U.S. district court in New Jersey has declared unconstitutional the state’s ban on 102-inch-wide trucks and double tractor-trailer combinations on roads that are not part of the state’s interstate highway system when the trip does not begin or end in the state. The American Trucking Associations had challenged the ban, instituted in 1999, as an unlawful burden on interstate commerce. The ban will remain in effect pending the state’s appeal.
American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted Truck Tonnage Index for February was 154.9 – the second highest level ever after 155.8 in December 2003. Compared to February 2003, the unadjusted index rose 7.3 percent. The adjusted index was up 1.8 percent from January, resulting in the fifth increase in the last six months.
Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) introduced legislation (H.R. 4209) to allow a tax credit of 50 percent – up to $3,500 – of the cost of idling reduction devices on heavy-duty trucks. Plano, Texas-based Energy & Engine Technology Corp., which markets auxiliary power generators for long-haul trucks, praised Granger for the bill introduction.
Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance will sponsor the 17th annual Roadcheck throughout North America June 8-10. The 72-hour event involves more than 9,000 truck and bus inspectors checking commercial vehicles at inspection sites and in roving patrols along highways.
Pilot Travel Centers plans to build maintenance shops at more than half of the company’s 260 locations. Pilot Truck Care Centers will consist of four repair bays open 24 hours, seven days a week, providing oil and tire changes as well as lubrication, maintenance and automated washes. The first center will open in May off Interstates 40 and 55 in West Memphis, Ark.
More than 1,000 owner-operators leased to four Intrenet-owned carriers prior to the company’s Jan. 2, 2001, bankruptcy filing will receive their escrow monies under a plan approved by a U.S. bankruptcy court. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association had intervened on behalf of owner-operators who had been leased to the carriers.
Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co. is expanding its Smyth County facility in Virginia to increase production of its 3000R refrigerated trailers. The plant currently employs 700.
U.S. Marine Corps has completed its trailer wrapping partnership with the trucking industry with the installation of recruiting graphics on three trailers donated by Interstate Worldwide Relocation of Springfield, Va. Seventy motor carriers across the United States are participating in the program, which involves 1,000 trailers.
Dana Corp. named Michael Burns chairman, succeeding Glen Hiner who replaced Joe Magliochetti upon his death last fall. Burns, who worked at General Motors for 34 years, was named president and chief executive officer of Dana in February and will continue to hold those titles.
Hazmat endorsements: Fingerprint checks to begin by February
The Transportation Security Administration has finalized its rule requiring fingerprint-based background checks for drivers seeking new or renewed hazardous material endorsements, delaying implementation once again. Under the final rule, all states must begin the checks by Jan. 31, 2005.
An interim final rule (IFR) issued in May 2003 originally required fingerprint-based checks by November of that year. Then on Nov. 7, TSA amended the IFR to delay the fingerprint collection until April 1, 2004. At the same time, the agency invited states that could not meet this deadline to submit a plan to TSA and seek a waiver until no later than Dec. 1, 2004.
Since November, more than 35 states have requested an extension of the April 1 deadline, TSA said. Some of those states expressed concern over their ability to meet the “drop-dead” deadline of Dec. 1. For that reason, TSA selected Jan. 31, 2005, as the compliance date. TSA will work with states, however, to begin fingerprint collection and submission before that date using pilot programs.
