TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2024.04.27 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending April 27, 2024, written by Vicki Simons.
We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding collapse, inspections, missing found, and Tesla:
Collapse
This collection of articles covers a wide spectrum of topics following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore, Maryland.
- Agencies addressing truck parking issues after Key Bridge collapse
- Baltimore driving is “terrifying for a trucker right now”
- Baltimore leaders accuse ship’s owner and manager of negligence in Key Bridge collapse
- Baltimore Port to Open Deeper Channel
- Baltimore port to open deeper channel, enabling some cargo ships to pass after bridge collapse
- Businesses hindered by Baltimore bridge collapse should receive damages, court filing argues
- First loaded inbound commercial vessel enters Port of Baltimore
- First Ship Leaves Port of Baltimore via Deeper Channel
- FreightWaves Infographics: FMCSA sees ‘significant impacts’ on truck drive times in Baltimore area
- New deep-water channel allows first ship to pass Key bridge wreckage in Baltimore
- Work on schedule to open limited access to Port of Baltimore; city files suit
Inspections
If you keep yourself and your rig in perpetual readiness for an inspection, you’ll never be caught off-guard.
It is imperative that all truckers do thorough pre-trip and post-trip inspections on their trucks.
When an inspection event is announced, it is even more important to be mindful of potential violations on one’s truck.
- How to Prepare for CVSA International Roadcheck 2024
- Safety Series: Are you ready for International Roadcheck 2024?
- TruckNews.com webinar to help prepare for Roadcheck inspections
Missing found
I have listed this group of articles because I believe that it is important for truckers to stay in touch with their home support team members.
- Body of Iowa trucker missing since late 2023 found
- Body of missing Iowa trucker found in field
- Body of trucker missing since November found; no foul play suspected
- Discovery of Schultz’s body “doesn’t add up,” says wife
- Trucker left big rig at truck stop before going missing
Tesla
I have included this group of articles in my trucking commentary to highlight the fact that technology may not be as fully developed as some people think.
Before you invest in high-end technology, please do your due diligence.
- Companies left waiting on Tesla semi trucks they paid for years ago
- NHTSA Investigates Whether Tesla Autopilot Recall Did Enough
- NHTSA: Did Tesla’s Autopilot recall do enough to make sure drivers pay attention?
- Tesla Cuts the Price of Its ‘Full Self Driving’ System
- Tesla plans Semi production ramp next year
- Tesla Promises Semi Truck Production to Begin in Late 2025
- Tesla to Cut More Than 6,000 Jobs in Texas, California
- Tesla’s Q1 revenue falls 9% amid mass layoffs in California, Texas
2. Regarding border, brokers, business, deliveries, insurance, repairs, and shut downs:
Border
- Borderlands Mexico: Experts push infrastructure to boost cross-border trade
- Borderlands Mexico: U.S. agricultural imports from Mexico at $8B in 2024
- Cross-border freight experiences significant growth in February
Brokers
- Building relationships with brokers can be key to success for owner-operators
- Check Call: The broker dry spell
- FMCSA sharpening focus on broker fraud
- FMCSA, police investigate double broker’s odd inspections history
- Freight brokerages struggle through a long trough
Business
- OOIDA president talks regulatory challenges facing owner-operators
- Tips For Buying A Food Truck For Your Business
Deliveries
Please be aware of changes to regulations on the federal, state, and local levels.
For example, just because the Hours of Service regulations may be relaxed for “emergency” purposes does not mean that you should ignore the need to get good, deep, restorative sleep.
Also, be aware of times when it is appropriate and inappropriate to deliver freight in certain jurisdictions.
- Montana declares emergency over fertilizer supply
- Unifying middle and last mile can deliver a customer experience revolution
- NYC’s $6 Million Plan to Get Trucks off the Streets
Insurance
- Truck driver training focus of insurance association report
- Why LTL shippers need additional insurance coverage
Repairs
Shut downs
- Carrier failures declining, still high
- Convoy’s unpaid carriers finally settling with Hercules Capital?
- New Jersey-based driver shut down after crash, multiple DUIs
- NJ trucker shut down following several alcohol-related violations
3. Regarding economy, employment, pay, and shortage:
Economy
- ATA’s Truck Tonnage Index down by 2% in March
- Better days ahead: Reports show freight market is slowly improving
- Carriers recruiting pick of driver crop amid sluggish conditions
- Economic Growth Slowed Sharply Last Quarter to 1.6% Pace
- ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Tonnage dips but signs emerge of improving market
- Freight market stabilization helping buoy M&A activity
- Gulf Coast ports report cargo volume surge in March
- Intermodal Chassis Manufacturers Pull Back on Output
- Landstar still waiting for break in freight recession
- Lower Used Truck Prices, Weak Rental Market Hurt Ryder Profits
- March orders reflect slowing capacity in Class 8 truck market, says ACT
- Market shift not expected until at least second half of 2024
- Order activity for trailers drop in March, says analysts
- Tonnage Numbers Hit 13th Month of Declines
- Truck tonnage ticked down in March
- Truck, Trailer Reefer Weakness Hurts Carrier Global Profits
Employment
- Driver Poll: How do you research a fleet?
- THRC offers new resources to recruit, retain women
- Top 100 For-Hire Carriers: How to Get on the List
Pay
From the first article in this section, we read:
In his paper titled “Follow the money: Trucker pay incentives, working time, and safety,” Dr. Michael Belzer, economics professor at Wayne State University, expanded on his more than 25 years of studying truck driver pay. His latest research sends a familiar message to carriers: You get what you pay for.
Now for the articles in this section:
- Higher truck driver pay linked to fewer crashes
- Overtime rule leaves out truck drivers; OOIDA promotes GOT Truckers Act
- Transportation Intermediaries Association blasts new DOL overtime rule
Shortage
According to the article in this section:
Over the years, OOIDA has continually pointed to numbers that show about 400,000 new CDLs are issued every year.
The reality is that there is no shortage of individuals who are willing to give the truck driving profession a try, but there is a shortage of people who want to stay in an extremely difficult and stressful job for low wages. Conversely, large fleets would rather pay entry-level wages than do what it would take to reduce turnover rates and retain their drivers.
4. Regarding autonomous vehicles, carbon, electric vehicles, emissions, fuel, and fuel economy:
Autonomous vehicles
I am decisively against 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.
Carbon
- Biden Advances Plan to Make Freight Shipping Carbon-Free
- Xeneta finds supply chain diversions fuel spike in carbon emissions
Electric vehicles
Before you buy an all-electric Commercial Motor Vehicle, please do your due diligence.
- $9.6 in federal funding earmarked for charging infrastructure at Georgia, California ports
- 5 Frequently Asked Questions When Buying an Electric Truck
- Amerit Announces EV Mobile Service Centers in California
- Charging infrastructure planning, phased approach vital for EV transition
- EPA Offers Nearly $1 Billion in Grants for Class 6-7 Electric Vehicle Transition
- Geotab: Fleet Electrification is Operationally and Economically Viable
- ITD Industries displays electric refrigerated trailer
- States take steps to tap electric vehicles for road funds
- What truckers really think, small fleet electrification and the parking problem – WTT
Emissions
- BCTA program helps slash 301.8 million kg of CO2 emissions from continent
- Dealership owner sentenced for disabling emissions controls on 244 diesel vehicles
- Feds announce program to replace some heavy-duty trucks with zero-emission models
- More emissions-delete fines | CARB’s new small-fleet electric truck finance effort
- US pledges $150M to reduce truck air pollution near ports
- Volvo sees three paths to zero emissions
- White House unlocking $1.5 billion to support zero-emission trucks
- White House unlocking $1.5 billion to support zero-emission trucks
Fuel
According to this article:
Renewable diesel (RD) is more beneficial than battery electric vehicles (BEVs), the latest report by American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) reveals.
While both RD and BEV pathways have implementation costs, the report concludes that relying on BEV to decrease CO2 emissions is nearly six times more expensive than using RD.
Now for other articles on this topic:
- Air Products to build hydrogen corridor in Alberta
- ATRI study calls renewable diesel ‘promising solution’ for lowered emissions
- ATRI Study Touts Renewable Diesel’s Benefits
- ATRI: Renewable diesel benefits outweigh those of electric for trucking
- Average US diesel price drops below $4
- Benchmark diesel price below $4 again as war-led rally fizzles
- Commercial Hydrogen Fueling Station to Open in California
- Diesel Price Dips Back Below $4 at $3.992 a Gallon
- FirstElement opens world’s first commercial truck stop for hydrogen-fueled vehicles
- Low-carbon fuels crucial in transitioning to ZEVs: Pembina Institute
- Mack, Volvo utilizing renewable diesel in new truck builds
- New VTNA, Mack Tractors to Leave Plants With HVO in Tank
- Nikola sees great potential for hydrogen fuel-cell-electric trucks in Canada
- Nikola’s Hydrogen-Truck Fueling Strategy
- Paper Transport celebrates millions of miles powered by natural gas
- Paper Transport crosses 70 million miles on natural gas
- Really cold hydrogen could bring driving range parity with diesel
- Renewable Diesel First Fill for all New Volvo and Mack Trucks
- Renewable diesel more scalable, study says
- Report: Renewable diesel cleans up trucking better than BEV
- Trucking research firm touts renewable diesel fuel over EV transition
- Volvo Trucks North America filling new tractors with vegetable oil at Virginia plant
- Volvo, Mack fueling new trucks with HVO
- Weekly Fuel Report: April 23, 2024
- Weekly NTI Update: April 22, 2024
- White Paper: Battery electric vs. hydrogen fuel cell vs. HVO — which is the winning technology?
Fuel economy
5. Regarding ports, rates, truck parts, truck stops, and trucks:
Ports
- DOT Grant Program Focuses on Commercial Ports
- FHWA awards $148M in grants to fight pollution from trucks at US ports
- Port roundup: Strong annual growth across the board
- Summer hours announced for seasonal port of entry
Rates
Truck parts
- Divided underride committee debates validity of NHTSA’s data
- Volvo’s 700-Horsepower ‘Green’ Truck Engine
Truck stops
Trucks
- 5 Types of Commercial Vehicles Used for Farm Work
- Owner-op trucks for family in his custom 2015 T660
6. Regarding crashes, drugs, fatalities, fire, fraud, theft, violations, 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.
- “Most complex rescue in decades” frees trucker after 3 hours
- Car pushed over side of bridge after being dragged by semi truck
- Driver injured in hit-and-run while helping fellow trucker
- Four tons of gravel spill when an SUV makes a bad lane change
- Semi truck collides with bear in wreck that traps driver
- Stuck trucker smashes through vehicles in dead-end frustration
- Toyota obliterated after striking two parked semi trucks in high speed pursuit with Florida troopers
- Two truckers dead in chain-reaction big rig crash on Indiana interstate
Drugs
Never ever haul drugs in your commercial motor vehicle, no matter how big the reward you’ve been promised.
- Customs agents find $1M of meth squirreled away in rig’s charcoal shipment
- Texas cops seize $2 million in cocaine from semi truck during traffic stop
Fatalities
I express my deep sympathy — and offer my 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?
- 2 truck drivers killed, 1 severely burned in Indiana I-65 pileup
- Driver charged with negligent homicide in fiery crash that killed tanker truck driver
- Fleeing trucker fatally shot by pursuing motorist on Louisiana interstate, police say
- Second person dies after man rams big rig into Texas DPS office
- Second person dies from truck crashing into Texas DPS office
- Two truckers die in three-truck collision, fire on I-65 in Indiana
- Woman fatally struck by semi truck in private lot
Fire
It seems to me that more fires are breaking out at trucking companies than there used to be.
So, I am left to wonder…
Are these fires being set by people, by lightning, or by something spontaneously breaking out in a fire?
If the last option, what triggered this?
- Fire destroys building housing 2 trucking businesses in Pennsylvania
- Firefighters battle massive overnight blaze at Pennsylvania trucking facility
Fraud
- FMCSA standing up registration fraud team
- Trucking company owner admits to fraud, reincarnated carrier scheme
- Truckstop CEO: Industry uniting in fight against load board fraud
Theft
Do not take something that isn’t yours without first asking for permission.
- Escaped criminal stole semi to jumpstart excavator
- Feds warn carriers about cargo theft scheme
- RoadFlex is working to help fleets eliminate fuel theft, fraud
- Trucker beaten up during latest Philly cargo theft
Violations
Do everything in your power to obey all laws, rules, regulations, etc., regarding the operation of your truck and related actions.
- FMCSA orders truck driver off the road for hit and run, alcohol violations, ignoring out-of-service order
- FMCSA: Trucker who ran from cops while drunk placed out of service
Violence
- Louisiana police searching for gunman who killed truck driver along I-20
- Motorist charged with homicide for fiery Connecticut bridge crash that killed fuel tanker driver
- Trucker shot and killed on I-20 in Louisiana road rage incident
7. Regarding defensive driving, idling, parking, and towing:
Defensive driving
Idling
I wrote a 9-page section about idling on our website some time back.
- DOT to spend $148 million to reduce truck idling and emissions at U.S. ports
- Idling is the topic of Colorado bill headed to governor
Parking
- Outpost company aims to deliver on truck parking, fleet growth
- Truck parking company Outpost to double its footprint this year
Towing
- Another state cracks down on predatory towing
- Mississippi cracks down on predatory towers who target commercial vehicles with passage of bill
- New Mississippi law cracks down on predatory towing
- New Mississippi law takes aim at predatory towing; praised by trucking
- Towing reforms approved, advance at statehouses
8. Regarding AEB, HOS, legal, politics, regulations, and speed limit:
AEB
HOS
Legal
- Fleet owner pleads guilty to reincarnating carriers, loan fraud
- Truck driver arrested after allegedly holding couple hostage for weeks
- Trucker forced man to illegally drive big rig against his will for weeks in ‘human trafficking’ incident, PA cops say
- Union files unfair labor charges against Daimler Truck
Politics
Regulations
- Impending EPA mandates for Class 8 trucks could be spurring pre-buys
- Ontario’s towing industry struggles under new regulations: PTAO cites gaps, unfair practices
Speed limit
- CHP reminds truckers to obey California’s 55 MPH speed limit
- Ontario raising speed limit to 110 km/h on 10 more highway sections
- Speed limit revisions topic of legislation in eight states
9. Regarding operations, routing, and securement:
Operations
- “Scruffy” truck driver cut off lights to flee scene of wreck, police say
- Cattle hauler & four-wheeler engage in left-turn standoff
- Dash cam catches Ford driver’s pass attempt that nearly took out two truckers
- FreightWaves vs. DAT; Great Freight Recession; Earth Day logistics – WTT
- The importance of post-accident procedures in the supply chain
Routing
- Michael Kornhauser talks need for commercial vehicle navigation
- Vermont officials installing chicanes to keep big rigs out of Smugglers Notch
Securement
- CHP helps strawberry hauler with load securement
- Proper load securement results in miraculous balancing truck
10. Regarding bridges, roads, and weights:
Bridges
Roads
Weights
- Carriers, drivers can now use Relay to pay for weighs at CAT Scale locations
- TFI’s US LTL operations need heavier shipments, CEO says of Q1 results
11. Regarding statistics, technology, and tolls:
Statistics
According to the article in this section:
The percentage of fatal large truck and bus crashes involving new-entrant carriers has climbed from 4.6% to 7.4% from 2017 to 2022, according to a snapshot of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration data taken at the end of 2023.
Technology
- Bill to require surveillance cameras at all 85 rest areas in Ohio
- Can Your Radio Take Control of Your Truck? [Video]
- E-Smart Introduces Backing Speed Management System
- Federal suit alleges AI system injured Union Pacific employee
- How Trucking Fleets Can Use Custom Apps to Preserve the Owner-Operator Model
- Loadsmart spotlights small fleets’ technology needs and opportunities
- Peterbilt says new camera system maximizes driver visibility, safety
- Peterbilt Unveils Rear-View Camera System
- Portable scales enforcement helps keep motorists, roads safe
- Reducing CSA Violations & Increasing Safety With Advanced Trailer Telematics
- Tech provider launches software that allows facility managers to reduce trucks’ backing speed in lots
- Tech to Detect Pedestrians, Bicyclists, Shows Promise in Pilot
- TMC to Offer Online Fleet Cybersecurity Training
- Universal Transit: Pioneering AI to transform auto transportation
Tolls
- Build a Tolling Program to Manage Toll Fees and Risks
- FBI warns of toll collection text-message scam
- New toll roads, express lanes opening in Tampa this week
- Vehicles, including big rigs, will soon pay to enter busiest part of Manhattan
12. Regarding awards and recognition:
Awards
I extend my heartiest congratulations to all who accomplished an achievement as listed here:
- AMTA honors Nkala with driver of the year award
- Pre-Trip Prowess Powers Nevada’s Hart to Grand Champion Crown
- Schneider honors nearly 200 drivers with safe driver awards
- TCA’s 2024 Professional Drivers of the Year working to make a difference in the industry
Recognition
Thanks to everyone who helped his/her fellow human beings in a time of need.
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: 2024.04.27 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
