We’ll help keep you up to date on the latest trucking news! Lots happened in the trucking world and we’re sharing the most interesting. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for news and updates!
ELD’s
What proposed HOS changes in U.S. mean to Canadian drivers – “Proposed changes to the U.S. hours of service rules have been touted as more flexible for drivers and carriers — but what about the benefits and the flexibility for cross-border drivers and carriers? Will the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s proposed HOS provide the same benefits for cross-border drivers, or just make the hours-related differences between Canada and the United States even more confusing? Here’s what I came up with as to how FMCSA’s proposed changes might affect cross-border carriers.”
How drivers can go the extra mile with ELDs – “When the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate was introduced back in late 2017, there were a lot of questions about how the changes would impact the everyday experience of truck drivers across the U.S. “What will this mean for my rig? How will it change my relationship with fleet managers?” We all knew that it would reduce paperwork, but the overall, everyday changes that it would bring weren’t as clear.”
Reg’s & Infrastructure
NACFE: Fuel Efficiency Up 15% From 2009 to 2018 – “The average fleetwide fuel economy of trucks that participated in the North American Council for Freight Efficiency’s annual study increased 15% from 6.27 miles per gallon in 2009 to 7.27 mpg in 2018. On a year-over-year basis, the fuel economy of trucks increased .5%, from 7.23 mpg in 2017. NACFE released the results of its report Jan. 6.”
EPA Eyes Further NOx Reductions from Diesel Engines – “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPA is eyeing another round of federal regulations aimed at further tightening heavy-duty truck emissions and to create a so-called “50-state program” that harmonizes emissions standards nationally.”
Illinois officials warn drivers about 10-month interstate closure – “Starting on February 1, 2020, a seven-mile stretch of I-255 in the metro St. Louis area will be shut down for a rehabilitation and resurfacing project, IDOT says. The closure will take place between Collinsville Road and Route 15. The project is projected to finish in about 10 months to allow the reopening of I-255 on November 24, 2020.”
You’ll soon see new exit numbers on MA interstates – “Starting this summer, Massachusetts will begin renumbering exits on interstates and other freeways based on milepost numbers.”
AMTA calls for Hwy 3 twinning to increase safety – “Studies of the Hwy 3 corridor were completed by the Highway 3 Twinning Development Association (H3TDA), which identified 13 sections in need of an upgrade. Some sections of the highway have been twinned, but additional environmental and historical planning needs to be conducted to proceed with the remaining 200 km, which includes the section from Medicine Hat, Alta., to the B.C. border.”
Tolls
Toll Charges Continue to Have an Impact on Trucking’s Bottom Line, Says ATRI Study – “Toll charges have increased significantly over the past decade, and continue to have a major impact on trucking financial results, according to a new study by American Transportation Research Institute.”
Wyoming lawmakers plot to add tolls on I-80 – ” To finance, construct, operate and maintain interstate 80 and accommodate the needs of the traveling public through safe, efficient, convenient and modern vehicular traffic it is necessary and in the public interest to provide for the financing, construction, operation, regulation and maintenance of interstate 80 under a tolled configuration.”
Toll Rates Increase on Pennsylvania Turnpike, New York-New Jersey Crossings – “The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey increased toll rates on the Lincoln and Holland tunnels, the George Washington, Bayonne, and Goethals bridges and the Outerbridge Crossing. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission instituted a 6% toll rate increase on the route. Both toll rate hikes went into effect Jan. 5.”
