CCJ Innovators profiles carriers and fleets that have found innovative ways to overcome trucking’s challenges. If you know a carrier that has displayed innovation, contact CCJ Chief Editor Jason Cannon at [email protected] or 800-633-5953. Cash may be king, but there is currently a line of decentralized currency vying to take the place of the all mighty dollar. Bitcoin and various cryptocurrency kin like Ethereum or Dogecoin might be the most widely known digital currencies, but one of the more trendy quasi-monetary devices is the non-fungible token (NFT). Hoping to cash in on the trend, 205-truck van and end dump trucking carrier Woody Bogler Trucking is leaping into the metaverse, releasing what is likely the first NFT collection in the trucking industry. Think of an NFT like a digital baseball card, and its value is determined in a few ways: mostly its scarcity, collectability and the mass appeal of the digital artist. If you own one NFT, for example, of which 10,000 were minted, it's generally worth less than a 1-of-1 unless you find a collector in need of yours to complete their collection. In that case, the laws of supply and demand take over. And if your 1-of-1 holding was compiled by a widely revered artist, you might be holding the digital equivalent of the Mona Lisa. "You can think of an NFT as a deed or a token," said Woody Bogler President and CEO Tracy Bogler, adding that NFTs have been a blooming personal interest. "Owning an NFT really provides a sense of belonging to a community, and we thought it would be interesting to create a collection and then offer ownership to our drivers. We realize that many people are unfamiliar with these digital assets, but we believe they have great potential in the trucking community.” The marketplace for these digital artwork files has taken off. OpenSea, the largest NFT platform in the world, recorded transactions totaling nearly $5 billion in January. A handful of exclusive tokens by noteworthy artists have fetched millions of dollars. Everydays: the First 5000 Days – a collage assembled by digital artist Beeple – sold last year for almost $70 million at auction through Christie's. However, Woody Bolger Trucking isn't looking to be the industry's Beeple. The carrier's collection was launched for its drivers. The initial collection – designed by Todd Obermiller, who also handles the carrier's social media – consists of five limited release and unique Woody Bogler Trucking designs, which can be accessed either in OpenSea or held in certain crypto wallets. The Gerald, Missouri-based carrier will transfer NFT’s to driver wallets, which incur no cost to the drivers to hold. New company drivers hired in the first quarter this year will receive an NFT upon completion of their orientation and training. Current drivers will get a special edition token only available to them, but they can sell or trade them away. Woody Bogler Trucking Director of Recruiting Corey Novotney said he sees NFTs' place in trucking as a modern-day CAT Scale trading card, with the new-age driver trading and selling them wallet-to-wallet at the truck stop lunch counter. "They're kind of worth what the market says. I could get on our wallet right now, and I could say $200 a piece and just see if anybody buys them, and once the driver takes possession of theirs they can sell it for however much they want, or they can hold onto it," he said. "They can even put a value on it if they want to just like art hanging on the wall. Like different artists, it all really depends on who drew it." Novotney noted that 43% of the company's drivers have been on the job more than a decade, which has made the education around NFTs and how they can be used a key part of their rollout. "A lot of our senior guys, they're asking questions. They're like, 'What is this?' and 'What's going on?' But some of our younger new drivers, they know what the NFT is. They may not have the wallet, but they know what they are, and they want them." Major brands have hopped on the NFT trend with companies like McDonald's and Nike each riding the wave of popularity. McDonald's NFT is in celebration of the McRib's 40th anniversary, and Nike uses NFTs to verify authenticity of its sneakers. Taco Bell created a series of NFT gifs last February and sold out in less than 30 minutes. Originally priced at $1 each, the resale value on some of the pieces topped $18,000 with others trading around $4,000. Woody Bogler Trucking may not have the cache of Nike or Taco Bell, but the industry as a whole does, and Novotney said he hopes other trucking companies – especially those with a large driver force – hop onboard the trend because the more NFTs that are out there, the bigger the community gets and the more opportunities for drivers to trade, collect and sell them. "Maybe if you've got this one company's NFTs, they're gonna be more valuable than this other company's," he said. "I think it'd be great to see other companies get into it. I think it would really bring value then." The CCJ Innovators program is brought to you by Comdata, Freightliner Trucks, Omnitracs and Valvoline. https://ift.tt/9e6To8i
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Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, March 1, 2022: FMCSA extends COVID-related waiversThe Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is once again extending the COVID-19 emergency declaration that exempts haulers of certain commodities from maximum driving time limits in the federal hours of service regulations. The agency also extended a waiver giving certain drivers more time to renew their CDLs and medical certificates. The hours of service waiver is now effective through May 31, while the CDL/med cert waiver is effective through April 15. FMCSA says it does not expect to extend the CDL/med cert waiver again beyond April 15. There are no changes to the hours of service waiver since the last extension issued on Nov. 30. It only applies to drivers hauling the following commodities:
Direct assistance does not include non-emergency transportation of qualifying commodities or routine commercial deliveries, including mixed loads with a nominal quantity of qualifying emergency relief added to obtain the benefits of this emergency declaration. To be eligible for the exemption, the transportation must be both of qualifying commodities and related to the immediate restoration of those essential supplies. FMCSA recently offered an interpretation that included transportation of new automobiles and components, parts and supplies necessary for new vehicle production in the variety of "supplies" noted in the final item in the list above. Carriers who operate under the terms of the declaration are required to report their use of it to FMCSA within five days of the end of each month via their FMCSA portal account. Additionally, FMCSA is giving all commercial learner’s permit holders, CDL holders and non-CDL commercial drivers whose licenses were valid on February 29, 2020, and expired on or after March 1, 2020, and whose medical certification or medical variance expired on or after December 1, 2021, 45 days to renew their licenses. Drivers meeting this criteria have until April 15 to renew their licenses and medical certificates. The agency said it does not anticipate extending this waiver beyond April 15 and notes that it will review the status of this policy as of March 31 and may terminate the notice before April 15. More than 4,000 Internationals recalled for backup lights issueNavistar is recalling approximately 4,277 model year 2019 International LT and RH trucks because the LED backup lights are the incorrect color white, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents. Due to being the wrong color, the lights on affected trucks don’t comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." Dealers will inspect and replace the LED backup lights as necessary, free of charge. Owners can contact Navistar customer service at 1-800-448-7825 with recall number 22503. NHTSA’s recall number is 22V-092.
https://ift.tt/9e6To8i The U.S. Department of Transportation is proposing to amend the transportation industry’s drug testing program procedures regulation to allow oral fluid testing in lieu of urine testing. In a Federal Register notice of proposed rulemaking Feb. 28, DOT said the addition of oral fluid testing would “give employers a choice that will help combat employee cheating on urine drug tests and provide a more economical, less intrusive means of achieving the safety goals of the program.” DOT says it does not have data on how much “cheating” occurs with urine testing, but it says it is aware the “problem exists and poses a direct threat to transportation safety.” DOT said in the notice that it is required to incorporate the Department of Health and Human Services’ Mandatory Guidelines, which recently approved oral fluid testing as a reliable means of detecting illegal drug use for federal employees. DOT’s proposal would allow, but not require, oral fluid testing as an alternative to urine testing for use by DOT-regulated employers for required transportation industry drug testing. Among benefits for trucking companies of oral testing are that it’s generally cheaper than urine testing (DOT estimates between $10 and $20 cheaper per test). DOT also notes that by giving the option of both urine and oral testing, employers can use one or the other depending on the situation due to the different detection windows associated with each. The department says the generally narrower detection window offered by oral fluid testing could give fleets a better chance at detecting recent drug use, such as for a post-accident drug test. The urine test could be used to detect a pattern of intermittent drug use through pre-employment, random, return-to-duty and follow-up testing. DOT is accepting comments on the proposal here through March 30. https://ift.tt/9e6To8i Trucking news and briefs for Monday, Feb. 28, 2022: Texas-based truck driver shut down by FMCSA after fatal crashA Texas-licensed truck driver has been effectively shut down by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration after his involvement in a fatal crash. According to FMCSA, on Feb. 3, truck driver Christopher M. Savannah was driving on I-75 in Loudon County, Tennessee, when he was involved in a fatal crash. FMCSA says Savannah failed to stop his truck upon encountering a roadblock conducted by Sgt. Chris Jenkins of the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office. Jenkins had activated the emergency lights in his patrol vehicle to retrieve a ladder that had fallen on to the interstate. Savannah struck two vehicles stopped ahead of the roadblock and then struck Jenkins, who had exited his patrol vehicle. Jenkins was killed, and the driver of another vehicle sustained injuries. Savannah was subsequently issued multiple traffic citations, and the state of Tennessee has filed criminal charges against him. During the post-crash investigation, Savannah admitted to using marijuana the morning of the crash, and marijuana was also found inside the vehicle. A drug influence evaluation conducted after the crash determined that Savannah was under the influence of marijuana and not able to operate a vehicle safely. Additionally, at the time of the crash, Savannah did not have a record of duty status for that date and the previous 7 days as required. Follow-up investigations by FMCSA revealed Savannah previously tested positive for marijuana during a pre-employment controlled substances test on March 31, 2020. As a result, he was prohibited from operating a CMV in interstate and intrastate commerce and was designated as “prohibited” in FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. His CDL was also downgraded because he failed to maintain a current medical certificate as required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. Despite all these prohibitions, he “continued to operate a CMV in blatant disregard of federal and state regulations and the safety of the motoring public,” FMCSA said. https://ift.tt/9e6To8i The national average for a gallon of on-highway diesel crossed the $4 mark this month for the first time in almost 8 years, and Russia's invasion of the Ukraine isn't going to be a contributing factor in brining it back down. Russia is the world's second largest exporter of oil. On the heels of the conflict, for which Moscow has drawn political and financial sanctions from the U.S. and many of its European allies, Goldman Sachs moved up its forecast of $125 for a barrel of crude oil (bbl) from the summer of 2023 to this summer. "I'm not necessarily a believer," said Tom Kloza, global head of energy analysis at Oil Price Information Service (OPIS), "but that would equate to $4.25-$4.75 per gallon pump prices for gasoline and diesel except for California, which would be above $5 gallon for both." As Russian troops crossed the Ukrainian border barrels of crude oil late in the week bounced between just over $100 to just under $100, but Kloza said the Russia-Ukraine War is only one factor battering prices. "I'm not a believer in the $125 bbl crude forecast but I am a believer in very substantial refining margins for diesel and gasoline this spring and summer," Kloza said. "I sense that diesel and gasoline may trade at least $25 bbl – and perhaps $30 bbl – over crude thanks to refinery downtime, some of which is forever. So with a $100 bbl crude price, that translates into $125-$130 bbl gasoline and diesel at wholesale –about $3 gal to $3.10 gal at terminals." Low diesel prices were a key contributor to widespread carrier profits in 2020, but that trend revered for much of 2021. Van fuel surcharges averaged 41 cents per mile last month – up 17 cents year-over-year. It's currently 45 cents per mile, according to DAT’s RateView price-analysis tool, and according to Todd Tranausky, vice president of rail and intermodal at FTR, tensions in Eastern Europe threaten to elevate and sustain fuel prices at high levels and add volatility to global supply chains. "I think diesel will see sneaky [price] increases," Kloza added, "particularly on East Coast and West Coast, Rockies and Northwest." Less than 10% of U.S. crude oil imports come from Russia, according to Energy Information Administration data, and the shift to more domestic production seems like a simple fix and quick pricing relief at the pump, but Kloza said it's not that easy. "The mention of Venezuelan, Saudi [and] Iraqi crude just underscores that light tight shale oil – which we'll see more of in 2022 – isn't the choice of many Gulf Coast or even East Coast and California refineries," he said. "It's one reason why oil independence is a bit of a myth. We can produce 13 million barrels per day soon and bring very heavy sour crude from Canada to refineries, but many refineries were built to run other medium sour or heavy crudes. So we would be importing some crudes even if we raised shale production to 15 million barrels per day." https://ift.tt/eB7GM8a Business fads and management strategies come and go, but technology is constantly moving on a disruptive path of innovation. During the past 20 years, transportation management software (TMS) systems have evolved from running on mainframes, micro-computers, and on-prem servers to cloud-native platforms. The architecture of TMS matters, but carriers and logistics providers are more interested in how modern technology can solve today’s business challenges. When speaking to industry professionals who are looking to upgrade their core dispatch management system, the following seven attributes are the consensus for what defines a modern or ‘next generation’ TMS: Fast, low-cost deploymentDeploying TMS systems traditionally has required companies to make large, up-front investments in hardware, software licenses and implementation fees. The software-as-a-service (SaaS) model for TMS removes cost and complexity from the get-go. Switching to a modern, SaaS-based TMS does not have to be a long, drawn-out series of events. In many cases, vendors can manage the conversion process remotely, and it helps when the system has an intuitive and comprehensive transportation workflow. Automatic software updatesModern TMS platforms can deliver regular software updates through “micro” or “quick” releases. This stands in contrast to traditional, client-server systems where vendors release updates on a quarterly or annual cycle. With a traditional version release cycle, transportation companies will spend days or weeks testing and training before they go live with new features and functions. SaaS-based TMS suppliers release updates as soon as they are ready and can deploy them to all customers at once in a uniform manner. This makes it possible for companies to take advantage of new componentry earlier without steep learning curves. Future-proof technologyTrucking and logistics companies may worry about deploying a TMS system when something better could be just around the corner. Cloud-native platforms alleviate this concern by having the ability to update components, such as database technology, as soon better alternatives become available. Future-proof TMS systems will also be simple and configurable for end users. This includes having full-feature access from any device. Today, everyone expects to have a mobile and web experience that allows them to take work with them, wherever they go. Turnkey integrationsConnectivity is one area where legacy TMS platforms often fall short. Integrating a TMS with complimentary systems like ELDs, trailer tracking, electronic payments and accounting software is critical to make the most of an investment. These integrations should not incur costly service fees. Modern TMS systems also have greater flexibility to share data back and forth with custom or third-party applications to reduce cost and help companies build a competitive advantage by using their data in creative ways. Intelligent driver workflowModern TMS platforms can extend the power of automation to drivers for a more rewarding work experience. Mobile apps can go beyond pickup and delivery tasks by giving drivers the ability to view their pay for upcoming loads, request time off, choose loads and perform other tasks inside or outside the cab. Increasingly, fleets are adopting modern TMS platforms that come with powerful mobile apps that give drivers more control over their home time, work schedules and earnings. Maximum security and readinessThe attributes of a modern, SaaS-based TMS would be worth little if motor carriers and freight brokers are not also getting better system reliability and performance than on-prem solutions. One advantage of using a SaaS-based TMS is that motor carriers and logistics providers can back up their data in near real time and quickly switch to a different environment, if needed, to restore access to data and full TMS functions in the event of a disaster. Business intelligenceHaving access to a robust suite of self-service business intelligence (BI) tools is one of the most important features of next-generation TMS platforms. Users at any level in a company should not have to ask their IT department to build reports. Accessing data and making intelligent decisions is everyone’s job, and BI tools empower people to make strategic decisions, regardless of industry experience or job tenure. Some TMS vendors have skilled report writers and data scientists who create advanced reports that benefit all users for no added cost. A vendor may decide to create a model that identifies drivers who are at risk of quitting, for example. Management could be notified when certain patterns indicate a driver will quit based on changes in work schedules, pay, and other areas. Trucking and logistics companies of all sizes already use SaaS-based applications for ELDs, trailer tracking, fuel payments, and other essential tools. Increasingly, they are using modern, SaaS-based TMS platforms that deliver affordable access to enterprise-class technology. New developments continue to offer greater flexibility and more simplistic pricing models that make it easy to scale technology up or down to match a business’ changing needs. Matt Cartwright is CEO of Magnus Technologies, an Austin, Texas-based provider of an enterprise grade SaaS-based TMS system for trucking and logistics companies. https://ift.tt/K6pv5Rh Trucking news and briefs for Friday, Feb. 25, 2022: FMCSA clarifies ‘medical treatment’ in relation to carriers’ accident registersThe Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is updating its guidance, effective Friday, Feb. 25, to reflect that an x-ray exam is a diagnostic procedure and should no longer be considered a “medical treatment” in determining whether a crash should be included in a motor carrier’s accident register. Current FMCSA guidance – which the agency notes lacks the force and effect of law and is just intended to clarify existing regulations – considers an x-ray exam and other imaging as medical treatment. Federal regulations require that motor carriers keep an accident register for three years after the date of an “accident,” which FMCSA defines as an occurrence involving a commercial vehicle operating in interstate or intrastate commerce that results in a fatality; bodily injury to a person who, as a result of the accident, receives medical treatment away from the scene of the accident; or one or more motor vehicles being towed from the scene. FMCSA says it received a petition requesting a revision to Question 27 of its guidance related to 49 CFR Part 390, stating that an x-ray is a diagnostic test that may find no injury and should not be considered a form of medical treatment. The petitioner suggested that FMCSA mirror the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s definition of medical treatment that excludes diagnostic procedures, such as x-rays and blood tests. FMCSA says it agrees with the revision. The new guidance regarding x-rays and accident registers will read as follows:
Telematics now standard on Carrier reefersCarrier Transicold announced Thursday it is now making telematics a standard feature on its most popular trailer refrigeration units. “Each year since its introduction, our telematics solution has been helping a rapidly increasing number of refrigerated fleets manage and monitor mission-critical data from their trailer assets,” says David Brondum, director of Telematics, Carrier Transicold. “By offering telematics as standard for our X4 series and Vector 8000 series trailer and rail refrigeration units, it is easier than ever for customers in the United States and Canada to benefit from the considerable advantages provided by the industry’s premier IoT solution.” According to Carrier, the web-based interface of the telematics provide continuous visibility of cold chain assets via a centralized data stream that shows trailer temperatures, location and movement. The platform can also enable remote control of refrigeration unit settings. Connected fleets can improve operations by optimizing refrigeration equipment usage, achieving greater efficiency and helping to manage refrigeration unit maintenance, the company says. Depending on configuration and service plan, Carrier says customer benefits include:
For fleets to take advantage of their built-in telematics systems, commissioning by an authorized Carrier Transicold dealer is required along with selection of a data plan. Carrier says three plans are available: Monitor; Two-way Monitor and Control; and Monitor and Enhanced Control, adding exclusive capabilities for data downloads, remote software updates and adjustments to Carrier Transicold IntelliSet control configurations. Carrier adds standard hardware includes the 4G LTE communications module, antenna and wiring harness. Optional peripheral components such as fuel sensors, temperature probes, door switches and solar panels can be specified as needed. Customers who take advantage of Carrier Transicold’s telematics system will benefit from value-added data insights that come from future releases of the company’s Lynx Fleet application. https://ift.tt/K6pv5Rh Fleets that have bought newer model trucks but follow dated maintenance practices are leaving money (and efficiency) on the table. In this week's 10-44, Jason and Matt talk with Glen McDonald, vice president of maintenance for Memphis, Tennessee-based Ozark Motor Lines, and discuss how the carrier went from 15,000 mile oil drain intervals to 100,000 miles, before settling into 75,000 miles across the entire fleet. CCJ's 10-44 is a weekly video feature covering the latest in trucking news and trends, equipment and technology. Subscribe to our YouTube channel here. https://ift.tt/k3uwohT Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022: New legislation would end Biden's border vax mandates for truckersSen. Rick Scott (R-Florida) last week introduced the Terminating Reckless and Unnecessary Checks Known to Erode Regular Shipping (TRUCKERS) Act, which would exempt non-U.S. citizen commercial truck drivers traveling from Canada or Mexico for business from the proof of vaccination requirements. Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Florida) has also introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House. “By pushing these ridiculous mandates, [President Joe Biden] is only making things worse,” Scott said. “The government has no business pushing mandates on families and our hardworking businesses, and my TRUCKERS Act will help stop this nonsense in its tracks. Joe Biden would be wise to take note of what’s happening in Canada and see that the top-down, ‘government controls all’ approach doesn’t work. I also urge Canada’s government to drop its ridiculous mandates on foreign drivers. I hope all of my colleagues will work with us to quickly pass this good and urgently needed bill.” The legislation in the Senate has picked up seven co-sponsors: Sens. Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), Mike Lee (R-Utah), John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), Kevin Kramer (R-North Dakota), and Josh Hawley (R-Missouri). FMCSA adding broker category to National Consumer Complaint DatabaseThe Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, in a notice published in the Federal Register on Feb. 23, said it is in the process of updating the National Consumer Complaint Database (NCCDB) to allow a user to select broker allegations specific to property carriers when filing their complaint. The NCCDB is an online interface allowing consumers, truck drivers and others to file complaints against unsafe and unscrupulous companies and/or their employees, including shippers, receivers and transportation intermediaries. FMCSA says the complaints cover a wide range of issues, including but not limited to driver harassment, coercion, movement of household goods, financial responsibility instruments for brokers and freight forwarders, Americans with Disability Act (ADA) compliance, electronic logging device, Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT), Medical Review Officer (MRO), and Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) complaints. In the notice published Wednesday, FMCSA responded to a comment from a previous notice from a private citizen, MJ Thorne, who suggested that the database should include “a series for brokers who falsely give delivery dates, then hold carrier/driver hostage for days and refuse to pay layover or adequate layover.” FMCSA said in response to Thorne’s comment that it is in the process of updating the NCCDB and that the update “will include the option for the system user to select broker allegations specific to property carriers when filing their complaint.” The agency also responded to a comment from the Transportation Intermediaries Association, which raised concerns about FMCSA’s lack of enforcement on unlawful brokerage activities. FMCSA reiterated that it is working on an update that will add brokers to the complaint system. Finally, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association indicated in previous comments that the NCCDB, as currently administered, “is an inadequate outlet for drivers to report harassment, coercion and other violations of commercial regulations.” The agency said that with its pending update, it is “hopeful that the update will improve the adequacy of the database and allow drivers to report harassment, coercion and additional violations of commercial regulations.” FMCSA suspends former Rhode Island fleet ownerThe Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Feb. 1 suspended and proposed debarring a now defunct trucking company, CAT Inc., and its owner Michael Chaves, according to the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General. Suspension or debarment of a company or individual excludes them from doing business with the federal government. “These exclusions are intended to ensure that only responsible companies or individuals participate in contracts and financial assistance awards with the Federal government,” according to the DOT. In August 2019, Chaves pleaded guilty to bank and wire fraud, falsification of federal records during a federal investigation, aggravated identity theft and tax evasion. Last year, Chaves was sentenced to 30 months of incarceration, three years of supervised release and a $1,000 special assessment for falsifying FMCSA registration documents. In addition, Chaves was ordered to pay $631,868 in restitution to bank and wire fraud victims and to the Internal Revenue Service for back taxes related to tax evasion. https://ift.tt/k3uwohT |
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