Trucking Industry

Trucking Companies Work to Help Victims of Hurricane Laura

November 29, 2020 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Fleets have banded together to bring aid to victims of Hurricane Laura since it first hit land at the end of August.

“Truckers have moved millions of meals, water, tarps, plastic sheeting, generators, fuel, and other items in support of response operations to both Texas and Louisiana,” said a Federal Emergency Management Agency spokesperson. “They have operated day and night to keep critical commodities flowing into the states.”

Louisiana, which suffered the worst damage, has been the focus of trucking companies transporting much-needed emergency supplies.

“I have family and friends who live in the west and southwest side of the state–the Lake Charles area and the DeRidder area,” said Frisard’s Trucking Co. Inc. chief operating officer, Cully Frisard. “Of course, we have drivers that live out in those areas as well that were impacted by the storm. It really did catastrophic damage.”

Frisard, based in Gramercy, Louisiana, began organizing a donation drive, but quickly realized there was much more work to do.

“I was out there, and a bunch of other family members were out there helping,” said Frisard. “I said, ‘We have to do more than this. This is not going to be enough.’ We turned around and partnered with the United Cajun Navy in Baton Rouge. We have since delivered a total of 10 loads.”

Back in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Frisard allocated seven of its trucks to help victims in the area along with the volunteer-based United Cajun Navy. For Hurricane Laura aid, Frisard noted any supplies that are donated should be sent directly to the United Cajun Navy. Frisard is also working with sheriff’s departments around the affected areas to find out what areas of relief need the most support.

“We have been hauling everything that has to do with relief,” said Frisard. “First-aid kits, water, nonperishable food items, tarps, and baby items such as formula, diapers, wipes, and hygiene items for men and women.”

Van Buren, Arkansas-based USA Truck has also been working with relief efforts and is hoping to be of the most help possible during this time.

“We’re teaming up with the United Way to provide a spot for donations,” said USA Truck assistant general counsel, Edwin Anglin. “We’re providing the drop-off location and then we’re providing transportation.”

USA Truck also set up donation collection locations in Fort Smith, Arkansas and in southwest Louisiana.

“Basically, what we’ve been hearing is that they need bottled water, Gatorade, sunscreen, cleaning materials,” said Anglin, also adding that first-aid kits, bug spray, and building materials were of high importance as well.

Anglin, who created United Way to jumpstart Hurricane Laura Relief efforts, said USA Truck is still accepting donations and began transporting supplies to affected areas the week of September 14th.

UPS Inc. has also been transporting supplies for multiple hurricane relief groups, and recently sent two truckloads of supplies to Louisiana for the American Red Cross. UPS’ fleet has also been helping The Salvation Army, ToolBank, and Good360, and has also collaborated with Coca Cola and Coyote Logistics for these efforts, as well.

“The UPS Foundation has moved 20 truckloads of relief materials to impacted areas near the Gulf Coast to help relief and recovery efforts,” said a UPS spokesperson. “Additionally, The UPS Foundation has provided $50,000 in grants for Hurricane Laura response and recovery efforts.”

UPS explained that two recent shipments held 606 rakes, 600 shovels, 600 tarps, 600 trash bags, 600 dust makes, 600 work gloves, 600 flashlights, 595 bottles of hand sanitizer, 584 storage totes, 576 clean-up kits, and 25 signs.

U.S. Xpress Enterprises has also been working with other organizations to get emergency supplies where they’re needed most, as quickly as possible.

“We’ve been working closely with our core strategic partners within our customer base to handle shipments of water, generators, batteries, and other essential relief items across a range of industries,” said U.S. Xpress chief revenue officer, Justin Harness. “With our dedicated accounts, we’re keeping essential shipments moving, helping to ensure shelves are stocked and businesses and families have the goods they need.”

Additionally, Bengal Transportation Services has been transporting food to the Lake Charles areas and has even held a cookout to feed relief workers, first responders, volunteers, and locals.

“We took several trucks from our own fleet to bring all of the supplies that we needed to cook that day, as well as other supplies,” said marketing manager for Bengal, Ashley Baham. “We had a refrigerated truck that housed the ice and chickens that is still down there. And we’re about to start a donation drive here.”

Deadline Extended for Chinese Tech Purge

November 28, 2020 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

We recently reported the rush for carriers to meet the August 13th deadline to purge all telecommunications equipment manufactured by five particular chinese companies. Luckily, that rush was made slightly less stressful by the Director of National Intelligence’s extension of the deadline to September 30th.

Originally, American Trucking Associations and a coalition led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce brought anxious attention to the provision nearly hidden within the Defense Authorization Act that required federal government contractors to locate and rid their companies of prohibited Chinese-made equipment components.

These companies were believed to be U.S. intelligence and defense agency information systems hackers, and include Huawei, ZTE Corp., Hytera, Hikvision, and Dahua Technology. The requirement also included any affiliate of these companies, and industry experts said it could be immensely difficult for companies to locate these technologies within a complex modern system.

“Section 889 [of the law] seeks to prevent certain Chinese technology companies from accessing sensitive and classified information by tapping into devices they designed,” said ATA’s Government Freight Conference executive director, Bill Wanamaker. “All federal contractors, including all modes of freight carriers, have electronic systems that facilitate business processes and operate their equipment.”

The extension waiver was granted following a request given by Ellen Lord, undersecretary for acquisition and sustainment for the Department of Defense. Lord said it would be in the country’s national security’s best interest to extend the deadline.

“I am granting a temporary waiver under section 889(d)(2) until 20 September 2020 to allow the Department of Defense to continue its contracting activities that would otherwise be prohibited under section 889(a)(l)(B) and to provide additional information to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to further assess your waiver request,” said Director of National Intelligence, John Ratcliffe, in a memo to Lord.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, ATA, and many other trade organizations have for months been working on a campaign to convince congressional staff to extend that compliance date by one full year.

According to an ATA Government Freight Conference analysis, freight logistics services typically use a variety of information technology systems–especially within the trucking industry.

“This corporate IT inventory is used to order freight, schedule service, provide in-transit visibility to customers, provide proof of delivery, invoice shippers, support electronic shipping documents, and pay by third-party payment systems,” said ATA in its analysis. “Motor carriers also typically use office computers, networks, internet service providers, routers, portable computers and scanners, cell phones, security systems, and video monitoring of terminals and warehouses.”

If a truck is more modern, there are more safety-focused and equipment-managing IT systems onboard, according to the analysis.

“Cameras are used for 360-degree video recording around the truck, and to replace rearview mirrors,” ATA continued. “Electronic monitoring of engines, transmissions, braking systems, tire pressure, speed, sudden braking, driver fatigue–all these things are a part of modern commercial motor vehicles. Commercial motor vehicle maintenance shops use sophisticated diagnostics to service trucks.”

Currently, the law urges federal contractors in all sectors to make their determination on compliance with this requirement by the end of September. If they fail to determine if any of the banned components are present within their systems and remove them, they risk being considered noncompliant and a potential debarment as a contractor.

“The thought that somebody six or seven levels down the supply chain could have on camera in a parking lot that invalidated one of our [contractors] being able to do business with us is cause for a bit of concern,” said Lord. “We are very, very supportive of it, but I do believe we need to extend it in terms of the time for compliance so that we don’t have unintended consequences.”

Other industry members oppose the prohibition of these components entirely, as stated in a letter cosigned by the Chamber, the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association, and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, among others.

“If strictly enforced, the prohibition will effectively preclude the government from contracting with a company that has global supply chain or does business in overseas locations largely serviced by Chinese telecom networks, which includes major U.S. defense contractors,” said a document written by a Chamber coalition partner, the Aerospace Industries Association. “To implement this prohibition as currently drafted, contractors would be required to identify and remove any prohibited equipment or services that are present in their operations–including everything from the facilities they lease, to the networks they use.”

AV Test Initiative Tracking Tool Goes Public

November 13, 2020 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

An online tracking tool created for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Automated Vehicle Transparency and Engagement for Safe Testing (AV TEST) Initiative has been released.

The initiative was unveiled during a two-day virtual panel discussion, which was the third in a series of online events focusing on AV TEST. The pilot program aims to develop a higher level of publicly-displayed automated vehicle testing and development information.

The virtual event was kicked off by Secretary Elaine Chao of the U.S. Department of Transportation, and included congressional remarks by Senator John Thune of South Dakota, a demonstration of the tracking tool by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Chief Safety Scientist Joseph Kolly, and discussions by panelists like NHTSA Director of Safety Programs, John Marshall and Uber’s director SDV safety standards, Chris Mullen.

The interactive map tool has been made public and offers information related to an array of AV driving system testing activities throughout the United States. Users can use the tool to see current testing locations and find information on all companies testing vehicles on American roads.

Those on the platform are also able to see new legislation and current policies in relation to each state’s approach to autonomous vehicle testing via voluntarily-shared data released by both government agencies and private groups.

The initiative, launched in June, “brings the department together with states, local governments, and private sector stakeholders,” said Chao at the time of program unveiling. “[The tool] unlocks valuable information for state and local governments overseeing testing. It encourages developers to exercise better, safer practices, and it provides clarity on AV testing for communities all across the country.”

According to James Owens, Deputy Administrator for NHTSA, AV TEST has been open to all stakeholders supporting the safe testing of AV technology. Participants can include manufacturers, owner-operators, highway safety offices, city government agencies, and departments of transportation.

The overall goal for this new platform is to boost transparency in relation to AV technology information and to bring further interaction regarding these innovations to the public, industry experts, and government leaders.

The initiative will also work to educate the public about all aspects of automated technology and its testing, and those working toward AV development and implementation are invited to bring their information to the platform in order to help educate people and avoid any misconceptions about these efforts.

“These systems have the promise to help prevent fatal crashes, save lives, and reduce crash severity,” said Owens. “Public trust will be the key to their adoption.”

Participating states include Arizona, California, Florida, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Utah. Companies involved with the initiative are Beep, Cruise, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Local Motors, Navya, Nuro, Toyota, Uber, and Waymo.

Nicole Nason, Federal Highway Administrator, explained that AV tech will bring freight movement improvements, and that the Federal Highway Administration has released safety and operation policy initiatives regarding vehicle automation.

House Committee on Energy and Commerce member, Representative Fred Upton (R-Michigan), supports the new platform and said this technology is incredibly important, as 94% of all traffic accidents occur due to human error, such as incidents involving distracted, fatigued, or impaired driving.

“These are real truck drivers hauling real freight,” said Nason. “This will help us improve efficiency. [It is] now more important than ever to exchange information with our stakeholders.”

The Department of Transportation released AV 4.0, its latest autonomous AV tech guideline update, in January of this year, to work toward unifying automated vehicle technology principles throughout 38 different agencies and executive offices. “Ensuring American Leadership in Automated Vehicle Technologies,” as it was named, aims to guide state and local government agencies, industry representatives, and tech experts in all aspects of these innovations.

Av 4.0, which expands upon 2018’s AV 3.0, works to boost the overall growth of this particular technology and the collaborative opportunities that come with it.

“We’ve been pleased by the tremendous interest we’ve received,” said Owens. “We’ve been blown away. As more stakeholders participate and as more data is collected, the web tool will become more and more robust.”

At the unveiling, experts explained that AV tech has the potential to massively improve road safety as well as increase mobility options for anyone facing certain challenges with transport, including the disabled and the elderly.

Carriers Adjust to New Technology Standards that Arrived with the Pandemic

November 12, 2020 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

All carriers across the trucking industry have been forced to adapt quickly to the major changes brought on by COVID-19, and one major aspect of these new changes has become investments into technology.

Monitoring employee health, improving loading and delivery efforts to avoid human contact, or just transitioning industry workers to working from home have all brought new technological methods and programs to trucking companies, and industry experts say these changes are boosting overall efficiency and effectiveness that will become a regular part of the trucking industry as a whole.

For example, alcoholic beverage distributor Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits has implemented a text message system that requests a health form completion from drivers and employees two hours before their shifts begin. Throughout the pandemic, this method has become a vital communication tool as the company uses this same system to send important information to employees as it can reach them quickly, even when they are working remotely or on the road.

Telematics system and electronic logging device data have also increased heavily during this time, and fleets are learning how to implement these systems into their daily routines to boost operation quality and efficiency.

“We are able to tell our customers our projected delivery time from the first stop to the last, with added traffic and weather impacts,” said McLane Co. director of transportation support, Jim VonAchen. “Our customers can then prepare for our arrival 12 hours out and make sure they have resources ready.”

VonAchen explained that these changes allowed McLane to update all of its delivery network procedures in order to reduce costs and meet rising demands when the pandemic began.

“As you scale up from a small company, these tools become invaluable,” he explained.

“We don’t see an end in sight to this any time soon,” agreed Ron Flanary, senior vice president of national operations for Southern Glazer’s. “We are making the investment in technology,” which will be vital for the company’s fleet of 2,189 straight trucks, 721 tractors, and 2,500 drivers.

Fleet Advantage chief operating officer, Jim Griffin, notes that many carriers are now kicking themselves for not having invested in advanced trucking equipment before COVID-19 hit.

“We have some clients that had put off fleet modification and felt that was a mistake,” Griffin said. “They should have been more prepared.” This is especially true as more fleets have been left with aging equipment throughout the pandemic, which hinders companies from having cost-reducing automated safety systems and improved fuel efficiency.

Older trucks will be replaced quickly with newer, advanced models as soon as the economy bounces back, and growth will continue, Griffin predicts.

Technology has also made remote jobs much easier during stay-at-home orders, and there have been more opportunities than ever to secure this kind of work. Additionally, many trucking companies have found that remote scheduling and digital management practices through a decentralized business model have also helped employees working in-office.

“You never thought you could send people home for a long period and keep the national supply chain to grocery stores holding up very well,” said Flanary of his surprise at the efficiency of these methods.

For Clean Harbors, the company shifted into a nearly-fully remote work and dispatch system within only eight days, which included the time it took to feel things out and solve initial problems with the transition, said the company’s executive vice president of transportation and logistics, Kevin Ridings.

Clean Harbors utilizes a virtual private network that is accessible via laptops, but also has dispatchers working from office workstations who needed a method of accessing the system. Now, employees have their own iPhones, given by the company, which allow all workers to access the essential planning and dispatch database through iPhone applications.

Still, though, Sysco executive vice president and chief supply chain officer Marie Robinson believes remote working won’t last forever, and said some team members–especially management–will need to conduct employee evaluations or update engineering methods in person.

“This is the first time in my 32-year career when I’ve actually asked my associates to put themselves in a situation that I have not put myself in,” she said. “I want to get back into the truck.”

Pilot Program Aims to Bring 18- to 20-Year-Old Drivers to Interstate Commerce

November 4, 2020 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced its intent to allow young drivers between the ages of 18 and 20 to operate commercial motor vehicles through a new pilot program.

As of early September, FMCSA will push for drivers in this age group with commercial driver licenses to be able to operate CMVs in interstate commerce efforts. Those drivers would, however, be subject to a 120-hour probationary period and 280-hour apprenticeship period.

Eligible drivers also include those of 19 or 20 years of age who have operated commercial motor vehicles within intrastate commerce for at least one year over 25,000 miles.

“The study group drivers would not be allowed to operate vehicles hauling passengers, hazardous materials, or special configuration vehicles,” FMCSA clarified in its announcement.

Study group participants will have their vehicles set up to include driver-assisting technology, such as speed limiters set at 65 miles per hour, active braking collision-mitigation systems, and forward-facing video capture capabilities.

“This action will allow the agency to carefully examine the safety, feasibility, and possible economic benefits of allowing 18- to 20-year-old drivers to operate in interstate commerce,” said Wiley Deck, Deputy Administrator for FMCSA. “Safety is always FMCSA’s top priority, so we encourage drivers, motor carriers, and interested citizens to review this proposed new pilot program and share their thoughts and opinions.”

This particular program aligns with the efforts of the DRIVE Safe Act, which worked to allow younger truckers to enter interstate commerce. American Trucking Associations and other industry groups have backed the legislation, which is also currently sponsored by 144 congresspeople and 34 senators.

“This is a significant step toward improving safety on our nation’s roads, setting a standard for these drivers that is well beyond what 49 states currently require,” said ATA President Chris Spear. “This is an amazing block of talent with unlimited potential.”

These 49 states allow CDL holders in this young age group to operate CMVs within state borders, and the new proposed pilot follows the 2018 announcement of the Military Commercial Driver Pilot Program, which would allow 18- to 20-year-old drivers with a military background to drive CMVs within interstate commerce. The pilot also comes after 2019’s notice by the Federal Register seeking public commentary regarding where and how a young driver pilot program could take place, including comments about training, limitations, operational requirements, insurance, research, and vehicle safety systems.

“As an industry, we need to find new ways to connect with potential new drivers,” said Randy Guillot, Chairman of ATA and president of Triple G Express and Southeastern Motor Freight. “By providing young people the opportunity to fully participate in the financially-rewarding and dynamic world of trucking, we will be in a better position to bring in a new generation of valuable talent to our industry.”

This month’s notice also requests public comment for a period of 60 days, and also approaches the 1,118 comments from 2019’s notice, which includes a nearly 50/50 split between those favoring and opposing the pilot program. More than 95 organizations and 1,000 total people commented.

Of these, 750 commenters submitted personal opinions, while the remaining pushed for a program focusing on shorthaul drivers instead. Those opposing the program included organizations such as Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways, Governors Highway Safety Association, Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, Parents Against Tired Truckers, Trucking Alliance, and other private carriers and citizens.

Supporters of the program include ATA, Commercial Vehicle Training Association, DriverReach, National Propane Gas Association, National Interstate Insurance, National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools, National Retail Federation, and Towing and Recovery Association of America.

The announcement for this pilot program comes as the country has long-faced a driver shortage, which worsened with the high demand brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. Although the program’s supporters promise a focus on highway safety for these young drivers, it is difficult to ignore the fact that the trucking world just wants more drivers entering the industry, regardless of age or experience. Does allowing truckers still in their teen years to begin operating in interstate commerce bring more safety to trucking as a whole, or does it just allow more trucks to hit the road?

Reliance on Online Orders Leaves Private Fleets Adapting to New Reality

October 24, 2020 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Since the beginning of the pandemic, private fleets have been riding the wave of steep rises and falls in demand.

Business levels dropped quickly for many carriers, but changed just as rapidly when people began relying on online shopping more as shelter-in-place mandates spread across the country. This boost in freight demands started stretching fleets’ resources thin in many cases, and overall demand in e-commerce hit all aspects of the transportation industry–hard.

Now, the effects COVID-19 has had on the industry have changed supply chain structures and operations for good.

“People stopped going out to the local pizza joint [and instead began] ordering online and getting deliveries,” said Gary Petty, National Private Truck Council president. Private food service and grocery carriers were hit extremely hard in March and April when the public begun panic-shopping and emptied store shelves.

These actions depleted grocery and drug stores’ resources and put added strain on private fleets when they struggled to meet the needs of replenishment for various goods.

Additionally, as internet commerce demands soared, final-mile transportation demand went right along with it as more and more people ordered home goods online more often than in-store. The need for more local delivery drivers skyrocketed as well as restaurants had to transition to having only pickup and take-out options for their customers.

For example, Petty noted that Papa John’s typically uses its in-house delivery fleet to deliver fresh pizza ingredients to its more than 5,300 stores, but as pizza demand rose, Papa John’s had to hire an additional 14,000 delivery drivers–and plans to hire 6,000 more this year.

The company also brought in 50 new Class A-licensed drivers to operate its more than 200 tractors, 300 trailers, and 15 box trucks. Papa John’s now has about 500 total drivers serving its locations.

New standards also arrived at shipping warehouses, where drivers started having to wait in mile-long lines for temperature checks and needing to fill out health surveys in their trucks as they waited to complete pickups. Still, private carriers continued making important deliveries as needed, and “their value was reaffirmed in an unprecedented moment of crisis,” said Petty.

“If you make a great product and you can’t get it to the customer, your brand is diminished,” he explained further. “Private fleets stood strong. The flexibility, reliability, and ability to control operations at the customer level [during the pandemic] has been eye-popping [and] impressive for so many of the fleets.”

A large national processed poultry company, Brakebush Bros., had to make major adjustments to its methods of operation when stay at home orders were implemented, said the company’s director of transportation and logistics, Mike Schwersenska.

“About 50% of our business went away in a two-week period” at the beginning of the pandemic, he said. “Fortunately, being in cheese country, over the years we’ve also become a carrier for many other [food] manufacturers, so we could switch capacity over to assist with their freight needs. We didn’t have to cut back and were able to keep everyone busy.”

Brakebush quickly had to adapt the roller coaster of demand as restaurants using its products switched to takeout and delivery-focused business practices.

“As a company, we had an all-time sales and volume record in June,” explained Schwersenska. “Our transportation group had record miles traveled and record pounds delivered. It was the craziest thing we’d ever seen. Our team did a tremendous job making sure our customers had product when and where they needed it. And, more importantly, they did it safely.” The company did not have any drivers using the temporary hours-of-service exemption put in place during this time.

Brakebush is also one of many businesses that have adopted new health-focused practices to keep workers safe, such as sanitizing trucks regularly–which includes all doors, handles, seats, dials, and brake line gladhands. All of the company’s shared spaces are sanitized daily and all offices are disinfected as much as possible. Additionally, all business transaction receipts are now sent through paperless options.

Luckily, Schwersenska says none of the company’s workforce has tested positive for the virus throughout its entire fleet of 75 trucks and 220 refrigerated trailers. He also said he’s sure the spikes in e-commerce will not end with the pandemic, but have made consumers much more reliant on online orders–so it will likely become a new reality.