TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2023.07.01 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending July 1, 2023, written by Vicki Simons.
We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding ATRI, freebies, I-95 bridge, and Independence Day:
ATRI
From a June 29, 2023, email that we received from The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI):
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Trucking Industry’s Operational Costs Hit New High
An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking: 2023 UpdatePrepared by the American Transportation Research Institute ATRI
ATRI has released the findings of its 2023 update to An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking. A record number of motor carriers participated in this year’s research, which analyzes a wide variety of line-item costs, operating efficiencies, and revenue benchmarks by fleet size and sector.
Total marginal costs climbed to a new high in 2022 for the second year in a row, increasing by 21.3 percent over 2021 to $2.251 per mile. Though fuel was the largest driver of this spike (53.7% higher than in 2021), multiple other line-items also rose by double digits. Driver wages increased by 15.5 percent, to $0.724 per mile, reflecting the ongoing industry effort to attract and retain drivers. Driver benefits, however, remained stable in 2022.
Atypical market conditions posed unique challenges for acquiring and maintaining equipment in 2022. Truck and trailer payments increased by 18.6 percent to $0.331 per mile as carriers paid higher prices, largely due to equipment impediments in the supply chains. Closely related, parts shortages and rising technician labor rates pushed repair and maintenance costs up 12 percent to $0.196 per mile. Read More
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See other articles on this topic:
- ATRI Report: Operational Costs Reach Another Record High
- Cost of operating a truck reaches all-time high
- New study shows big rig operating costs reach all-time high
Freebies
I-95 bridge
- Biden, Politicians Jump on Announcement to Reopen I-95 Near Philly by Fourth of July Weekend
- I-95 Bridge in Philadelphia Reopens Ahead of Schedule
- I-95 Reopens in Just 12 Days
- NTSB: Driver lost control in crash, fire that closed I-95 in Philadelphia
Independence Day
No matter where you drive or when, please take precautions against cargo theft and the other motorists traveling around you.
- Expect to share the road with record number of Fourth of July travelers
- Holiday weekend sees rise in cargo theft
- Long July 4th holiday weekend is prime time for cargo theft and fraud
- Take time to appreciate the true price of freedom this Fourth of July
2. Regarding crashes, drugs, fatalities, and smuggling:
Crashes
Please learn what you can from these articles so that you do everything reasonable to avoid being involved in a similar situation.
- Amtrak train hits water truck, derails with 198 passengers on board in Southern California
- Autopilot Tesla slams into work truck directing traffic in construction zone
- Car slides down hill straight into semi truck
- Colorado troopers share video of stolen cop cruiser colliding with parked semi
- Officer thrown into sinkhole by semi truck unable to avoid barricade
- Philly sports teams donate $50K to daughter of trucker killed in I-95 collapse
- Police searching for truck driver that fled after striking two pedestrians
- Report fills in details of crash that closed I-95
- Semi truck hot sauce spill leads to hazmat response on El Paso interstate
- Six hurt in 5 vehicle crash involving two loaded daycare buses in Georgia
- Trucker flung off of interstate in wreck with armed robber fleeing police
- Trucker’s girlfriend delivers a son day after crash off CBBT
- Water truck driver critically injured after crash with passenger train
Drugs
Never ever haul illegal drugs, no matter how large of an incentive you’ve been offered.
- California truck driver sentenced to 8 years for transporting meth
- Truck driver with oversized load nabbed for drugs, fake pee
- Trucker arrested when 95 pounds of meth are found in trailer
- Trucker caught with 162 pounds of meth on I-65 sentenced to federal prison
Fatalities
We extend our deepest sympathy and offer our condolences to the families of those who passed away in the circumstances described in the articles linked below.
Please learn what you can from these articles so that if at all possible, you are not caught in the same kind of situation that leads to death.
- Body of the driver of truck that went off Chesapeake Bay bridge recovered
- California police make arrest in shooting death of North Carolina truck driver
- Could Recent Horrific Truck Driver Deaths Have Been Avoided?
- DPS: Driver was on Tik Tok in moments before fatal I-10 chain reaction crash
- Driver extracted from big rig in Elkhart County, Indiana, pileup
- Five dead in multi-vehicle accident that sparked semi truck fire
- Highway fatalities continue downward trend, NHTSA estimates
- NHTSA estimates traffic fatalities down for fourth straight quarter
- One crushed between truck & trailer
- POLICE: Trucker found dead in cab with smashed windows after argument with another driver
- Three dead following wrong-way semi truck crash in Ohio
- Truck driver dies in an explosion at an Illinois ammunition factory
- Truck driver fatally crushed while unloading marble slabs at San Antonio facility
- Truck driver killed in explosion at Illinois ammunition plant
- Trucker dies after driving rig off Chesapeake Bay Bridge
- Trucker dies when his tractor-trailer is hit by suspects in police chase
- Trucker hit and killed on highway while chasing after his dog
- Why are truck crash fatalities elevated?
Smuggling
Never ever haul human beings made in the image of God as if they were cattle or cargo.
- 4 arrested in Texas truck smuggling incident that left 53 dead
- Five more people indicted on one year anniversary of tragic death of 53 migrants
- US arrests 4 Mexican nationals in 2022 deaths of 53 migrants found trapped in hot big rig trailer
3. Regarding bankruptcies, congestion pricing, delays, economy, insurance, pay, and tolls:
Bankruptcies
Hard economic times tend to sort out companies economically from time to time.
- Carriers owed millions after Mississippi brokerage files for Chapter 7
- DOL investigating Postal Service contractor Ameritrans Express amid bankruptcy filing
- EV maker Lordstown Motors files for bankruptcy protection, restructures
- Lordstown Motors Files for Bankruptcy Protection
- Lordstown Motors files for bankruptcy, sues Foxconn
- Mississippi’s Transplus Freight System brokerage goes bankrupt
Congestion pricing
Delays
Economy
- ACT Research: Used Class 8 tractor sales ‘uncharacteristically high’
- ATA Truck Tonnage Index increased 2.4% in May
- Business Equipment Orders Increase Again in May
- Car Prices Are Starting to Ease to Pre-Pandemic Levels
- Consumer staples earnings reports bring yet more evidence of demand weakness
- Cross-border freight up slightly for trucks in April
- Economic Trucking Trends: Tough times for flatdeckers, used truck prices normalizing
- ELFA Reports $9.5 Billion in New Business in May
- Food price hikes to slow, which is good for trucking
- Freight Shortage 2023: What’s Up With The Crisis
- GDP Growth in Q1 2023 Revised to 2%
- Key Inflation Gauge Hits Two-Year Low in May
- Leading through a freight recession – WTT
- May Used Class 8 Sales Down 4.9% Year-Over-Year
- No freight market fireworks in 2023
- OOIDA May market update similar to March, April
- Shipping faces fallout as China’s post-COVID rebound falls flat
- Spot Market Struggles With Prolonged Bottom
- State of Freight for June: Few signs of upturn from historic lows
- State of Logistics: The Great Reset
Insurance
- Cargo insurance: ‘Broad form’ and other coverage types, explained
- What type of insurance do you need?
Pay
- Never miss out on detention time reimbursement again
- Trucking company forced to pay back $51k+ after denying employees overtime
Tolls
- As Fuel Taxes Plummet, States Weigh Charging by the Mile
- Trucking groups blast state’s attempt to appeal truck-only tolling
4. Regarding autonomous vehicles, batteries, electric vehicles, emissions, fuel, and fuel tax:
Autonomous vehicles
I most definitely oppose the operation of autonomous, self-driving, or driverless commercial motor vehicles on the same roads as the motoring public, but share these articles as a courtesy, so that you can keep up with what is going on in this industry.
- Autonomous firm TuSimple exploring possible U.S. exit
- Briefly: Loadsmith orders 800 self-driving trucks from Kodiak Robotics
- FMCSA Plans Driver Behavior Study on Self-Driving Trucks
- FMCSA to study driver interactions with autonomous tech
- Inside an Aurora Self-Driving Truck Testing in Texas
- TuSimple Eyes US Exit, Hires Bankers
- TuSimple Looks for Buyer, Other Options for U.S. Operations
- TuSimple may sell US operations
- TuSimple seeks buyer for U.S. autonomous truck business
Batteries
- Charging Ahead: Battery Technology Advancements in Heavy Duty Trucks
- EV Makers Racing for Supplies of Lithium for Batteries
- Nth Cycle to Open Ohio Plant to Reclaim Battery Metals
Electric vehicles
- 10% of Canada Post fleet now hybrid or electric
- Electric ‘truck stop of the future’ plans developing in Michigan –
- Electric Trucks: Scoring on the Utility Play
- Federal funding available for ZEV, clean fuel awareness
- GM Announces EV Supply Chain Deal
- Mack Begins Taking MD Electric Truck Orders
- Mack MD Electric now available for order
- OEMs call for expanding California’s ZEV incentive model
- Pepsi Leads Calls for EU to Roll Out Green Trucks Faster
- SAE International Plans to Standardize Tesla’s EV Chargers
- USDOT Awards $1.7 Billion to Buy Electric Buses
- Volvo delivers 74-ton electric truck to Swedish company
- Volvo pushes envelope with EV weight limits
- Volvo Unveils Electric Heavy-Haul Tractor in Europe
- Volvo, University of Minnesota Test Electric Trucks in Extreme Weather
- What’s a fuel card provider’s electrification strategy?
Emissions
- Carmaker Lobbying Group Pushes Back on EPA Pollution Plan
- EPA rule will ‘drive truckers out of business’
- In a holding pattern: Trucking industry awaits final decision on EPA emissions regulations
- PMTA Sues Pennsylvania Over California Emissions Regulations
- Proposed B.C. emission mandates ‘unachievable’, BCTA says
- Senate EPW Leaders Introduce Diesel Emissions Bill
- Survey: Cutting emissions a top 2024 priority in transportation sector
- Transportation survey names emissions a top priority for trucking industry in ’23
Fuel
- AAA retail diesel average now $3.876 Fuel prices Land Line
- Air Liquide, Iveco establish hydrogen station for longhaul trucks in Europe
- Average diesel prices down across nation
- Daily Infographic: US diesel prices have fallen below prices from before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
- Diesel Price Resumes Decline
- Guangzhou Automobile Group Unveils Ammonia-Powered Engine
- History recedes as hydrogen fueling advances
- Retail diesel drops again as oil futures markets head higher
- Several states set to hike diesel fuel taxes starting July 1
- USDA Offers Up to $500 Million in Biofuel Grants
- Weekly Fuel Report: June 27, 2023
- Weekly NTI Update: June 26, 2023
Fuel tax
5. Regarding business, parts, rates, recalls, Teamsters, and Yellow:
Business
Parts
Rates
- Contract rate decline puts capacity at risk
- Critical level approaching for trans-Pacific spot rates
- Van spot rates rise as flatbed rates fall sharply
Recalls
- Hundreds of drivers in Virginia now have recalled CDLs thanks to a trucking school with a sketchy trainer
- Running on Ice: Why are there so many food recalls?
Teamsters
- Drivers at 10 Roads Express in Kansas join Teamsters
- Majority of Miami XPO Logistics workers vote to oust Teamsters Union
- Teamsters at ABF Freight ratify new labor deal
- Teamsters Break Off UPS Talks, Warn Strike ‘Inevitable’
- Teamsters demand UPS present last, best, final offer by Friday
- Teamsters get the boot at Miami-area XPO Logistics facility
- Teamsters president tells UPS union wants tentative agreement in 1 week
- Teamsters reject UPS’ first economic counterproposal
- UPS, Teamsters make ‘significant movement’ on economic terms in contract
- XPO Workers at Florida Facility Decertify Teamsters Union
- XPO workers in Miami vote to remove Teamsters
- XPO workers oust Teamsters at Miami-area site of groundbreaking contract
Yellow
- Analysts contemplate a Yellow bankruptcy
- Congress: Yellow shouldn’t have received $700M COVID bailout
- Loaded and Rolling: Yellow stares down the precipice
- Yellow calls on White House to get Teamsters to table
- Yellow Corp. didn’t qualify for COVID-19 bailout loan, report says
- Yellow Corp. files multimillion dollar lawsuit against International Brotherhood of Teamsters
- Yellow is a zombie company — it’s time to let it go
- Yellow running out of options, sues union for $137M
- Yellow sues Teamsters for $137 million, says union could drive them out of business and cause 30K workers to lose jobs
- Yellow Sues Teamsters, Alleging Breach of Contract
- Yellow sues the Teamsters
- Yellow suing Teamsters union for $137 million
- Yellow’s downward spiral, flaming Nikolas and trucking market report – WTT
6. Regarding banned, brake check area, defensive driving, distracted driving, inspections, and safety:
Banned
Brake check area
Defensive driving
Distracted driving
Inspections
- FMCSA begins process to study driver interactions in Level 2 and 3 autonomous trucks
- Here’s what to expect when you and your truck get inspected
- The FMCSA is quietly working on making ‘in-motion roadside inspections’ happen
- Trucker ticketed for brake defect following crash into creek
Safety
- Driving with a purpose: Safety is simply part of the culture at FTCT
- FMCSA, PHMSA issue safety bulletin for haulers, inspectors of liquid gases
- Pilot Company, Bridgestone surpass goals with tire safety partnership
- Professional truck drivers offer driving safety tips ahead of Independence Day weekend
- Survey says: Online poll reveals truckers’ experiences with unsafe driving
7. Regarding fraud, tire slasher, and violence:
Fraud
- Florida trucking company owner accused in $100M Ponzi scheme
- Florida’s Royal Bengal Logistics’ alleged $112M Ponzi scheme
- Former FMCSA worker sentenced to prison for soliciting and accepting bribe from trucking company
- Lawsuit accuses FedEx of ‘largest odometer fraud scheme’ in U.S. history
- Real-time visibility helps halt cross-border fraud
- Relay Payments, Amous TMS and PURE Freight Lines team up to stop fuel fraud
- Tackling fraud requires industrywide collaborative effort
- Trucker Accused of Running $100 Million OTR Ponzi Scheme
Tire slasher
Violence
- CHP arrests suspect in I-5 shooting that killed truck driver
- Group of truckers chase knife-wielding man who broke into resting driver’s sleeper
- Trucker charged with 5 counts of manslaughter in connection with fiery crash on Phoenix-area’s I-10
- Trucker nearly robbed at gunpoint by criminal impersonating police officer
- VIDEO: Truck driver woke up and chose violence against this day cab driver
8. Regarding containers, operations, and parking:
Containers
Operations
- New Tech Offerings to Improve Fleet Operations
- VIDEO: Pickup couldn’t possibly wait for a nice clear straightaway to pass this trucker
Parking
- Feds announce grant funds for new infrastructure projects, including truck parking
- Industry Stakeholders Take Aim at Truck Parking Shortage
- Maryland Truckers Seek Solution to Truck Parking Shortage
- New Love’s location adds 50 truck parking spots in Parachute, Colorado
- New Love’s Travel Stop in Parachute, Colo. includes 50 truck parking spots
- Rebuilt Clarence Service Area on NYS Thruway adds amenities for truckers
- Truck parking in Texas, Louisiana gets $33.5M boost from DOT
- Truck parking projects among RAISE grants
9. Regarding labor costs, labor market, legal, and news:
Labor costs
Labor market
Legal
- Forfeiture case heads to U.S. Supreme Court
- Former FMCSA border investigator convicted, sentenced for extortion
- Truck driver loses appeal of conviction in deadly Whitby crash
- USF Holland to pay, provide scholarship funds to settle suit
News
10. Regarding speed limiter, supply chain, and technology:
Speed limiter
- Bill aimed at stopping speed limiter mandate adds co-sponsors
- Debate continues as FMCSA plans to enact speed limiter rule for CMVs
Supply chain
- 21st-century solutions: Cooperative supply chain information sharing initiative ‘FLOWs’ into second year
- Girl Scouts Rock the Supply Chain
- Supply Chain Legislation Awaits Votes in House, Senate
- The supply chain resilience revolution just arrived
Technology
More and more truckers and trucking companies are depending on Artificial Intelligence (AI).
But the platform is not foolproof.
- AI is not ready to tackle human nuances within logistics industry
- AI Provides Vital Assistance to TMS Companies
- Alpha trucker: Driver Joel Morrow shares a sneak peek at some of the latest truck tech
- Ask the right questions: ELDs are designed to ensure compliance with HOS, not for use as life-saving devices
- Check Call: The most common password of all
- EKA delivers embedded technology solutions to supply chain customers
- Fleets Turn to Tech to Manage Complexity of Regulatory Compliance
- How AI is transforming transportation planning and execution
- How Automating Load Brokering Helps Carriers Meet Trucking Challenges
- Improving operations and reducing costs through better facility data
- Loadsmart introduces artificial intelligence to its platform
- New Drivewyze mobile app unlocks free in-cab safety alerts
- Next wave of ELD innovation is here — and it’s artificial intelligence
- NHTSA rejects call to make AV test reporting mandatory
- Rating, booking APIs make complete procurement automation possible
- Speedcargo automation tools find space where airfreight providers can’t
- Trucking Software Changes the Trucking Industry
- Where did the ZIP code come from?
11. Regarding health, testing, training, and truckers:
Health
Testing
Training
- 160 Driving Academy opens new location in Michigan
- Ontario injects $1.3 million into truck driver training for underrepresented groups
- USask studies aim to improve driver training, working conditions
- Volvo Trucks, University of Minnesota team up to conduct extreme weather field training
Truckers
12. Regarding awards and recognition:
Awards
We congratulate every professional truck driver who demonstrates skill in operating a semi-tractor trailer, including those in these articles.
- ABF Freight driver wins Arkansas association’s driving skills competition
- ABF Freight trucker wins several awards at Wyoming driving competition
Recognition
We recognize those who helped out their fellow human beings in a time of need.
- TCA Driver of the Year Daniel Clark works to help others, both on duty and off
- ‘This sweet man’ — Woman thanks trucker for his act of kindness following a crash
- VIDEO: Georgia DPS shouts out CMV driver for saving motorist from ‘severe injuries or worse’
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: 2023.07.01 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
