In January 2020, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rolled out the federal Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. This electronic database was designed to track commercial driver’s license (and permit) holders who have tested positive for prohibited drug or alcohol use, as well as refusals to take required drug tests, and other drug and alcohol violations. […]
Truckload freight volumes fell last month and national benchmark spot rates for dry van and refrigerated loads retreated from their gains in June, reported DAT Freight & Analytics. The DAT Truckload Volume Index (TVI), a measure of loads moved during a given month, was lower in July for all three equipment types: Van TVI was […]
WASHINGTON — The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Brake Safety Week is set for Aug. 20-26. During Brake Safety Week, commercial motor vehicle inspectors highlight the importance of brake systems by conducting inspections of their components and removing commercial motor vehicles found to have brake-related out-of-service violations from our roadways until those violations are corrected, […]
Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) has opened a new parts redistribution center in Whitestown, Ind. The company says the 605,000 sq.-ft. facility will help it replenish its 10 parts distribution centers in the U.S. and Canada, with more efficient and timely parts deliveries. The new facility also expands DTNA’s overall parts distribution network to nearly […]
There’s lots to digest in this week’s trucking economic report. Motive says that industry exits in the U.S. are now reaching into the realms of larger-sized fleets, affecting operations with five trucks or more. To date, it’s predominantly been single-truck operators that have packed it in or rejoined partnerships with larger fleets. Meanwhile, those relying […]
Truck drivers and carriers face 60 new federal fines for Hours-of-Service violations – including those specific to mandated electronic logging devices (ELDs). Coming in three tiers, the fines range from $300 to $1,000 for drivers, and $600 to $2,000 for motor carriers. The lowest tier includes administrative and minor recordkeeping contraventions. A second tier includes […]
The Ontario government has awarded a contract to begin the environmental assessment and design work for a 2+1 highway on Highway 11 north of North Bay. “Taking the next step to build the first 2+1 roadway in North America is just another way our government is investing in highways across the province,” Caroline Mulroney, minister […]
Simard Transport has added four Freightliner eCascadias electric Class 8 trucks to its Quebec fleet. It called on Hydro-Quebec subsidiary Cleo to provide the charging infrastructure, consisting of two Detroit eFill 120 kW and two ABB DC wallbox 24 kW chargers. The trucks themselves have 438 kWh of battery capacity and power equal to 470 […]
FPInnovations says it has completed baseline tests for its off-highway truck platooning project, which aims to improve efficiency in Canada’s forestry sector while addressing the lack of qualified drivers. The project received more than $1 million in funding from Société du Plan Nord and Natural Resources Canada and was supported by the city of Matagami, […]
Truck driver training schools must navigate a difficult future as increased operational costs bite into revenue and prospective students shop for lower-fee options. Operating in Ontario’s trucking heartland, Mississauga-based Richards Truck Driving School is witnessing declining student enrolment over the past few months. Operations manager Radek Rogowski says he charges $7,700 for the MELT (mandatory […]
