Vol. 05, No. 51 | December 20, 2005
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Regulatory Roundup
Real World Recruitment and Retention Basics
Member Spotlight
Stateside
Truckload Happenings
Stop Sooner? NHTSA Issues NPRM to Improve the Stopping Distance Performance of Truck Tractors
On the heels of an all-time low in terms of fatal crash rate, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to amend the air brake standard to improve the stopping performance of truck tractors.
Based on current safety trend data and brake system technologies for truck tractors, the NHTSA is proposing to reduce the required stopping distance for these vehicles by 20 to 30 percent and have tentatively concluded that truck tractors are capable of achieving a reduction in stopping distance within this range with existing technologies.
OEMs and brake engineers have communicated that the new rule, once it arrives, will be handily met. They anticipate that by then fleets will be able to spec tractors either with what is generally referred to as an "enhanced" or "wide" drum brakes or with versions of today's latest-generation disc brakes, or with the combination of discs up front, drums at the rear. What's more they said both drum and disc brakes will benefit from new friction materials being developed that will help improve braking performance and also deliver longer life.
NHTSA also discusses research and requests comments concerning improving the braking performance of other types of heavy vehicles, i.e., trailers, straight trucks, and buses. The agency may address improved braking performance for these other vehicles in a future rulemaking.
Click here to review the entire NPRM
How to Comment
Comments for the NPRM may be submitted by April 14, 2006 using the following methods:
- Web Site: http://dms.dot.gov
- Fax: 1-202-493-2251
- Mail: Docket Management System, US DOT
400 Seventh Street, SW, Nassif Building, Room PL-401
Washington, D.C. 20590-0001
- Hand Delivery: 9am - 5pm (M-F)
RM PL-401
On the plaza level of the Nassif Building
400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, D.C.
- Fed. eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov
FMCSA Denies Split Rest for Teams
The Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA) has rejected a request submitted by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) to "reconsider reinstating the sleeper-berth exception for sleeper-berth team drivers."
The request from IBT to reconsider had been based on the argument that "drivers are able to drive safely while utilizing the self-selected work/rest cycle." After surveying its 1,000 member drivers that operate in teams, IBT members indicated that a 5-5 driving/rest minimized their fatigue and that the new HOS regulations will force team drivers to operate a CMV while fatigued.
Prior to proposing the "new" HOS rulemaking, FMSCA actively collected and reviewed various studies on driver fatigue. Although they do agree that a short nap will leave drivers feeling refreshed, their researched showed that 7-8 hours of consecutive sleep is needed everyday in order to maintain proper mental and physical functioning. Based on these findings, FMCSA denied the request submitted by the Teamsters.
The new HOS regulations took effect October 1, 2005, with a transitional period for compliance and enforcement from October 1, 2005, through December 31, 2005. According to FMCSA, the new rule is the product of years of research meant to keep drivers healthy and make highways safer.
Truck-involved Fatal Crash Rate Falls
The fatal crash rate for large trucks in 2004 fell to its lowest point in 30 years, according to figures released by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Newly released Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) vehicle mileage figures, used to help determine crash rates for all vehicles, show the 2004 rate for large trucks stood at 1.96 fatal crashes per 100 million vehicle-miles-traveled. This marks the lowest rate since the U.S. Department of Transportation began tracking large truck safety records in 1975 and breaks the previous low of 1.97 fatal crashes per 100 million vehicle-miles-traveled in 2002.
Remarkably, this record-low improvement in the fatal crash rate comes despite an increase in the number of vehicles on the road. According to the FHWA, there were nearly 6.3 million more registered cars and trucks in 2004 than in 2003.
The lower fatal crash rate underscores the trucking industry's continual efforts to increase safety on the nation's highways. This includes greater education on sharing the road with large trucks and increased traffic enforcement for cars that operate unsafely around large trucks.
Canada Requests Speed Limiter Comments by Dec. 23
As we previously reported the Ontario Trucking Association, which represents many of Canada's large motor carriers, proposed a mandatory engine speed of 105 km/h or 65 mph on all trucks based in or doing business in Ontario. Click here to view that story. The OTA announcement came at a convention and press conference in November, and OTA has since submitted an 18-point recommendation to the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario.
Advocates for truckers say it is in the best interest of owner-operators and other drivers, regardless of where they do business, to get up to speed on the issue.
The Ontario Transportation Ministry has opened a short public comment period for anyone for or against mandatory speed limiters. The comment period began on Tuesday, Dec. 13, and will end Dec. 23.
What this means is the provincial government is collecting opinions to consider before it takes up the issue.
Anyone interested in the issue may contact the Ministry of Transportation in Ontario regarding the proposal, which seeks to require speed limiters on all trucks that run in Ontario. Write to:
Attn: Dwain Smith, Senior Policy Advisor
Ministry of Transportation
Carrier Safety and Enforcement Branch
3rd Floor, 301 St. Paul Street
St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada
L2R 7R4
You can also send comments via e-mail to: dwain.smith@mto.gov.on.ca or call Dwain Smith directly at (905) 704-2624. A link to the OTA proposal is available here.
Innovative Recruitment Strategy highlighted in CCJ
Commercial Carrier Journal magazine highlighted Watkins & Shepard Trucking Inc. as an innovator in its November, 2005 issue. The article outlines how Ray Kuntz, Chairman and CEO of the carrier leveraged relationships with a band and a trucking school to increase funding and recruiting. Kuntz co-chairs a TCA-ATA task force on driver recruiting and developed his idea after learning that trucking schools turn away thousands of applicants due to their lack of funding. CCJ's Innovators profiles carriers and fleets that have found innovative ways to overcome trucking's challenges. Click here to read the entire article.
Pottle's Transportation Recognizes 26 Safe Drivers
TCA member Pottle's Transportation recently recognized 26 drivers for their safe driving achievements at an awards ceremony held in Bangor, Maine.
Company President Barry Pottle congratulated each driver, and safety department representatives Sheldon Cote and John Keller co-hosted the event. Each of the 26 drivers received a framed certificate indicating the number of safe miles driven, decals for their tractor, a jacket with a safe driver patch and a ring with the company logo and miles driven embossed on it.
Drivers recognized for accumulating 500,000 miles or more of accident-free driving were Paul Barnes, Larry Cannon, Claude Carr, Phil Chase, Durbon Davis, Laurin Duguay, Mac Eleiott, Jeff Granholm, Dick Huntley, Roger Jones, John Mathias, Gary Meservey, Tom Rabinko, Larry Robbins, Lou Santilli, John Shaw, Bridget Stanton and Jon Wathen.
Drivers honored for achieving 1 million miles or more of accident-free driving were Dave Belanger, Dale Blackwell, Al Golden, Bill Maynard, Henry Searles, Bob Sousa and Mark Welch.
Ernie Crocker was honored as the top driver for Pottle's with more than 1.5 million accident-free miles.
Maverick Transportation Names Top Drivers
TCA member Maverick Transportation recently announced its third-quarter recipients of Driver of the Month honors for 2005.
These include July Driver of the Month Robert Jones of Bixby, Okla.; August Driver of the Month Jay Fleming of Bourbon, Mo.; and September Driver of the Month Bill Haun of Snyder, Okla.
Each driver is a leader in the company's fleet and all have received numerous safety awards from the flatbed carrier.
As Driver of the Month, each recipient represents Maverick drivers on the prestigious Driver Advisory Council.
Pennsylvania Commission Examining Transportation
Pennsylvania's new nine-member Transportation Funding and Reform Commission will hold four meetings across the state in 2006 to find ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public transit and highways and bridges as well as their underlying funding.
The commission, formed in February 2005, has until Nov. 15, 2006, to develop recommendations on operational improvements plus appropriate funding plans for transportation and report them to Governor Edward G. Rendell. The commission plans to meet Jan. 26 in Pittsburgh, March 23 in Harrisburg, May 18 in Philadelphia, and July 20 in Harrisburg.
"We need to hear from a spectrum of viewpoints as we meet Governor Rendell's directive to develop a full range of options," said Allen D. Biehler, P.E., state transportation secretary and commission chairman. "We welcome comment from as wide an audience as possible because we are at a pivotal point for transportation in Pennsylvania. These ideas will help the commission shape realistic proposals that can garner the necessary support to be implemented."
Forms for submitting testimony are available by e-mailing the commission at tfrc@state.pa.us.
Indiana Governor Unveils Plan to Hike Tolls 120%
A plan unveiled this fall by Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels may be in for some changes. Public hearings to discuss the plan – which includes a 120 percent toll increase for trucks – have been delayed until early 2006.
The plan could also lead to tolls being used to extend Interstate 69 from Indianapolis to Evansville.
Additionally, the plan calls for increasing fees on the Indiana Toll Road by 72 percent for cars and 120 percent for large trucks.
As part of his 10-year, $10.6 billion statewide highway construction plan, Daniels brought up the possibility of leasing the Toll Road and an extended I-69 to a private group, which would keep the tolls in exchange for operating and maintaining the roadways.
At least six companies are working with the state on bids for the Toll Road contract, Fort Wayne's The Journal Gazette reported.
Any leasing plans would require approval from the Indiana General Assembly.
Congress encouraged such public-private partnerships in the Highway Bill approved in August. The legislation authorizes $15 billion in tax-exempt bonds for privately financed highways and simplifies their environmental planning process.
Several states already utilize the partnerships in various forms, including California, Florida, Georgia, Texas and Virginia.
Public comments on the proposed toll increase on the Indiana Toll Road may be submitted to INDOT by mailing them to:
Chris Kiefer
Indiana Department of Transportation
100 N Senate Ave, Room N758
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Comments also can be sent via e-mail to ckiefer@indot.state.in.us, or by fax to (317) 232-0238.
Got Drivers? Give Us Two Days and You Will!
Recharge and Reconnect Recruiting and Retention Conference 2006
January 11 & 12, 2006
Renaissance Hotel Nashville, Tennessee
Are your trucks filled this holiday? Are you moving as much freight as you can? Are you satisfied with the quality of your truck drivers?
Most importantly, do you have two days to devote to learning the newest recruitment and retention techniques from industry experts?
The Truckload Carriers Association and MultiMedia Advertising are hosting the Recharge and Reconnect Recruiting and Retention Conference 2006. We have planned exciting and informative sessions that you will not want to miss, including:
- Creating an Image to Attract Drivers
- New Drivers from New Places-Where to Go and How To Get There
- The Right Mix-How to Achieve the Right Blend of Advertising
- Technology Tools to Streamline and Increase Recruiting Productivity
- A Systematic Approach to Successful Recruiting and Retention
- Attracting the New Driver Pool to Your Company
- Minorities- A Great Recruiting Resource
- How to Recruit the Returning Military
Register Early. Last year the conference sold out one week in advance. Click here for more information and the register for this conference.
Showcase Your Product or Service, Sponsor TCA's Company or Independent Driver of the Year Contest
TCA manages two contests to honor the best drivers in the United States and Canada. The Independent Contractor of the Year Contest is sponsored by TCA and Overdrive Magazine and rewards Owner Operators based on their ability to run a successful business, operate in a safe manner over the public highways, and enhance the public image of the trucking industry. The Company Equipment Driver of the Year Contest, sponsored by TCA and Truckers News honors individual company drivers who exemplify the best in the industry. The winners of each contest will be announced during TCA's Convention on March 12 - 15, 2006, at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando, Florida, an event where we showcase our drivers contest sponsors!
Providing prizes for our annual Driver of the Year Contests is an excellent way to gain exposure for your company at minimal cost. You are free to donate a prize of your choice, cash, or U.S. Savings Bonds and sponsorship has many benefits. Contest sponsors are listed on TCA's website, included on TCA Annual Convention signage, and highlighted during the annual awards banquet in the program and through an AV presentation. Additionally, sponsoring companies have an opportunity to be photographed with the driver winners during a professional photo shoot at the Annual Convention and are often included in media coverage of the Driver of the Year Award.
Help us to honor the nation's outstanding professional drivers by donating your company's products and/or services today. If you have questions on the program or you're not sure what to donate contact Aimee Cirucci at 703-838-8859 or acirucci@truckload.org. If you're ready to donate, click here for a donation form.
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