Commercial Carrier Journal

DriveCam analysis shows timing of truck collisions

Aaron Huff — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:51:36 +0000

DriveCam, a global driver risk management company, recently released a study based on data captured by its Video Event Recorder. The recorder is capable of not only identifying collisions but allows DriveCam to identify near collisions that could have been avoided.

The study focused on the distribution of the collisions and near collisions identified in 2009 by month, day and year; specifically comparing commercial long haul trucking fleets to an aggregation of commercial fleets in various other industries (construction, energy, transit, telco, utilities, local distribution and waste).

By month

Collisions and near collisions in the long haul trucking industry are very low from January to June (between 1% and 5%). Beginning in July, however, the collision/near collision rate spikes (and actually peaks at 18%) remaining above 14% through November.

The collision/near collision rate in the long haul trucking industry is, on average, over 5% higher than other industries from June to November.

By day

Collisions/near collisions peak on Tuesdays and Fridays in long haul trucking (21% and 20%) respectively.

The long haul trucking collision/near collision rate is slightly lower than Other Industries on Wednesday and Thursday, as well as on Saturday and Sunday.

By time

Collisions/near collision rate in long haul trucking remains below 4% from 11PM until 9AM.

Beginning at 9AM, the collision rate in long haul trucking begins to climb with a small dip between 1PM and 2PM before increasingly sharply.

The study is derived from DriveCam’s extensive database of over 18 million driving events from over 2 billion driving miles.

Illinois restores truck access to local roads

CCJ Staff — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:10:33 +0000

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has signed into law HB 5819, which restores language to the Illinois Vehicle Code that gives trucks up to 65 feet in length access to local roads to points of delivery or for food, fuel, rest and repair. The legislation, effective immediately, corrects a drafting error from last year when the access accidentally was deleted from the IVC.

If the combination does not exceed 65 feet, for the purposes of loading and unloading, vehicles are allowed access for 5 highway miles from a state designated highway onto any county, township or municipal highway. For the purposes of food, fuel, repairs and rest, vehicles are allowed access from a designated state highway onto a county or township road for a distance of 5 miles or onto a municipal road for a distance of 1 mile.

If the combination exceeds 65 feet, vehicles are allowed access from a Class I highway for one highway mile onto any street or highway for loading, unloading, food, fuel, repairs and rest, provided there is no sign prohibiting that access. Vehicles are allowed access from a Class I or Class II highway onto any state highway or any locally-designated highway for a distance of 5 highway miles for the purposes of loading, unloading, food, fuel, repairs and rest.

If the combination exceeds 65-feet in length and is operated by a household goods carrier, vehicles have unlimited access to points of loading and unloading.

ATRI updates online idling regulations compendium

CCJ Staff — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:09:03 +0000

The American Transportation Research Institute has updated the listing of state and local idling regulations found on its website, www.atri-online.org. The updated listing is provided in two forms: a cab card that can be downloaded and carried in the glove box of a truck, and the online compendium that provides links to individual regulations.

Three new idling regulations have been added to the listing:
• A new 5-minute limit has been established in North Carolina. Idling beyond this limit is allowed for air conditioning or heating sleeper berth compartments during federally mandated rest or sleep periods. This exemption expires on May 1, 2011. Other exemptions include the idling of engines which meet the California low-NOx idling standard and when using an auxiliary power unit.
• A new 15-minute limit has been established in West Virginia. An exemption is provided for sleeping or resting in a sleeper berth when temperatures are less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit or greater than 75 degrees F. This exemption expires on May 1, 2012. An exemption also is provided for trucks displaying a CARB-issued low-NOx idle label.
• A new 5-minute limit has been established in Detroit. An exemption is provided for vehicles that remain motionless for more than 2 hours when the temperature is less than 25 degrees F.

ATRI continues to monitor the development of idling regulations across the country and maintains the compendium and cab card as a free service to help trucking companies and truck drivers comply with the increasing number of state and local idling regulations.

Bandag-brand trailer tread promotes long tread life

CCJ Staff — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:05:26 +0000

Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions’ Bandag-brand B197 trailer tread is patterned after the Bridgestone brand R197 trailer radial for fleet customers seeking a seamless choice of new tires and retread designs.

The B197 tread, built for long life, combines innovative compounding and a classic straight-rib tread design, Bandag’s longest-wearing 11/32-inch-depth product, facilitating added cost per mile.

The Bandag B197 is available in sizes that fit most trailer tire casings: 210mm, 220mm and 230mm.

FreightWatch launches new global website

CCJ Staff — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:04:39 +0000

FreightWatch International has launched its new global website at www.freightwatchintl.com. Browsers now will find all of the company’s regions together in one location online to better communicate who FreightWatch is as a global entity, as well as the company’s logistics security intelligence that is available free to the public.

FreightWatch says its new and improved Intelligence Portal will provide ongoing logistics security news, reports and bulletins. To join the distribution and receive updated information, e-mail dan.burges@freightwatchintl.com.

Donaldson taps Memmen to direct engine aftermarket sales

CCJ Staff — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:03:51 +0000

Donaldson Co. announced the promotion of Dan Memmen to national sales director of the Engine Aftermarket Group, responsible for leading the sales strategy and execution for Donaldson Engine Aftermarket distribution and private label sales activity in the United States and Canada.

Memmen began his career at Donaldson in 2007 as director of John Deere Sales and moved into his most recent position as director of Global Truck Markets in December 2008. Prior to joining Donaldson, he served as the national sales manager for Schumacher Electric Co., leading the development, branding and launch of commercial battery charger and jump starter products. Prior to Schumacher, Memmen was the director of commercial equipment sales for Century Manufacturing.

“In his current role with Donaldson, Dan has been instrumental in elevating our Global Truck OEM sales team’s effectiveness in the marketplace, allowing us to gain share,” says Joe Lehman, vice president of the Engine Aftermarket Group at Donaldson. “His leadership, creativity and prior experience in distribution will make him an excellent leader for our national sales team.”

Memmen steps in to replace Rick Kashmerick, who will retire from the company in August after 26 years. Kashmerick has held several key sales management positions during his tenure with Donaldson. “We want to thank Rick for his dedication to Donaldson,” Lehman says. “His tireless commitment to the Engine Aftermarket business has grown our domestic market tenfold. We wish him all the best in his retirement.”

Peterson promotes Goodson to direct product management

CCJ Staff — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:02:05 +0000

Peterson Manufacturing Co. has announced the promotion of Kristen Goodson from product manager to director of product management. She will be working closely with Peterson’s design engineering and sales departments to prioritize and develop new products for all the markets the company serves.

A major part of Goodson’s position will be filtering information from those markets to support Peterson’s engineers in designing the right products, and also coordinating the planning of inventory levels with the company’s production control staff.

A Peterson associate for the past 15 years, Goodson brings a wealth of product knowledge, experience and management skills to the new position. She joined Peterson as a customer service representative immediately following her 1995 graduation from the University of Kansas with a degree in business administration, and she since has worked in or with every department within the company, steadily advancing through a series of sales and management roles.

“Kristen has been a great asset to our company,” says Mark Assenmacher, director of marketing. “Her contributions are even more important as we work through these tough economic times. And in addition to her company responsibilities, she also represents Peterson within several industry organizations –– one of which she’ll lead as president in 2012.”

Todco names Phillips VP/sales

CCJ Staff — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:01:59 +0000

Charles “Skip” Phillips has been promoted to vice president of sales for Todco in Marion, Ohio, where he will be responsible for the direction and management of all sales and business development operations, thus driving the company’s revenue goal achievement.

Phillips’ career with Todco has spanned 40 years, starting as territorial representative for Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia. In 1972, he moved to Dallas to become southern regional sales and national accounts manager. In 1982, he returned to Marion as general sales manager.

“Skip has been a high-profile key sales manager over the entire course of his career at Todco,” says Scott Blackford, president. “His comprehensive understanding of our business, our products, the industry and our customer base is extensive. Skip has earned a positive and lasting relationship with our major customers, and his leadership skills will greatly benefit Todco and strengthen our ability to meet the needs of all of our customers.”

Navistar study prompts EPA, CARB to consider SCR ‘loopholes’

Jack Roberts — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 06:10:59 +0000

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board have presented preliminary proposals aimed at the alleged compliance loopholes found in current 2010 liquid-based selective catalytic reduction systems on diesel engines. SCR technology doses diesel engine exhaust with a urea-based diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). The resulting chemical reaction reduces emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) pollutants to levels mandated by EPA’s 2010 diesel emissions regulations.

Concerns about SCR’s environmental compliance were brought to CARB’s and EPA’s attention by truck and engine manufacturer Navistar International, which uses a competitive technology, exhaust gas recirculation, to meet EPA 2010 regulations.Navistar had sued both agencies over their acceptance of SCR technology without stronger measures to prevent engine operation without DEF or an operational SCR system. The truck maker settled both lawsuits by garnering a commitment for further review.

At an air resources workshop in El Monte, Calif., Navistar representatives contended that independent test findings show new commercial vehicles that must contain liquid urea to meet federal NOx emissions standards continue to operate effectively when urea is not present. At such times, Navistar said, the vehicles throw off levels of NOx as much as 10 times higher or more than when urea is present.

The research cited by Navistar was conducted by EnSight, an independent environmental consulting firm, using two long-haul vehicles and one heavy-duty pickup, all of which used SCR. According to Navistar, EnSight’s research showed that when liquid urea was not present, there was little or no effect on the vehicles’ operations; this included long periods of time when the vehicles’ urea tanks were empty or were refilled with water instead of urea. Navistar said one truck tested appeared to operate indefinitely with water and as a result without any functioning SCR NOx control; that truck has accumulated more than 13,000 miles with its SCR NOx emissions control turned off.

“Navistar first identified these loopholes to the agencies and also presented our concerns at the workshop,” said Jack Allen, president of Navistar’s North American truck group. “We will be working with the EPA and CARB to ensure full environmental compliance.”

“While others are saying there are ‘loopholes’ in the current 2010 regulations, we don’t agree with that terminology at all,” said Annette Hebert, chief of CARB’s mobile source operations division. “What we are doing is looking at tightening up SCR certification requirements and clarifying the guidelines so that manufacturers know exactly how to meet them.”

Hebert said CARB’s initial focus is on the time, speeds and mileage SCR trucks can operate once the DEF tank is empty. “We also want to make certain the trucks cannot operate when they are out of spec – if water has been placed in the DEF tank or the SCR system has been tampered with in any way,” she says. “Our goal is to minimize the time and speed a truck can operate and create driver inducements that are stringent enough to encourage them to keep DEF in the system and avoid any performance penalties.

“We’re looking at the information they (Navistar) have given us, and we need to add to that information,” Hebert said. “There are details missing, and CARB will certainly have to look into those issues for ourselves. For example, are drivers or fleets tampering with SCR systems? And if they are, at what level is this alleged tampering taking place? We simply don’t know the answer to those questions right now.”

John Mies, vice president of corporate communications for Mack Trucks and Volvo Trucks North America, responded strongly to Navistar’s claims. “Thanks to billions of dollars in investment, and millions of engineering hours around the world, SCR manufacturers have successfully introduced into the North American market the cleanest diesel engines in the world,” Mies said. “Despite all the technical challenges, the introduction is probably the smoothest the industry has ever seen. And every single thing we’ve done – including the DEF inducement strategy – was done with the full cooperation, knowledge and approval of both the EPA and the California ARB.

“In the midst of all this good news for our industry and the environment, we learned a few weeks ago – not even six months after the implementation date for the new technology – that the regulations we followed in good faith were to be reconsidered,” Mies said. “And why? In large part because of concerns being raised by a single competitor. A competitor that says it is concerned about the environment, but whose US10 engines will emit two-and-a-half times the 2010 NOx standard and are only certifiable with emissions credits.”

Mies openly questioned Navistar’s motivation in raising SCR compliance issues with EPA and CARB, noting that the “competitor” challenging current SCR standards:
• Said it was ready for the new standards, yet lobbied for a delay in implementation, and when that failed, resorted to lawsuits against the regulators;
• Apparently believes that most of its customers, and the trucking industry as a whole, are “hell-bent” on illegal circumvention of emissions controls; and
• Has only been able to compete in the market this year by selling thousands of pre-2010 engines.

“The fact is that a Mack or Volvo truck running at 0.2 grams is and will continue to be much better for the environment than a Navistar truck running at 0.5 grams – and no amount of changes to the inducement strategies will change that,” Mies said. “As we have always done, Volvo will cooperate fully with the EPA and CARB as you consider this issue. But let’s make sure that what we do is truly in the interest of the environment and the public. And let’s not penalize those who have worked with you in good faith, and reward those who are trying to manipulate the system for their own competitive advantage.”

Allen countered that truck owners are paying a substantial price to comply with 2010 NOx requirements. “They, and the public, deserve to know that the new equipment they are purchasing actually works as promised to curb pollution,” he said. “It’s obvious, however, that these trucks can operate effectively without liquid urea, and that under these and other conditions, SCR NOx emission control is turned off. We’re calling on the EPA and CARB to assure that all vehicles, not just ours, work when they are supposed to be working.”

Texas company, officials sentenced for hazmat violations

CCJ Staff — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 06:09:44 +0000

Texas Oil and Gathering Inc., owner John Kessel and operations manager Edgar Pettijohn recently were sentenced in U.S. District Court in Houston on one count of conspiracy to violate the Safe Drinking Water Act and one count of knowingly disposing of waste in violation of the act, the Department of Transportation Inspector General’s Office announced.

TOG formerly was authorized by the state to handle and transport used oil products. According to factual statements filed with the pleas, Kessel and Pettijohn directed the falsification of documents such as bills of lading and driver logs in order to illegally dispose of hazardous waste water at an injection well knowing the injection well was not permitted to receive hazardous wastes.

Kessel was sentenced to five years probation, ordered to perform 100 hours of community service and ordered to pay a $50,000 fine and $200 special assessment. Pettijohn was sentenced to five years probation, ordered to perform 100 hours of community service and ordered to pay a $200 special assessment. TOG was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to pay an $80,000 fine and a $200 special assessment.

DOT-OIG conducted the investigation jointly with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Criminal Investigation Division with assistance from state environmental agencies. DOT-OIG says there are other potential defendants in the case, and the investigation continues.