Thursday 25 February 2016
Monday 22 February 2016
Sunday 21 February 2016
Thursday 18 February 2016
Tuesday 16 February 2016
US truck parking problem to be addressed
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) released survey results recently that point out the lack of truck parking information and capacity across the country. The results called for a national coalition to address the escalating problems and find solutions.
The results showed that almost half of the state departments of transportation surveyed reported that truckers were forced to park on freeway interchange ramps and shoulders of highways, which is a safety issue.
“We know truck parking has been a longstanding problem in our nation and we need new approaches to fix it,” said US Deputy Transportation Secretary Victor Mendez. “Now more than ever, this country needs better planning, investment, and innovation from those who have a stake in safe truck parking and transportation.”
The National Coalition on Truck Parking announced that it will continue working to find solutions to truck parking needs and will include the FHWA, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the American Trucking Associations, the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association, the National Association of Truck Stop Operators and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance in finding these solutions.
“Without truck drivers, America’s businesses would suffer and the economy would come to a halt,” said Federal Highway Administrator Gregory Nadeau. “They deliver the goods and products we use every day, and are critical to safe freight movement in our country.”
FMCSA Acting Administrator Scott Darling added: “Highway safety depends in part on making sure hardworking, professional truck drivers have a safe place to recuperate after spending hours on the road. We at FMCSA are committed to addressing this shortage of safe and convenient truck parking for the drivers who do so much to advance our economy.”
In the new few months, the USDOT and the National Coalition on Truck Parking said it will engage in a conversation with state and local governments, law enforcement and the trucking and business communities to work together to advance truck parking solutions to meet the needs of the nation’s truck drivers.
The results showed that almost half of the state departments of transportation surveyed reported that truckers were forced to park on freeway interchange ramps and shoulders of highways, which is a safety issue.
“We know truck parking has been a longstanding problem in our nation and we need new approaches to fix it,” said US Deputy Transportation Secretary Victor Mendez. “Now more than ever, this country needs better planning, investment, and innovation from those who have a stake in safe truck parking and transportation.”
The National Coalition on Truck Parking announced that it will continue working to find solutions to truck parking needs and will include the FHWA, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the American Trucking Associations, the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association, the National Association of Truck Stop Operators and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance in finding these solutions.
“Without truck drivers, America’s businesses would suffer and the economy would come to a halt,” said Federal Highway Administrator Gregory Nadeau. “They deliver the goods and products we use every day, and are critical to safe freight movement in our country.”
FMCSA Acting Administrator Scott Darling added: “Highway safety depends in part on making sure hardworking, professional truck drivers have a safe place to recuperate after spending hours on the road. We at FMCSA are committed to addressing this shortage of safe and convenient truck parking for the drivers who do so much to advance our economy.”
In the new few months, the USDOT and the National Coalition on Truck Parking said it will engage in a conversation with state and local governments, law enforcement and the trucking and business communities to work together to advance truck parking solutions to meet the needs of the nation’s truck drivers.
Navistar appoints new treasurer
LISLE, Ill. – Navistar International announced recently that Bill McMenamin, president of Navistar Financial, will add responsibilities as senior v.p. and treasurer of the company. He will replace Jim Moran, who is leaving the company to pursue other career opportunities.
McMenamin joined the Navistar team back in 2001 as director of corporate finance, while Moran joined the company in 2005 following a 16-year career at R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company.
“Jim has been a valuable contributor to Navistar and the Finance & Accounting organization over the past 10 years, and we wish him well in his future endeavors,” said Walter Borst, Navistar executive vice-president and chief financial officer. “At the same time, we’re proud to have Bill add this role to his NFC responsibilities. He is a technically skilled, highly collaborative financial executive that has a track record of success at NFC and will contribute a wealth of experience and knowledge to his new role.”
McMenamin joined the Navistar team back in 2001 as director of corporate finance, while Moran joined the company in 2005 following a 16-year career at R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company.
“Jim has been a valuable contributor to Navistar and the Finance & Accounting organization over the past 10 years, and we wish him well in his future endeavors,” said Walter Borst, Navistar executive vice-president and chief financial officer. “At the same time, we’re proud to have Bill add this role to his NFC responsibilities. He is a technically skilled, highly collaborative financial executive that has a track record of success at NFC and will contribute a wealth of experience and knowledge to his new role.”
CarriersEdge expands online driver training system
MARKHAM, Ont. – CarriersEdge said today that it has made several enhancements to its online driver training system, offering fleets the ability to customize and consolidate its training programs.
With this announcement, CarriersEdge customers now have expanded options for adding their own content to their training environment. Things like PowerPoint presentations and videos can be uploaded onto the system for drivers. In addition, new event management functions allow for trainers to track classroom activities.
“More and more, our customers are looking to CarriersEdge as the central hub for all their training activities”, said Mark Murrell, v.p. sales and marketing at CarriersEdge. “In addition to our extensive library of online courses, they want the ability to add their own material and track outside activities as well. With these new tools they can now do all that and more.”
The company also announced the release of new titles in its Practical Cargo Securementseries.
“With these new modules, we now have more than a dozen distinct titles based on thePractical Cargo Securement handbook”, noted Murrell. “That handbook is the gold standard in cargo securement for a reason – it’s comprehensive, clear, and easy to use – and we’re very proud to be the exclusive provider of online courses based on its content.”
For more information, click here.
With this announcement, CarriersEdge customers now have expanded options for adding their own content to their training environment. Things like PowerPoint presentations and videos can be uploaded onto the system for drivers. In addition, new event management functions allow for trainers to track classroom activities.
“More and more, our customers are looking to CarriersEdge as the central hub for all their training activities”, said Mark Murrell, v.p. sales and marketing at CarriersEdge. “In addition to our extensive library of online courses, they want the ability to add their own material and track outside activities as well. With these new tools they can now do all that and more.”
The company also announced the release of new titles in its Practical Cargo Securementseries.
“With these new modules, we now have more than a dozen distinct titles based on thePractical Cargo Securement handbook”, noted Murrell. “That handbook is the gold standard in cargo securement for a reason – it’s comprehensive, clear, and easy to use – and we’re very proud to be the exclusive provider of online courses based on its content.”
For more information, click here.
PeopleNet awards Grimshaw Trucking with Innovator of the Year Award
PHOENIX, Ariz. and MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — At its User Conference this week, PeopleNet announced the recipients of its 2015 Innovator of the Year Awards.
The awards are given to fleets that demonstrated exceptional leadership in using PeopleNet products and services. Winners are selected by PeopleNet’s product advisory council.
Taking the cake for the Canada category was Grimshaw Trucking. The company integrated PeopleNet service into its operations since 2006, including: eDriver Logs; Onboard Event Recording; Speed Monitoring; Vehicle Management; Dispatch Integration; and Messaging. Since using these systems, Grimshaw decreased its driver turnover to 8% representing a 50% reduction year-over-year which in turn saved them thousands of dollars in cost savings.
Star Transport won the award in the Under 100 Trucks category, Quickway Carriers for the 100-500 Trucks, and The Kroger Co. for 500+ Trucks category.
The awards were presented by PeopleNet’s executive vice-president Rick Ochsendorf.
“Year after year, PeopleNet is incredibly proud to recognize the industry leaders who set an example by using PeopleNet technology to accelerate progress and growth among their fleets,” he said.
“Customers who invest in today’s innovation are also committing to a future of enhanced technology, safety and performance.”
The awards are given to fleets that demonstrated exceptional leadership in using PeopleNet products and services. Winners are selected by PeopleNet’s product advisory council.
Taking the cake for the Canada category was Grimshaw Trucking. The company integrated PeopleNet service into its operations since 2006, including: eDriver Logs; Onboard Event Recording; Speed Monitoring; Vehicle Management; Dispatch Integration; and Messaging. Since using these systems, Grimshaw decreased its driver turnover to 8% representing a 50% reduction year-over-year which in turn saved them thousands of dollars in cost savings.
Star Transport won the award in the Under 100 Trucks category, Quickway Carriers for the 100-500 Trucks, and The Kroger Co. for 500+ Trucks category.
The awards were presented by PeopleNet’s executive vice-president Rick Ochsendorf.
“Year after year, PeopleNet is incredibly proud to recognize the industry leaders who set an example by using PeopleNet technology to accelerate progress and growth among their fleets,” he said.
“Customers who invest in today’s innovation are also committing to a future of enhanced technology, safety and performance.”
TTSAO sets date for annual conference
The two-day conference consists of the TTSAO’s board of directors’ meeting, then the general meeting, a cocktail party, as well as presentations about recruitment and retainment.
There will also be session called “The Stan and Dan Show”, featuring a candid conversation about trucking with Dan Einwechter, chairman and CEO of Challenger, and Stan Campbell, host of Trucker Radio.
John G. Smith, publisher and editor of Private Motor Magazine will be the event’s Master of Ceremonies.
The event is $199.00 plus HST per registrant. The conference registration form is available here.
Goodyear expanding Smart Fleet program, looking to further improve roll time
TORONTO, Ont. — Goodyear introduced its Smart Fleet program to the Canadian market last spring and is now looking to expand the program and continuously engage its members.
The program is aimed at offering national account-type benefits to small fleets and owner/operators, including published pricing on tires and tire-related services, waiving of dispatch fees on road service calls and educational tools. Traditionally these benefits have only been available to large fleets, according to Jose Martinez, architect of the Smart Fleet program with Goodyear.
In an interview with Trucknews.com, Martinez said Smart Fleet memberhip is completely free. In order to entice new members to join, Goodyear is offering an introductory deal of $25 off per tire on orders of up to 10 tires, for a savings of up to $250.
However, with the program launched at Expocam in April, Martinez said the focus is now shifting from signing up new members, to continuously engaging them and offering more benefits.
“We were concentrating on signing up new members, but we have shifted the emphasis and now we want not only to sign up members, but to make them active in the program,” Martinez said.
So far, the greatest benefit to members has been access to published prices across the entire country. So an owner/operator that needs to replace a tire far from home in some remote part of Canada won’t pay more for the tire and service just because of their location.
“What happens with the program is the owner/operator becomes a national account of Goodyear, so they are dealing directly with Goodyear, so therefore the dealer is helping us deliver the tires but the business relationship and the billing – everything happens directly between Goodyear and the owner/operator,” Martinez explained.
Smart Fleet members access this information through a Web portal. Most members so far have one to five trucks, Martinez said, but fleets with up to 30 trucks are free to join. Larger fleets than that are likely already part of a national account program, Martinez noted.
Goodyear is also working to reduce roll time (the time it takes to get customers back on the road following a service call). The average across its network is just over two hours, but Martinez said the company is working to integrate its customer-based road service app and the service provider’s SmartTech app in an effort to further reduce roll time.
When this happens, probably early next year, customers will be able to see in real-time how their call is progressing. They’ll be able to see via the app when the ticket has been approved, when the replacement tire has been loaded onto the truck, when the service truck has been deployed, when it’s scheduled to arrive, etc.
“We think we’ll be able to reduce our roll time significantly,” Martinez said.
The program is aimed at offering national account-type benefits to small fleets and owner/operators, including published pricing on tires and tire-related services, waiving of dispatch fees on road service calls and educational tools. Traditionally these benefits have only been available to large fleets, according to Jose Martinez, architect of the Smart Fleet program with Goodyear.
In an interview with Trucknews.com, Martinez said Smart Fleet memberhip is completely free. In order to entice new members to join, Goodyear is offering an introductory deal of $25 off per tire on orders of up to 10 tires, for a savings of up to $250.
However, with the program launched at Expocam in April, Martinez said the focus is now shifting from signing up new members, to continuously engaging them and offering more benefits.
“We were concentrating on signing up new members, but we have shifted the emphasis and now we want not only to sign up members, but to make them active in the program,” Martinez said.
So far, the greatest benefit to members has been access to published prices across the entire country. So an owner/operator that needs to replace a tire far from home in some remote part of Canada won’t pay more for the tire and service just because of their location.
“What happens with the program is the owner/operator becomes a national account of Goodyear, so they are dealing directly with Goodyear, so therefore the dealer is helping us deliver the tires but the business relationship and the billing – everything happens directly between Goodyear and the owner/operator,” Martinez explained.
Smart Fleet members access this information through a Web portal. Most members so far have one to five trucks, Martinez said, but fleets with up to 30 trucks are free to join. Larger fleets than that are likely already part of a national account program, Martinez noted.
Goodyear is also working to reduce roll time (the time it takes to get customers back on the road following a service call). The average across its network is just over two hours, but Martinez said the company is working to integrate its customer-based road service app and the service provider’s SmartTech app in an effort to further reduce roll time.
When this happens, probably early next year, customers will be able to see in real-time how their call is progressing. They’ll be able to see via the app when the ticket has been approved, when the replacement tire has been loaded onto the truck, when the service truck has been deployed, when it’s scheduled to arrive, etc.
“We think we’ll be able to reduce our roll time significantly,” Martinez said.
Kenworth adds new options, expects truck market to remain strong
KIRKLAND, Wash. — Kenworth is expecting another strong year for Class 8 truck sales in 2016, but there isn’t a lot of room for the overall market to grow.
Preston Feight, Kenworth general manager and Paccar vice-president, said at a press event this week that 2015 is likely to be the second best year ever for Class 8 truck orders, behind only 2006 when an emissions-related pre-buy drove record demand.
“It’s hard to imagine a five-year run like we’ve been having,” he said.
Feight pointed to the following reasons why business conditions are strong: US GDP grew 2.3% in the second quarter; housing starts are up 10.3% year-over-year; auto sales are up 6.1% y-o-y; freight tonnage is up 3.7% y-o-y; fleet utilization is above 90%; and fleet profitability is up 5.5%.
One of the only major concerns currently, Feight said, is availability of drivers.
Kenworth itself has grown its Class 8 market share this year to 14.7% year-to-date, a modest increase from 14.1% over the same period last year. However, when you consider the slowdown in the oil and gas sector where Kenworth is strong, Feight said the overall improvement points to the company’s growth in other segments.
Kenworth’s medium-duty share is 7.9% year-to-date, down from last year, but Feight said the company has received recent orders that will give it a bump in the second half of this year.
Feight attributed the company’s Class 8 growth to the success of its two most recent offerings: the T680 on-highway tractor and the T880 vocational truck. Together, the two models account for more than 70% of Kenworth’s build. The new ICON 900, a throwback truck that pays homage to the classic-styled W900, has been well received too, with 350 trucks sold since its launch in May.
Kenworth has also seen its glider kit business soar, according to Kevin Baney, chief engineer. It has seen sales double every year since the division was formed in 2013. The EPA plans to stamp out the glider market by 2018, but Baney said the company will continue selling them until then.
The company has also seen its Paccar MX engine gain ground. Introduced in 2010, it has seen growth every year and is now ordered in 40% of Kenworth’s Class 8 trucks.
The T680 gets 10% better fuel economy today than it did in 2013 with more improvements to come, Feight said.
“We will continue to make year-over-year improvements to the fuel economy of the T680,” he said.
Kenworth has also added several new options to its product line. A new 76-inch mid-roof sleeper will be offered on the T680 and T880 in September and the T880 will get a 40-inch sleeper in the first quarter of 2016. The Paccar MX-11 engine is coming in early 2016.
Meanwhile, Feight said the company’s dealers have invested more than $450 million into their facilities over the past few years, increasing service hours by 15% last year and another 15% this year.
Kenworth has also added new driver performance technologies to its trucks. Predictive Cruise Control uses GPS data to optimize vehicle speed, providing a fuel economy improvement of up to 2%, Baney said. For example, the cruise will reduce acceleration when cresting a hill to save fuel and the transmission will shift into neutral when travelling down a grade of 1-3%. Together, Predictive Cruise and Neutral Coast could boost fuel economy by 3%, said Baney.
An optional Driver Performance Assistant provides real-time coaching on acceleration, braking and shifting.
Also new is an ultracapacitor battery that will improve starting in extreme weather.
Kenworth’s idle management system is getting a new auto start/stop function, which will start the truck’s engine to recharge the batteries when their power is getting low. The system provides more than eight hours of air-conditioning and can save up to a gallon of diesel per hour of use compared to idling. An optional fuel-fired heater can be added to the system to provide warmth.
Baney also provided an update on Kenworth’s Truck Tech+ remote diagnostics system. He admitted Kenworth wasn’t first to market with remote diagnostics, but it was able to study systems currently in the market and come up with something the company feels is simpler and more user-friendly. About 5,000 Kenworth trucks are equipped with Truck Tech+ today. The system remotely analyzes fault codes and then advises the operator on the most appropriate course of action.
Feight said more fuel economy improvements are coming to the T680, largely due to better powertrain integration. He said Kenworth is delighted with some of the enhancements Eaton has made to its automated transmissions and the two companies are “co-developing” new systems for further efficiencies.
To spread the message about Kenworth’s expanding product line, the company is hitting the road with a 30-stop road tour that began just last week and will run through November, making several stops in Canada. The T680 with 76-inch mid-roof sleeper and T880 will be featured. The Kenworth Tour Trailer will be at each of the stops and inside, you’ll find the soon-to-be-launched Paccar MX-11 engine.
Preston Feight, Kenworth general manager and Paccar vice-president, said at a press event this week that 2015 is likely to be the second best year ever for Class 8 truck orders, behind only 2006 when an emissions-related pre-buy drove record demand.
“It’s hard to imagine a five-year run like we’ve been having,” he said.
Feight pointed to the following reasons why business conditions are strong: US GDP grew 2.3% in the second quarter; housing starts are up 10.3% year-over-year; auto sales are up 6.1% y-o-y; freight tonnage is up 3.7% y-o-y; fleet utilization is above 90%; and fleet profitability is up 5.5%.
One of the only major concerns currently, Feight said, is availability of drivers.
Kenworth itself has grown its Class 8 market share this year to 14.7% year-to-date, a modest increase from 14.1% over the same period last year. However, when you consider the slowdown in the oil and gas sector where Kenworth is strong, Feight said the overall improvement points to the company’s growth in other segments.
Kenworth’s medium-duty share is 7.9% year-to-date, down from last year, but Feight said the company has received recent orders that will give it a bump in the second half of this year.
Feight attributed the company’s Class 8 growth to the success of its two most recent offerings: the T680 on-highway tractor and the T880 vocational truck. Together, the two models account for more than 70% of Kenworth’s build. The new ICON 900, a throwback truck that pays homage to the classic-styled W900, has been well received too, with 350 trucks sold since its launch in May.
Kenworth has also seen its glider kit business soar, according to Kevin Baney, chief engineer. It has seen sales double every year since the division was formed in 2013. The EPA plans to stamp out the glider market by 2018, but Baney said the company will continue selling them until then.
The company has also seen its Paccar MX engine gain ground. Introduced in 2010, it has seen growth every year and is now ordered in 40% of Kenworth’s Class 8 trucks.
The T680 gets 10% better fuel economy today than it did in 2013 with more improvements to come, Feight said.
“We will continue to make year-over-year improvements to the fuel economy of the T680,” he said.
Kenworth has also added several new options to its product line. A new 76-inch mid-roof sleeper will be offered on the T680 and T880 in September and the T880 will get a 40-inch sleeper in the first quarter of 2016. The Paccar MX-11 engine is coming in early 2016.
Meanwhile, Feight said the company’s dealers have invested more than $450 million into their facilities over the past few years, increasing service hours by 15% last year and another 15% this year.
Kenworth has also added new driver performance technologies to its trucks. Predictive Cruise Control uses GPS data to optimize vehicle speed, providing a fuel economy improvement of up to 2%, Baney said. For example, the cruise will reduce acceleration when cresting a hill to save fuel and the transmission will shift into neutral when travelling down a grade of 1-3%. Together, Predictive Cruise and Neutral Coast could boost fuel economy by 3%, said Baney.
An optional Driver Performance Assistant provides real-time coaching on acceleration, braking and shifting.
Also new is an ultracapacitor battery that will improve starting in extreme weather.
Kenworth’s idle management system is getting a new auto start/stop function, which will start the truck’s engine to recharge the batteries when their power is getting low. The system provides more than eight hours of air-conditioning and can save up to a gallon of diesel per hour of use compared to idling. An optional fuel-fired heater can be added to the system to provide warmth.
Baney also provided an update on Kenworth’s Truck Tech+ remote diagnostics system. He admitted Kenworth wasn’t first to market with remote diagnostics, but it was able to study systems currently in the market and come up with something the company feels is simpler and more user-friendly. About 5,000 Kenworth trucks are equipped with Truck Tech+ today. The system remotely analyzes fault codes and then advises the operator on the most appropriate course of action.
Feight said more fuel economy improvements are coming to the T680, largely due to better powertrain integration. He said Kenworth is delighted with some of the enhancements Eaton has made to its automated transmissions and the two companies are “co-developing” new systems for further efficiencies.
To spread the message about Kenworth’s expanding product line, the company is hitting the road with a 30-stop road tour that began just last week and will run through November, making several stops in Canada. The T680 with 76-inch mid-roof sleeper and T880 will be featured. The Kenworth Tour Trailer will be at each of the stops and inside, you’ll find the soon-to-be-launched Paccar MX-11 engine.
UPS receives 50,000th Paccar MX engine in a Kenworth truck
KIRKLAND, Wash. — Kenworth has presented UPS with a plaque commemorating the 50,000th Paccar MX engine to be installed in a Kenworth truck.
The milestone engine went into a Kenworth T680 day cab that UPS will deploy in the Seattle area. UPS has become a major customer of Kenworth’s, ordering 1,750 trucks this year alone.
“Kenworth and UPS have an excellent relationship, and it’s great to recognize UPS with Kenworth’s 50,000th Paccar MX series engine,” said Preston Feight, Kenworth general manager and Paccar vice-president. “The engine’s outstanding fuel efficiency, low cost of ownership, exceptional reliability and durability, high horsepower and torque ratings, lightweight design and quiet operation are among key attributes that benefit UPS and all our customers.”
Bill Brentar, UPS director of maintenance and engineering for transportation equipment, said “Our Kenworth T680s with the Paccar MX engine are performing well in UPS operations throughout the US.”
UPS was represented at the ceremony by Robert Filosa, who accepted the plaque from Feight and employees at Kenworth’s Kirkland, Wash. headquarters. Paccar has produced more than 100,000 MX engines at its Columbus, Miss. engine plant.
The milestone engine went into a Kenworth T680 day cab that UPS will deploy in the Seattle area. UPS has become a major customer of Kenworth’s, ordering 1,750 trucks this year alone.
“Kenworth and UPS have an excellent relationship, and it’s great to recognize UPS with Kenworth’s 50,000th Paccar MX series engine,” said Preston Feight, Kenworth general manager and Paccar vice-president. “The engine’s outstanding fuel efficiency, low cost of ownership, exceptional reliability and durability, high horsepower and torque ratings, lightweight design and quiet operation are among key attributes that benefit UPS and all our customers.”
Bill Brentar, UPS director of maintenance and engineering for transportation equipment, said “Our Kenworth T680s with the Paccar MX engine are performing well in UPS operations throughout the US.”
UPS was represented at the ceremony by Robert Filosa, who accepted the plaque from Feight and employees at Kenworth’s Kirkland, Wash. headquarters. Paccar has produced more than 100,000 MX engines at its Columbus, Miss. engine plant.
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