Saturday, January 29, 2011
Free Educational Webinar for LoadTrek Customers
Topics: Route Setup and Review for Accurate USPS Reporting.
Friday, January 28, 2011
FMCSA to Hold Public Listening Session on Hours-of-Service Proposed Rule
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today announced it will hold a public listening session on its regulatory proposal that would revise hours-of-service (HOS) requirements for commercial truck drivers on February 17, 2011 in Arlington, Virginia.
The public listening session will be held at the Crowne Plaza Washington National Airport Hotel, 1480 Crystal Drive, Arlington, Virginia. To encourage maximum public participation, the entire listening session will be live webcast at www.fmcsa.dot.gov. Additionally, as part of the webcast, FMCSA officials will take online comments and questions from the public starting at 12 noon until 12 midnight EST.
The goal of the listening session is to gather a broad range of comments, ideas and relevant data as the agency analyzes responses to its HOS regulatory proposal issued on December 23, 2010. Hours-of-service requirements are designed to help prevent commercial vehicle-related accidents, injuries and fatalities by prescribing on-duty hours and rest periods for commercial drivers.
- Crowne Plaza Washington National Airport
1480 Crystal Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22202
9 a.m. - 5 p.m. EST / Live Webcast
FMCSA officials take online comments and questions from 12 noon to 12 midnight EST
To learn more about federal HOS requirements, please visit the FMCSA website at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/topics/hos-proposed/statement.aspx. Interested persons may also contact David Miller, FMCSA Office of Policy Plans and Regulation at (202) 366-5011.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Deadline to Comment on the HOS Proposal is February 28
We have a month to get our comments into the Federal Register regarding the proposed changes to the US commercial drivers' Hours of Service regulations. We are setting up webinars now to help you respond. You can read about the proposed changes HERE.
Contact us to set up an appointment.
Contact us to set up an appointment.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
What was True Yesterday in Safety Management is True Today
Companies with the best safety records have a three-pronged approach of safety awareness programs, safety training, and measurement of driving performance with on-board recorders.
- NTSB, 1999
- NTSB, 1999
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Trasnportation Research Board's 90th Annual Meeting
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) Office of Analysis, Research, and Technology (ART) is hosting a forum titled FMCSA's Analysis, Research, and Technology Program. The Forum, being held in conjunction with the Transportation Research Board's (TRB) 90th Annual Meeting, will take place on:
Tuesday, January 25, 2011, 8 am - 12 pm
Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Salon 3
Washington, D.C. 20009
Topics to be covered include:
- The Wireless Roadside Inspection Pilot Test Preliminary Findings
- Update on CSA 2010
- Smart Roadside Initiative Overview
- Effectiveness of Fostering Safety Culture in Motor Carriers
- Data Quality Improvement Efforts in FMCSA
- Investigation into Motor Carrier Practices to Achieve Optimal CMV Driver Performance
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Come See us Next Week in Las Vegas
We will be at the Western/Central Regional Meeting of the NSRMCA at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas January 18-19. Make an appointment to see us if you'd like to discuss the USPS GPS requirement, the changing regulatory environment, or operational issues you'd like to better control.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
FMCSA OK's Electronic Signatures
This is a very big deal, and good news for fleets running onboard computers and make extensive use of paperless processes.
This makes no difference to fleets running compliant electronic paperless logs-as this is directly addressed in 395.15/16.
This is important for fleets who use paperless Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports, which in LoadTrek are part of the driver's login process. This also means you can use electronic versions of other required documentation - other than direct correspondence with the agency where a signature is required.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued regulatory guidance that establishes parity between paper and electronic records and signatures, expanding interested parties’ ability to use electronic methods. FMCSA has received a number of requests from motor carriers and other interested parties asking permission to use electronic signatures in lieu of handwritten signatures on paper.
Any electronic document or signature is considered the legal equivalent of a paper document or signature if it is the functional equivalent with respect to integrity, accuracy and accessibility, and that anyone may use electronic methods so long as the electronic documents or signatures accurately reflect the information in the record and remain accessible in a form that can be viewed and/or reproduced accurately according to agency rules.
If the FMCSA asks for any documentation, you may use the electronic equivalent of a paper document as long as you can produce it in the timeframe requested - generally within 48 hours before an audit and immediately during an audit.
We have the Regulatory Guidance from the FMCSA contact us if you would like a copy, or have any questions on how this affects your fleet. We have DOT experts and safety/compliance consultants who can address your circumstance.
This makes no difference to fleets running compliant electronic paperless logs-as this is directly addressed in 395.15/16.
This is important for fleets who use paperless Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports, which in LoadTrek are part of the driver's login process. This also means you can use electronic versions of other required documentation - other than direct correspondence with the agency where a signature is required.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued regulatory guidance that establishes parity between paper and electronic records and signatures, expanding interested parties’ ability to use electronic methods. FMCSA has received a number of requests from motor carriers and other interested parties asking permission to use electronic signatures in lieu of handwritten signatures on paper.
Any electronic document or signature is considered the legal equivalent of a paper document or signature if it is the functional equivalent with respect to integrity, accuracy and accessibility, and that anyone may use electronic methods so long as the electronic documents or signatures accurately reflect the information in the record and remain accessible in a form that can be viewed and/or reproduced accurately according to agency rules.
If the FMCSA asks for any documentation, you may use the electronic equivalent of a paper document as long as you can produce it in the timeframe requested - generally within 48 hours before an audit and immediately during an audit.
We have the Regulatory Guidance from the FMCSA contact us if you would like a copy, or have any questions on how this affects your fleet. We have DOT experts and safety/compliance consultants who can address your circumstance.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Guide to Understanding and Responding to the Proposed New Hours of Service Regulations
This document summarizes the seven changes proposed by the FMCSA to the Hours of Service regulations. It also provides instructions for commenting on the proposed regulation.
Proposed Hours of Service Regulation posted to the Federal Register
For an electronic copy, contact us. Deadline for public comments is February 28.
Free Copy of "Trucking 101".
Download a free copy of the "Trucking 101" from the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies. This is an excellent, updated source of information about our industry.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Hours of Service NPRM Guideline
We have issued a document highlighting changes Hours of Service as proposed by the NPRM of the FMCSA. We have also issued instructions on submitting your formal comment into the record. LoadTrek.net clients may receive a copy of this document by asking any of us directly, or you may contact us by clicking the link above.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Understanding the DOT's New Hours of Service Rule
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration released a preview of their Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)this morning. The actual NPRM will be posted to the Federal Register on December 29. This will start the formal 60 day comment period. The rule may change again from the publication of the NPRM to the actual publication of the new regulation. Your participation as a fleet is very important in this process.
We will carefully assess the actual NPRM when it comes out on December 29 - this preview that has been released raises several unanswered questions. Once we have reviewed the NPRM, we will update LoadTrek.net clients.
When the new rule is published, we will implement the new rules - allowing LoadTrek.net clients to take full advantage of the new rules with minimal driver interaction and training. There are several important provisions that will minimize the negative impact on most of our clients' operations when these provisions are properly applied.
Highlights of changes for our clients are:
1. Drivers are allowed to take two 16 hour exceptions to the normal 14 hour day, no more than twice every week.
2. Drivers may not drive more than 7 hours without taking a minimum 30 minute break.
3. Drivers may work 13 hours within a 14 hour on-duty window. This 1-hour break in the workday may be taken all at once or in several blocks - but note the condition in the preceding point.
4. Drive time is not yet answered, DOT indicates it is considering both a 10 hour and 11 hour limit on drive time.
5. The 34 hour restart can only be used once per week. In addition, it must include 2 periods of time from 00:01 to 06:00.
6. The definition of On Duty has changed. It now allows for rest in a parked truck - does not have to be in the sleeper berth. And, drivers may rest up to 2 hours in the passenger seat immediately before or after an 8 hour sleeper berth period and count it as off duty.
7. Oilfield Exemption; drivers' logs must now carry an annotation when the "waiting time" provision at a well site is used.
We will carefully assess the actual NPRM when it comes out on December 29 - this preview that has been released raises several unanswered questions. Once we have reviewed the NPRM, we will update LoadTrek.net clients.
When the new rule is published, we will implement the new rules - allowing LoadTrek.net clients to take full advantage of the new rules with minimal driver interaction and training. There are several important provisions that will minimize the negative impact on most of our clients' operations when these provisions are properly applied.
Highlights of changes for our clients are:
1. Drivers are allowed to take two 16 hour exceptions to the normal 14 hour day, no more than twice every week.
2. Drivers may not drive more than 7 hours without taking a minimum 30 minute break.
3. Drivers may work 13 hours within a 14 hour on-duty window. This 1-hour break in the workday may be taken all at once or in several blocks - but note the condition in the preceding point.
4. Drive time is not yet answered, DOT indicates it is considering both a 10 hour and 11 hour limit on drive time.
5. The 34 hour restart can only be used once per week. In addition, it must include 2 periods of time from 00:01 to 06:00.
6. The definition of On Duty has changed. It now allows for rest in a parked truck - does not have to be in the sleeper berth. And, drivers may rest up to 2 hours in the passenger seat immediately before or after an 8 hour sleeper berth period and count it as off duty.
7. Oilfield Exemption; drivers' logs must now carry an annotation when the "waiting time" provision at a well site is used.
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