TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2024.03.30 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending March 30, 2024, written by Vicki Simons.
We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding bridge collapse, solar eclipse, and towing:
Bridge collapse
The biggest news in the trucking industry this week — with potentially the largest ongoing effect — was the collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge near/in Baltimore, Maryland, more details of which may be found on the website of the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA).
There has been much speculation about this and I am going to present some information from both inside and outside the trucking industry.
First, from trucking sources:
- 2 bodies recovered after Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse
- 5 things to know about cargo ship that brought down Baltimore bridge
- 6 workers missing in Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse presumed dead
- A look at US disasters involving boats hitting bridges
- Automakers Face Workarounds Due to Port of Baltimore Closure
- Baltimore bridge collapse affecting equipment, auto freight
- Baltimore bridge collapse disrupts traffic, port operations after ship collision
- Baltimore Bridge Collapse Disrupts Truck Transportation Indefinately
- Baltimore bridge collapse may cost billions, dramatically disrupt supply chains
- Baltimore Bridge Collapse to Impact Trucking, Shipping
- Baltimore bridge collapse, port closure send companies scrambling to reroute cargo
- Baltimore bridge collapse: Alternate routes, more
- Baltimore bridge collapse: Here’s the latest detour and CMV travel info
- Baltimore Bridge Collapses After Cargo Ship Rams Into It
- Baltimore bridge strike aftermath; project44’s Jett McCandless; road tests – WTT
- Baltimore modifies official truck routes following bridge collapse
- Baltimore officials update city’s truck routes
- Baltimore port closure puts truck drivers who haul autos in a bind
- Baltimore Port Truckers Pursue Regulatory Waivers
- Baltimore scrambles to re-route trucks after major bridge collapses
- Barges Bringing Cranes to Baltimore to Help Remove Wreckage
- Barges head to Baltimore to help remove Key Bridge wreckage, open shipping route
- Biden OKs $60M in aid after Baltimore bridge collapse
- Biden: US will pay to rebuild Francis Scott Key Bridge
- Briefly: Baltimore updates truck routes after I-695 bridge collapse
- Building a new Key Bridge could take years and cost at least $400 million, experts say
- Cargo ship hits Baltimore’s Key Bridge, bringing it down; I-695 closed
- Cranes Arriving to Start Removing Baltimore Bridge Wreckage
- Driving along … and the roadway vanishes beneath you. What’s it like to survive a bridge collapse?
- Federal Funds to Finance Rebuild of Baltimore Bridge
- FreightWaves’ Baltimore coverage spans segments
- I-95 is going to be a “real disaster” thanks to the collapsed bridge
- Key Bridge recovery efforts resumed on Wednesday
- Maryland governor asks feds for $60M to start recovery plan for collapsed Baltimore bridge
- Police had about 90 seconds to stop traffic before Baltimore bridge fell
- Port of Baltimore’s indefinite closure deals blow to city, state economy
- Routing traffic after Key Bridge collapse
- Semi truck plunged into water in Francis Scott Key bridge collapse
- UPDATE: Francis Scott Key Bridge struck by ship, collapses
- What to know about Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore
- What To Know About The Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse In 90 Seconds
- With Just 90 Seconds of Warning, Countless Lives Were Saved
Second, from outside the trucking industry:
- LARA LOGAN- Explains Baltimore Bridge Collapse CYBER WAR- War Room 3 26 2024
- LOGAN: Bridge Collapse Was An “Absolutely Brilliant Strategic Attack”
- MUST SEE: Bridge Crash Video Sped Up To 8x Shows A Very Different Picture (links to video in the post)
- The Baltimore Bridge Collapse Is Going To Have An Enormous Impact On US Supply Chains
Third, my own reply to a friend’s post on Facebook:
From someone with an analytical mind…
If the ship ‘lost power’ and therefore lost its ability to be steered, how was it able to make such a sharp turn toward the end? Hmm…
Fourth, in case America’s infrastructure was not on your radar screen, American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) lists some rather startling statistics about bridges, including:
- “There are 167 million crossings on 42,400 bridges rated in poor condition.”
- “1 in 3 U.S. Bridges Needs Repair or Replacement…”
So, with or without outside forces, there is the possibility that there could be other bridge collapses in the future and all professional truck drivers need to stay alert.
Regarding the Francis Scott Key bridge situation, please pay attention to:
- detours in this area; and
- how detours will affect congestion, travel time, fuel consumption, and more.
Solar eclipse
- Some states urge truck drivers to avoid working during upcoming eclipse
- South Carolina Eclipse viewing information for the Great North American Eclipse of April 8, 2024 | eclipse2024.org
- These SC cities will have the best views of the solar eclipse. Here are the perfect times to watch
- Total solar eclipse: Safety, travel advisories in the path, more
- Vermont DMV issues commercial vehicle advisory for eclipse
Regarding this article:
No size/weight permitted travel allowed on eclipse day, says TxDMV
one writer wrote:
This is getting absurd. Now NO TRUCKS allowed on the highways due to the solar eclipse? (mostly commercial trucks) Why should the SHADOW of the MOON matter so much that now they have to ban most trucks?
Please bear in mind that the article says “permitted travel,” which the writer may not have understood does not mean “no trucks whatsoever.”
However, he asked a very pertinent question about why the eclipse matters to the trucking industry.
Is something coming that those of us who are not on the inside cannot see?
Towing
As I wrote in my March 9, 2024, TDMST Weekly Round-Up:
Predatory towing is a violation of “love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
I understand the need for rules and regulations about where to park, but in my opinion, the situation that gave rise to this whole predatory towing issue is a lack of safe parking for large commercial motor vehicles.
Here are a couple of the most recent articles about this:
- A-1’s second 30-day suspension was reversed within hours
- Florida’s Legislative Leap Against Predatory Towing Practices
2. Regarding business, bypass, transfer, and UPS closures:
Business
- Business ‘cents’: Knowing your cost per mile is vital for owner-ops
- Leasing Task Force Hears Concerns About Predatory Contracts
- Small carriers can leverage customer relationships, agility for success
Bypass
- Bestpass appoints innovation and growth executives to team
- How Bestpass drives fleet happiness
- PrePass weigh station bypass expands into four new states
Transfer
This section covers acquisitions, buying, and selling.
- Blue Yonder to acquire One Network for $839M
- Documenting the Service History of Your Work Vehicle for Future Buyers
- Home Depot Buys SRS Distribution in $18 Billion Deal
- Large carriers give insights on managing acquisitions, insurance and rising issues
- Why Used Vehicle Maintenance is Important Before Selling
UPS closures
Sometimes even the “big dogs” need to readjust their business strategy.
- FedEx initiates targeted layoffs; UPS sheds workers at Ontario airport
- Shipping giant UPS to close 200 facilities to cut costs
- UPS Sees Sales, Profit Growth Coming Out of ‘Difficult’ 2023
- UPS to close 200 sort centers in modernization push
3. Regarding inspections and operations:
Inspections
If you keep yourself and your rig in a perpetual state of readiness for an inspection, you will never be caught off-guard.
- CVSA’s 2024 inspection blitz to include DACH queries
- Ontario Opens $30M Commercial Vehicle Inspection Station
Operations
Please learn how to operate your truck well and how to be prepared.
- Here’s how fleets can prepare for incidents: TruckNews.com webinar recap
- Trooper uses numbers to explain why cutting off a semi truck is so dangerous
- Trucker makes it 10 miles going wrong way in carpool lane
- Uber Freight takes innovative approach to drop and hook with Powerloop
- Wannabe trucker hauls an insane stack of vehicles
4. Regarding crashes, death, impaired, and sleep:
Crashes
Please look through these articles to see if there is anything you can learn to help you prevent being involved in a similar crash.
- 3 thoroughbred horses killed in 18-wheeler crash
- Big rig barrels through crash scene in dash cam video shared by Utah Highway Patrol
- Big rig tumbles off California highway, driver ejected into Feather River
- E-SMART says its technology has reduced bridge strikes for 2 major carriers
- Pineapple Peril: Truck’s fruity fiasco sours Massachusetts highway
- Three thoroughbred horses killed when big rig collides with Kentucky bridge embankment
- Truck strikes overpass near George Massey Tunnel in Richmond, B.C.
- Two killed in crash involving concrete truck and school bus, Texas officials say
- Wild turkey survives big rig windshield strike
Death
We express our deep sympathy — and offer our condolences — to the families of those whose loved ones died.
- Driver pinned after removing wheel chocks
- Opioid Deaths Continue to Rise Despite Drop in Prescriptions
- Trucker found nearly a month after abandoning rig at TN truck stop
Impaired
In that one of the articles listed below simply stated that the driver was “impaired” — without stating what caused it — I am lumping impairment by alcohol and drugs together under this section this week.
- Drugged Driving Now Causes More Fatal Crashes Than Drunk Driving
- Maine trucker arrested for DUI after getting rig stuck in I-95 median
- Maine trucker crashes, is charged with driving under the influence
- Truck driver arrested after ‘impaired driving spree’
- Truck driver arrested for DUI after getting loaded big rig stuck in muddy I-95 median
Sleep
5. Regarding detention, employment, and retention:
Detention
- ATRI asks truck drivers to participate in detention survey
- Here’s your chance to weigh in on detention for new ATRI survey
- Study explores impacts of detention time on trucking
- Truckers asked for feedback on detention impacts
Employment
- Driver buy-in, best practices ensure smooth video rollout
- The owner-op contractor-classification maze, perspective
- Wisconsin court affirms Amazon Flex drivers were not independent contractors
Retention
- 3 Things to Focus on to Retain Truck Drivers
- How Can Trucking Fleets Keep the Best Drivers?
- Invest in Truck Drivers’ Lives to Improve Retention
- Listen to Drivers — and Respond
- Why Do Truck Drivers Leave — Really?
6. Regarding economy, rates, taxes, and tolls – congestion pricing:
Economy
- Canadian shops led in revenue growth, lagged in parts markups in 2023: Fullbay
- Durable Goods Orders Rise for First Time in Three Months
- Economic Trucking Trends: Ongoing evidence of a freight market recovery
- Fleet Concerns Remain Dynamic for 2024, TMC Data Says
- Inflation Gauge Shows Price Pressures Easing Gradually
- Kroger Closing Three E-Commerce Facilities in Texas, Florida
- Net trailer orders see year-over-year downward slide in February
- Poor rates/demand outweigh lower trucking costs this cycle
- Strong February Class 8 sales won’t help overcapacity in the market
- The When, How, Where, and What of Produce Season
- Tractor demand no longer necessarily a gauge for market health
- Used Class 8 truck price growth expectations pushed further out
- Used Truck Sales in February Increase 23% Over Last Year
- Used-truck prices climbed in February | Bennett companies turning 50
Rates
- Predicted light at the end of the freight rate tunnel still far away
- Truckstop: Total spot rates are slightly higher in the latest week
Taxes
Tolls – congestion pricing
- Congestion pricing in New York City expected to begin in June
- NYC Congestion Pricing Wins Key Approval From Transit Board
- Truckers to pay up to $36 when NYC congestion toll goes into effect in June
7. Regarding electric vehicles, emissions, and fuel:
Electric vehicles
Before you buy an all-electric Commercial Motor Vehicle, please do your due diligence.
Please see our Electric Truck Battery Questions.
Now, for the articles this week…
- CATL Works With Tesla on Fast-Charging Cells
- China to Challenge Biden’s EV Plans at the WTO
- Company to build 280 mile electric CMV charging corridor between Los Angeles and Las Vegas
- Daimler Rolls Out BEV Dealer Certification Program
- Deliveries of Daimler’s Rizon electric trucks commence
- Electric Circuit opens electric truck-capable charging station in Quebec
- EVs Pass the Tipping Point to Mass Adoption in 31 Countries
- Fleet electrification does not have to break the bank
- FMCSA urged to factor electric trucks into detention study
- Greenlane Announces First Commercial EV Charging Corridor
- Greenlane Announces Los Angeles to Las Vegas Truck Charging Corridor
- Greenlane Infrastructure plans commercial electric vehicle charging corridor
- Greenlane to install truck chargers along freight corridor linking L.A. to Vegas
- Nissan Promises Aggressive EV Push
- Pembina Institute to calculate Toronto-area EV charging needs and grid readiness
- Penske and Hitachi Launch Large-Scale Electric Truck Charging Depot
- Rizon EV Truck Deliveries Begin in California
- The $1 Trillion Challenge: Electrifying America’s Commercial Truck Fleet
Emissions
- Battery durability monitoring, warranty requirements part of EPA emissions rule
- Biden administration acknowledges ‘challenge’ with new truck emissions rule
- EPA announces new emissions standards; trucking organizations react
- EPA announces new strict emissions rule for heavy trucks
- EPA Finalizes Heavy Truck Emissions Standards
- EPA rule requires 25% CO2 reduction for sleeper trucks by 2032
- EPA Sets Strict Emissions Standards for Heavy Trucks
- EPA sets strict emissions standards for heavy-duty trucks, buses in bid to fight climate change
- EPA sets ‘strongest-ever’ emissions standards for heavy duty trucks
- Trucking industry reacts swiftly to new EPA emission standards for big rigs
- Trucking Trade Groups Oppose EPA Phase 3 Rule
Fuel
- Alberta opens first commercial hydrogen fueling station
- All quiet on the diesel front, for now: Benchmark price up slightly
- Average US diesel price inches up
- BeyondTrucks’ new fuel transport solution is ‘simplifying work,’ exec says
- Biden’s Biofuel Push Risks Dethroning Corn as King of Crops
- Exxon Presses Case for Hydrogen Tax Credit
- Fuel tax likely on the way up in New Jersey
- Fuel tax soon on the way up in New Jersey
- NACFE report gives fresh take on natural gas as trucking fuel
- NACFE: Natural Gas a Viable Short-Term Decarbonization Option
- NACFE’s newest report focuses on natural gas use in commercial vehicles
- Natural gas as a fuel source?
- Nikola celebrates opening of first hydrogen fueling station
- Weekly Fuel Report: March 26, 2024
- Weekly NTI Update: March 26, 2024
- Will natural gas payback beat EV adoption?
8. Regarding legal, legal – bankruptcy, legal – charged, legal – fatalities, legal – fraud, legal – road rage, and legal – Yellow:
These sections of articles contain some of the most recent information about different kinds of legal issues as they affect the trucking industry:
Legal
- Colorado Court Schedules Kroger-Albertsons Hearing in August
- Court documents tell the story of Pride Group’s troubles
- Lawmakers Urge FTC to Take Action on Grocery Profits
- Truck Makers Face Retrial in Europe in Price-Fixing Case
Legal – bankruptcy
- 103-year-old meat producer forced to seek bankruptcy protection
- Canada’s Pride Group files for bankruptcy protection, faces $100M lawsuit
- Fisker Mulls Bankruptcy After Talks With Automaker Collapse
- Pride Group files for bankruptcy protection to restructure amid lawsuit
- Shuttered California trucking company files for bankruptcy
Legal – charged
- Box truck driver who hit Parkway bridge cited for every sign they ignored
- Pickup driver charged in collision that left truck hanging off bridge
- Pickup driver charged in crash that left big rig dangling from Louisville bridge
- Pickup driver faces multiple charges in crash that left big rig hanging over Ohio River
Legal – fatalities
- Driver found guilty for fatal crash in moment family was “waiting for”
- Jury finds Colorado trucker guilty of vehicular homicide in 2022 crash
Legal – fraud
Legal – road rage
Legal – Yellow
- Court dismisses Yellow’s $137M lawsuit against Teamsters
- Yellow gets favored venue for hearing on $7.8B in pension liability claims
- Yellow’s $137M lawsuit against Teamsters dismissed
9. Regarding smuggling, theft, and violence:
Smuggling
Never ever transport people made in the image of God as if they were cattle or cargo — no matter how big a “payoff” you’ve been offered.
Theft
- Freightwaves Infographics: Cargo thefts spiked 68% in Q4
- Rise of the techie cargo thieves: How digitally savvy theft has invaded trucking
Violence
Prepare as best as you can to defend yourself, your possessions, your tractor, trailer, and the cargo on board.
- Florida cops looking for suspect who beat trucker
- Quebec enforcement officers see increase in aggression
- Suspect in Pennsylvania Love’s shooting identified
- Suspects in hammer attack say that trucker struck first
- Trucker beaten with hammer by pair of men in breakdown lane
- Trucker shot on I-65 in Indiana
- Trucker shot on Indiana interstate, suspect at large
10. Regarding ports and technology:
Ports
This section does not include articles about the port in Baltimore, Maryland.
- Cargo companies start to reroute away from Montreal amid fears of port strike
- Daily Infographic: Container shipments from China to Mexico skyrocketed in January
- FreightTech Friday: Dock scheduling provider focuses on end-user experience
- Georgia Ports Authority Board approves $65M for new terminal
- Government funds Montreal port infrastructure
- Gulf Coast ports record gains in cargo, crude oil shipments in February
- Port Houston shows import strength in February
- Port of South Louisiana Sees Continued Annual Cargo Growth
- Port of Virginia expansion boosts ultralarge container vessel capacity
- US Ports Post Year-Over-Year Increases for February
Technology
- Cargo Transporters adopts camera monitor system
- Dashcam video shows deadly Texas school bus crash after cement truck veers into oncoming lane
- End-to-end visibility changes the game for shippers, carriers
- Facility Association introduces telematics, surcharges, tightens insurance oversight
- How to Implement AI-Powered Analytics to Fine-Tune Fleet Operations
- Magnus Technologies unveils platform to optimize truckload operations
- Nikola FCEV review, ELD hackers and MATS recap – WTT
- Trailer Telematics and the Cost of Ownership
- Truck World’s educational series to focus on sustainability
- Truckin Digital launches new software suite to help trucking company offices
11. Regarding parking and safety:
Parking
The second article in this section does not address the situation regarding what company drivers should do regarding reserving and paying for a safe and legal parking space.
If you know this information, please contact us through the form below.
- FL county opens paid truck parking lot in wake of new parking ban
- Reserving a Parking Spot Is Effective, but Costly
- Texas college town bans all truck parking on city streets
- Texas town bans big rig street parking city-wide
Safety
- CDL changes would hinder safety, truckers say
- Delaware launches new highway safety campaign
- Fortune Transportation & Bison win TCA Fleet Safety grand prizes
- Lytx honors drivers and coaches for highway safety efforts
- Trucking’s Ethical Roadmap: Prioritizing Safety and Accountability
12. Regarding awards, Citizen Driver awards, driver rewards, and recognition:
Awards
We congratulate all professional truck drivers who demonstrate skill on the job!
- Driver of the Year honors for 3 truckers
- Each of TCA’s 5 Professional Drivers of the Year receives $20,000
- Nomination period for Transition Trucking award now open
- Women In Trucking announces its 2024 Drivers of the Year
- Women in Trucking recognizes three Drivers of the Year
Citizen Driver Awards
- TA announces recipients of 2024 Citizen Driver Award
- TA names 2024 Citizen Drivers
- Werner, FedEx Freight drivers named Citizen Driver Award winners by TA
Driver Rewards
Recognition
We recognize those who helped their fellow human beings in a time of need.
Thank you!
- 3 drivers named TCA’s Highway Angels of the Year for their heroism
- 3 truck drivers recognized as 2023 TCA Highway Angels of the Year
- Many angels saved boy’s life, Highway Angel of the Year Jacobsen says
- Watch as trucker brake checks car for a good cause
My husband Mike and I wish you — and all professional truck drivers — safe travels and lots of money saving opportunities on the road.
Return from TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2024.03.30 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
