May 11, 2015: MCM Weekly Newsletter |
|
|
|
|
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
|
May 13 Billings Safety Meeting, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Location: TBA
Speaker: Bruce Holmes, FMCSA
Topic: Latest regulation news
May 20 Fly-In Lube & Wash Open House Celebration
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Come help Bob celebrate at 705 Johnson Lane in Lockwood
June 20 Truck Driving Championships
Lewis & Clark Fairgrounds
Helena, MT
June 22-24 Summer Share The Road, Billings
July 15-17 RMRSR
Mountain View Ranch, ID
Refer to flyer below
|
|
Motor Carriers of Montana Pledges $10,000 to Trucking Moves America Forward
|
Trucking Moves America Forward announced today that the Motor Carriers of Montana has made a $10,000 financial contribution to the movement over the next year.
"The contribution from the Motor Carriers of Montana will further amplify the TMAF message," said Kevin Burch, TMAF co-chairman and president of Jet Express. "We are deeply appreciative to have their support as we continue our efforts to educate federal lawmakers on the importance of trucking to America's transportation economy. Together, we can build momentum for TMAF now and in the future."
"We are thrilled to join this effort and to tell the trucking industry's story," said Barry "Spook" Stang, executive director of Motor Carriers of Montana. "Collectively, our members deliver the goods and products Americans have come to rely on. There's so much to learn about the diversity, safety and sustainability efforts of our industry, and Trucking Moves America Forward is the right platform to do that."
TMAF, which officially launched in March 2014 at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky, is an industry-wide image and education movement informing policymakers and the general public about the benefits of the trucking industry to build a groundswell of political and grassroots support necessary to strengthen and grow.
"We appreciate Motor Carriers of Montana stepping forward to support the movement," said Michael S. Card, president of Combined Transport and TMAF founding member. "They are showing the pride we all feel in our great industry and that our message is resonating."
Last month, TMAF reached its goal of raising one million dollars to fund educational and outreach activities. TMAF has been bolstered by significant financial contributions from trucking companies, vendors, associations and more. To view a list of donors and members, visit truckingmovesamerica.com.
###
About Trucking Moves America Forward
Trucking Moves America Forward is a long-term industry-wide movement established to create a positive image for the industry, to ensure that policymakers and the public understand the importance of the trucking industry to the nation's economy, and to build the political and grassroots support necessary to strengthen and grow the industry in the future. To learn more, and to join the movement, visit www.TruckingMovesAmerica.com. Join us through social media:
www.youtube.com/TruckingFWD
www.twitter.com@truckingFWD
|
There is Still Time to Complete ATRI's Operational Costs of Trucking Survey
|
As a reminder, the American Transportation Research Institute's 2015 Operational Costs of Trucking survey is still open for response. Through a brief online survey, ATRI seeks to capture basic cost information from for-hire carriers such as driver pay, fuel costs, insurance premiums and lease or purchase payments. Carriers are asked to provide full year 2014 cost per mile and cost per hour data. There has been a great response from carriers so far and we would like to thank everyone who has completed the survey. If you have not submitted your information yet, please take a few minutes to complete the confidential survey online at www.atri-online.org. For more information, please contact Ford Torrey
|
Proposed Rule Would Simplify Insulin Exemption for Drivers
|
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has proposed that drivers with controlled insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) be permitted to operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce without first obtaining an individual exemption for that medical condition from the agency.
Per the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published in the Federal Register,
if enacted the rule would allow drivers with ITDM to obtain a Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC) at least annually to operate in interstate commerce if the treating clinician - who is the healthcare professional responsible for prescribing insulin for the driver's diabetes - provides documentation to the Medical Examiner that the condition is "stable and well-controlled."
FMCSA noted in the NPRM that it believes the new procedure would "adequately ensure that drivers with ITDM manage the condition so that it is stable and well-controlled, and that such a regulatory provision creates a clearer, equally effective and more consistent framework than a program based entirely on exemptions."
The agency added that its own evidence reports as well as ADA studies and other data "indicate that drivers with ITDM are as safe as other drivers when their condition is well-controlled."
Comments on the proposed rule (Docket Number FMCSA-2005-23151 may be submitted on or before July 6 via the Federal eRulemaking Portal, www.regulations.gov.
|
CVSA Updates Med Card Enforcement Bulletin
|
Today, the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) issued an updated inspection bulletin to roadside enforcement personnel extending the time period for acceptance of drivers' medical cards as evidence of medical qualification in cases when the electronic (CDLIS) record shows no medical information is on file with the State. Drivers may now use their medical cards during roadside inspections for up to 60 days from date of issuance (the previous limit was 30 days) to demonstrate medical qualification. Beginning on the 61st day, if the information is still not reflected on the CDLIS record, the guidance directs officers to cite drivers for failing to supply the required medical information to the state (49 C.F.R. §383.71(h)) rather than for being medically unqualified (49 C.F.R. §391.41(a)(1)). This will not result in an out-of-service violation. At any point however, even within the first 60 days, if the State has cancelled, downgraded, disqualified, revoked, suspended, etc. the driver's license due to a lack of medical information on file, the driver will be placed out-of-service. Contact P. Sean Garney sgarney@trucking.org.
|
Freightliner Gets First License for Autonomous
|
Freightliner Trucks has received the first license in the United States for an autonomous-driving truck to operate on public highways from Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval.
The Freightliner Inspiration was previewed for the media at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on May 5, an occasion Sandoval hailed as "a historic day in the areas of transportation and innovation" and a "monumental day for the human race."
The truck was partially camouflaged at the afternoon event, with a full unveiling taking place in a spectacular evening ceremony at Hoover dam that included a video presentation on the wall of the dam and the arrival of Inspiration Truck itself, driving across the top of the dam.
On May 6, trucking industry analysts and media get a change to ride in the Inspiration Truck on public roads near the Las Vegas Motor Speedway while the vehicle operates in autonomous mode.
ABC's "Good Morning, America" broadcast a live segment on Inspiration Truck on the morning of May 6 as it rode down a Nevada highway at 57 mph.
Sandoval presented the license plate and then took part in the inaugural trip of the Inspiration with Wolfgang Bernhard, the head of Daimler AG's global trucks and buses division, at the controls.
The governors said he was "100% confident" with the technology and safety of the vehicle, which was extensively tested prior to granting licensing approval.
As he did last year in Germany in unveiling the Mercedes-Benz Future Truck 2025, Bernhard touted the safety benefits of an autonomous system "that never gets tired."
He cited the high percentage of truck-involved accidents that include driver fatigue and that studies show a significant reduction in drowsiness when operating in autonomous mode.
Martin Daum, president of Daimler Trucks North America, said the Inspiration sets "new benchmarks in safety, connectivity and driver comfort."
Daum praised Sandoval's business sense since taking office in 2011.
"It is only tanks to your open-mindedness we can be here today for our world premiere," he said.
Many details of the vehicle and Freightliner's future plans were not addressed during the preview event, with company officials saying more would be shared during a full day of demonstrations and test drives May 6.
(Check back with TT News.com and the May 11 print edition of Transport Topics for updates).
However, Bernhard suggested no other infrastructure is required, other than "nice white strips" on the highways. He also indicated that the vehicle does not yet perform as well in cold weather.
Speaking at Hoover Dam, Bernhard said the truck would "inspire our customers and the whole world." He added: "One-hundred twenty years after inventing the truck, we are inventing it all over again."
Nevada was targeted for the launch of the Inspiration because it is one of four states plus the District of Columbia, with laws regulation autonomous-vehicle operation.
DTNA is the parnter company of Freightliner and Western Star Trucks well as Detroit-brand engines, transmissions and axles.\
|
ATA Requests HOS Rest Break Exemption for Some Hazmat Drivers
|
American Trucking Associations has applied for an exemption on behalf of a group of hazmat drivers to the hours-of-service rule on 30-minute breaks.
Currently, the drivers are caught between conflicting federal rules and best practices for hazmat haulers.
HOS rules say that commercial motor vehicle drivers may not drive more than eight consecutive hours without taking a 30-minute rest period.
During that period, drivers are supposed to be off duty and not responsible for the truck or any other duties such as loading, unloading or paperwork.
However, hazmat drivers often haul shipments that require "security plans" under the regulations of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
"These plans normally require a driver to 'attend' such cargo while the CMV is stopped, which would be an on-duty activity," the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said in a notice about the ATA request that was filed in the May 1 Federal Register.
This forces drivers to choose between FMCSA's off-duty rest break rule and compliance with PHMSA's security plans, many of which include an on-duty "attendance" requirement, FMCSA said.
"ATA proposes that drivers transporting [hazmat] for motor carriers required to file security plans be allowed to count their on-duty 'attendance' time for any [hazmat] cargo toward the required 30-minute rest break requirement, provided the drivers perform no other on-duty activity," the register notice said.
ATA initially asked, in 2013, that FMCSA "clarify that drivers can exercise constant attendance over a vehicle without having to remain on duty," the agency's Federal Register notice said.
"After discussion with agency officials, however, ATA agreed that its request should be treated as an exemption application," FMCSA said.
The agency will take public comments on the ATA request until June 1.
|
Roadcheck 2015 - June 2-4
|
Roadcheck 2015, scheduled for June2-4, is quickly coming upon us. So, why bring it up now? Well, the time to prepare for this massive inspective blitz is NOW and in the days ahead as we move toward those dates.
The blitz is a joint effort of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and other agencies. This three day, 72 hour period is billed as the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world. Approximately 10,000 enforcement officers from local, state and federal agencies will be inspecting an average 17 trucks and buses every minute at 1,500 locations throughout North America. During the 2014 event, 18.7% of the vehicles and 4.8 % of the drivers inspected were placed out-of-service. The focus this year will be on cargo securement but officers will be performing Level I inspections which will include 37 steps from driver credentials, paperwork to tractor & trailer mechanical parts. Remember, what they find (or don't' find) can affect your CSA Scores. Even violations not resulting an out-of-service order will be tabulate din the CSA Safety Measurement System for both driver and carrier.
As a driver remember these safety tips provided by CVSA:
· Buckle up!
· Pre-inspect the condition of your vehicle and the securement of your load
· Have a safe mind-set - think operating safety each and every mile
· Maintain a safe following distance
· Make only safe and necessary lane changes
· Focus on your driving and avoid or minimize i-truck distraction
· Never driver under the influence!
· Get enough sleep and rest
CVSA has identified the following key areas: Brakes; Coupling Devices; Fuel & Exhaust Systems; Frame, Van & Open-Top Trailers; Lighting; Securement of Cargo; Steering; Suspension; and Tires, Wheels, Rims & Hubs. IF any of these areas are not working properly, communicate it to your dispatch and have it repaired. Remember YOU are the Key! To read a more complete discussion of these areas, please go to the CS link below.
|
Inland Truck Parts & Service Expands Billings Facility and Hours to Serve Customers Even Better
|
In the true spirit of Big Sky Country, Inland is expanding its vision of serving the Billings area. That's why they've moved to a brand-new 48,000 sq.-ft. facility and added Saturday service. The doors opened April 20.
"We've always been committed to providing high-quality parts and superior service," said General Manager Don Linder. "This move to a larger facility allows us to employ a more comprehensive range of diagnostics, tooling and technology. We're now serving the Billings area better than ever before."
Inland draws from a vast parts inventory covering everything from light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks to SUVs and 4x4s. Fast, professional on-the-truck service ranges from diagnostics to repairs. And Inland sets the industry standard for remanufactured transmissions, drivelines, clutches and more. An in-house component shop and on-site reman facility guarantees quality control and quick turnaround.
"With 18 service bays, we'll now be able to handle our customers' vehicles even more efficiently," said Linder. "And the new Saturday service hours will make scheduling more convenient."
The new address for Inland Truck Parts and Service in Billings is 1011 Intermountain Street. Parts hours are 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. weekdays and 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Saturday. Service hours are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. weekdays and 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Saturday.
Established in 1944, Inland Truck Parts is celebrating its 71st year of industry-leading performance at 28 locations in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming. As a 100% employee owned company, Inland emphasizes responsive customer service and local decision-making.
|
Canada Announces Mandatory Date for Automated Manifest for All Carriers Entering Canada
| |
MCM's expert on Canadian border crossing says best to make a couple trial runs before deadline so you don't get held up at border.
On May 6, 2015, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) published in Canada's Gazette that carriers will have to comply with the agency's Advance Commercial Information (ACI) eManifest requirements within 45 days of the publication of the announcement. This requirement affects both loaded and empty trucks entering Canada. ATA, its Canadian counterpart CTA, and numerous members of both organizations have worked for several years with CBSA to develop and implement ACI. ACI is the Canadian version of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). Many trucking companies have already been submitting electronic manifests to CBSA for years even though it was not required. Similar to ACE, ACI will require that eManifests be submitted one hour prior to arrival at the Canadian border. Also similar to ACE, information related to the vehicle (truck and trailer), cargo and driver can be submitted in various ways: free of charge through a web based portal; through a direct connection to CBSA; or, through third party vendors. Once the 45 day period has elapsed, CBSA will begin to issue penalties. However, there will be a six month period of "soft enforcement" under which no monetary penalties will be imposed under the Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs) system. CBSA has published a Frequently Asked Questions to help carriers understand the ACI requirements: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/manif/faq-eng.html. Should you have any questions or need more information please contact ATA's Martin Rojas mrojas@trucking.org or Boyd Stephenson bstephenson@trucking.org.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fly-In Lube & Wash Open House Celebration
|
MCM members come help Fly-In Lube and Wash celebrate their open house
May 20th, 9 A.M. to 4 P.M.. Come help Bob celebrate at 705 Johnson Lane in Lockwood.
|
|
57th Annual RMRSR
| 
|
|
|
|
|
|
