2/22/2012  An All-Too-Common Conflict
Commentary by Rolf Lockwood, Contributing Editor

Successful trucking depends on successful relationships - in every corner of our game. Nowhere is this more true than in the hyper-difficult connection between drivers and dispatchers. It's a toss-up as to which job is tougher, but I think they both rank at the top of the list.

There are countless scenarios where conflict is possible, but the one most fraught with potential for long-lasting friction arises when the driver is caught between the priorities of the safety department and dispatch, or the shop and dispatch.

Here's an example - a true story:

In a major snowstorm, driver Bob has just finished unloading. It's mid-afternoon Friday and he's sitting in the truck dealing with a bit of paperwork, wondering if he should just park it in the customer's yard for a spell. The weather's that bad.....

2/20/2012  The New Hours Rule: Did FMCSA Find A Sweet Spot?
By Oliver B. Patton, Washington Editor

Almost no one is happy about the new hours of service rule. Maybe that means the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration made the moves that will lead to stability, at long last.

Or maybe not.

At press time, the key parties were still huddled, deciding whether to take their issues to court.

Advocacy groups and the Teamsters union are considering renewing their suit against the agency because the new rule preserves the 11-hour daily driving limit.

American Trucking Associations is expected by the end of January to decide if it will sue over the new 30-minute break requirement and restrictions on the 34-hour restart.....

2/15/2012  Which Maintenance Software is Right for You? (Part 1 of 2)
By Rolf Lockwood, Contributing Editor

The need for first-rate maintenance of trucks and trailers is obvious, so let's not start this article blathering about the necessity of cost control and the ever-increasing challenge of safety compliance. All that's a given.

What we're looking at here is the software that can help you manage the maintenance function. More particularly, we're looking at how you choose such software. That's not an easy task, mostly because there's a very broad variety of options available. We couldn't possibly look closely at all the software out there, so we'll be talking principles and possibilities.

Can you get away with simple and cheap? Or do you need to mortgage the farm and go big?

Do you simply want to schedule PMs and log vehicle histories? Or do you want to manage parts inventory in real time and drill down so deep you can chart the ongoing cost of wheel fasteners?

Do you want to tie the shop to operations and accounting in some direct way? How important, for instance, is it that your dispatch desk automatically knows when trailer #133 is out of commission, and for how long?....

2/14/2012  Top 5 Cargo Securement Violations
By Jim Park, Equipment Editor

In 2011, Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance inspectors conducted about 2 million vehicle inspections. In the cargo securement sphere, the most common violations found during roadside inspections were "failure to prevent shifting cargo" (16,345) and "leaking/spilling/blowing/falling cargo" (10,872).

Will Schaefer, director of vehicle programs at CVSA, describes these violations as less the teachable variety and more the common-sense variety.

"Those two cover a multitude of sins," he says. "They are easy for an inspector to spot, and while the officer could get specific about a citation, failure to prevent shifting cargo generally implies the driver hasn't taken all the steps necessary to properly secure an article of cargo. The other is often related to loose material on the deck of a trailer or cargo box, or material blowing out of the top of a dump box with poor tarps."....

2/14/2012  Cargo Securement: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You Under CSA
By Jim Park, Equipment Editor

You can hide a multitude of sins inside a van trailer, but with an open deck trailer, any indiscretions are out in the open for all to see -- including DOT roadside inspectors. Staying compliant means having a excellent understanding of the regulations as well as cargo securement equipment that is up to the task.

Keith Kerns, an investigator with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and a member of CVSA's International Safety Team, says the primary cause of cargo-related citations and out-of-service orders is not driver error or improper methods. It's the equipment itself.

"The statistics tell us that damaged or defective tie-downs, loose or unfastened tie-downs, and simply not having the required number of tie-downs are the most common violations we find at roadside," Kearns says. "The biggest issues related specifically to drivers are calculating the weight of the cargo plus any length requirements that might exist when determining the correct number of tie-downs required."....

1/31/2012  Driving Tips to Protect Light-Duty Fleets This Winter
By Ed Iannuzzi, Automotive Resources International

As we settle into the new year, winter 2012 is just beginning to flex its muscles. The cold weather, morning frost, slick roads and snow have arrived and aren't showing any signs of stopping.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, approximately 40% of crashes each year are directly related to snow, sleet, ice or other winter weather. The good news is that fleet managers don't have to spend this winter holding their breath, hoping accidents don't happen. It's possible to reduce that stress and anxiety and ensure a safe and cost-effective winter season.

Here are some tips to pass along to drivers to help them navigate the slippery roads this winter.....

1/31/2012  Using Technology to Help Cut Main CSA Violations: Speeding and Log Violations
By Jim Beach, Contributing Editor

When the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rolled out its Compliance, Safety, Accountability program in late 2010, a number of carriers were surprised to find a poorer safety rating than they enjoyed under the old SafeStat. Fortunately, for many fleets, the areas where their safety ratings have taken the biggest hit are also areas that are among the easiest to fix, and a variety of technology vendors offer products to help.

Many fleets find their existing technology vendors can provide CSA modules or add-ons that can help monitor problem areas. Others use third-party products that integrate with their existing software. The key is to be proactive: Manage this area of your business in a way where you can find problems before they can adversely affect your safety rating.....