TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2022.08.13 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending August 13, 2022.
We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding costs, pay, taxes, inflation, and economy:
Costs
On Wednesday, August 10, 2022, the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) published a news release that I received via email.
The title of the news release was:
“ATRI’s Newest Operational Costs Research Documents
Costliest Year Ever in Trucking”.
A downloadable analysis is available through a registration form on their site.
Other articles about this topic include:
- 2021 was the ‘costliest year ever in trucking,’ per new report
- Cost of trucking grows to record high
- Driven by fuel prices, trucking costs set new record in 2021
- Fuel, Maintenance, Drivers Push Operational Costs Higher
- Trucking costs reach record highs
Pay
We would like to hear from you through the form below:
What kind of a pay increase have you experienced in the last 2 years?
Does it even come close to the increase of prices due to inflation?
- Arkansas Trucking Association praises news of rising driver pay
- ATA survey: Truckload drivers in ’21 earned 18% more than 2 years earlier
- ATA: Truck Driver Demand Drives Wages Up in 2021
- Driver Pay Rose in 2021, ATA Survey Finds
- Need for drivers, consumer demand helped push up trucker pay last year
- Truck driver pay increased in 2021
- Truck Driver Salaries Climbed By Nearly 11 Percent in 2021
- Truck driver salary increased significantly in 2021, according to study
- Truck driver wages increased in 2021, ATA reports
- U.S. fleets substantially hiking driver compensation
Taxes
- Georgia Extends Fuel Tax Suspension Through Sept. 12
- Tax relief approved in Indiana
- Transportation tax on five Georgia counties fall ballots
- US EV Tax Credit Could Violate WTO Rules
Inflation
- Container Lines See Massive Profits Port Congestion & Consumer Inflation
- Inflation Slows From 40-Year Peak, but Remains High
- Rivian Cuts Annual Earnings Forecast on Inflation, Supply Woes
- US inflation slows from a 40-year peak but remains high
- US Retail Cargo Seen Cooling in Second Half as Inflation, Rates Bite
Economy
2. Regarding AB5, legal, legal – motorcycle, legal – Schneider, and smuggling:
AB5
- Behind the News: The Broader Impact of California’s AB5 [Podcast]
- Perspective: Taking Industry Action on AB 5
- The Broader Freight Impact of California’s AB5 [Video]
- What’s happening with AB5? The OOIDA Foundation explains –
Legal
- Supreme Court C.H. Robinson decision could alter trucking
- Trucker in recent deadly bridge strike may face charges, police say
From the first article linked above in this section:
A week earlier, the high court took the same action (or inaction) by denying “cert” in Miller v. C.H. Robinson, a case involving a personal injury lawsuit. I argue that this will have much bigger implications for the industry. This denial of cert. could upend the massive freight brokerage industry, which has massive ramifications across the supply chain.
While the particulars are very different, the cases’ appeals to the Supreme Court stand on the same grounds: that federal law preempts state laws in both situations. That law is the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act (F4A), which bans states from enacting laws that could affect a motor carrier’s rates and services.
Legal – motorcycle
- Commercial driver found NOT GUILTY in deaths of seven motorcycle riders in New Hampshire crash
- Truck driver acquitted in deaths of 7 motorcyclists in 2019
- Trucker acquitted in 2019 New Hampshire motorcycle crash
Legal – Schneider
- O/O for Schneider described as employee as appeals court kicks case back to lower court
- Schneider truck driver lawsuit is revived by court ruling
Smuggling
Never ever haul human beings as you would cattle or cargo!
3. Regarding accidents, fatalities, and venting:
Accidents
- Routing error: Bridge built in 1887 to be closed until next year after trucker “thought he could get across”
- Choked on what? Choking trucker ends up balanced on barrier wall
- Load securement error: Collection of port-o-potties slide off back of moving flatbed
- Parking error: Trucker in need of bathroom break overturns while hauling acid
- Motorist error: Utah trooper’s dash cam captures dramatic semi vs. car ‘pit maneuver’ crash on I-15
- Steering tire blowout: VIDEO: Driver handles a blown steer tire like a pro
Fatalities
We extend our deepest sympathy to those who died in the accidents linked in this section.
- 1 dead after being hit by tires that flew off big rig on I-45
- Driver killed after tractor-trailer falls off I-80 overpass, bursts into flames
- Two truck crash on I-70 leaves one driver dead
- Woman dead after truck hauling excavator strikes Colorado bridge
- Woman, child dead in collision with log that fell off semi
Another article is listed above which indicates that a truck plunged off an overpass.
Why does this seem to be happening more often?
Does it have anything to do with drugs or jabs?
Venting
Isn’t there a better way of taking care of off-gassing?
4. Regarding 2290, business, recall, and safety:
2290
Business
Even if you aren’t an owner-operator or independent trucker, please familiarize yourself with the information in these articles.
- Afraid of Your Trucking Business Closing? Know Your Numbers Series
- LogRock CEO: What is compliance costing you today?
- New survey shows rebalancing of owner-operator market
Recall
- 47,000 Peterbilt, Kenworth truckers recalled for steering gear issue
- Nearly 1400 Daimler trucks recalled for unexpected engine shutdown risk
- Paccar recall of 50,000 trucks covers 54 models
- Sheppard steering gear recall hits 47,000-plus Kenworth, Peterbilt trucks
Safety
- 5 steps to avoid slips, trips and falls in a fleet yard
- 5 tips to make fleet yards safer
- ATA partners with Indiana State Police to teach youth highway safety
5. Regarding 60-foot, containers, and ports:
60-foot
According to the first article linked below in this section:
- “a standard 53-foot trailer can fit about 26 pallets”;
- “[a 60-foot trailer] can fit as many as 30 pallets of perishable goods, such as meat and dry/wet produce, requiring different temperatures.”
Other questions come to mind, such as:
- How does a longer trailer affect an entire rig’s turning radius?
- How does a longer trailer affect overall rig weight?
- How does a longer trailer affect the Federal Bridge Formula Weight?
Please see these recent articles on this topic.
- Walmart rolls out 60-foot refrigerated trailer
- Walmart rolls out ‘first of its kind’ 60-foot multi-temp reefer trailer
Containers
- No precipitous plunge in container shipping rates, just ‘orderly’ decline
- Shipping Container Lines Set to Smash Profit Record
Ports
According to the last article linked in this section:
“A port trucker movement in New York/New Jersey has been making the case that port drivers should get compensated for all hours worked.”
Here, here!
- FMC considering 60-day congestion emergency order
- July volumes at Georgia Ports Authority climb 18%
- Summer of discontent for port drivers
6. Regarding fuel, oil, electric vehicles, and emissions:
Fuel
Although falling fuel prices are welcome, please remember:
- what fuel prices used to be; and
- that there has been a big push from those on the federal level in the USA to move away from petroleum-based fuel (which I believe is a huge mistake).
Here are some of the most recent articles on this topic:
- Diesel down as much as 17 cents in some regions
- Diesel Drops Below $5 for First Time Since March
- Diesel national average falls below $5 per gallon
- Diesel prices fall below $5 a gallon nationally as future remains uncertain
- Drilling Deep: Monthly report raises concerns about the diesel market
- EIA: $5 bill, on average, can get you a gallon of diesel fuel
- Fleet to Use Biodiesel Made From Used Cooking Oil it Collects
- Gas Prices Dip Just Below $4 for First Time in 5 Months
- Holy crap! Ontario truck runs on cow manure.
- Latest IEA report has plenty in it to concern diesel consumers
- Renewable diesel plant could greatly cut carbon emissions
- Weekly Fuel Report: August 09, 2022
Oil
- Crude oil production on track to break 2019 mark, says EIA forecast
- Daily Infographic: Oil companies’ profits surge as fuel prices soar
Electric vehicles
- FHWA Charting Path for National EV Charging Network
- Global News Roundup: Joint Venture to Support EU Charging Infrastructure
- Lightning eMotors Sees Specialty CEVs as Next Frontier
- Most EVs Won’t Qualify for Federal Tax Credit
- New Company Ready to Build and Operate EV Charging Stations
- Rivian Leads EV Slump After Investors Shun Money Losers
- Startup Autonomy Orders 22,790 EVs to Form Subscription Fleet
- TravelCenters of America Survey: Trucking fleets plan to invest in electric, hydrogen vehicles
Emissions
According to the first article linked below:
There are two types of emissions to consider: air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions.
EVs have zero tailpipe emissions, which means they don’t emit air pollutants or GHGs out of a tailpipe the way fossil fuel-powered vehicles do. …
But even though EVs don’t emit GHGs out of their tailpipes, they still require a power source for charging.
Some EV chargers are powered by solar panels or other renewable sources. However, many EVs are charged with electricity from the grid. That means the emissions associated with charging an electric truck vary greatly from state to state.
Here are some of the most recent articles on this topic:
- Are electric trucks zero-emission vehicles?
- Shell executive reveals plan to decarbonize shipping
- Zero-emission truck funding available for California truckers
7. Regarding employment and recruiting:
Employment
Recruiting
- 7 things millennials want from trucking employers
- Why the Young Driver Apprenticeship Program Could be Key to Trucking’s Future – Guest Voices
8. Regarding roads, spill, supply chain, liftgates, and weather:
Roads
- DOT Awards $2.2 Billion for Roads, Bridges Across US
- I-81 Corridor Coalition makes discussion materials available
- Major new bridge project in Corpus Christi in danger of collapse
- New York DOT starts projects on I-84, state Route 9W
- Route 6/15 in Maine shut down
- Traffic delays expected from Delaware Memorial Bridge work
Spill
Please make sure that your load stays contained until you reach the load’s receiver!
Supply chain
- Daimler Truck Shrugs Off Supply Chain Issues With Rising Sales
- Entire US Supply Chain Needs 24/7 Operations, Not Just Ports, Official Says
- Fertilizer shippers seek carrier reforms to address supply chain snags
- Industry eyes are wide shut
Liftgates
Weather
9. Regarding inspections, insurance, and last mile:
Inspections
If you keep yourself and your truck in perpetual readiness for an inspection, you’ll never be caught off-guard.
- Annual brake inspection blitz looms; here’s what they’ll look for
- Brake Safety Week enforcement blitz starts Sunday
- Iowa DOT shows how NOT to fix your trailer brakes ahead of CVSA Brake Safety Week
Insurance
The article linked in this section states:
“DataQs allows users to track and petition a review of federal and state data issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that’s believed to be inaccurate or incomplete.”
Last mile
- Last-mile logistics platform Veho partners with ShipHero on e-commerce deliveries
- Peloton to outsource all final-mile deliveries as part of broad revamp
10. Regarding technology, Tesla, and training – sleeping:
Technology
- Improving communication content with technology helps retain drivers, office staff
- Installing LEDs gives warehouses cheaper, cleaner lighting, experts say
Tesla
- Musk announces Tesla Semis will be shipped this year
- Musk Says Tesla Will Begin Shipping Semis Later This Year
- Tesla says Semi coming in 2022
- Tesla, Nikola Race for Up to $40,000 Incentives
Training – sleeping
A driver trainer must not be continually falling asleep on the job.
If a trucker is doing that, there could be a medical issue at stake.
Please feel free to see our article entitled:
Becoming a Truck Driver Trainer: Motives, Warnings and More.
11. Regarding price hikes and future:
Price hikes
- Labor Day, but more complex: FedEx sets earlier start date for peak delivery surcharges
- October 23 – January 3: Postal Service proposes increases in peak-season parcel-delivery rates
- USPS to Hike Prices in October for Holidays
Future
- ACT Research: Despite expected inbound recession, some factors mitigate a sharper downturn
- ATA President Expresses Positive Trucking Outlook Despite Challenges
12. Regarding awards:
We recognize those who helped their fellow human beings in a time of need:
- Highway Angels: Truck drivers recognized for acts of heroism on the road
- VIDEO: Trucker goes door-to-door warning drivers of nearby fire
We congratulate those truckers who have displayed great skill on the job, qualified to be in a championship, or having won!
- Elite Truckers to Meet in Indianapolis for National Truck Driving Championships
- Maryland’s Joyce Bain on NTDC: ‘I Go to Win’
- Nominations open for 2022 Influential Woman in Trucking Award
- Texas Trucking Association names its safety grand champion
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: 2022.08.13 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
