Oil prices increase, but stay near 8-month lows

Via CS Monitor

Oil prices made small gains above $78 a barrel Friday but remained near eight-month lows after signs of slowing global economic growth triggered a sharp plunge this week.

Trucking Industry Confirms: The Economy Has Slowed

Via BI

The ATA’s trucking index declined 0.7% in May in the second consecutive month of declines.  ATA’s Chief Economist Bob Costello says the economy “has slowed”:

Weigh station innovations saving truckers time

OLYMPIA – More than 1.1 million commercial vehicles bypassed weigh stations in 2011, reducing idle time for truckers and improving the safety of freight hauling throughout the state. 

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Truckers As Leading Indicator Show Stable U.S. Economic Growth

Via Bloomberg

Rising truck shipments show the U.S. economic expansion is intact, even amid concerns that a slowdown in retail sales and Europe’s sovereign-debt crisis could stall growth.

Two measures of trucking activity signal the industry remains steady and has even “firmed up” since mid-May, according to Ben Hartford, an analyst in Milwaukee with Robert W. Baird & Co. The data complement anecdotal information from carriers that freight demand ended May on a strong note after more weakness than anticipated earlier in the month, he said.

EPA Outlines SmartWay Verification Program for Retreaded Tires

Via Trucking Info


The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has established a verification program for retreaded tires used on Class 8 line-haul trucks. Once a retreaded tire receives EPA certification, fleets using those tires will be compliant with CARB regulations for low-rolling-resistance tires. 

Diesel Drops to Lowest Price of 2012

Via Trucking Info


Diesel and gasoline prices fell for the ninth straight week, bringing diesel prices to their lowest so far for 2012 and gasoline prices to their lowest since February. Oil prices fell again this week due to skepticism about Europe's debt crisis. 

Trucking job market rolling along

The trucking-jobs picture is a bright one nationally as companies are having trouble finding enough qualified drivers.

Canadian Judge Rules Against Speed Limiters

Via Trucking Info


An Ontario trial judge recently tossed out a ticket under the province's speed limiter legislation, ruling that speed limiters are unsafe and violate a truck driver's right to personal safety. However, advocates for the devices say the ruling does not affect Ontario's speed limiter law.

Connecticut truckers group asks for diesel tax hike to be revoked Read more: Connecticut truckers group asks for diesel tax hike to be revoked

Hartford, Conn. —

The Motor Transport Association of Connecticut, a trucking industry group, has sent a letter to lawmakers in the General Assembly asking that an expected 5 cent increase in the state diesel fuel tax be revoked during the legislative special session that begins Tuesday.

Federal Government Closes Trucking Loophole

Via Business Week

Truck drivers hauling water and sand to U.S. oil and natural gas shale wells can’t extend their daily on-duty hours by using an exemption targeted for special oil- field service equipment, the govenment said. 

Time spent waiting while water and sand are unloaded at well sites counts toward the maximum 14 hours a day that a truck driver can work, the Transportation Department said in a rule clarification to be published today in the Federal Register. Some drivers may be using an exemption for equipment such as pumps or gas separators that let operators subtract from the limit the time waiting for gear to be unloaded, said Boyd Stephenson, director of hazardous materials policy at the Arlington, Virginia-based American Trucking Associations. 

The Ins and Outs of a Sustainable Loading Dock

Via SustainablePlant

The idea of going green and increasing sustainability is becoming a fact of corporate life, and the supply chain plays a major role in these efforts. According to research conducted by an independent environmental consultant, the supply chain and logistics operations represent as much as 40 to 60 percent of a company’s environmental footprint. The energy required for shipping products, heating and cooling the distribution facilities and fueling the trucks that transport products to their destinations all put a strain on the environment, natural resources and potentially companies’ bottom lines.

Local truckers, politicians oppose Thruway toll proposal

Via Utica Observer 


Truckers might soon have to pay more for traveling on the Thruway, and that means consumers will have to share the pain.

“Price of transportation will go up, which means the price for the customer goes up,” said Alex Craska, vice president of C.P. Craska Inc. trucking in Ilion. “They’re going to have to start paying more for everything.”

The New York State Thruway Authority this week proposed a 45 percent toll increase for big trucks. The current charge for a five-axle truck traveling from Buffalo to New York City is about $93. That would increase to about $135 under the proposal the board approved Wednesday.

Keeping An Eye on Axles and Suspensions

Via Trucking Info

Although the maintenance-free tractor-trailer is still a few years off, there are really only two big maintenance items left when it comes to axles and suspensions: the shock absorbers and the air springs. Some historically large maintenance items today are designed to almost outlive the trucks. Parts such as main pivot bushings on a trailing arm suspension now come with 5- to 7-year warranties.