Transport Topics

The American Transportation Research Institute yesterday released a report showing that previous behavior continues to be an important predictor of whether a truck driver is likely to be involved in a crash. These types of previous behavior include receiving violations such as reckless driving or failure to yield right-of-way. The 2022 update to the group’s Predicting Truck Crash Involvement Research study also found that female drivers generally exhibit better safety performance than men. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Almost exactly five years after it was first revealed as a prototype, the Tesla Semi will finally be in a customer’s hands. Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted that PepsiCo will be receiving some of its preordered Semis on Dec. 1; the food and beverage company has said it has reserved 100 of the trucks and expects to deploy an initial 15 by the end of the year. The production was originally slated for a few years ago, but the automaker ended up prioritizing output of Model 3 sedans and Model Y sport utility vehicles while contending with battery cell and semiconductor supply issues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Class 8 orders set a new record in September, hitting 53,700 per truck makers’ preliminary numbers. That’s higher than the previous all-time top result of 53,040, set back in August 2018. Last year for this period, orders were just 27,155. ACT Research reported the Class 8 order backlog for North America at the end of August was at 197,000. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance approved a new standard and procedure designed to govern inspections of autonomous commercial motor vehicles. CVSA President Chris Nordloh, a major with the Texas Department of Public Safety, said in a release it will provide law enforcement “with the information they need to be confident about the roadworthiness of autonomous trucks operating on our roadways.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

California is among the leaders pushing for wider adoption of zero-emission commercial vehicles, but the state is confronting the dual challenges of resolving a shortage of truck parking and the need to build charging infrastructure accessible to tractor-trailers. This is especially true near major container ports — a key area targeted for cleaner truck operations — according to a state transportation expert. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Werner Enterprises Inc. said it is acquiring Baylor Trucking, a move that expands its truckload operations. Through the deal, announced Oct. 3, Werner will add 200 trucks and 980 trailers owned by Milan, Ind.-based Baylor. Baylor operates two terminals that service the east-central and south-central regions of the country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The state of New York is now permitting trucking companies and other qualified third parties to administer road tests for commercial driver licenses, a move to help address a shortage of commercial drivers in the state. The goal is to increase the number of testing sites statewide and lower wait times so more CDL drivers can get on the road faster. Qualified third parties may apply for certification to administer tests via the state DMV website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is proposing a rule that would require every commercial motor vehicle operating in interstate commerce be equipped with an electronic identification system. The purpose is to help inspectors better target high-risk motor carriers .In a notice posted in the Federal Register on Sept. 21, regulators ask trucking industry stakeholders for their input on several issues — including privacy and security — and how the agency should proceed on the numerous technology challenges involved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued an emergency declaration related to Hurricane Ian for commercial vehicles directly assisting in transporting goods and disaster relief services. Commercial motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance during the emergency are granted temporary relief from the Code of Federal Regulations entry that pertains to maximum driving time for property-carrying vehicles. The declaration, which covers seven states, was issued yesterday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hurricane Ian is bearing down on Florida and could end up costing a lot in damage, according to forecasters. The storm is forecast to strengthen today, bringing threats of 7-foot storm surges into Tampa Bay and heavy rains across the U.S. Southeast. One disaster modeler said damages and economic losses in the area could reach $45 billion to $70 billion if the forecast as of yesterday afternoon comes to pass, making it the sixth-costliest U.S. hurricane. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

To better position the use of advanced energy in the nation’s heartland, governors of seven states have formed the Midwest Hydrogen Coalition to spur creation of a robust hydrogen market, supply chain and workforce. A memorandum of understanding by the governors of Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin creates a coalition enabling each state to capitalize on its strengths to foster development of a Midwest hydrogen-production industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FedEx expects to save as much as $2.7 billion this fiscal year through wide-ranging cost-cutting measures in response to weakening business conditions. The courier said about $700 million of the savings will come this quarter through actions including a reduction in flight frequencies, deferred projects and the closure of some offices. FedEx also plans to increase delivery rates across its express, ground and home delivery operations by an average of 6.9% in January. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Robin Hutcheson, President Joe Biden’s nominee to lead the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, was easily confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Sept. 22. The nominee, currently managing the agency in an acting capacity, was confirmed by a unanimous consent vote. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a member of the Commerce Committee on freight policy, announced her confirmation on the floor of the chamber. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A federal judge has struck down as unconstitutional a truck tolling plan by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation that was challenged in a lawsuit by American Trucking Associations as specifically aimed at motor carriers traveling through the state. “We told Rhode Island’s leaders from the start that their crazy scheme was not only discriminatory, but illegal. We’re pleased the court agreed,” ATA President Chris Spear said in response to the ruling. The tolling plan was part of RhodeWorks, a state initiative to raise funds to repair highway infrastructure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Truck tonnage rose 7.4% in August compared with 2021, and is up almost 3% from July’s number. The year-over-year increase was the largest gain since 2018 and the month-over-month jump is the biggest since 2019. American Trucking Associations Chief Economist Bob Costello said, “With the economy in transition to slower growth and changing consumer patterns, we may see more volatility in the months ahead. But the good news is that we continue to witness areas of freight growth in consumer spending and manufacturing, which is helping to offset the weakness in new home construction.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Volvo Trucks unveiled its fully electric rear axle that is designed to free up space for batteries, the company announced Sept. 19. The e-axle was presented at the IAA Transportation show in Hannover, Germany. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Late last week, U.S. DOT announced $1.5 billion in federal infrastructure grants. Called Infrastructure for Rebuilding America grants, the funds will go to 26 highway, multimodal freight and rail projects in 22 states and Puerto Rico. Some of the projects include investments in truck parking, new or improved ports of entry near the United States and Mexico border, as well as road and bridge improvements. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A deal has been reached between union workers and six Class I railroads, averting a threatened strike that could have snarled the nation’s freight and passenger rail service. The U.S. Department of Labor announced early yesterday that a tentative agreement had been negotiated between the 13 railroad workers’ unions and the management council for the rail carriers. The announcement prevents what could have been a nationwide walkout by 150,000 locomotive engineers, conductors and other employees starting today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Commercial vehicle inspectors in the U.S., Canada and Mexico combined to conduct more than 59,000 inspections during 2022 International Roadcheck, placing 12,456 vehicles and 3,714 drivers out of service. Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance sponsors the event, which was held May 17-19. Each year, CVSA highlights an aspect of the roadside inspection, and this year, the focus was on wheel ends. Of the top 10 vehicle out-of-service violations, tires ranked second and wheels were seventh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Daimler Truck North America introduced the Plus Series line of its Classes 6-8 Freightliner M2 and SD models, which the company said feature major updates to the trucks’ interior and electrical systems. Among key features of the Plus Series trucks are new safety and connectivity systems, fingertip-accessible transmission controls, a new digital screen, updated engine choices and a virtual technician system if help is needed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices