TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2023.10.21 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending October 21, 2023, written by Vicki Simons.
We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding CARB, Convoy, fatality – rail, issues, strike, and Yellow:
CARB
CARB stands for California Air Resources Board.
However, there may be other agencies, boards, departments, etc., in other states that are dedicated to “clean air.”
Just remember that it is possible that “as goes CARB, so go other official state air quality departments.”
- California Trucking Association Challenges CARB’s Advanced Clean Fleets Rule
- California Trucking Association sues to block Advanced Clean Fleets rule
- California Trucking Association Sues to Block CARB Rule
- Transtex Adds Edge Fin to Boost CARB Drag Reduction Rating
Convoy
I’m sure that this announcement came as quite a surprise to many.
This may serve as an alternative:
- Convoy cancels all loads; why freight companies fail; and unpopular opinions – WTT
- Convoy cancels all shipments, load board is empty, announcement upcoming
- Convoy ceasing operations, CEO reports
- Convoy crushed by ‘massive freight recession,’ closing down
- Convoy discussing tech sale with 2 active bidders
- Convoy shutdown, earnings reports highlight ongoing market weakness
- Convoy Shuts Down After Failing to Find Buyer
- Convoy shuts down; brokers on the brink; and Edison Motor’s new EV truck – WTT
- Digital freight broker Convoy announces company closure due to freight market collapse
- Digital Freight Broker Convoy Cancels Loads, Preps For Major Announcement
- Digital Freight Startup Convoy Hits Roadblock
- It’s over: Convoy shutting operations, no strategic white knight to the rescue
Fatality – rail
Mike and I express our deep sympathy to the family of the man who died in this railroad bridge collapse.
Based upon what I know (as of the publication of this trucking commentary), it appears as though some inspection — of the part of the rail system that collapsed — was either lacking or the repair work was not done as it should have been
If there’s one thing that angers me, it is when there are safety regulations put in place to protect people and they are ignored or the time frame is delayed.
We know that it can never bring back the trucker who was killed in the collapse, but I am hopeful that the company whose rail this was, will be making sufficient financial compensation to the trucker’s family.
- Broken Rail May Have Caused Derailment That Killed Trucker
- Colorado Troopers Investigate Train Derailment That Killed A Truck Driver On I-25 Near Pueblo
- Derailment Spills Train Cars, Coal Onto Colorado Highway
- I-25 in Colorado set to reopen after train derailment collapsed bridge, killing trucker
- I-25 in Colorado Set to Reopen Today
- Interstate 25 in Colorado potentially reopening later this week as crews begin cleanup of derailment debris
- NTSB investigating deadly BNSF coal train derailment in Colorado
- Portion of I-25 reopening today in Colorado following tragic train derailment
- Semi-truck driver killed, train derails, spilling train cars and coal onto a highway in Colorado
- Stretch of I-25 to remain closed for days as debris from train derailment is cleared
- Train crash blamed on broken rail after NTSB releases preliminary findings
Issues
To get a free copy of “Critical Issues in the Trucking Industry – 2023” — by The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) — register through this page.
- ATRI survey shows carriers rank economy as top concern while drivers point to compensation issues
- Driver shortage myth; ATRI’s top industry issues; how seals work – WTT
- Economic pain, not so-called ‘driver shortage,’ trucking’s top concern for 2023: ATRI
- Economy Leads ATRI’s 2023 Top Industry Issues List
- Economy the top issue facing trucking industry
- Pay and parking lead drivers’ list of issues; but survey is topped by economy
- Study highlights top concerns of trucking industry
- The Economy is Top Concern for Trucking: ATRI Survey
- Truckers to FMCSA: Detention time is a safety issue
- Truckers’ Top Concerns in 2023 Ranked By The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI)
- US economy tops trucking industry’s list of challenges
Strike
I am hopeful that the strike issues will soon be resolved!
- Canada Union Sets Oct. 29 Strike Deadline for Stellantis
- Chairman Ford Calls on Autoworkers to End Strike
- Economic losses from UAW strike reach $7.7 billion
- Mack Trucks and striking UAW resume talks Thursday
- Mack Trucks chides UAW for ‘unreasonable economic demands’ amid strike
- Mack Trucks fires back at striking UAW’s new demands
- New UAW demands ‘completely unrealistic’: Mack
Yellow
I wish that the truckers let go by Yellow were in as high of a demand as Yellow’s old trucking equipment!
- Bidding War for Yellow Corp Assets Extended as Truckers Still Searching for Good-Paying Jobs
- Yellow Aims to Appoint Auction Houses for Rolling Stock Sale
- Yellow Extends Bid Deadline for Trucks, Trailers
- Yellow’s equipment may be sold off by auction houses
2. Regarding bankruptcy, costs, economy, economy – holidays, rates, rebates, and shut down:
Bankruptcy
Costs
Economy
- Atlantic Canada carriers buckle down against challenges
- Costello: What it Will Take to Get Freight Back in Balance
- Economic Trucking Trends: Tough conditions continue for fleets, particularly smaller ones
- Freight recession unlike any other in history
- How long will the capacity correction take?
- How truckers can stay out of the ‘capacity reduction’ ranks
- How Trucking Tackles a Tough Labor Market
- Latest report shows decline in used tractor sales
- Medium-Duty Truck Sales Increase 7.7% in September
- Mild Recession in 2024 Possible, Costello Says
- New data shows 14% decline in large-truck fatalities
- Port of Long Beach CEO: ‘Consumer confidence is on the rise’
- September Cass data shows freight cycle ‘starting to flatten out’
- Soft consumer demand, capacity imbalance to continue
- The economy is motor carriers’ top concern
- Trucking Economy May Land Softly, Mack’s Randall Says
- Trucking fintech company Tank Payments nets economic empowerment prize
Economy – holidays
- FedEx announces holiday shipping deadlines
- Motive Debuts Holiday Outlook Report at MCE
- Motive’s Holiday Outlook Report forecasts continued challenges for carriers
- Seasonal depression
Rates
- Carriers dependent on spot freight face increasing cost pressures
- Flock Freight sees growth in pooling rates, potential of future scale
- UPS’ 2024 rate changes look similar to FedEx’s
Rebates
Shut down
3. Regarding autonomous vehicles, batteries, and electric vehicles:
Autonomous vehicles
Without question, I oppose the operation of driverless, self-driving, and/or autonomous commercial motor vehicles on the same roads as the motoring public, but share this article as a courtesy to help our readers stay current with the topic.
Batteries
- Meeting the Divergent Battery Demands of Your Heavy-Duty Fleet
- Nikola will replace batteries in fire-prone electric trucks
Electric vehicles
If you are considering buying an electric commercial motor vehicle, you may want to read this article:
Largest EV Charging Station In World Powered By Diesel-Powered Generators
It seems to me that if diesel is going to be used to power the generators from which electric vehicles are charged, why not just get a truck that runs on diesel in the first place?
Hmm…
- Bankrupt Proterra delays auctions of electrification businesses
- DOE-funded study exploring electric charging plan in Northeast
- GM Delays Electric Pickup Truck Expansion Amid Slower Growth
- Hyliion Reviewing Electric Powertrain Business Options
- Hyliion Showcases Electric Truck Solutions
- Lightning eMotors hits milestone in monitoring electric vehicle fleets
- Mullen Automotive to roll out 150 Class 3 EV trucks, begin Class 1 EV van production
- National Grid to Conduct Electrification Study of Northeast Freight Corridor
- National Grid to study electric truck grid for Northeastern US
- Scaling With Confidence: 3 Advantages to Starting With an EV Fleet Pilot
- Trucking Stakeholders Tackle EV Challenges
- Volvo Trucks expands Canadian EV dealer network
4. Regarding emissions, fuel, fuel fraud, and oil:
Emissions
- California Trucking Association suing environmental agency over emissions regulations banning diesel trucks
- CALSTART begins work on zero-emissions corridor
- Calstart to Plan Zero-Emission Corridor Along Eastern Seaboard
- Companies, individuals sentenced for deleting diesel emission controls
- Future emissions standards provide fleets with foggy road ahead
- Lowering Emissions a Key Theme on Display at ATA [Photos]
- Trucking companies fined $1 million for scheme to delete emissions control systems of semi trucks
- United Natural Foods deploys zero-emission reefer delivery in California
- Will Interstate 95 Become A Zero-Emission-Only Trucking Corridor?
Fuel
- Diesel at pump still sliding as futures, wholesale mostly trending higher
- Diesel down in all regions, ProMiles says
- Diesel Price Falls 5.4¢ to $4.444 a Gallon
- Diesel Tech partners with First Truck Centre for hydrogen system installations
- Ford Says Strict Fuel Rules Will Cost It $1 Billion in Fines
- Fuel prices, weak freight volume hurt carriers significantly in August
- How Middle East war could impact global LNG, LPG shipping
- Hydrogen Hubs Face Complex Timeline to Final Production
- Hydrogen or Electric Batteries? There’s No Clear Answer
- Phoenix Hydrogen Hub Takes a Step Forward With Plug Power
- US diesel prices continue to fall
- Weekly Fuel Report: October 17, 2023
- Weekly NTI Update: October 16, 2023
- Will stationary power generators save Hyliion?
Fuel fraud
- Costs of fuel fraud continue to climb
- Expert Shares Tips for Fuel Fraud Protection
- Fleet card fraud: Assessing the impact of fuel fraud on profitability
Oil
- Daily Infographic: US crude oil exports reached a record high in first half of 2023
- Daily Infographic: Which country consumes the most oil?
- Middle East Crisis Could Disrupt Oil Supplies, Raise Prices
5. Regarding broker, business, containers, fee waivers, lease-purchase, recalls, and Right to Repair:
Broker
- Freight brokerage bubble bursting as freight markets face long winter
- Widespread double brokering wreaks havoc on brokers and carriers in Q2
Business
Containers
- Combining data streams to combat illicit trade in container shipping
- Unifor strike could choke St. Lawrence Seaway container traffic
Fee waivers
Lease-purchase
Recalls
- Faulty bolt prompts Peterbilt recall of more than 1,000 trucks
- Paccar issues recall of over 1,300 2021-’24 model year Peterbilt 579 and 567 trucks
- Paccar recalling more than 1,300 Peterbilt trucks
- U-bolts that could wear hole in fuel tanks prompt Peterbilt recall
Right to Repair
6. Regarding drugs, smuggling, theft, and violence:
Drugs
Never, ever haul illegal drugs, no matter how much of an incentive you’re offered!
- $10.7 million worth of methamphetamine seized from semi truck hauling jalapenos
- $12.5 million worth of cocaine seized from semi truck at Arizona Port of Entry
- Bridge Publications organization helps truckers stay away from drugs
- Trucker charged when officers at U.S.-Mexico border find over $10 million of cocaine
Smuggling
Never ever haul human beings made in the image of God as though they are cargo or cattle!
No incentive is worth that.
Theft
Please do everything reasonable within your power to prevent theft of things from within or on your truck — or the tractor or trailer itself!
- St. Louis tractor trailer thieves ignored security guards after being approached and continued to raid trailer in broad daylight
- U.S. Cargo Theft Hits 10-Year High as Violent Crime Recedes
Violence
Guard yourself against violence and violent interactions.
- Arrests made after truck driver shot at motorist in road rage incident
- I-75 ‘Ice Pick Bandit’ poking holes in truck tires, police investigate
- Police say road-raging trucker damaged pickup, van
- Police seek suspect who threw a gallon of milk at a semi’s windshield in Jefferson County, Kansas
7. Regarding crashes, fatalities, and fatalities – road rage:
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.
- 6 students, bus driver hospitalized after crash with big rig in San Antonio
- Driver survives after rig obliterated in North Carolina crash
- Mass casualty accident involving two semi trucks and a pickup injures six
- Mobile crane crash traps driver inside cab for half hour in Ohio Sunday morning
- Motorist stopping traffic caused three semi truck pileup by braking for emergency-only turnaround
- North Carolina firefighters respond to I-77 collision that decimated a big rig
- Second tractor trailer plows through overturned semi truck investigation in Washington Sunday night
- Semi truck vs school bus crash hospitalizes children after trucker runs red light
- Semi truck wreck kills 20 cows on sharp curve on I-84 in Connecticut
- Sleepy driver may have caused four semi truck collision on Kentucky interstate
- Teenager vs. fully loaded grain hauler ends well thanks to the trucker’s quick thinking
- Two truckers nearly collide in video showcasing bad driving all around
Fatalities
We express our deep sympathy — and offer our condolences — to the families of those whose loved ones died in these crashes.
Can you learn anything from the articles below that would help prevent being involved in a fatal large truck crash?
- Wrong way elderly motorist died driving into semi truck in Ohio
- Young drivers involved in fatal crashes trends downward
Fatalities – road rage
8. Regarding employment, operations, and politics – distracted driving:
Employment
- ATA walks back driver shortage numbers
- For better retention, focus on what’s controllable
- Freight industry will always have need of qualified drivers, says Roadmaster’s Brad Ball
- Real truckers weigh in on the state of the tricky trucking job market
Operations
- Daily Infographic: Tips for driving safely in the rain
- ‘Driving in a Fog’: Fleets Face Complex Equipment Choices
- Semi truck makes dangerous pass on dash cam risking multiple lives
Politics – distracted driving
- Connecticut steps up texting and distracted driving enforcement
- Connecticut zeroing in on distracted driving violators this month
9. Regarding inspections, insurance, and parking:
Inspections
If you keep yourself and your rig in perpetual readiness for an inspection, you’ll never be caught off-guard.
- 2,240 CMVs placed out of service in U.S. during Brake Safety Week
- CVSA releases results from Brake Safety Week
- CVSA takes 2,375 rigs off road during 2023 Brake Safety Week
- Daily Infographic: CVSA releases 2023 Operation Safe Driver Week results
- Dates for 2024’s CVSA Truck Inspection And Enforcement Blitzes Announced
- Inspectors parked 2,375 trucks for brake violations during Brake Safety Week
- North American brake blitz results released by Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA)
- Trucker out-of-service orders hit all-time high
Insurance
Parking
- Love’s Travel Stops opens new Arizona store, adding 113 truck parking spots
- Love’s Travel Stops Opens New Truck Stop Off I-19 In Nogales, Arizona
- More truck parking coming to Arizona
- New Love’s opens in Nogales, Arizona with 113 truck parking spaces
- No truck parking caused serious wreck in Kentucky earlier this week, experts say
- Truck parking topic of Pennsylvania legislative pursuit
- Truck stop aims to reduce emissions by offering electrified parking
10. Regarding regulations, safety, and speed limiter:
Regulations
- CVSA, others request more time to comment on safety fitness notice
- Proposed ‘mobile driver’s licenses’ stirring up controversy
- Trucking company safety rating comment period extended
Safety
Speed limiter
11. Regarding technology, tires, traffic, trucking, and utilization:
Technology
- Big gains at Estes in recovery from cyberattack
- Clarience Technologies Expands Light-Out Detection, Working on Fus1on 2.0
- Cummins announces collaboration on Open Telematics Architecture
- Educators have a lesson plan to lessen the tech shortage
- Focus on the Road: Combating Distracted Driving
- How well are you using technology to reduce operating costs?
- Mack Trucks Introduces New Fleet Management Platform
- Mack Trucks introduces new fleet management portal
- Mack, Volvo launch all-in-one fleet management portal
- Mack’s New Management Portal Latest in Uptime Products
- Netradyne’s Driveri One integrates fleet safety and management systems into one platform
- Phillips Industries debuts motion detection lights for dry vans, reefers
- Project44 continues to reshape industry through data-driven partnership with Google Cloud
- Relay Launches Freight Payment System for Brokers
- Relay Payments expands digital network for brokers
- Speed cameras coming to California
- The Role of Technology in Fighting Distracted Driving
- Trucker Path app now identifies safety features for women drivers
- Trucking insurance firm Cover Whale introduces AI-powered chatbot
- Volvo Trucks launches Volvo Connect
- Volvo Unveils Connected Fleet Management Portal
Tires
- SimpleTire launches SimpleScore rating system to simplify online tire buying
- Yokohama Tire Looks to the Future with Confidence
Traffic
Trucking
Utilization
12. Regarding awards and recognition:
Awards
If you are a great trucker — or know of one — please feel free to enter this contest for a chance to win!
We look forward to reading about who TCA selects to win this award.
- Nominations open through Dec. 8 for TCA Drivers of The Year awards
- TCA seeking Driver of the Year nominees
- Truckload Carriers Association now accepting nominations for drivers of the year
Freebies
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: 2023.10.21 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
