Posts Tagged ‘Interstate’
Thursday, October 13th, 2011
In December 2009, Congress approved a one-year truck pilot program allowing 6-axle trucks a 100,000 lb gvw in Maine and Vermont.
The program, started in 2010, was believed to decrease the number of trucks on the road since increasing the weight limit would provide greater capacity, adding 20,000 additional pounds of freight onto the typical 80,000 lb restraint. Increasing the weight limit of trucks would also decrease the traffic on secondary roads, which are what heavy trucks are forced to travel on, being banned from Interstates.
But the results of the truck pilot program are not what members of the trucking industry had in mind, demonstrating a rise in trucks on the road and a significant increase in fatalities since it took affect.
The Truck Safety Coalition (TSC) released information which clearly demonstrated a rise in trucks on the road since the program took affect. According to the report, “The Vermont DMV tracked the change in permits for 99,000 lb. 6-axle trucks, which increased from 1,500 in 2009 to over 3,000 in 2010 during the pilot” (http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/trucking-industry-wrong-on-maine-and-vermont-100000-pound-truck-pilot-program—dead-wrong-131779463.html).
Not only that, but Vermont experienced a commercial motor vehicle fatality rate that was three times that recorded in 2009, increasing from 0.49 fatal crashes per 100 million miles to 1.44, PR Newswire explains in their article.
The Federal Highway Administration and the Maine Department of Transportation released similar results, showing a 43% increase in fatalities involving 6-axle trucks in Maine, the article notes.
As the site acknowledges, advocates are striving to stop heavy-weight truck exemptions from continuing by passing the Safe Highways and Infrastructure Preservation (SHIPA) Act, while Congress is considering permanently allowing overweight trucks to operate.
While groups continue to fight the operation of overweight trucks on the road, believing that they will have more dangerous and fatal consequences than good, Road Scholar Transport is on the road applying the latest safety technology on its 48’ and 53’ van and reefers, including the Bendix Wingman ACB system, which will cause our truck to maintain a set distance of 8/10ths of a mile marker behind a forward vehicle, preventing accidents. Visit www.roadscholar.com to learn more about Road Scholar’s safety and security features.
Do you think that Congress should permanently allow overweight trucks to operate on the road? List your comments below.
Tags: 6-axle trucks, Bendix Wingman ACB system, Congress, DMV, Federal Highway Administration, Interstate, Maine, Maine Department of Transportation, reefer van, road scholar transport, tractor-trailer, truck, truck pilot program, Truck Safety Coalition, trucking news, TSC, Vermont
Posted in LTL freight, Services, Trucking Industry News | Comments Off
Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011
Snow and ice has and always will be a problem. You cannot prevent weather from occurring but you can help reduce the number of accidents caused by bad environmental conditions.
It’s happened time and time again, you’re driving on the Interstate behind a tractor trailer, the corner of your eyes watching over a mound of snow on top of the truck in front of you, bound to fly off at any moment and hit your windshield, possibly resulting in an accident.
Snow removals systems such Scraper Systems, Inc. and Cyclone Works, Inc. are helping to prevent these types of accidents from occurring with equipment that cleans off the top of large vehicles, such as buses and tractor trailers.
There are many types of products that do this. Scraper Systems, for example, uses an adjustable scraper that trucks just drive under, whereas Cyclone Works’ snow remover acts as a blow dryer, sending a gust of hot air at speeds of 150 mph to dry off snow and ice.
So what are the benefits of purchasing a snow removal system such as these?
The biggest benefit is safety. Instead of drivers having to climb on top of a 13’ high trailer and risk falling and being injured, they just have to drive underneath one these pieces of equipment. Those who cannot climb on top of the truck, leave snow and ice on the roof, which poses a risk to everyone on the road, possibly resulting in an accident.
Not only is safety a benefit, but cost as well. Although a company would have to pay for the equipment, they will be saving in fuel since (as scrapersystems.com notes) as little as “six inches of wet snow on a 45-foot trailer” adds 2,400 pounds of weight, requiring more fuel usage.
Along with cost come the fines many states give for leaving snow and ice on a vehicle. Fines that can often be prevented by taking cautious measures.
Be safe during bad weather and use equipment such as those above to help improve safety both on and off the road.
Tags: accident, Cyclone Works, ICE, Inc., Interstate, road scholar transport, Scraper Systems, snow, tractor-trailer, truck
Posted in Services, Trucking Industry News | Comments Off
Friday, February 11th, 2011
Imagine driving down the interstate at 60 mph behind a mountain of snow just waiting to come crashing down on your vehicle.
That’s what happened earlier this week to one driver.
Under the codename “FREEFALLER25,” this individual took a video as he or she was driving on the Illinois interstate. The tractor trailer in front of the vehicle contained 4 ft. of snow on its roof, but it didn’t stay there for long.
The tractor trailer drove under an overpass, pushing the snow off and sending a white out to the vehicle(s) behind…an accident waiting to happen.
Luckily, the blinded driver managed to stay on the road without hitting anyone in the process.
In some states, such as New Jersey, it is illegal to drive with snow on the roof of your car and this is one reason why. Imagine the danger the driver could have experienced if there were more cars around.
That’s why Road Scholar Transport practices safe procedures, not only in winter, but all year round, maintaining a 0.0005% damage and loss rate. Visit www.roadscholar.com to learn more.
Tags: Illinois, Interstate, new jersey, road scholar transport, snow, tractor-trailer, video, weather conditions, winter
Posted in Trucking Industry News | Comments Off
Monday, October 4th, 2010
First, they began to lose their customers…then, their employees. Now, North Bergen distributor Interstate Logistics Inc. plans on shutting down completely.
The company, which has been in business for 32 years, could not compete with the trucking industry’s rising costs and competition from strong companies like Road Scholar Transport.
To make matters worse, International Logistics’ sole customer, JC Penney which has been with them since 2002, did not renew their contract, believing it “more efficient to ship directly from suppliers to our other facilities” (http://www.northjersey.com/news/business/104257489_Feisty_distributor__closing_by_Dec__31.html?c=y&page=1).
The 65 employees still remaining will begin being laid off come November 11, according to NorthJersey.com.
Interstate Logistics Inc. decided to close its doors at the end of the year when JC Penney’s contract is officially up on Dec. 31, turning the engines off of 16 trucks and 80 trailers.
WOW, compare that to a company like Road Scholar Transport who has about 100 tractors and 280 trailers! Luckily, Road Scholar Transport is running full speed with no signs whatsoever of slowing down.
Tags: company, down, employee, freight, Interstate, JC Penney, logistics, North Bergen, road, scholar, shutting, tractor, trailer, transport, truck, trucking
Posted in Trucking Industry News | Comments Off
Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010
According to truckinginfo.com, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) finalized an ongoing proposal this week that prohibits carriers from allowing their interstate truck and bus drivers from texting while driving. This does not only include cell phones, but dispatching devices and keyboards as well, the site notes.
So what happens if a driver is caught typing away? Let’s just say that their phone will not be the only thing they would be putting down. That’s right, they will be laying down the green as well…$2,750 worth. According to truckinginfo.com’s article, the driver would also risk disqualification.
But that’s not all. Carriers will have to pay up as well, four times as much. That is $13,750 worth the fines being paid for one truck driver, one phone, and one minute of texting.
Sound like a lot? Not when you consider the circumstances.
Within a four year span (from the years 2005 to 2009), texting increased by 2,200 percent and results in 23 times a greater chance of an accident (http://www.truckinginfo.com/news/news-detail.asp?news_id=71730).
With a 0.0005% damage rate last year, you will be sure not to see Road Scholar Transport getting into accidents or facing fines due to irresponsible driving habits.
According to the site, the new law will go into effect 30 days after its entry into the Federal Register.
Tags: bus, carrier, cell phone, driver, federal motor carrier safety administration, federal register, fine, FMCSA, Interstate, law, road, scholar, transport, truck
Posted in Trucking Industry News | 38 Comments »
Monday, September 20th, 2010
The Obama Administration is pushing for Congress to allow the permanent use of six-axle trucks weighing over the 80,000 pound limit “access to interstate highways in Maine and Vermont,” according to truckinginfo.com.
The two programs permitting the increased weight limit were brought out last year by Maine and Vermont senators Susan Collins and Patrick Leahy and are scheduled to expire come December (http://www.truckinginfo.com/news/news-detail.asp?news_id=71703). Once this happens, trucks over the 80,000 pound limit will be forced to travel on state and local roads instead of the interstate.
The Obama administration believes that allowing the program to permanently go into effect would account for more safety on the local roads that trucks were previously forced to travel on due to their size, as well provide more efficiency, the site noted.
Road Scholar Transport always operates with the utmost in safety on the road. We have qualified drivers who have all been drug tested and background checked prior to employment and receive another background check every 10 years and drug test on 50% of drivers every year. Our drivers are also Hazmat certified and can handle the most hazardous material with care.
Not only are our drivers safe, but our equipment as well. We have newer models that ensure equipment integrity. All of our trailers are air ride and all of our tractors are equipped with tracking technology so we always know when and where our tractor trailers are. With roof decals and easily distinguishable trucks, it will be hard for these tractor trailers to be stolen. And when our trucks are safe, so is your cargo.
For more information about Road Scholar Transport’s safety features visit www.roadscholar.com.
Tags: administration, cargo, Collins, Congress, Hazmat, highway, Interstate, Leahy, Maine, Obama, pound, road, safety, scholar, six-axel, trailer, transport, Vermont
Posted in Services, Trucking Industry News | Comments Off
Wednesday, September 8th, 2010
You’ll notice new signs the next time you’re traveling down Interstate 8.
These signs were posted back in June by the federal government, but they weren’t there to indicate slippery conditions or deer crossing, rather they were meant to make drivers aware of the criminal acts and violence that has been increasing in Arizona due to drug and smuggling activity, an article in TruckFlix stated.
Although criminal activity has increased, it hasn’t been common on the highway yet. Truck drivers, however, are still told to watch their surroundings and be careful. Drivers are especially encouraged to “try to avoid access roads and other areas south of I-8 near the Sonoran Desert National Monument,” where acts have been occurring more frequently and to call the police if they notice any suspicious activity (http://www.truckflix.com/news_article.php?newsid=7054).
Some drivers are afraid to stop at all on I-8 due to the violence and have even considered buying a weapon for protection.
Road Scholar Transport does not have to worry about our cargo or tractor trailers being stolen due to criminal acts. With security features such as navalock, electronic door monitoring, and cargo cam, your freight is safe from burglary. And with aerial tracking, Qualcomm, Skybitz, and covert, assisted GPS cargo tracking, criminals will think twice before stealing one of our trucks.
Visit www.roadscholar.com for more information on Road Scholar’s services.
Tags: Arizona, cargo, criminal, Desert, driver, drug, freight, highway, I-8, Interstate, road, scholar, sign, smuggling, Sonoran, transport, truck, violence
Posted in Services, Trucking Industry News | Comments Off
Wednesday, September 1st, 2010
Trucking industries are debating whether or not to support the American Trucking Association (ATA)’s policy to allow heavier trucks on U.S. interstates, and possibly highways too.
According to TheTrucker.com, the new policy would change the minimum trailer length on interstates from 48 feet to 53 feet, with the exception of those states that already permit longer trailers, and also is in favor of “six axles and a maximum 97,000 pounds.”
As of right now, many truckers are forced to use state highways as an alternative route due to the weight limit on interstates, the site notes. Trucking companies are even taking extensive measures to limit the weight on their tractor trailers. U.S. Xpress, TheTrucker.com notes, is one of these claiming that the company has gone as far as taking seats, and anything else that wouldn’t go against regulations, out of their trucks.
While many shippers are supporting the proposal, others are against it. Pat Quinn, co-chairman and president of U.S. Xpress, believes that those who are in opposition to this proposal are so because they are misinformed. He says that a 97,000-pound weight will not be forced, but rather states will have the option of deciding which roads and bridges they want to increase the weight limit on, depending on which areas can safely handle it (http://www.thetrucker.com/News/Stories/2010/9/1/EyeonTruckingTruckingindustrydividedonweightissuecouldbeusedjudiciously.aspx).
As stated by TheTrucker, professionals claim that “you actually have less pounds per square inch of pressure with a sixth axle at 97,000 pounds than you do with a five-axle at 80,000 pounds.”
So as the debate continues on whether the proposal would be a pro or a con, you will be sure to find Road Scholar Transport’s tractor-trailers traveling the interstate and highways, transporting cargo and spreading awareness.
Tags: ATA, awareness, campaign, cargo, freight, heavier, heavy, highway, Interstate, pound, road, scholar, shipper, tractor, trailer, transport, truck, weight
Posted in Trucking Industry News | Comments Off
Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
Rural areas are posing a problem for industries, especially those in trucking.
As an article in truckinginfo.com notes, access in rural areas continues to be difficult for truckers trying to deliver their freight, with “66 cities” having “populations of 50,000 or more that do not have immediate access to the Interstate system” (http://www.truckinginfo.com/news/news-detail.asp?news_id=71521).
According to the site, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ (AASHTO) believe that rural areas need more government funding, especially those highways in Arkansas.
So how can the access point between rural and urban areas be improved? As listed on truckinginfo.com, the AASHTO has developed a strategy that would require funding of rural areas of the Interstate and highways, twice the amount of federal investment in rural systems, “expand the existing capacity of the Interstate system, upgrade rural routes to Interstate standards, and connect newly urbanized areas to the Interstate system.”
Speaking of efficiency, did you check out all the services that Road Scholar Transport provides to make our customers’ lives easier? With our online tools, you can get a quote from customer service within 10 minutes, schedule a pickup, track a shipment, online document retrieval, fuel surcharges, pre-populate your shipping locations, print a BOL, get an auto rate quote, and much more. Check it out for yourself at www.roadscholar.com.
Tags: AASHTO, freight, highway, industry, Interstate, road, rural, scholar, transport, truck
Posted in Services, Trucking Industry News | Comments Off
Monday, August 30th, 2010
Did you know that “every 16 minutes, a person is killed or injured in a truck accident?” (http://www.truckinjuries.com/trucking-accidents.asp)
That was the case last year when Vaughn Gentry crashed the tractor trailer he was driving on Interstate 30, killing three people, along with himself, who were stopped due to construction work, TheTrucker.com notes. According to this site, recent reports show that Gentry’s blood results tested positive for cocaine and marijuana (http://www.thetrucker.com/News/Stories/2010/8/30/DriverindeadlyArkcrashtestshaduseddrugs.aspx).
Unfortunately, fatalities of no-fault victims are nothing new. Truckinjuries.com states that “in tractor trailer accidents, 98% of all fatalities occur to the individuals in the passenger vehicles.”
So how do we lower these statistics and prevent fatalities on the road? By hiring only the safest drivers to transport your freight.
Road Scholar Transport does just that, conducting a drug test on every new hire and again on 50% of established drivers every year. IF there is ever an accident where a vehicle is either towed away or an injury results, we take it upon ourselves to conduct another drug test. Our company also performs ten year criminal background checks on all drivers to make sure that we operate with only the safest drivers.
At Road Scholar Transport, we exhibit the highest confidence that we are a completely drug-free company.
Visit www.roadscholar.com to learn more.
Are you a safe driver? Apply today at http://www.roadscholar.com/employment.html
Tags: accident, apply, Arkansas, background, check, drug, employment, fatality, freight, Interstate, job, road, safe, scholar, test, tractor, trailer, transport, truck, Vaughn Gentry
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