|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
You Don't Want to Miss This!
Great Speakers Confirmed for TMHA Meeting
One of the best list of speakers TMHA has compiled in recent memory will highlight the association's upcoming annual meeting that will be held at the Chicago Marriott O'Hare on April 8-9.
David Ross (STIFEL Group); William Strauss (Federal Reserve of Chicago); and Greg Feary and Robert Henry (Scopelitis Law Firm) will provide highly enlightening presentations that cannot be missed. It's a group of speakers that brings unparalleled knowledge about economics, trucking and transportation law you must hear.
Ross will deliver detailed economic trends and predictive indicators specific to trucking. Strauss will cover the current state of the U.S. economy and global growth while also providing a manufacturing outlook. Feary and Henry, who come from one of the premier transportation law firms in the country, will review independent contractor laws and other regulations unique to trucking.
All three presentations will take place on Thursday, April 9, following the TMHA Membership Meeting that will kickoff the day at 8:00 a.m. To attend, use the online registration link provided below. A welcome reception and dinner will also be held the night before on April 8 at a location to be announced.
Hotel reservations can be made directly through the Chicago Marriott O'Hare by clicking the link below. A room block has been established for TMHA that provides a rate of $152 per night. The block will close on March 18.
2015 TMHA Annual Meeting Online Registration Link
Chicago Marriott O'Hare Online Hotel Reservation Link
THANK YOU MEETING SPONSORS
 
|
of Directors
President
Jon Coca
Diamond Transportation System, Inc.
First Vice President
Mike Connell
Bennett Motor Express
Past President
Jim Towery
Steelman Transportation
Clayton Fisk
Warren Transport
Dave Gallano
Gallano Trucking, Inc.
Jeremy Ihle
Ihle Transport, Inc.
Aaron Tennant
Tennant Truck Lines
TMHA Mission Statement
To provide an ongoing forum for education, networking and advocacy for flatbed, step-deck and lowboy (RGN) carriers that specialize in the transportation of machinery and machinery-related commodities throughout the United States and Canada.
|
|
|
FMCSA Delays Publication Dates for Rules
The U.S. Department of Transportation has pushed back projected publication dates for several major trucking regulations expected this year, according to its monthly rulemakings report. Below are the dates the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration now expects to publish each:
- Electronic Logging Devices:The projected publication date for an ELD Final Rule has been pushed back to November 9 -- about six weeks later than the September 30 publication date the DOT has teased for several months.
- Speed Limiters: The DOT has pushed back the projected publication date of a rule to require the use of speed limiters on heavy trucks to June 8 - a month later than the May publication date it has projected in recent months.
- CDL Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse: This rule is now projected to be published December 14 - delayed roughly six weeks from the October 30 projected publication date in the DOT's January report.
- Safety Fitness Determination: The next step in the agency's CSA program, it is now projected to be published July 1, which is a few weeks later than the June 17 date from the agency's last report.
Read more about each proposed rule mandate at www.ccjdigital.com.
|
FMCSA Names Entry-Level Driver Training Advisory Committee
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced the formation of a 26-member advisory committee that is tasked with updating classroom and new behind-the-wheel training requirements for professional truck and bus drivers.
A full list of the 26-member committee can be accessed at www.fmcsa.dot.gov.
In December, the FMCSA reported it intended to establish a committee to examine minimum training requirements, including length of classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel experience, accreditation versus certification of CDL training programs and schools, curricula for passenger, property and hazardous materials carriers, instructor qualifications, as well as other areas.
Thus, the Entry-Level Driver Training Advisory Committee was created. It is comprised of a diverse cross-section of motor carrier interests, including training organizations, the intercity bus and trucking industries, law enforcement, labor unions and safety advocates.
The first meeting of the advisory committee is scheduled for February 26-27 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Va. It will be open to the public.
For more information on the Entry-Level Driver Training Advisory Committee, please visit www.fmcsa.dot.gov.
|
ATA Puts Permanent HOS Restart Fix High on Wish List
Stepping in on short notice as the keynote speaker for the 2015 Technology & Maintenance Council annual meeting, Dave Osiecki highlighted a wide range issues the American Trucking Associations plans to focus on in the coming months. Of them, permanently repealing certain provisions of the 34-hour restart rule within current hours of service (HOS) regulations remains a top priority.
Osiecki, who is Executive vice president and chief of national advocacy for ATA, also noted that "the driver shortage is as bad as it's ever been" and is a situation the industry "needs to place greater emphasis upon" going forward. To that end, ATA wants to put renewed focus upon lowering the allowable age for obtaining a CDL to around 18 or 19 years of age in order to attract high school graduates to the truck driving career.
Other issues ATA plans to focus on in 2015 include:
- Inserting "anti-toll" language into the next highway bill
- Raising fuel taxes to help fund a national freight policy
- Establishing a "standard speed" for speed limiters
Source: Fleet Owner
|
|
|
Tennant Truck Lines Selected a Best Carrier to Drive For
 TMHA member Tennant Truck Lines has been named one of the nation's best carriers to drive for, as selected by Truckload Carriers Association and CarriersEdge through their 2015 Best Fleets to Drive For Survey.
The 7th annual survey and contest identifies for-hire trucking companies that provide the best workplace experiences for drivers. To be eligible for the honor, companies must operate 10 trucks or more and be nominated by at least one of its company drivers or owner operators.
Tennant Truck Lines is an open deck carrier that services the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast and Midwest regions of the country. The 69-year operation is headquartered in Colona, Ill., with two additional full service terminals in Augusta, Ga., and Baltimore, Md.
|
Comdata, Quality Trailer Sales Renew as TMHA Premier Sponsors
For the second straight year, both Comdata and Quality Trailer Sales have renewed their Premier Sponsorships with The Machinery Haulers Association for 2015.
Each company is a Silver level sponsor within the program, which gives them exposure on the TMHA Web site and recognition at each of the three TMHA meetings during the year as designated sponsors of the general sessions (membership updates).
Be sure to thank both Comdata and Quality Trailers Sales for their much appreciated support the next your talking with one of their representatives at a meeting.
|
Bill Aims to Fine Truckers for Not Clearing Snow, Ice From Vehicles
Protecting drivers from the snow and ice coming off of tractor-trailers is the motivation behind a bill that fines truckers up to $75 for not clearing the vehicles.
The Pennsylvania General Assembly is considering a bill that would require truckers to make "all reasonable efforts" to remove all ice or snow from the vehicles, including the roof of the truck trailer.
Police officers may pull over truck drivers if they believe the "ice or snow may pose a threat to persons or property," according to the bill. Truck drivers would face fines between $25 and $75.
The bill, proposed by Pennsylvania Sen. Lisa Boscola, takes a substantial step in penalizing truckers for not clearing off their vehicles. Under the current law, truckers may only be fined when dislodged snow and ice causes death or serious bodily injury.
Many other states are considering similar legislation as well. You may want to check with the states in which you are operating to ensure compliance with their laws.
Source: PennLive.com
|
|
|
Wisconsin Legislature Reviewing Road Funding Options
Not unlike many states across the country, Wisconsin is one of many currently reviewing scenarios within its legislature to generate more funding for infrastructure.
At the end of January, the Wisconsin State Transportation Commission asked lawmakers and Gov. Scott Walker to adopt a few new provisions -- two of them being a 5-cent increase in the state fuel tax and higher registration fees for heavy trucks. All the measures combined are intended to add $480 million a year over 10 years to maintain the state's system of highways, transit, harbors, freight rail, airports and bicycle and pedestrian transportation. Without increased revenue, the commission said major projects, such as expansion of Interstate 39 from Madison to the Illinois border, could be delayed for years.
Gov. Walker's budget that was introduced in early February conversely proposed a plan to use $1.3 billion in bonding authority to pay for Wisconsin's transportation needs. However, some lawmakers think an increase to the fuel tax should be considered as one of the alternatives to avoid additional debt, including Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke in a personal editorial stating the reasons. Yet other legislators, such as Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, do not believe a fuel tax increase is the appropriate action to take.
It's apparent, the debate for and against a fuel tax increase is just as divisive in Wisconsin as it's been in some other states. Eventually, though, something will have to be done to increase funding. It's just a matter of what.
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
