The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance has petitioned federal regulators to amend a rule related to the requirement for motor carriers to return inspection reports to the issuing agency certifying that all violations have been corrected. Currently, 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 396.9(d)(3) requires that motor carriers and intermodal equipment providers return inspection reports to the issuing agency within 15 days of issuance, certifying that all necessary repairs have been made. The regulation also requires that carriers and intermodal equipment providers retain a copy of the report at ..read more

Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, April 17, 2024: Trucking groups appeal latest AB 5 ruling Following a California district court judge last month ruling against the trucking industry in an attempt to block the AB 5 independent contractor classification law’s applicability to trucking, the industry is once again fighting back. On April 12, the California Trucking Association and Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association filed an appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Ninth Circuit was the court that in April 2021 reversed an injunction that had been in place exempting the ..read more

Descartes Systems Group A recent study compiled by Descartes Systems Group showed that 54% of the supply chain and logistics leaders surveyed are focused on automating non-value-added and repetitive tasks with technology to improve worker productivity. The top technologies being deployed, according to the study What Are Companies Doing to Survive the Supply Chain and Logistics Workforce Challenge?, were delivery route optimization (54%) and driver mobile productivity (45%) solutions. For knowledge workers, the top technology choice in the study was real-time shipment tracking (53 ..read more

The surge of nuclear verdicts – post-crash jury awards exceeding over $10 million – against trucking companies have sent shockwaves through the industry. Despite a decrease in fatal crashes, verdicts are increasing, according to a 2023 study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform. Looking at 154 trucking litigation verdicts and settlements from June 2020 to April 2023, the statistical mean plaintiffs’ award was $27.5 million and a statistical mean award of $759,875 for settlements. Addressing lawsuit abuse is a “top tier issue” for the American Trucking Association, sa ..read more

Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, April 16, 2024: Order book opens for new Volvo VNL Volvo Trucks is holding immersive dealer and customer launch events throughout the summer at the Volvo Trucks Customer Center in Dublin, Virginia. The Volvo Trucks Customer Center includes a customer experience track, recently expanded to three miles, offering a fully immersive driving experience of the full range of Volvo trucks.Volvo Trucks Sales have officially started for the all-new Volvo VNL, a revamped truck the company noted is “90% new.” Since the announcement of the revamped Volvo VNL model in Ja ..read more

The trucking industry is navigating complex terrain marked by fluctuating demand for freight movement. From global shippers to local delivery services, the need to transport products quickly and cost-effectively remains a constant. While overall growth is forecasted for the market, there is room for improvement. The recently released WorkHound 2024 Trends in Trucking Report sheds light on the issues impacting the frontline workers responsible for keeping things moving. A strong supply chain is the undeniable backbone of the economy; solving these issues effectively ensures our ability to build ..read more

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's (CVSA) North American Roadcheck inspection spree kicks off next month (May 14-16). Inspectors will be on watch for various equipment and driver violations – like brake and tire wear issues, and hours of service – but tractor protection controls in the air system and alcohol and controlled substance possession will get special focus this year.  Roadcheck is coming. Be prepared. Get YOUR Roadcheck inspection questions answered in this Q&A session — sponsored by Bestpass — with CVSA Roadside Inspection Specialist Jeremy Disbrow on May 1, 202 ..read more

Trucking news and briefs for Monday, April 15, 2024: Midwest Carriers opens new HQ Midwest Carriers announced April 11 that it has opened a new headquarters to bring its operations under one roof. The Kaukauna, Wisconsin-based company said it’s always been focused on growth, with three locations in the Fox Valley, plus an affiliation with Osborn Trucking in Fond du Lac. Now, “the new building makes it easier to work as one team and offers more amenities to our employees, especially our drivers,” the company noted. “The new headquarters is the latest investment in our driver-focused culture, an ..read more

Volvo Group on Thursday said it plans to build a 1.7 million square feet heavy-duty truck manufacturing plant in Mexico to supplement its U.S.-based production and add capacity to support Volvo Trucks and Mack Trucks growth. The plant, which will be a complete conventional vehicle assembly facility including cab body-in-white production and paint, is expected to be operational in 2026. With a Mexico plant located in a city the company did not name Thursday, Volvo joins its trucking rivals in cross-border manufacturing: Daimler Truck North America in Saltillo and Santia ..read more

Diesel engines have carried the bulk of North America’s freight my entire life. Estimates in 2020 were that diesel trucks carried more than 65% of freight by weight and exceeded 72% by value according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), as NACFE reported recently in Intermodal & Drayage: An Opportunity to Reduce Freight Emissions. Diesel powered rail and diesel powered ships carried their share. Whatever your belief about the future of diesel, there should be no question that diesel has been key to everyone’s way of life. Two silver linings of the pandemic were public realiza ..read more