TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2024.01.27 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending January 27, 2024, written by Vicki Simons.
We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding Canada, detention, medical registry, parking, and Volvo VNL:
Canada
I am thrilled to learn that the truckers who were involved in the Freedom Convoy have been vindicated legally.
I am hopeful that the tyr@nt who started the related usurpation of rights, will also be dealt with legally.
May the legal system in Canada overturn everything that was an infringement of God-given rights to protest peacefully.
And before anyone says, “That’s Canada, not the USA, where ‘The Declaration of Independence‘ was written,” read with me this section and see for yourself if the application of God-given rights stops at the Canadian border:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,
In my opinion, “all men” applies to all human beings worldwide, regardless of national boundaries.
- Canada’s Emergencies Act invocation to shut down Freedom Convoy ruled ‘unreasonable’
- Canadian Court Says Trudeau Overreached Curbing 2022 Protests
- Federal use of Emergencies Act against Freedom Convoy unreasonable, judge rules
Detention
If you are an owner-operator, please reply to the request for your information.
- ATRI Asks Carriers, Owner-Operators to Participate in Detention Survey
- ATRI wants to hear from owner-ops on detention | New HOS waivers in the Plains
- Carriers asked to weigh in on detention time impacts
- Driver input sought on detention time
- Trucking researchers seek participants for new driver detention study
- Why truck drivers wait unpaid
Medical registry
Whereas at one time, I might have found this situation hilarious, I now find it very intrusive and an example of gigantic government overreach.
According to this article:
There are approximately 15,727 MEs who have not accessed their National Registry account using login.gov and as a result, are not able to fulfill regulatory requirements such as reporting results of DOT physicals performed on commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers, receiving FMCSA communications, and completing required training.
So, the reason why MEs may be kicked out of the system is not due to medical incompetence, but “regulatory requirements.”
I am interested in knowing what kind of a bind this situation will put on professional truck drivers to find a qualified Medical Examiner to conduct a DOT physical.
Another aspect of this is that the U.S. Deparatment of Transportation is not authorized under The Constitution of the United States!
If this situation affects you, please share through the form below what happened.
- Feds make changes to advisory criteria for CDL medical certification
- FMCSA could remove 16K DOT docs from registry | Smuggled tramadol found in-cab at border
- FMCSA Plans to Remove 15,000 Medical Examiner Certifications
- Over 15,000 CDL medical examiners need to update their info, or else
Parking
The articles in this section have been roughly sorted into these subcategories (although they are not listed): feds, illegal, own property, and private.
- ATA welcomes funding for 1,000 truck parking spaces in U.S.
- Feds doling out more than $300M to address truck parking
- Truck parking receives boost in federal funding
- Trucking groups praise federal funding for several truck parking projects
- U.S. DOT announces funding for several truck parking projects
- USDOT announces nearly $300 million in funding to build hundreds of truck parking spaces in multiple states
- USDOT Gives Truck Parking Projects $292 Million in Grants
- Town slaps truckers with $50K worth of tickets for parking in rural areas
- Township of Langley targets illegal truck parking
- County to debate allowing truckers to park on their own property in Florida neighborhood after initial vote in favor of truck parking
- Truckers lose ability to park in their own driveways after Florida neighborhood votes to ban semi truck parking
- Trucking company can’t use their land for truck parking if nearby residents have anything to say about it
- Love’s in 2024: add 20-25 new stores, 1,500 to 2,000 truck parking spaces
- Love’s: Restraint in new travel centers/truck parking in ’24, but larger growth plans
- New TA Express in Littlefield, Arizona includes 210 truck parking spaces
- New TA Express opens in Arizona with 210 truck parking spaces
Volvo VNL
I would like to see reviews from professional truck drivers regarding this new truck.
How does it save you or cost you more money than the truck you’re now driving?
Please comment through the form below.
- ‘Reimagined’ Volvo VNL to be Platform for Future Truck Technologies
- The New Volvo VNL (Photos)
- Volvo gives truckers a first look at the all new Volvo VNL
- Volvo introduces new Class 8 VNL; promises 10% fuel efficiency gain
- Volvo launches the all-new VNL
- Volvo reveals new long-haul VNL with beefier electrical system
- Volvo rolls out VNL as platform for the future
- Volvo says Class 8 VNL will ‘change everything’
- Volvo shows off updated VNL
- Volvo shows off updated VNL
- Volvo Unveils Redesigned Flagship Class 8 VNL Tractor
2. Regarding autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, fuel, and hybrids:
Autonomous vehicles
I adamently disagree with the operation of self-driving, driverless, or autonomous commercial motor vehicles on the same roads as the motoring public — but I share articles on this topic with our readers to help us stay current on the topic.
- Autonomous trucks restriction introduced in multiple statehouses
- Kodiak Opens Truck Port at Ryder Facility in Houston
- Kodiak: Autonomous Trucks Nearly Ready for Real World
- Ryder adds Kodiak Robotics to its autonomous trucking dance card
- Ryder and Kodiak Open Truckport for Autonomous Trucks in Houston
- Ryder to provide more truckports for Kodiak autonomous trucks
- TuSimple U.S. Exit Clouded by Autonomous Secrets Scandal
Electric vehicles
If you plan to buy an electric Commercial Motor Vehicle, please do your due diligence ahead of time.
Meanwhile, you may also read my article: Electric Truck Battery Questions.
- Big Rig Manufacturers Betting Billions Truckers Will Embrace Battery-Electric Power Units
- California senators announces more than $168M for EV charging infrastructure
- Electric big rig maker Nikola adds new tech to models
- Electric-Truck Battery Cell Manufacturing Slated for Mississippi
- Estes Adds Electric Trucks to its California Fleet, Solar Panels in New Jersey
- Governors From 16 States Ask Biden to Roll Back EV Mandates
- Megawatt grants electrify truck charging corridors
- Nikola Building ZF Safety Systems into FCEV Truck
- Postal Service begins rolling out electric mail trucks
- Ram Introduces ProMaster Electric Van for Delivery and Cargo
- USPS Installs EV Chargers in Atlanta, Will Expand Nationwide
- Wave to Deploy 500kW EV Charger in Cold Climates
- Zerova Unveils MegaWatt Charging System at CES 2024
Fuel
- Another decline in benchmark diesel prices comes as winter’s impact fades
- Biden Freezes Approvals of New Licenses for LNG Exporters
- ClearFlame Sells First FuelAdaptive Truck to Vander Haag’s
- Daily Fuel Tanker Costs Eclipse $100,000 for Some in Red Sea
- Daily Infographic: EIA expects average U.S. gasoline and diesel prices to decrease in 2024 and 2025
- Daimler Truck to Explore Abu Dhabi’s Green Hydrogen Supply
- Diesel Price Sheds 2.5¢ a Gallon to $3.838
- Diesel versus battery electric title fight
- Fuel’s decline drove improvement in November trucking conditions
- Hydrogen Company Plug Power Closes In on $1.6 Billion Loan
- Maersk Unveils World’s Biggest Methanol-Powered Containership
- Nikola hydrogen FCEV completes Edmonton-Calgary round-trip without refueling
- Pennsylvania Diesel Tax Drops 4.4¢, Still Among Highest in US
- Reports show more drops to fuel prices
- US diesel averages trending down
- USDA Awards $8.8 Million in Grants to Expand Biodiesel Sales
- Weekly Fuel Report: January 23, 2024
- Weekly NTI Update: January 22, 2023
Hybrids
This is the first time that I’ve ever heard/read about commercial motor vehicles being made into “hybrids.”
- Startup says they can convert diesel big rigs into hybrids in a matter of minutes
- This solution instantly turns diesels into hybrids; dock tech; is Gord real? – WTT
3. Regarding AB5, AEB, California, HOS, logs, moving privacy, and politics:
AB5
AEB
California
- Bill to require all new cars and trucks in California be governed at 10 MPH over the speed limit
- California bill mandates speed limiters, side underride guards for trucks
HOS
- Latest emergency orders come in Montana, North Dakota
- State Fuel Delivery HOS Waivers Up for Renewal
Logs
Moving privacy
Politics
- Highway protests topic of legislation in statehouses
- Left lane use truck rule revisions pursued across country
- Speed limit revisions a topic at seven statehouses
- Underride guards are topic of California and New York bills
4. Regarding banned, ports, roads, and weather:
Banned
If there is a truck ban on a section of road, please heed it!
- 200+ tickets issued as drivers ignore I-20 construction truck ban
- Reminder: Trucks prohibited from I-20 construction zone in Louisiana
- Saratoga Springs Attempt to Ban Trucks With 5-Ton Weight Limit Fails
Ports
- Congested ports choking the supply chain
- Georgia port awarded $15M federal grant for for new docks, terminal upgrades
- Port NOLA Project Gets $226 Million in Federal Grant
- Port of New Orleans gets $226M for international container terminal
- Ports on Both Coasts Wrap 2023 Below Year-Earlier Levels
Roads
- 5 Most Dangerous Roads for Commercial Vehicle Drivers
- 5 Worst Highways To Travel For Commercial Drivers
- Colorado County Taps Brakes on 192-Square-Mile No-Truck Zone
- Feds earmark more than $1 billion to replace bridge linking Minnesota, Wisconsin
- Feds giving $1B grant to replace vital bridge connecting Wisconsin and Minnesota
- FHWA announces millions in funds to repair US roads and bridges
- Key Rhode Island bridge may need to be demolished, officials say
Weather
- Truckers dealing with brutally cold weather – even down South
- VIDEO: Ice missile violently shatters semi truck’s windshield
5. Regarding border, brokers, business, insurance, legal, and maintenance:
Border
- Borderlands: Nearshoring forecast to boost US-Mexico trade in 2024
- Cross-border freight continues to show signs of improvement
- Daily Infographic: Mexico top US trade partner in November
- Matt Silver launches US-Mexico logistics tech startup Cargado
Brokers
- A sneak attack on broker transparency
- FMCSA checklist: A freight broker’s guide to spotting fraud
- New FMCSA rule cracking down on freight brokers who refuse to pay now in effect
Business
- Common traits of the best-performing fleets — Taking the Hire Road
- TMS helps carriers go from reactionary planning to proactive planning
- Truck Leasing Task Force questions worth of lease-purchase model
- Trucking Business Goals for 2024
Insurance
- OOIDA renews efforts to stop another minimum insurance bill
- Third-party insurance business sinks Knight-Swift’s Q4
Legal
- Congestion pricing in New York City faces a fifth federal lawsuit
- Group Releases 2023-2024 Top Judicial ‘Hellholes’ Report
- Justice Department Inquiring Into Cruise Collision Fiasco
- What Truck Fleet Managers Need to Know about OSHA
- Why do attorneys get away with filing frivolous lawsuits?
Maintenance
- DOT Panel Examines Maintenance Language in Lease Agreements
- FMCSA’s truck-leasing panel zeroes in on maintenance restrictions
- Love’s, DTNA Roll Out Freightliner Maintenance Network
- Semi trailer hauling Busch Light beer collapses after crossing railroad tracks
6. Regarding crashes, fatalities, drugs, smuggling, theft, and violence:
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.
- Four separate semi truck wrecks caused by snow, rubbernecking, misbehaving motorists
- Sinkhole swallows back end of tractor trailer in sudden water main break
- Video shows ‘distracted’ truck driver striking a Kansas trooper’s cruiser on I-70, leaving police dog severely injured
- Videos of swiftly spinning fire truck show you just how slick it is in Missouri
- Viral video shows big rig flying off I-30 bridge in Texas
- WATCH: Trucker passing under bridge has a surprise issue
Drugs
Never, ever haul illegal drugs, no matter the size of the payback you’ve been offered!
- New Jersey cops find 300 pounds of weed on box truck during weigh station search
- Semi driver sentenced to federal prison for hauling heroin, fentanyl, meth, and cocaine on I-70 through Illinois
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?
- Truck driver struck and killed by snowplow while outside his truck
- Two killed when car slams into parked rig during sideshow stunt
- Work-Related Deaths Rise in 2022, BLS Report Finds
Smuggling
Never, ever haul human beings made in the image of God as if they were cattle or cargo — no matter how much you’ve been promised!
Theft
Never, ever steal something associated with a load.
In the 21st century — with surveillance cameras in many places — it is usually only a matter of time before thieves get caught!
- Arizona and California troopers team up to stop stolen semi loaded with $2 million in electronics
- Thieves steal truck, trailer with $70K load of pistachios in Ontario’s Waterloo Region
Violence
- Getaway vehicle in truck stop shooting of trucker identified by Nashville police
- Truck driver admits to murder & more on his death-bed, taking remaining secrets to grave
- Truck stop robber collects merchandise in trash can, pistol-whips employee
7. Regarding economy, pay, predictions, rates, tolls, and UCR fees:
Economy
- ATA tonnage index shows 2023 as ‘worst year since 2020’
- ATA: Truck tonnage in 2023 saw ‘worst’ year since 2020
- Better times could be ahead for freight volumes, rates in 2024
- Canada’s heavy-duty aftermarket grew in 2023, but headwinds remain
- Cautious Optimism for a Better 2024 for Trucking
- Covenant Logistics predicts gradual freight market recovery
- Economic Trucking Trends: More signs of an improving market for truckers
- End of 2023 saw seasonally weak Class 8 tractor orders
- Freight market remains dicey, OOIDA Foundation update says
- FTR Forecasts Only Incremental Freight Market Improvement in 2024
- Is freight market recovering; project44 vs. FourKites; cargo theft up 57% – WTT
- Knight-Swift Reports 11% Revenue Increase for Q4
- Mack’s Randall says 2024 truck sales could exceed expectations
- Norfolk Southern Q4 Profit Down 33%, Derailment Costs Rising
- Paccar Delivers 54% Jump in Q4 Profit, Record Revenues
- Partnerships key to succeeding in strong truck market: Randall
- Parts and labor costs rose 1.9% in 2023’s 3rd quarter; follows previous 1.3% decline
- The market is shifting; shippers and carriers should prepare
- Truck Parts and Labor Costs Rose in Third Quarter
- Truck Sales at Navistar’s International Unit Rise 9% in 2023
- Truck Tonnage in December Dips 0.5% Year-Over-Year
- Truck trailer orders, trailer backlogs, trailer production
- US Economy Grew at Strong 3.3% Rate to End 2023
- US sales of Class 8 trucks end 2023 on a downward trend that’s expected to continue
- Volvo Group reports strong Q4 results but caution for 2024
- Volvo Q4 Profit Jumps 80.6% as Deliveries, Margins Increase
- Volvo Shares Fall After Outlining Truck Production Cuts
- White Paper: The State of Freight — January 2024
- Why it still feels like a recession for many
Pay
- American Trucking Associations launches compensation survey
- Marten’s net income drops by more than half from a year earlier
- Why Walmart pays its truck drivers 6 figures
Predictions
Rates
- Spot rates soar as winter slams the nation
- Will shipper mood darken when carriers regain pricing power?
Tolls
- New Jersey trucking company to pay $201K as part of aggressive enforcement effort against toll evaders
- Trucking company tops toll scofflaws’ list in New York, New Jersey
UCR fees
8. Regarding deliveries, distracted driving, and operations:
Deliveries
Distracted driving
Operations
9. Regarding drones, supply chain, and technology:
Drones
- Daily Infographic: Walmart adds 1.8M homes to Dallas-Fort Worth drone delivery service
- DroneUp latest firm approved to fly drones beyond line of sight
Supply chain
- Europe’s Diesel Supply Chain Threatened by High Freight Costs
- Parts industry recovering, but labor, supply issues continue to challenge
Technology
- C.H. Robinson Announces Electronic Bill of Lading for LTLs
- C.H. Robinson rolls out new electronic LTL billing of lading
- Cummins-Meritor advances integration, sets sights on growth
- Idaho Offers New Online Renewals for Commercial Bulk Permits
- IIHS: Better Detection of Large Trucks Would Improve Front Crash Prevention
- Qued Integrates Load Scheduling Software into PowerBroker and LoadMaster
- RXO Launches AI-Powered Truck Check-In Technology
- Trucks are getting smarter, and truck drivers aren’t happy about it
- Trucksafe, Haul Partner to Offer Trucksafe Managed Services
10. Regarding tires, towing, traction, and truck stops:
Tires
Towing
- Trucker says he was ‘outnumbered’ and ‘bullied’ by A-1’s towing in Memphis, even while speaking to police
- Trucking company charged $41k for a tow after company forged their signature on invoice
Traction
Truck stops
- Iowa 80 Truckstop Turns 60 [Photos]
- Iowa 80 Truckstop: 60 Years of Serving Truck Drivers
- Love’s focusing on ‘innovation, growth and top talent’ in 60th year
- Love’s to add 20 new truck stops in 2024 with up to 2000 new truck parking spaces
11. Regarding recalls, repairs, and safety:
Recalls
- Kenworth and Peterbilt recall medium-duty trucks over mirror glass seating
- Paccar recalling more than 11,000 trucks
- Some 11,000 Peterbilt and Kenworth trucks recalled for mirror problem
Repairs
Safety
- Daily Infographic: Essential safety tips for truck drivers
- Free safety messages at the core of a new Drivewyze offering
- Safety certificate suspensions lifted following investigations
- Twenty truck fleet allowed to resume operations after Massey Tunnel incident that got company suspended
- Western Star Adds Safety Features to its Vocational Trucks
12. Regarding awards and recognition:
Awards
We applaud all professional truck drivers whose skills and accomplishments have been noticed by their trucking companies!
- Pauline Jochim has driven a million miles on her own terms
- Perdue Farms celebrates truck driver for four million safe miles
Recognition
As of the time of this writing, the “app” listed below was either not on the Google Play Store for android devices or was not accessible by me.
We applaud all truckers and others in the trucking industry who helped out their fellow human being(s) in a time of need.
- NAL Insurance launches Thank A Trucker app
- TCA recognizes trucker who helped driver who fell asleep at the wheel
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: 2024.01.27 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
