FTR Associates on Wednesday, June 13, announced that its Shippers Conditions Index for April basically was unchanged from the previous month with a moderately negative reading of -5.4. The SCI sums up all market influences that affect shippers; a reading above zero suggests a favorable shipping environment, while a reading…
Automotive transportation provider Allied Systems Holdings on Sunday, June 10, announced that the company has implemented a financial restructuring through Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code as part of its plan to eliminate debt and strengthen its balance sheet. The company said it will continue normal operations in the…
FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index (TCI) for April moved significantly higher from the previous month, climbing 2.7 points to a favourable reading of 9.1. The TCI is a compilation of factors affecting trucking companies. Any reading above zero indicates a positive environment for truckers with readings above 10 a sign that…
Professional drivers from the East Coast Atlantic provinces competed last weekend to earn a spot in the National Professional Truck Driving Championships, which this year will be hosted by their home association. Winners in the provincial competition included: Roy Mattinson, Roy Mattinson and Sons, two-axle; Steve MacPhee, Day & Ross…
The American Trucking Associations continues to prod the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to change its approach to measuring crash accountability in its CSA safety enforcement program. Yesterday, the association challenged the agency to release a study it has done on the feasibility of using police reports to gauge crash…
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has informed Congress that implementing the Carrier Safety Measurement System resulted in more carriers categorized as mandatory for investigation than using SafeStat. FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro summarized the agency’s 2011 fiscal year record for compliance reviews on high-risk carriers in her March 30 letter…
Ohio on Friday, June 1, became the 39th state to prohibit texting behind the wheel by all drivers after Gov. John Kasich signed a new law that prohibits texting while driving. “I commend Governor Kasich and the Ohio legislature for taking an important stand against the dangers of texting while…
The Port of Tacoma announced new eligibility criteria to allow more diesel engine trucks to qualify for a voluntary program offering truck owners a financial incentive to purchase newer lower-emissions trucks to improve regional air quality. The broader criteria aim to increase participation and help truck owners meet the Port…
Freightliner: The next step in Daimler Trucks North America’s continuing quest for more fuel-efficient trucks appeared at a press conference on Wednesday, May 30, on the eve of Freightliner’s annual dealer meeting in Washington, D.C. The 2014 Cascadia Evolution is designed to be what its model name implies: a sophisticated…
If you don’t have a tanker endorsement already, you might consider obtaining one. Besides being handy for business, it could help you avoid penalties if you haul certain types of fluid bins. Why now? Some states may already be enforcing an expanded definition of “tank vehicle” that now applies to…
The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association on Wednesday, May 23, announced that its Monthly Leasing and Finance Index, which reports economic activity for the $628 billion equipment finance sector, showed overall new business volume for April was $6.1 billion, up 20 percent from volume of $5.1 billion in the same…
PEORIA, Ill. — Caterpillar has announced the availability of its 15-litre CT15 engine in the CT660 vocational truck. The CT15 rounds out the engine line, which currently consists of a CT11 and CT13 engine with 11 and 13 litres displacement respectively. The new offering can provide as much as 550…
Clean Energy: Although alternative power is a hot topic in the transportation industry these days, diesel engines still have much to contribute to the clean and efficient energy future, according to Andreas Hoyler, manager engine lab and emissions, diesel systems in North America for Robert Bosch, LLC. Fleet Owner recently…
Hidden Compartments: A bill halfway through the Ohio statehouse is intended to get tough with truckers and others who are believed to be involved in drug trafficking. Pennsylvania lawmakers are moving forward with a similar effort. The Ohio Senate voted 30-2 to advance a bill that targets hidden compartments in…
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Announcment: Back in 2010, Con-way Freight ordered 1,300 Freightliner tractors equipped with Meritor Wabco’s Roll Stability Control system. That order followed Con-way’s participating in a test program in 2009 in partnership with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the University of Michigan Transportation…
Commercial trucking is a fast growing industry in the United States. As the need for more cargo transport rises, so does the need for new drivers. The state of Oklahoma has a number of Trucking Training schools and programs available to aspiring truckers. Each offers different programs and payment options. Prospective…
If you’re new to working with freight brokers, you may be confused about the role of their surety bond. From the Carrier’s standpoint, the surety bond is in place as protection in case the broker refuses to pay for services rendered. Always verify a freight broker’s bond before accepting a…
Freight Broker Training: Freight broker agents can be found in transportation companies managing shipments. A freight broker agent may also be known as cargo and freight agents. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2008 Occupational Employment Statistics, cargo and freight agents earned an average rate of…
Some Freight Broker Ideas: When a truck needs freight or freight needs a truck, a freight broker is a person who can arrange both. Without accepting direct responsibility for shipments, a freight broker arranges cargo transportation without actually providing it. He is essentially a matchmaker, matching cargo with transporters. Duties…
Sometimes people or businesses need to ship something that’s too large for parcel services to handle, but doesn’t fill up an entire 52 foot shipping trailer. Less than truckload or LTL freight services exist to collect these smaller cargoes, often combining several loads into a single batch and taking it…
A business broker is someone paid to buy and sell businesses. Unlike a Realtor, who lists and sells real estate, a business broker specializes in buying and selling business entities. Becoming a business broker doesn’t require a considerable amount of advanced education; however, you must have a significant amount of…
How To Start an independent trucking business? The transportation industry is full of stable, lucrative opportunities, particularly in the field of truck driving. Well-qualified, professional truck drivers are needed to operate garbage/dump trucks, ship hazardous materials and transport packages and freight from one destination to another. Starting an independent trucking…
Become a Freight Broker: Research the trucking and transportation industry to learn more about the day-to-day tasks of a truck freight broker. Basic skills needed include: -Sales and marketing -An understanding of the transportation system -Customer service skills -Bookkeeping skills -Attention to detail If you have little experience in transportation…
The United States Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates what items trucks transport and how they transport them, for the safety of everyone on the road. The FMCSA’s Shippers General Requirements, Packaging and Exceptions rules and regulations include Part 173.309: Fire Extinguishers and Part 393.95: Emergency Equipment…
Big Rig Risks & Hazards: Not following the law when you have an accident in your big rig will leave you open to tickets, fines and lawsuits. The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates commercial transportation and maintains records of all accidents involving…
