The Truckload Carrier Report
The official newsletter of the Truckload
Carriers Association
Vol. 03, No. 24 | June 17,
2003
Note: To print this newsletter in its entirety,
simply press the print button on your web browser.
Headline News
Upcoming Events
TCA Discusses Truck Routing with NYC Officials
Traveling into and through New York City can be quite frustrating
for trucking companies, especially those pulling 53-foot semitrailers.
On June 12, TCA's President Bob Hirsch and several other industry
representatives, including Bill Joyce, President of the New
York State Motor Truck Association, Gail Toth, Executive Director
of the New Jersey Motor Truck Association, and Joe Hart, Vice
President for Legislative Affairs of the American Trucking
Associations, met with representatives of the City's Department
of Transportation. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss
a route study recently undertaken by the City as well as the
industry's concerns regarding truck routing including the
City's prohibition and ticketing of 53-foot semitrailers.
The June 12th meeting was a follow-up to an April 3, 2003
hearing previously attended by Hirsch and Joyce in response
to a proposed City ordinance that would have ticketed truckers
that failed to carry a map of the City's truck routes. As
a result of that hearing, Joyce was appointed to a "technical
advisory committee" looking into truck routing within
and through the City. Industry representatives thought the
meeting went well. According to Hirsch: "The meeting
was a positive first step toward addressing the issues once
and for all. The City should be commended for recognizing
the importance of trucking to the City's economy and citizens.
We also applaud the City's willingness to sit down rather
than simply saying 'if you don't like it, sue us.'" TCA
will keep you abreast of what happens at the next scheduled
meeting in August.
U.S. Customs to Issue Rule on Pre-Notification
Period
U.S. Customs officials announced on June 5 that the pre-notification
period for goods moving across the border would be extended
once again. In a speech to the Washington International Trade
Association, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Deputy Commissioner
Douglas Browning said one hour is insufficient to allow U.S.
officials to analyze entry data and assess risk.
Browning stated that a new rule extending the pre-notification
period will be published by the end of June. The proposed
pre-notification rule, which currently sets the pre-notification
period at one hour, was adopted after the "strawman proposal"
was ditched due to the industry objections earlier this year.
The "strawman proposal" called for four hours pre-lading
notice for all U.S. bound truck shipments. Trucks leaving
the U.S. were required to give 24-hours notice.
TCA will keep you posted on this issue, and will have information
in a future newsletter article once the ruling is published.
TSA Responds to Inquiries on HM-Background
Check Rules
As we reported to you previously, on May 5 the DOT's Transportation
Security Administration (TSA) issued the interim final rule
requiring background checks on commercial drivers certified
to transport hazardous materials (HM). Under the TSA rule,
the agency will begin checking names of the nearly 3.5 million
truck drivers who hold HM endorsements on their CDL against
federal criminal, immigration and terrorism databases.
In response to the multitude of inquiries regarding this
interim rule the TSA issued a public release last week. To
this point, several important issues arose during agency meetings
and subsequent press coverage on which the TSA is providing
clarification. To assist everyone in an understanding of this
rule, the TSA has set up a website to respond to questions
about this new regulation and to assist the industry in handling
this new verification process. The website is: www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme+40&content=528.
This website contains valuable information about the background
check rule including additional Patriot Act resources including:
- a list of disqualifying crimes
- driver guidance
- frequently asked questions
- waiver process
- a Federal Register link for a copy of the interim
final rule
- several federal agency phone number contacts for asking
questions.
For further information or questions on this rule, please
contact Rich Clemente at (703) 838-8847 or by email: rclemente@truckload.org.
RSPA Issues NPRM on Proposed Changes to
Hazard Communication Requirements
The DOT's Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA)
issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the June
11 Federal Register, in which the agency is proposing
changes to the hazard communication requirements of the Hazardous
Materials Regulations (HMR), including revisions of the specifications
for labels and placards (Docket HM-206B). These revisions
are based primarily on petitions for rulemaking from the industry
and requests for clarifications in the HMR.
In the NPRM, RSPA is proposing a number of clarifications
and improvements to the shipping paper, identification number,
other marking, labeling and placarding, and emergency response
telephone number requirements. The proposed changes are intended
to enhance the identification of hazardous materials in transportation
and improve the availability of emergency response information.
In the NPRM, the proposed changes are categorized into the
following areas:
1) non-odorized marking on cylinders, portable tanks, cargo
tanks, and tank cars containing liquefied petroleum gas
2) organic peroxide identification number marking
3) fumigant marking
4) revision of poisonous by inhalation (PIH) label and
placard and transition periods
5) hydrogen fluoride, anhydrous, and similar materials
6) placarding requirements for residues
7) color standards for labels and placards
8) training and emergency response information
9) security plan requirements
Written comments on this NPRM must be submitted to RSPA by
August 11, 2003. A copy of the NPRM as it appeared in the
June 11 Register can be downloaded by selecting a link
below:
Click
here to view this item in HTML format.
Click
here to view this item in PDF format.
The Catastrophic Accident -- Are You Ready?
Are you ready for the catastrophic accident?
It's 12:34 am and you get that call. There has been a catastrophic
accident. Is everything in place? Is your emergency team -
dispatcher, safety manager, field adjuster, defense attorney
and accident reconstructionist - ready? If you are not sure,
you should attend TCA's next audio conference The Catastrophic
Accident-Are You Ready? Thursday, June 26, 2003, 11 am - 1:00
pm ET. For more information and to register click
here.
Refrigerated Carriers Convene in Tahoe
The Refrigerated Division will convene for their annual meeting
in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains. Over 200 refrigerated
trucking executives will meet in Lake Tahoe to participate
in the 20th Annual Meeting of the TCA Refrigerated Division,
July 9-11th. Dean England, division chairman, has selected
"Finding Peak Performance in a Niche Industry" as
this year's theme. Temperature-controlled trucking continues
to strive to find ways to increase profits and reduce costs
to levels expected in a niche industry.
The program will include a variety of workshops as well
as two general sessions. The first general session will focus
on a special panel of shippers discussing candidly and openly
concerns of trailer security, dock time and the new hours
of service regulations. A market update of refrigerated trucking
will also be presented. The second general session will cover
a carrier perspective of how refrigerated carriers can operate
more efficiently and tips on how to create the sweet deal
for both the customer and the trucking company. TCA's chairman,
Clifton Parker, will also provide an update on TCA activities.
As always, there will be ample time to take advantage of
the many networking opportunities through evening social functions
and the annual golf tournament. Click
here to see the full program and register. Make your hotel
reservations and plans today! See you in Lake Tahoe.
Other Stories
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