Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022:
FMCSA renews UPS’ ELD exemption
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has renewed an exemption from certain provisions of the electronic logging device mandate for UPS (CCJ Top 250, No. 2) for another five years through Oct. 21, 2027.
FMCSA previously granted the exemption to allow UPS and all motor carriers and drivers using portable ELDs to manually record data that would otherwise be required to be automatically recorded when a driver indicates a change of duty status or logs in or out of an ELD. Under the exemption, those requirements do not apply to a driver using a portable ELD unless the driver is in the truck with the engine powered.
The exemption also allows UPS and other motor carriers to configure their ELDs so that a driver can enter yard moves and not require the driver to re-input yard-move status every time the tractor is powered off.
In its original request for exemption, UPS said that its drivers are generally hourly drivers and use portable ELDs and perform a significant amount of work outside of the vehicle. The company also noted that drivers generally use the ELD to “punch in” while they are still in the building, and then remain on the clock and logged in after they leave their truck until they return to the dispatch office. Automatic logging of events is not practicable for drivers using portable ELDs, UPS said, because the ELD is not synchronized to the engine’s ECM when the driver is outside the truck.
Regarding the yard moves exemption, UPS said complying with the ELD mandate as written would require its feeder drivers to enter manual changes of duty status as many as 20 times in an hour due to the nature of their work.
FMCSA noted that allowing multiple power-off cycles for yard moves is consistent with what is currently permitted for the other special driving category -- personal conveyance.
In its application for renewal, UPS stated that it has not discovered any safety issues while operating under the exemption and that it will continue to monitor its safety data.
First Women of Trucking Advisory Board meeting to be held in November
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced that the first Women of Trucking Advisory Board (WOTAB) meeting will be held Nov. 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The meeting will be held virtually for its entirety. Those interested in attending can register in advance here.
Items on the agenda include an ethics briefing for WOTAB members; a report by FMCSA’s Office of Research on the results of “Crime Prevention for Truckers,” a study of women and other truck drivers and their safety on the road, followed by a discussion; and other speakers who may share insights into what WOTAB’s establishment means to them.
Public comments will be heard during designated comment periods at the discretion of the WOTAB Chair and Designated Federal Officer.
Speakers are requested to submit a written copy of their remarks for inclusion in the meeting records and for circulation to WOTAB members. All prepared remarks submitted on time will be accepted and considered as part of the record. Any member of the public may present a written statement to the committee at any time.
WOTAB will coordinate with trucking companies, nonprofit organizations and trucking associations to support women in trucking. The board will provide recommendations to the FMCSA administrator and the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to advance efforts to recruit, support and ensure the safety of female commercial motor vehicle drivers and the trucking industry at large.
WIT names Influential Women in Trucking finalists
The Women in Trucking Association (WIT) announced this week the four finalists for its 2022 Influential Woman in Trucking award, sponsored by Daimler Truck North America. This is the 12th year for the award, which was developed in 2010 to recognize female leaders and to attract and advance women in the trucking industry.
The award highlights the achievements of female role models and trailblazers in the trucking industry. The four finalists will participate on a panel discussion at the WIT Accelerate! Conference & Expo held in Dallas, Nov. 13-16. The winner will be announced after the panel discussion on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 9:15 a.m. Central.
The 2022 Influential Woman in Trucking award finalists are:
- Trina Norman, Transportation Operation Manager, UPS
- Jill Quinn, President, Centerline Drivers
- Mari Roberts, Vice President of Transportation, Frito-Lay
- Lindsey Trent, President & Co-Founder, Next Generation in Trucking Association
“We’re impressed by the high caliber of finalists for this year’s award. All four demonstrate exemplary leadership and are making significant and positive contributions to their networks, workplaces, communities, and the transportation industry as a whole,” said Ellen Voie, WIT president and CEO. “We applaud their passion and commitment to change the landscape in which women serve.”
Roadrunner SVP of Sales wins prestigious award
Roadrunner (CCJ Top 250, No. 100) SVP of Sales Lori Blaney has been named the winner of the 2022 Women in Supply Chain Award. The award is sponsored by Supply & Demand Chain Executive, a publication that covers the entire global supply chain.
"Lori is a valued and esteemed leader who thrives on developing strategies to increase revenue and profits," said Roadrunner President Frank Hurst. "She motivates, develops and inspires her team members. We are proud that Lori was recognized by Supply & Demand Chain Executive for this well-deserved Women in Supply Chain award."
The Women in Supply Chain award honors female supply chain leaders and executives whose accomplishments, mentorship and examples set a foundation for women in all levels of a company's supply chain network. This year's list included individuals who helped supply chain clients and the supply chain community at large prepare to meet a vast array of logistical challenges.
"I'm thankful to receive this award that recognizes women's achievements in the supply chain industry," Blaney said. "As women, it's encouraging to see how far we've come, since the industry is much different today than it was 20 years ago, yet there's still more to be done. Roadrunner recognizes the importance of diversity across its business, which benefits and impacts all our team members and customers."
