Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024:
ATRI calls for carrier input on detention time
As part of a larger study on the impacts of truck driver detention on the trucking industry, the American Transportation Research Institute has issued a call for motor carriers and owner-operators to participate in a new ATRI data collection on the consequences of driver detention in the industry.
Driver detention – time spent waiting at shipper or receiver facilities outside of loading/unloading – is a longstanding issue in the trucking industry. Accordingly, ATRI’s Research Advisory Committee (RAC) identified the need for new research to document the widespread negative consequences of driver detention for carriers, truck drivers, shippers and the economy as a whole.
The short survey asks carriers to share details on their experiences with detention and how it relates to their operations, as well as their strategies for mitigating detention.
Later this year ATRI, will release two additional surveys as part of this research -- one for company drivers and one for shippers/receivers.
Motor carriers and owner-operators can complete the survey here.
[Related: ATRI identifies detention, diesel tech shortage, more as 2023 top priorities]
Two Plains states issue HOS waivers due to weather
Certain truck drivers traveling through Montana and North Dakota can operate with an hours of service waiver temporarily as a result of harsh winter weather.
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte on Jan. 19 signed an executive order waiving parts 395.3 of the federal hours of service regulations (maximum driving time) for motor carriers and drivers hauling residential heating fuels through Feb. 1. Commodities included in the waiver include heating oil, natural gas and propane.
Gianforte said “recent historic low temperatures and ongoing conditions have caused an increased short-term demand for propane and heating oil and necessitate the timely delivery of these products.”
Additionally, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum issued a 30-day waiver from Parts 390-399 of the federal hours of service regulations through Feb. 17. North Dakota’s waiver applies to drivers transporting propane supplies.
Paccar recalls 11K Kenworth, Peterbilt trucks over mirror issue
Paccar is recalling more than 11,000 Class 5-8 Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks for an issue related to the cab mirrors, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents.
Affected trucks include model year 2022-‘24 Peterbilt 535, 536, 537 and 548 models, and Kenworth T180, T280, T380 and T480 trucks.
In the affected units, the glass lock ring on the cab mirror assembly may not be fully seated, allowing the mirror glass to detach.
Dealers will inspect the mirror glass lock ring and repair it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 15. Owners can contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888 with recall number 24KWA or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220 with recall number 24PBA. NHTSA’s recall number is 24V-017.
Landstar breaks ground on new Indiana facility
Landstar broke ground last week on a 14-acre site in Crawfordsville, Indiana, for its newest field operations center.Landstar
Landstar System (CCJ Top 250, No. 7) announced Friday, Jan. 19 the groundbreaking of its new field operations center in Crawfordsville, Indiana.
The center is being built on a 14-acre site west of I-74 in Crawfordsville with Landstar’s nearly 10,000 independent leased owner-operators in mind, the company said.. The new 7,000-square-foot building will include classrooms, a conference room and several convenient amenities for owner-operators leased to a Landstar motor carrier, such as a business center with free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, showers and a breakroom.
“Landstar maintains facilities focused on its leased owner-operators across the United States and in Canada,” said Rocco Davanzo, Landstar Transportation Logistics executive vice president of capacity development. “They serve as domicile locations and designated places for Landstar independent owner-operators to connect and network with each other, and to participate in continuous professional education to keep their businesses running smoothly.”
The Crawfordsville location is convenient for Landstar owner-operators headed to or from Indianapolis, the company noted, and it has easy truck access from the main road. Landstar owner-operators who visit the new center also will have access to the facility’s secured parking lot, which has spaces for more than 100 trucks and 70 additional passenger vehicles.
Polaris names new VP of Pricing and Market Strategy
Polaris Transportation Group, a provider of cross-border transportation and logistics, announced Monday that Lesley Veldstra Killingsworth has been appointed as the company’s Vice President of Pricing and Market Strategy.
Lesley Veldstra Killingsworth
Killingsworth has dedicated 18 years to the trucking industry in previous director roles, establishing rate and pricing structures for reputable carriers and 3PL providers. For 12 years, she has served as a dedicated member of the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA), upholding their values to "promote, advance and improve the welfare and interests of the motor carrier industry." In 2023, she made history as the first chairwoman to join the NMFTA Board of Directors.
In her new role, Killingsworth will continue to guide her team with enthusiasm while placing a heavy focus on relationship-building with Polaris' partners and customers. A determined leader with the drive and expertise for motivating change, she will play a major role in helping the company evolve as a leader in transportation and logistics.
