These are a couple of newsletters written for Go Capital, a truck leasing and renting company. They were written for Direct and Non-direct clients, and Partners.
Go Capital Newsletter: December 14, Direct/Non-Direct
Industry News:
-The Final Rule: Driver Protection against Coercion
The FMCSA announced a “Final Rule” which now allows FMCSA to take enforcement action against shippers, receivers, and transportation intermediaries; helping further protect commercial truck and bus drivers from being forced to violate federal safety regulations.
The Final Rule addresses 3 key areas concerning driver coercion:
Procedures of commercial truck and bus drivers reporting coercion incidents to FMCSA
< >Responsive steps the agency can take towards such allegationsPenalties imposed on entities found to have coerced driversHours of service limitations Commercial driver’s license requirementsDrug and alcohol testingTransportation of hazardous materialshttp://www.landlinemag.com/Story.aspx?StoryID=30189#.Vl9MLvmrTjZ
-Helping Bring Thursday Night Football to You
The first Kenworth ICON 900 leased by MHC Truck Leasing went to Filmwerks International, an entertainment support company in charge of pre-game events for Thursday Night Football. Filmwerks International wanted a truck that made them look good while offering a bigger wheel base. The truck featured custom NFL decals at its debut game, Kansas City Chiefs vs. the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium. The ICON 900 will support Thursday Night Football games through the next three years, and will make an appearance at Super Bowl 50 in San Francisco in February.
http://www.truckersnews.com/kw-icon-900-helps-bring-thursday-night-football-to-you/
Just for Fun:
-10 Best Rest Stops in the U.S.
< >The Iowa 80 Truck StopThe world’s largest truck stop is off of exit 284 in Walcott, Iowa. It has everything a road tripper or truck driver might need: laundromat, showers, restaurants, a movie theater, and even church service on Sundays!
< >South of the BorderLocated in Dillon, South Carolina off the I-95. Nicknamed “The Border”, this stop has its own amusement park and the United States’ largest indoor reptile exhibit.
< >Buc-ee’sWith twenty-two locations all over Texas, this stop is known for winning Cintas’ 2012 America’s Best Restroom Award. It has a total of 83 of the biggest bathroom stalls you’ll ever sit in.
< >Little AmericaLittle America in Flagstaff, Arizona might be a little difficult to find off of the I-40 due to it looking more like a hotel than a rest stop. Its 500 acres includes a golf course, fitness center, business center, and a 24 hour travel center filled with books, movies, and groceries.
< >R-Place RestaurantThis 24 hour eatery serves not only baked goods and American cuisine, but has its own food challenge! Swing by Morris, Illinois and try finishing a 2 lb. burger within an hour, without leaving the table.
< >Sapp BrosThis popular stop has 16 locations scattered along the I-80 between Utah and Pennsylvania. They provide 24 hour roadside service and are home to the very popular Apple Barrel restaurants.
< >Tamarack Tourist Information CenterStop by and check out their fine arts gallery, live performance theater, and local-product-selling stores. Tamarack Tourist Information Center is located in Beckley, West Virginia.
< >Jubitz Truck Stop and Travel CenterFOX Travel Channel named this stop the “World’s Classiest Truck Stop.” Located in Portland, Oregon this stop is home to the Ponderosa Lounge filled with pool tables, televisions, dance lessons, and video poker!
< >Bear Lake Rest Area and OverlookBear Lake, Utah’s rest stop is known by the Travel Channel as the “Rest Stop with the Best View.” It is the best spot to check out Bear Lake, with hiking trails to explore further!
< >Trail’s Travel CenterLocated in Albert Lea, Minnesota this stop is home to a restaurant with the largest whiskey selection in Southern Minnesota.
Featured Articles
-“From Northern Lights to Capitol Lights”
A 74 foot Lutz Spruce arrived at the U.S. Capitol on November 20th after a 3000 mile journey. The 10 stop tour started in the Chugach National Forest in Alaska and made it safely all the way to the U.S. Capitol.
Lynden Transport driver John Schank was given the responsibility, but not by random. He was chosen for this task due to his driving record. Schank has driven for Lynden Transport since 1975, and has never been in an accident.
He was presented with a letter of commendation for 37 years of accident free driving by former Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell. Schank was also recognized by the Alaska Trucking Association as the 2014 Driver of the Year.
Schank used his Kenworth T680 for this delivery which he states gave him “a real comfortable ride with excellent visibility.” “The panoramic windshield gives me a great view of the road ahead, and the mirrors make a big difference when I am changing lanes or backing it up.” He said “The Kenworth T680 has been getting great fuel mileage carrying the tree, which weighs about 9,000 pounds.”
-Vigo – The Rest Monitor
123 Loadboard is backing a new technology designed to help truckers deliver their loads safely. This new tech is called Vigo, it is a headset worn by the truck driver that monitors and analyzes blink patterns and head movements to prompt drivers to take action towards rest when they are drowsy. Prompts can be personalized in forms of music, sharp tones, blinking lights, or vibrations. Vigo also doubles as a Bluetooth headset.
Go Capital Newsletter: December 14, Partner
Industry News:
-The Final Rule: Driver Protection against Coercion
The FMCSA announced a “Final Rule” which now allows FMCSA to take enforcement action against shippers, receivers, and transportation intermediaries; helping further protect commercial truck and bus drivers from being forced to violate federal safety regulations.
The Final Rule addresses 3 key areas concerning driver coercion:
• Procedures of commercial truck and bus drivers reporting coercion incidents to FMCSA
• Responsive steps the agency can take towards such allegations
• Penalties imposed on entities found to have coerced drivers
FMCSA Acting Administrator Scott Darling “No commercial driver should feel compelled to bypass important federal safety regulations and potentially endanger the lives of all of the travelers on the road.”
Some FMCSA regulation drivers reported being coerced into violating:
• Hours of service limitations
• Commercial driver’s license requirements
• Drug and alcohol testing
• Transportation of hazardous materials
Whistleblower protection is provided by STAA for drivers who are retaliated against by their employers after reporting coercion under this Final Rule.
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/newsroom/final-rule-prohibits-coercion-protects-commercial-truck-and-bus-drivers-being
Just for Fun:
-10 Best Rest Stops in the U.S.
The Iowa 80 Truck Stop
The world’s largest truck stop is off of exit 284 in Walcott, Iowa. It has everything a road tripper or truck driver might need: laundromat, showers, restaurants, a movie theater, and even church service on Sundays!
< >South of the BorderLocated in Dillon, South Carolina off the I-95. Nicknamed “The Border”, this stop has its own amusement park and the United States’ largest indoor reptile exhibit.
< >Buc-ee’sWith twenty-two locations all over Texas, this stop is known for winning Cintas’ 2012 America’s Best Restroom Award. It has a total of 83 of the biggest bathroom stalls you’ll ever sit in.
< >Little AmericaLittle America in Flagstaff, Arizona might be a little difficult to find off of the I-40 due to it looking more like a hotel than a rest stop. Its 500 acres includes a golf course, fitness center, business center, and a 24 hour travel center filled with books, movies, and groceries.
< >R-Place RestaurantThis 24 hour eatery serves not only baked goods and American cuisine, but has its own food challenge! Swing by Morris, Illinois and try finishing a 2 lb. burger within an hour, without leaving the table.
< >Sapp BrosThis popular stop has 16 locations scattered along the I-80 between Utah and Pennsylvania. They provide 24 hour roadside service and are home to the very popular Apple Barrel restaurants.
< >Tamarack Tourist Information CenterStop by and check out their fine arts gallery, live performance theater, and local-product-selling stores. Tamarack Tourist Information Center is located in Beckley, West Virginia.
< >Jubitz Truck Stop and Travel CenterFOX Travel Channel named this stop the “World’s Classiest Truck Stop.” Located in Portland, Oregon this stop is home to the Ponderosa Lounge filled with pool tables, televisions, dance lessons, and video poker!
< >Bear Lake Rest Area and OverlookBear Lake, Utah’s rest stop is known by the Travel Channel as the “Rest Stop with the Best View.” It is the best spot to check out Bear Lake, with hiking trails to explore further!
< >Trail’s Travel CenterLocated in Albert Lea, Minnesota this stop is home to a restaurant with the largest whiskey selection in Southern Minnesota.
Featured Article:
Online Shopping Influences Supply Chain and Logistics Operations
Over recent years people have shifted towards shopping online for Cyber Monday rather the traditional in-store Black Friday shopping. This year Cyber Monday sales are expected to reach $3 billion for the first time ever, according to Adobe and comScore. That would make a 12% annual increase from last year.
ShopperTrak shows a Black Friday sales drop from $11.6 billion in 2014 to $10.4 billion in 2015, proving e-commerce’s ongoing influence on consumer shopping habits. This means a bigger workload for shipping and delivery.
In order to keep up with the heavier workload companies have been meshing combinations of new and old supply chain and logistics operations processes to ensure a successful holiday season.
Extra Articles
-Autonomous Car Push: Helping Truck Drivers
Autonomous trucks are in process with help from a push in steps by the passenger car segment. This is the creation of autonomous assistance where the drivers do not have to be in control 100% of the time rather completely driverless trucks.
There is still some time before autonomous vehicles have active roles as testing is still in progress to make sure that the system works under every possible condition. The Global Commercial Vehicle Division wants to make sure federal laws will allow the autonomous systems across the states. They say they will have a truck ready by the time federal laws are ready to be implemented and regulated.
Autonomous truck drivers show a 25% decrease in stress while driving. If the conditions are optimal they can observe what the truck does without actively steering, giving a more relaxed driving experience; potentially negotiating longer driving hours. A trucker could hypothetically drive an extra 10 minutes per autonomous hour driven. Liability would still remain with truckers to ensure safe truck operation.
-Lytx looking for “Driver of the Year” & “Coach of the Year”
Lytx Inc. wants to honor the best and safest drivers currently using their DriveCam program. Drivers who operate their vehicles safely and responsibly, and have excelled in the DriveCam program will be recognized by Lytx as “Driver of the Year.” “Coach of the Year” will be someone who helps their drivers develop and improve driving safety skills and have risen above others in coaching roles.
Award submissions are due by January 4, 2016. Submissions may be completed online. Winners receive monetary prizes. First place winners also get an expense-paid trip to the Lytx Users Group Conference held in San Diego, February 22-24, 2016 to accept their awards.
Industry News
-Driver Wellness Program!
TCA Wellness is a new driver wellness program for carriers offered by the Truckload Carriers Association and Rolling Strong that launches in January 2016!
The program provides access to thousands of health-check stations across the country, access to bio-screenings, unlimited phone support from approved health coaches, and a driver-centric smartphone app that includes nutrition and exercise guidance on the road.
Recent studies have shown drivers not exercising much, gaining weight, and developing serious problems such as sleep apnea and diabetes. The TCA and Rolling Strong want to “provide professional drivers with simple lifestyle changes to maintain their livelihood and get home safe to their families.”
Basic programs will cost less than $2 a month per driver for TCA members. Participation from non-members will cost slightly more. Part of the program, called Rebuilt, will help drivers get back on the road within 30 days of failing a CDL physical. It is home-based and provides daily coaching, in-home exercises and equipment, and a 28 day food supply. It also includes medical references and the cost to cover required re-testing.
-Van and Reefer Rates Slightly Increase
The week ending November 28th caused Van and Reefer rates to inch higher as freight demand outpaced available truck capacity.
The holiday shortened week caused a 20% reduction in loads and a 27% reduction in available trucks compared to the week prior.
The load-to-truck ratio was at 2.1 van loads per truck available. With a 0.6% increase, the national average van rate rose to $1.71 dollars per mile. Memphis and Seattle had the highest outbound rate increase.
The reefer load-to-truck ratio dropped 0.5%, from 4.6 to 4.1 loads per truck. Climbing to the highest rate in three weeks, the average reefer rate rose to $1.94 per mile, a 0.5% increase.
Despite the rise in the other two, flatbed rates stayed at $1.92 per mile. However, the available number of loads dropped by 24% and the load-to-truck ratio rose to 6.4 from 5.8 loads per truck.
At the same time the national average price for diesel dropped to $2.42 per gallon.
