding FMCSA's (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) New System of Motor Carrier Oversight."

TIME: 10:00 AM EDT

LOCATION: 2167 Rayburn House Office Building

CONTACT: 202-225-4472

PARTICIPANTS: Anne Ferro, administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; Steve Keppler, interim executive director of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance; Keith Klein, executive vice president and COO of the Transport Corporation of America; and Todd Spencer, executive vice president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association.

FMCSA to Add Miles Traveled to CSA Crash-Risk Calculation

Great news for LoadTrek.net customers - most of whom operate at a ratio of 2 drivers for every tractor. These carriers who highly utilize their fleet are at a disadvantage under the FMCSA's current crash-risk calculation.

We have argued that vehicle miles travelled is a better denominator than fleet size. The ATA has argued the same, and has taken the argument to the highest level within the FMCSA.

Anne Ferro confirmed that the FMCSA will use a blended formula of vehicle miles travelled, plus number of vehicles, and that the formula will be finalized and made public between December 2010 and February 2011.

LoadTrek.net Cycling Team

What does the LoadTrek.net Cycling Team do? Visit the Facebook Fan Page and find out.

Awake at the wheel: Combating driver fatigue

Broker reform bill starts trek toward becoming law

ATA Questions Parts of CSA 2010

LoadTrek.net Customers: Book Your Services Online

Prospective and current LoadTrek.net clients can now book services online. If you need to schedule us, you can do so at any time.

You can select services in the following categories:
1. Pre-Buy Orientation
2. On Site Training
3. Remote Training
4. Vehicle Installation
5. Driver Training
6. Consultation

Look for the "Book Now" button on the our home page or the contacts page.

Only 4% of Roadside Inspections are Random

Data provided by the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) indicates that speed, observable defects and ISS-D scores each contribute to 32 percent of roadside inspections while only 4 percent are random.

FMCSA to Propose Easing of Supporting Documents for EOBR Users

Under a pending Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration proposal, carriers that use electronic recorders will get a break on the list of documents required to prove they are in compliance with the hours of service rules.

2010 Commercial Vehicle Size and Weight Guide

New size and weight guide, courtesy of Xtra Lease, posted to the free resources section of www.loadtrektechnologies.com.

2009 Bottleneck Analysis of 100 Freight Significant Highway Locations

For Hire Truck Tonnage is Up

More slow but steady growth in tonnage

Survey Finds Cost Savings Are Top Concern

Almost half (48 percent) of the survey respondents said cost savings is C-level executives' main focus for fleet management in 2010 versus 36 percent from a 2009 survey.

CSA 2010 Rollout: What is Happening When?

April 12 – November 30, 2010 – Motor carriers can preview their own data by seeing their roadside inspections/violations and crash events organized by Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Category (BASIC).

June 30th – The Operational Model (Op-Model) Test will end.

July – The four “50/50” Op-Model Test states, Colorado, Georgia, Missouri and New Jersey, will join the five 100% Op-Model Test states in implementing the program.

August – Motor carriers will be able to see an assessment of their violations based on the new Carrier Safety Measurement System (CSMS) which will replace SafeStat later in 2010.

Fall/Winter 2010
SafeStat will be replaced by the CSMS. CSMS will be available to the public, including shippers and insurance companies.

FMCSA/States will prioritize enforcement using the CSMS.

FMCSA will begin to issue Warning Letters to carriers with deficient BASICs.

Roadside inspectors will use the CSMS results to identify carriers for inspection.

Winter 2010 - Safety Fitness Determination Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) is scheduled to be released.

2011 – Enforcement staff will be trained, and new interventions will be implemented State-by-State

ATRI: Truck collisions down 11.7%, most wrecks in first 8 driving hours

Total collisions per million miles traveled for all fleets decreased 11.7 percent in 2009 from 2004. Preventable collisions per million miles traveled for all fleets also decreased 30.6 percent in 2009 from 2004. Both findings were statistically significant, according to the ATRI analysis.

Total driver injuries decreased 1.6 percent for all fleets and 23 percent for TL fleets. Both findings were statistically significant.
The majority of commercial vehicle collisions (87 percent) occurred within the first eight hours of driving. A similar trend was found in an analysis of fatal truck collisions using the Trucks Involved in Fatal Accidents (TIFA) database. A review of 2007 TIFA data showed that 80 percent of fatal truck collisions occurred within the first eight hours of driving.

Nearly 70 percent of drivers used part of the 9-10 hour at least once during the month. Approximately 60 percent of drivers used part of the 10-11 hour and slightly less (52 percent) used the entire 10-11 hour. The majority of drivers (79 percent) used the 34-hour restart at least once during a month.

In general, drivers used the 34-hour restart an average of three or fewer times per month. Among TL drivers, 56 percent used the 34-hour restart three or fewer times per month; LTL, 61 percent; and specialized, 66 percent.

DOT Projects EOBR Rule Release in December

The Department of Transportation said last week that it expects to publish in mid-December its follow-up proposal to require more fleets to use electronic onboard recorders.

DOT said it should publish the rule on Dec. 17. The agency previously projected issuing the rule on Dec. 3.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently issued a final rule requiring carriers with poor hours-of-service compliance to use an EOBR but said that future regulations could require more fleets to use the device.

US Trucking Regulatory Update - Using Technology

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

US Trucking Regulatory Update - Using Technology

View more presentations from joelbeal.

CSA 2010 and "Clean" Inspections

TruckingInfo.com explores the importance of a "clean inspection" in the CSA 2010 schema.
1. Not all roadside inspections are truly inspections, some are "pre-inspection screenings".

2. The CVSA is considering changes to its operational policies that will encourage law enforcement jurisdictions to formalize and standardize their approach to roadside inspections.

LoadTrek at the Texas Mail Contractors Annual Meeting

LoadTrek Technologies will lead a learning session on CSA 2010 at the Texas Star Route Mail Contractors Association meeting in San Antonio.


Contact us to schedule a consultation while we are in south Texas on May 14-16.

Compliance, Safety, and Profits Webinar Tomorrow

We invite you to a short, informational Web-Conference to learn about the new trucking regulatory environment.

CSA 210 Special Report

CSA 2010 Motor Carrier Preview Data Now Available

Motor carriers can check their safety performance data. Your CSA 2010 data can be viewed until November 30. Percentiles – your ranking with other carriers – will not be available. Preview screen will show all inspections, and you can drill through to see violations.

1. If you do not have a carrier PIN, register online at https://li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov/LIVIEW/PKG_REGISTRATION.prc_option.

2. Once registered, view your data at https://csa2010.fmcsa.dot.gov/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fDataReview%2fDefault.aspx

3. On each BASIC screen you have the option to challenge inaccuracies by clicking on “Verify Data”.

4. Challenge suspect information at the FMCSA’s “DataQ” site; https://dataqs.fmcsa.dot.gov/login.asp.

Henry Vilas Zoo has a bike team, cool jerseys

DOT Issues Rule Requiring Electronic On-Board Recorders, Will Consider Broader Mandate this Year

The new EOBR rule, which is all over the news, has two parts; a requirement for carriers with 10% or more HOS violations, and a complete revision of the technical requirements. The new rule goes into affect on June 1, 2012.

The new regulation was published this morning in the Federal Register.

The requirements for those carriers who must install EOBR's is very clear. Those who install EOBR's voluntarily will receive relief from most supporting documentation requirements. EOBR's currently in use that comply with the current rules will not comply with the new rules. Check with your vendor to see what their plans are to comply with the new rules.

Head of Canada Truck Group Backs EOBRs for All Trucks Operating in North America

From Tranposrt Topics. Byline: Michele Fuetsch

Electronic onboard recorders should be mandatory for all truckers operating in North America, the president of the Canadian Trucking Alliance said.

“It is rather bizarre that, in 2010, our industry relies on an archaic paper-based system when the rest of the world and the rest of society . . . is moving to a digital electronic world,” David Bradley said.

Mandatory EOBR regulations would “level the playing field to make sure that everybody is complying” with hours-of-service rules in whatever country they are operating in, Bradley told Transport Topics.

CTA, Canada’s largest trucking advocacy group, has 4,500 carriers as members.

On both sides of the U.S.-Canada border, “I think there’s a lot of inventive bookkeeping going on,” Bradley said. “There are people who have a variety of reasons why they might be opposed, but a good number of them simply don’t want to have that sort of oversight, and that’s exactly what we’re trying to bring an end to.”

If governments are serious about safety and enforcing HOS rules, he added, they “should be using all of the tools” at their disposal to promote compliance.

Bradley commented in connection with a position paper CTA issued March 15 that called for a universal, mandatory EOBR rule in Canada and, eventually, in all of North America.

Transportation officials in both Canada and the United States are currently conducting policy reviews on EOBRs.

In the United States, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is considering expanding a proposed rule written during the Bush administration to require EOBRs for companies that fail several HOS reviews.

Current FMCSA officials said the agency might issue a new proposal before the end of the year.

In Canada, the Council of Motor Transport Administrators is working on a proposed EOBR rule to be issued in October.

In a position paper filed with the council, CTA urged policymakers to address unresolved issues with EOBRs that include a “reasonable, common-sense” approach to enforcement.

For instance, if truckers were stopped for an HOS violation 10 minutes from home or a rest area, then the industry likely would oppose an EOBR rule, CTA said.

The CTA position paper also called for harmonization of the rules between the United States and Canada and for driver protections that ensure EOBRs are used only to monitor hours, not to remotely control shutdowns or lockouts.

CTA also said that any EOBR rule should not prescribe specific types of technology and that policymakers should not be drawn into a large-versus-small carrier argument over cost effects.

“Anytime someone is breaking the law in order to run their business, they’re getting, arguably, a leg up on somebody else,” Bradley said.

EOBRs would help to set trucking rates that accurately “reflect what it really costs to run a trucking business safely,” he added.

In the United States, American Trucking Associations does not support a universal, mandatory EOBR rule.

ATA supports an FMCSA “remedial” approach that would require fleets with poor HOS compliance to use EOBRs, said Dave Osiecki, ATA’s senior vice president of policy and regulatory affairs.

“We think that that’s a good idea,” Osiecki said.

According to ATA policy, there would have to be “sound evidence” that EOBRs enhance safety before a mandatory, universal EOBR rule would be justified.

As more trucks have EOBRs, Osiecki said, increased data indeed might show the devices increase safety. For now, though, the evidence shows only that EOBRs increase compliance to HOS rules, he said.

Published Comments in the Federal Register Regarding NPRM 395.16

These are my official comments regarding NPRM 395.16, published om 17 April 2007.

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 395.16

I believe that we'll find the new EOBR rule, when it is made public, to be largely consistent with the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)395.16. This NPRM is a reasonable compromise, weighing the needs of small and large companies. It allows competing technologies, is reasonable and clear. There are some troublesome areas, but it's about as good as we can hope for when this many parties are involved.

Paperless Drivers' Logs Whitepaper

With today's news that the White House has released the new EOBR rule, I decided to re-post the link to this free whitepaper on commercial drivers' paperless DOT logs.

White House Clears Final EOBR Rule

A final rule mandating electronic onboard recorders for carriers that have a history of serious noncompliance with hours-of-service rules could be just days away now that the White House Office of Management and Budget has cleared the measure. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is expected soon to publish the rule in the Federal Register. Details of the final rule won’t be public until FMCSA announces it.

WEBINAR: CSA 2010’s impact on the driver force

As carriers begin to cope with the realities of Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010, they’ll look at retention and recruitment in new ways. In a webinar produced by Overdrive and Truckers News, Don Osterberg, Schneider National’s senior vice president of safety, security and driver training, will examine how fleets need to evaluate drivers’ safety performance and whether the new federal safety initiative will create a shortage of drivers with sufficiently clean records.

CTA Reiterates Support for EOBRs

The Canadian Trucking Alliance has reiterated its support for an electronic on-board recorder mandate in response to a discussion paper prepared by the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators.

ATRI Seeks Comments on HOS - Online Survey

The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) is continuing data collection and analysis to measure Hours-of-Service impacts on driver safety. For this latest effort, data is requested on overall safety performance for calendar year 2009.

WEBINAR: Driving Change; March 18 at 1:00 PM CDT

Driving Change Webinar March 18 at 1:00 PM CDT

A short, informational webinar to learn about the tools and processes available to you. You can lead the change in your fleet by decreasing costs and improving the work environment.

How is fuel economy influenced by driver behavior?

How can I reduce my fleet’s emissions?

Will improved driving skills reduce maintenance costs?

How can I coach my drivers by measuring safe driving habits?

We'll discuss how successful fleets are answering these questions.

Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) 2010 Workshop, April 19-22 in San Antonio, TX

WASHINGTON, DC (March 4, 2010) – Truck and bus safety specialists, together with law enforcement, government and industry from across North America, will convene at the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) 2010 Workshop, April 19-22 in San Antonio, TX, to assess processes and procedures that will improve commercial motor vehicle and overall highway transportation safety.

LoadTrek releases GPS White Paper

Ever wonder how GPS really works, what it will and will not do? This white paper describes GPS in an understandable way, without all the sales hype.

Canada looks to build EOBR rule with trucker comments

OTTAWA -- Hoping to solicit feedback from the trucking industry, the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators has authored a discussion paper on electronic on-board recorders (EOBRs).

In preparation for a possible Canadian rule on EOBR usage, the paper highlights issues of compliance, data requirements and implementation, and how they apply to carriers' business.

Following a "project charter" drafted last fall, this paper includes a brief discussion on each issue associated with EOBR compliance and concludes with questions to guide carriers' input.

Harmonization with the U.S., is perhaps the most critical point for discussion. Arguably, impending EOBR legislation is driving a Canadian mandate and with close to ten million truck trips a year across the border, Canadian authorities want to be careful of not drafting a rule in isolation of how U.S. authorities approach the issue.

CCMTA acknowledges that the U.S.'s final is expected to be broader in scope than originally proposed, and a subsequent rule is expected later in 2010 that would capture a wider population of carriers.

EOBR's Make the NTSB's "Most Wanted List"

The National Transportation Safety Board released their "Most Wanted" list for 2010. On the list of recommendations for highway safety, they advise the FMCSA should "require electronic onboard data recorders to maintain accurate carrier records on driver hours of service."

Paperless Logs Webinar February 18 at 1 PM

LoadTrek will be presenting a short webinar on paperless D.O.T. paperless logging for commercial drivers. The webinar will begin promptly at 1:00 PM CST, and will last 30 minutes.

Topics covered include the regulatory overview, what changes for drivers, what changes for managers/supervisors, auditing and compliance, and an open question and answer period.

To participate, go to https://www1.gotomeeting.com/pjoin/503890401/105012293.

You can either listen using your computer, or you may use your telephone to call 916-233-3088, Access Code: 503-890-401.

Joel Beal will be the presenter. He has been involved with paperless logs since 1990, and has served on numerous committees, conferences, and panels concerning this subject. He has designed systems, and has implemented and trained hundreds of fleets for 20 years - as a fleet manager and as a technology supplier.

Ruan Transportation founder John Ruan passes away

Paperless Logs White Paper

Free white paper explaining what paperless logs are, how they work, and applicable regulations.

Former FMCSA Administrator Gives Inside Look Into Trucking Regs

TruckingInfo.com; Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Byline: Diana Britton, Managing Editor

During a conference call hosted by Stifel Nicolaus Friday morning, Annette Sandberg, Esq., the former administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, provided an insider's thoughts on some of the most influential and pressing regulatory issues facing the trucking industry.

During the discussion, Sandberg, a principal at TransSafe Consulting, told listeners she would encourage officials at the FMCSA to provide carriers with a mechanism for seeing what their safety scores would look like under the Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010. Sandberg said fleets need at least three to four months before CSA 2010 goes live to clean up their data.

"If they're not in a pilot state, they have no idea what they look like," she said.

While the FMCSA has been focused on the safety impacts of CSA 2010, it has not really been concerned about the financial impacts on fleets, Sandberg said. Particularly, there's the issue of whether brokers or shippers are going to be comfortable loading with a carrier that has a high score.

Under the new CSA 2010 system, carriers will be scored with additional scrutiny and under much more refined buckets, the seven Behavioral Analysis Safety Improvement Categories, or BASICs. As a result, carriers that had good scores under SafeStat are going to find themselves "deficient" in areas under CSA 2010.

The big question is, Sandberg said, "would [brokers and shippers] still load a carrier that has a deficient BASIC?"

EOBRs

Another regulation she commented on was the issue of electronic on-board recorders. A rule is currently in the White House, and Sandberg expects there to be a final rule on EOBRs this spring, if not summer. This rule would require recorders for carriers that fail to meet hours of service standards. It also will encourage voluntary use of recorders by various incentives, and will spell out new performance standards for the devices, taking into account the myriad technological developments that have occurred since the current voluntary rule was established in 1988.

For all carriers, "I believe that EOBRs will probably be mandated in the next five years, if not sooner," she said.

Sandberg said some owner-operators don't like EOBRs because they're expensive and they don't want to be monitored. However, she said so many in the industry already have GPS on their vehicles, and it's such a small step from GPS to EOBRs.

"It's going to be the minority that doesn't want them on," she said.

Hours of Service

Sandberg also touched on the controversial hours-of-service rule, something she joked as being a regulation that never ends. "I don't think we'll ever see hours of service end or finalized in my lifetime."

She believes the HOS rule won't be changed much, except for the split sleeper birth and rest breaks provisions. If the FMCSA mandates rest breaks, the question will be whether the break is inserted into the 14-hour allotment or whether the 14 hours is extended.

During "The Changing Regulatory Landscape and its Direct Impact on Trucking Industry Capacity" conference call, Sandberg tackled other regulatory concerns facing the trucking industry, including the reauthorization of the surface transportation bill, truck size and weight, the U.S.-Mexico border dispute, and driver health and drug testing. These are all issues that have been delayed or put on the back burner because of other legislative priorities.

CSA 2010 BASICs

CSA2010 will calculate a score based on seven “behavior areas.”

They include:

CSA 2010 BASICs:

• Unsafe Driving — Dangerous or careless operation of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). Data includes driver traffic violations and convictions for speeding, reckless driving, improper lane change, inattention, and other unsafe driving behavior. (FMCSR Parts 392 and 397)

• Fatigued Driving (Hours of Service) — Driving a CMV when fatigued. This is distinguished from incidents where unconsciousness or an inability to react is brought about by the use of alcohol, drugs, or other controlled substances. Data includes (1) HOS violations discovered during an off-site investigation, on-site investigation, roadside inspection, or post-crash inspection, and (2) crash reports with driver fatigue as a contributing factor. (FMCSR Parts 392 and 395)

• Driver Fitness — Operation of a CMV by drivers who are unfit to operate a CMV due to lack of training, experience, or medical qualification. Data includes (1) inspection violations for failure to have a valid and appropriate CDL or medical or training documentation, (2) crash reports citing a lack of experience or medical reason as a cause or contributory factor, and (3) violations from an off-site investigation or an on-site investigation for failure to maintain proper driver qualification files, or use of unqualified drivers. (FMCSR Parts 383 and 391)

• Controlled Substances and Alcohol — Operation of a CMV while impaired due to alcohol, illegal drugs, and misuse of prescription medications or over-the-counter medications. Data includes (1) roadside violations involving controlled substances or alcohol, (2) crash reports citing driver impairment or intoxication as a cause, (3) positive drug or alcohol test results on drivers, and (4) lack of appropriate testing or other deficiencies in motor carrier controlled substances and alcohol testing programs. (FMCSR Part 392)

• Vehicle Maintenance — CMV failure due to improper or inadequate maintenance. Data includes (1) roadside violations for brakes, lights, and other mechanical defects, (2) crash reports citing a mechanical failure as a contributing factor, and (3) violations from an off-site investigation or an on-site investigation associated with pre-trip inspections, maintenance records, and repair records. (FMCSR Parts 393 and 396)

• Cargo Related — Shifting loads, spilled or dropped cargo, and unsafe handling of hazardous materials. Data includes (1) roadside inspection violations pertaining to load securement, cargo retention, and hazardous material handling, and (2) crash reports citing shifting loads, or spilled/dropped cargo as a cause or contributing factor. (FMCSR Parts 392, 393, 397 and HM Violations), and

• Crash Indicator— Histories or patterns of high crash involvement, including frequency and severity. Data includes law enforcement crash reports and crashes reported by the carrier and discovered during on-site investigations.

Recent roadside violations and violations that correlate most with crashes will be weighted more heavily than other violations. SMS will then rank carrier scores relative to their peers to determine which entities have specific safety problems.

What does this mean?

• For the first time, each commercial vehicle license holder will be assigned a ‘Safety Rating”.

• Drivers' safety rating will follow you regardless of the company you work for or contract with.

• Drivers' activity on the highway, i.e. roadside inspection violations, accidents, tickets, even warning tickets will have a negative impact on your personal safety rating.

• Drivers could be declared UNFIT and lose your ability to drive for a living as a result of a poor safety rating. Companies will HIRE and FIRE based on your safety rating.

Come See us in Las Vegas

LoadTrek will be attending the NSRMCA's regional meeting in Las Vegas on January 26-27.

A handy guide to commenting on hours of service

FMCSA is asking for HOS Submissions

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is asking people interested in participating in listening sessions on a future hours-of-service rule to consider questions on its website.

The agency posted five areas of discussion on its website in preparation for the listening sessions, scheduled for Jan. 19 in Arlington, Va., Jan. 22, at the Dallas Forth Worth airport and Jan. 25 in Los Angeles. The FMCSA has not announced a fourth session yet.

The topics are rest and on-duty time, restart to the 60- and 70-hour rule, sleeper berth use, loading and unloading time, and general.

The agency said it presented the questions for discussion. It will not necessarily include them in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking but would request similar information in that document. Answers should be based upon the experience and information participants can share with the FMCSA.

Comments may also be submitted via:
•The Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov.
•Mail :Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
•Fax at 1-202-493-2251

Each submission must include the agency name and docket number, which is FMCSA 2004-19608.

The questions are posted at:
www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/TOPICS/HOS/HOS-Listening-Sessions.aspx.

FMCSA to Hold Public Listening Sessions on Hours-of-Service Requirements

The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today announced it will hold four listening sessions in January to gather information and comments as the agency prepares a rulemaking proposal on hours-of-service requirements for property-carrying commercial vehicle drivers.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Doubletree Hotel Crystal City National Airport
300 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22202
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. EST

Friday, January 22, 2010
Hyatt Regency Dallas Forth Worth Airport
DFW International Parkway, Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas 75261
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. CST

Monday, January 25, 2010
Doubletree Hotel Los Angeles International Airport
1985 East Grand Avenue, El Segundo, California 90245
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. PST

What will CSA 2010 mean for drivers? Keeping your nose and record clean

From Jim Klepper at The Trucker News Service:

Here is what David Freymiller had to say to the following:

-- Do you think the new CSA 2010 mandate will improve safety in the trucking industry? The reported purpose of CSA 2010 is highway safety; do you think truck-related fatalities will decrease even more than the large decrease we are now seeing with the current regulations?

“Yes, I believe with the focus that is being placed on the driver and his driving record across multiple employers it will result in a good driver becoming a better driver due to the attention to detail that the driver will have to become acclimated to.

“On the other hand it will also empower the FMCSA and the carriers to remove the problematic drivers that have been plaguing the industry for quite some time. I can envision a more focused driver, which will have a direct affect on accidents and highway fatalities.”

-- Have you spoken with your safety department about CSA 2010 yet and if so, what was the main focus of that meeting and what will be the first thing you do to prepare for CSA 2010?

“Yes, the safety department was given the responsibility to prepare both our drivers and staff for CSA 2010. Our long-term goals are to produce a better driver and operations through intensive training and preparation.”

-- What are you planning to do differently in your safety department to be ready for and work within CSA 2010?

“Beginning at CSA 2010’s inception our safety department has been proactive in the training of our drivers and staff. Understanding the significance and repercussions of CSA 2010 in itself has taken our focus to a higher level. We have also taken a step into the future with full implementation of the Qualcomm e-logs. I think that if we are pro-active enough we may be able to clean up and save some drivers that may not have made the cut otherwise.”

-- Have you spoken with your drivers about CSA 2010 and how it will affect their CDLs?

“New hires and tenure drivers have all met with the safety department and have been well versed in not only the focus of CSA 2010 but the ramifications of the point system and the effect it will have on their CDL. Extensive courses in CSA 2010, GPS Tracking, SaferStat, and the compass portal have been taught in detail.”

-- Will CSA 2010 change the way you recruit drivers?

“Yes, with the availability of the new software information our recruiting department will now be able to access much more of a driver’s history. We will require this extensive background to be preformed not only on new applicants but existing driver associates as well.”

-- Describe what type of driver will meet your hiring criteria when CSA 2010 becomes the law of the land.

“The driver should possess the culture and knowledge to perform his duties in a compliant manner. His past history will become much more scrutinized, therefore requiring the driver to already have a solid foundation in which to work with.”

-- What advice would you have for current and new CDL drivers regarding CSA 2010?

“Fully understand what CSA 2010 means to you as a driver. Focus on your attention to detail when filing out your daily logs and always be prepared for an inspection. Become acclimated to the point system and adjust your driving habits in order to protect both the carrier and your CDL.”

Social media comes to aid of stranded Arrow truck drivers

Sometimes technology can have some unexpected benefits, all it takes is a vision of the problem and a knowledge of the tools available.

Arrow Trucking, a respected fleet based in Tulsa with a venerable history, unexpectedly and suddenly ceased operations today. Fuel cards stopped working last night, and today drivers all over the USA are stranded. Drivers with Freightliner and Kenworth tractors are instructed to go to the nearest Freightliner dealership. Those driving International tractors have no instructions. Daimler Financial is assisting Arrow drivers with bus fare on Greyhound. However, many drivers can't make it due to their fuel situation.

To the rescue - social media and drivers helping drivers.

EOBR rule expected early in New Year

WASHINGTON -- The final rule in the U.S. requiring carriers to use electronic onboard recorders (EOBRS) has been sent to the White House for approval.

According to truckinginfo.com, publication could come as early as February.

Lautenberg withdraws amendment to make EOBRs mandatory in trucks

The Trucker News Services

12/17/2009

WASHINGTON — Sen. Frank Lautenberg this morning withdrew a proposed amendment to the Motorcoach Enhancement Safety Act (SB554) that would have required EOBRs on all commercial vehicles, including trucks. But he promised he would soon write and introduce legislation to make EOBRs mandatory in trucks.

Senate Committee Approves Bus Safety Bill

The Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act of 2009 (S. 554) would require:

* Safety belts to ensure occupants are not ejected in a crash;

* Electronic stability control technology;

* Improved crush-resistant roofs that can withstand rollovers;

* Anti-ejection glazing on windows to prevent passengers from being easily ejected from the motorcoach;

* A comprehensive evaluation of improved protection against fires by reducing flammability of the motorcoach interior, better training for operators in the case of fire, and review of fire safety technologies by NHTSA, followed by new performance standards based on the results of NHTSA’s evaluation;

* All new motorcoach operators to undergo on-site pre-authorization safety audit before they could begin operations, and would be subject to safety audit within 9 months;


* Improved commercial driver training;


* Electronic On-Board Recorders (EOBRs) on all motorcoaches for the purpose of complying with federal hours of service regulations;


* An assessment of whether all states should have a motorcoach inspection program;


* Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to issue a rule prohibiting the use of distracting devices (cell phones, text messaging devices); and


* All individuals seeking to register commercial motorcoaches to disclose all previous material relationships to other motorcoach companies for the past three years (stopping reincarnated motorcoaches).

Senator calls for EOBRs on all trucks

From OOIDA -

U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-NJ, wants to mandate the use of electronic on-board recorders, or EOBRs, on all commercial vehicles and not on just the bad actors.

Land Line has learned that Lautenberg is expected to unveil his proposal on Thursday, Dec. 17, during a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee markup of the Motor Coach Enhanced Safety Act, S554.

FMCSA to Propose Broader Use of EOBRs to Monitor Drivers

Transport Topics; This story appears in the Monday, December 14, 2009 print edition.

HEADLINE: FMCSA to Propose Broader Use of EOBRs to Monitor Drivers

By Sean McNally, Senior Reporter

WASHINGTON — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is preparing to propose requiring “a much larger population of carriers” to use electronic onboard recorders to monitor driver hours-of-service than it earlier envisioned, an agency official said.

The safety agency is readying its new proposal before finalizing a Bush administration rule that would have required only a few carriers to use the technology.

Larry Minor, FMCSA associate administrator of policy and program development, told Transport Topics Dec. 8 the new proposal “would require EOBRs for a larger population of carriers.”

Under the Bush administration’s EOBR proposal — which is on course to become a final rule — only carriers that failed multiple compliance reviews would have had to use the technology. However, former FMCSA Administrator John Hill said before leaving office that the final rule would expand the number of fleets required to use the technology beyond what had initially been proposed.

FMCSA’s new proposal appeared for the first time in the agency’s monthly report this month on significant rulemakings, with a projected publishing date of December 2010.

As part of the “the new EOBR initiative, FMCSA also would consider addressing the hours-of-service supporting documents requirements” that spell out what evidence carriers need to retain to verify their logbook entries, the report said.

In October, American Trucking Associations said it was exploring options to get the agency to move forward on the oft-delayed supporting documents rule.

Dave Osiecki, ATA’s vice president of safety, security and operations, said it was “hard to understand” why FMCSA would attach the documents rule to a new EOBR regulation.

Osiecki questioned why the agency didn’t fold the supporting documents rule into its expedited review of the hours-of-service rule.

“It just seems like a natural fit,” he said, rather than attaching it to the new EOBR proposal “whose timeline is really further out.”

The FMCSA monthly report also listed the final EOBR rule, begun during the Bush administration, as still under departmental review; it was expected to be transmitted to the White House Office of Management and Budget for a final review by Dec. 7.

As of press time the OMB’s list of regulations under review did not include the EOBR rule.

Minor told TT that to further expand the population of carriers, the agency must move forward with a new notice of proposed rulemaking.

He said that in the final rule, FMCSA was “trying to go as far as we can” within the scope of the original notice of proposed rule-making. Because that formal document “didn’t propose a universal mandate or a larger population of carriers,” Minor said, “we couldn’t address that issue in the final rule.”

After taking office, the Obama administration withdrew the rule from the OMB, but DOT had yet to send it back.

Lena Pons, a policy analyst with Public Citizen, told TT that it was “certainly well within the agency’s discretion to revise the rule.”

Osiecki said it was “intriguing” that FMCSA has “a rule that will go so far, and they are already working on another rule that will go farther.”

“There’s an interest in Congress to go to a mandate,” he said. “So it’s hard for me to understand why they are taking the interim step.”

“It’s interesting that they are taking that approach,” said Steve Keppler, interim executive director of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, though he cautioned that “it might make sense to step back a bit and maybe do one rulemaking, rather than two separate ones.”

Keppler said the law enforcement group believes that “there needs to be pursuit of a larger mandate on EOBRs,” but that as the agency requires more trucks to use the technology, there are “significant” issues related to training and capital investment for both the industry and enforcement.

“Hopefully, they would consider those implementation issues before they take the approach with two separate rulemakings,” he said.

Judith Stone, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, told TT that she was “delighted to see that’s in the works, but the devil’s in the details.”

Stone spoke to TT during a meeting of an FMCSA advisory panel discussing hours-of-service (see story, same page).

During the advisory meeting, Bob Pentracosta, vice president of safety for Con-way Freight, said that “maybe it is time that EOBRs be considered.”

“EOBRs are a must,” said Jennifer Tierney, a member of the Truck Safety Coalition and Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways.

Tierney also criticized the Bush-era proposal to require EOBRs only after a carrier is cited during a compliance review as “being reactive, not proactive.”

CSA 2010 101

CSA 2010 will change the way companies operate in compliance with federal regulations. Don't wait until 2010 to figure it all out.

FMCSA will calculate the safety performance of motor carriers and owner-operators running on seven Behavioral Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (called BASICs). Those seven categories are:

•Unsafe driving (Parts 392 and 397);
•Fatigued driving (Parts 392 and 395);
•Driver fitness (Parts 383 and 391);
•Controlled substances/alcohol (Parts 382 and 392);
•Vehicle Maintenance (Parts 393 and 396);
•Cargo related (Parts 392, 393, 397 and hazmat); and
•Crash indicator.

Canadian Interest in EOBRs Remains Strong Despite Delays and Official Apathy

Even as the U.S. trucking industry awaits the final rule on EOBRs from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Canada's trucking industry has been battling with some of the same questions.

Truckers around the world have used on-board recording devices for more than 50 years. The first electronic device, the Tripmaster by Rockwell (now ArvinMeritor), emerged in the mid-1980s, and the pro and con camps have been split ever since.

Read the entire article by following the link.....

Public Agenda for FMCSA Call on December 7, 2009

MCSAC has released the public agenda for the Hours of Service meeting on December 7-9 in Washington DC. The teleconference will remain open for the entire day from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM EST.

Late Breaking News - HOS Conference Call Monday Dec. 7

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is asking its Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee to advise on a draft rulemaking to be ready by next July.

Mark next Monday, Dec. 7, on your calendar if you're concerned about commercial vehicle drivers' fatigue and the hours of service rule that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has been using for about a year, steadily opposed by the Public Citizen interest group. On Oct. 26, 2009, FMCSA reached a settlement agreement in Public Citizen's lawsuit to derail the final rule, and that settlement contains a timetable for completing a new hours rule. FMCSA has asked its Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee to advise on a draft rule that is supposed to be ready by next July.

The committee will meet Dec. 7 for one hour, 8:30-9:30 a.m. EST, via a conference call that will be open to the public. That meeting starts a short timetable, because the settlement agreement says FMCSA will submit a draft NPRM within nine months of the settlement agreement and then publish a final rule within 21 months of the agreement.

"The MCSAC will be requested to begin work on a new task: as part of FMCSA's broad efforts to gather information and recommendations on hours-of-service requirements for drivers of property-carrying vehicles, FMCSA is asking MCSAC to provide advice and recommendations on the hours of service requirements," FMCSA's notice of the meeting stated.

For information on the meeting's agenda, bridge line, and Web link for the conference call, send an e-mail to mcsac@dot.gov. For information on services for individuals with disabilities or to request special assistance, e-mail your request to that address by Dec. 4.

Oral comments from the public will not be taken during the conference call. Written comments may be submitted for the meeting by fax to 202-493-2251 by Dec. 3 or send via www.regulations.gov, citing Docket Number FMCSA-2006-26367.

The contact for more information is Jack Kostelnik, acting chief of the Strategic Planning and Program Evaluation Division, Office of Policy Plans and Regulation, at FMCSA, 202-366-5730.

Food banks go high-tech to feed the hungry

Interesting article regarding non-profits investing in technology. Visit www.loadtrektechnologies.com for more information on costs and returns on investment.

FMCSA's Driver Scorecard coming in 2010

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will implement in 2010 a new safety compliance system.

The agency’s Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010 contains a new Safety Measurement System to replace the current SafeStat system, as well as new intervention options and a proposed change for evaluation through a new approach to the Safety Fitness Determination (SFD).

FMCSA proposes changing the safety determination by tying it to current safety performance, instead of today’s limitation to compliance review acute/critical violations. Also, under the new program, every carrier and driver will have a safety determination, instead of just carriers.

Senate Committee Approves Ferro to Head FMCSA

Is Changing the Hours of Service Rules the Real Answer to Highway Safety?

An excellent article from Fleet Owner Magazine. Former Administrator John Hill is quoted; "I am a little surprised that there’s not more focus on a effort to mandate EOBRs [electronic on board recorders] as that technology would do a lot more to improve highway safety than just changing the current 11-hour drive time limit back to 10 hours. I think EOBRs is where we need to go to really improve safety.”

That's something you LoadTrek.net users already know. Perhaps they should interview safe and successful fleets who effectively use solid technology?

Rules May or May Not Change after Review - Anon FMCSA Official

The Federal Motor Carrier Administration plans to reconsider—and perhaps revise—its hours-of-service (HOS) rule for commercial drivers. This action puts on hold a federal court challenge by a coalition of interest groups including Public Citizen, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, The Truck Safety Coalition, and the Teamsters.

As part of the agreement, FMCSA has nine months to submit its review to the White House and up to 21 months to issue a new final rule to replace the current one. Until that time, the current rule remains in effect.

Issued during the Bush administration, the current HOS regulation contains the 11-hour driving cycle first announced in 2003. That was an increase in truck driving hours from the previous rule. Under the current rule, truckers can drive 11 hours a day as part of a 14-hour workday and to refresh their weekly allotment of hours by taking a 34-hour break. The Court of Appeals for the Washington DC Circuit struck down the current rule in 2004, but Congress revived it as part of the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2004.

An official who asked not to be identified said the move was “procedural,” and the agreement does not bind FMCSA to a particular outcome. The official said it is possible the rule won’t change after the review, but warned that it could.

Teamsters Respond to FMCSA's Reconsideration of Hours-of-Service Regulations

After years of legal challenges, the final rule was published last November. But earlier this year, Public Citizen, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, the Truck Safety Coalition, and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit Court to overturn the HOS regulations. This week the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) entered into a settlement with these groups, whereby FMCSA has nine months to review its current rule and submit a notice of proposed rulemaking on this issue to the White House, and up to 21 months to issue a final rule to replace the current one.

In a press release, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa said, “We will continue to push for a rule that protects trucks drivers, instead of the greed of the trucking industry. Longer hours behind the wheel are dangerous for our members and the driving public.”

ATA Responds to FMCSA's Reconsideration of Hours-of-Service Regulations

As the American Trucking Associations (ATA) has communicated for the last five years, the hours-of-service (HOS) regulations, as they are currently constructed, are good safety rules. They are working and the proof is in the industry's safety performance since they took effect in 2004.

"Safety in the trucking industry has greatly improved while operating under the current hours-of-service rules," said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. "Over the past five years we've seen a strong decline in truck-involved crashes on our nation's highways."

Figures from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) clearly demonstrate that the trucking industry is now the safest it has been since the DOT began keeping crash statistics in 1975. The number of truck-involved fatalities on our highways has decreased by 19 percent since the new HOS rules took effect. The number of injuries has decreased by 13 percent since 2004. These substantial safety improvements came at a time when the number of registered large trucks operating on our highways increased by hundreds of thousands of trucks and the number of miles driven by large trucks increased by more than 2 billion miles.

ATA looks forward to participating in the upcoming rulemaking process to further demonstrate how the current safety-based HOS rules are working and why they should be maintained.

The American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of other trucking groups, industry-related conferences, and its 50 affiliated state trucking associations, ATA represents more than 37,000 members covering every type of motor carrier in the United States.

Source: American Trucking Associations

FMCSA to rewrite hours-of-service rules

I have some news that is a bit surprising - the FMCSA has evidently decided to settle the pending litigation from the IBT, Public Citizen and others - rather than fight. The commercial drivers' HOS will be completely rewritten. This is of highest importance and could have dramatic consequences for our industry and the economy in general - it all depends on how it comes down. The first word I received is from the New York State Motor Truck Association. Their message is below. There will be lots of news forthcoming.

"NYSMTA has just learned that The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in response to a legal challenge to the current hours of service (HOS) regulations, will completely rewrite the 2008 HOS regulations. The agency will issue a proposed rulemaking within 9 months and a new Final Rule in less than two years.

This settlement is in response to a legal challenge brought against FMCSA by Public Citizen, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, the Truck Safety Coalition and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. In March 2009, the groups asked a D.C. Appeals court to throw out the HOS rule. The March 2009 challenge was the third challenge to the Bush Administration’s HOS rules.

At the time of this notice, the Department of Transportation had not released any comments about the settlement. NYSMTA will continue to update you as more information becomes available."

Things you Should Know About a Compliance Review

Here is a really good article by Eddie Roman. I have worked with a number of clients who are going through compliance reviews in the last 4 weeks. It's never fun, but a lot better when you are prepared.

Top Issues in the Trucking Industry

Top Issues in the Trucking Industry

By David R. Butcher

The trucking industry's not-for-profit research institute this week unveiled its list of the top 10 critical issues facing the North American trucking industry.

The United States economy depends on trucks to deliver nearly 70 percent of all freight transported annually in the U.S., accounting for $671 billion worth of manufactured and retail goods transported by truck in the U.S. alone.

"Add $295 billion in truck trade with Canada and $195.6 billion in truck trade with Mexico and it becomes apparent that any disruption in truck traffic will lead to rapid economic instability," the American Trucking Associations (ATA) says.

The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), the trucking industry's not-for-profit research institute, this week unveiled its list of the top 10 critical issues facing the North American trucking industry.

Topping the list: the economy, which debuted on the ATRI's annual list last year.

In 2009, more than half of respondents (52 percent) ranked the nation's economy as the No. 1 issue with which the trucking industry must contend. Truck transportation is one of the first sectors to slow as orders for goods and shipments dry up during an economic downturn, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Before the financial collapse slammed the trucking industry, the sector enjoyed year-on-year growth. In 2007, trucks transported 57.8 percent of the value of trade between the U.S. and Canada, up 3.4 percent from the previous year, and transported 66.2 percent of the value of trade between the U.S. and Mexico, up 4.8 percent, according to the ATA's 2008-2009 American Trucking Trends report.

Analysts see much different conditions for 2009 and beyond, as a large number of small trucking operators have already gone out of business since the recession officially began in December 2007, logistics analyst Transport Intelligence says (via Supply Chain Brain).

Economists believe that freight volumes will not lead the way out of the downturn, as demand for goods has declined quicker than in previous recessions and existing supplies of both raw and manufactured goods remain high.

Government regulation climbed two places from last year to become the second most critical issue for the trucking industry in 2009.

"This year's ascension of government regulation could be attributed to the changes in the national political landscape and election results at the federal, state and local levels," the ATRI report says. "Many industry stakeholders anticipate a new era of costly government mandates."

Fuel, a perennial concern for the trucking industry, dropped from No. 1 in 2008 (and 2005) to No. 3 on this year's list. Commercial trucks consume 53.9 billion gallons of fuel each year. About 39 billion gallons, or 73 percent, is diesel, according to the ATA. Reflecting the ongoing volatility of energy prices, fuel has remained a top-three issue for five consecutive years.

Until several years ago, the average price of diesel fuel was usually lower than the average price of gasoline. Since September 2004, however, "the price of diesel fuel has been generally higher than the price of regular gasoline all year round for several reasons," according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

After peaking at more than $4.70 per gallon in July 2008, the national diesel fuel average declined 45 percent by September 2009. In its Short-Term Energy and Winter Fuels Outlook, released this week, the EIA projects diesel-fuel retail prices, which averaged $2.63 per gallon in August and September, will average $2.60 during the fourth quarter of 2009.

Congestion/Highway infrastructure rose two places to No. 4 this year. Congestion and an overstressed infrastructure continue to worsen, slowing freight delivery, creating unpredictability in supply chains, increasing the cost of consumer goods and altogether diminishing the competitiveness of U.S. businesses.

"The underlying factors behind this issue are becoming more prevalent; ongoing congestion impacts, deteriorating highway infrastructure and increasing interest in dedicated truck lanes and higher-productivity trucks have all worked together to put this issue at its highest level to date," the ATRI report makes clear.

According to The Road Information Project, 36 percent of the nation's major urban highways are congested, while the American Society of Civil Engineers' 2009 infrastructure findings show that one-third of America's major roads are in poor or mediocre condition.

Rules regulating commercial driver hours-of-service (HOS) remain in the fifth spot this year. The ATRI notes that HOS has been a top-10 issue since 2005, having peaked at No.1 two years ago.

"Given the costs incurred by the industry in adapting operations to several HOS rules changes since 2005, the industry is closely monitoring HOS and related EOBR issues," according to the new report.

Rounding out the top 10 critical issues in the trucking industry this year: commercial driver issues (driver shortages); environmental issues (anti-idling regulations and equipment mandates); tolls/highway funding (state and federal shortfalls and GPS-based mileage taxes); truck size/weight (proposed limitation revisions); and onboard truck technology (Electronic Onboard Recorders, in particular).

In addition to analysis of each trucking industry priority, the ATRI's survey also proposes potential strategies for addressing each issue.

Dualing EOBR Measures: The FMCSA sends its EOBR Rule to the DOT

There is an EOBR provision in the latest highway funding bill before in the House. But now we have more news. Remember that EOBR rule from 2007 that was in the Bush White House ONB for review? The Bush administration withdrew that regulation to let the incoming Obama administration properly vet the regulation. They have, and now it is going before the DOT. If approved by the DOT, it will go before the White House Office of Management and Budget again for a final review.

Ferro's Confirmation Hearing

Anne Ferro, President Obama's choice to head the FMCSA, is going through confirmation hearings. While she will likely be confirmed, some believe she will continue policies of the previous administration.

The hearing included several minutes of intense questioning of Ferro concerning Hours of Service and electronic on-board recorders by Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D.-N.J.

Lautenberg asked Ferro to list her top three priorities should she be confirmed.

She listed them as:

• Working within the FMCSA to identify best practices to tackle the issue of driver fatigue.

• Placing a top priority on examining the impact of the current HOS rule and identify areas where gains could be made to advance safety.

• Examining the EOBR issue with the express intent of how the tool can be used to, among other things, help officers with roadside enforcement of HOS.

Long Haul Drivers' Survey

Everything you've ever wanted to know, from the best truck stop chains to the most scenic highways. Some surprises are buried in there this year, such as CB radio and smart phone use.

EOBRs: FACT vs. FICTION

Economist Says Onboard Recorders Offer Fleets Potential Efficiencies

From Transport Topics today....

http://www.ttnews.com/articles/basetemplate.aspx?storyid=22559

Using GPS for Fleet Management White Paper

What exactly is GPS?

Ever wonder exactly how GPS works? Read a summary here.

New Regulations in place for Munitions Haulers

New regulations are being implemented on October 1, 2009 by the US Department of Defense. Mandates include; GPS tracking reports every 15 minutes, a HERO certified, self-powered mobile terminal, cargo and door sensors that record opening/closing and removing of cargo, a notification when a tractor hooks or unhooks from a trailer, and an in-cab communication system with a panic button.

White Paper on Fuel Economy

An excellent paper authored by the Kenworth Truck Company, you'll read about truck specifications and driving habits that contribute to fuel efficiency.