An aging truck fleet–the highest in 30 years–coupled with an industry largely comprise of Baby Boomers is causing some dealerships to scramble to keep up with the growing demand for parts and service and also address the coming generational shift in the workforce. Over the next 20 years, 77 million Baby Boomers will but they will be replaced by only 46 million new workers, according to numbers tracked by the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD). Dealerships are developing partnerships with technical schools to build relationships with potential employees, and also turning to OEM’s to Continue Reading

With the rollout of CSA 2010 earlier this week, only a fraction of the 758, 682 active motor carriers are ranked–barely 12 percent, according to analysis from CCJ magazine. The data detailing safety performance under the FMCSA’s new measurement tool went public for the first time on Sunday, Dec. 12, when the program was officially launched. Of the 92,184 carriers that are ranked in at least one BASIC, 52,967 carriers have at least one alert, meaning they exceeded the threshold for intervention. The greatest number of alerts, 29,207, are in the Fatigued Driving BASIC, followed by the Continue Reading

With enforcement of its new safety measurement tool beginning Sunday, Dec. 12, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) was quick to make the data from its renamed Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program available online here. Multiple groups requested a hold on making the information public, citing the potential damaging economic repercussions for shippers and carriers with low scores. The FMCSA countered that the scores were no more harmful than the Continue Reading

Thermo King is offering several options to help drivers get ready for winter. Its Extreme Arctic Option for TriPac auxiliary power units helps cut idle-related costs by up to 85 percent. Another option, its Extreme Arctic Package helps reduce cold start damage to tractor engines, which now includes an ambient switch to allow the unit to run continuously when temperatures drop to 0 degrees F and to shut off automatically at 10 degrees F. The optional package for TriPac includes both a coolant and an oil heater, which ensures that cold weather starting problems are a Continue Reading

A new service from Qualcomm Enterprise Services (QES) will be available shortly before the new Comphrensive Safety Analysis (CSA) 2010 rolls out later this year. Qualcomm’s CSA Safety Performance Service is designed to use the same government data and safety assessment methods to combine real-time data and predictive analysis with a carrier’s existing safety data and CSA 2010 scores. The system includes work plans designed to coach improvements in specific driver behaviors, such as speeding or fatigue, that if left uncorrected will lead to an actual warning or violation. These plans can Continue Reading

The anticipated CSA 2010 roll out is just months away, and IT providers are hard at work creating innovations to assist fleet owners with the new safety-scoring system. CSA 2010 was one of the key topics at the 24th annual TMW TransForum Users Conference held in Dallas recently. Products discussed go beyond the scorecards that the FMCSA essentially provides through this new system. For example, TMW’s new Continue Reading

As the implementation of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Comprehensive Safety Analysis (CSA 2010) model approaches, the agency is releasing documents to help those affected understand the program. The FMCSA recently released “CSA 2010: Just the Facts,” a two-page document that addresses myths, misconceptions and 15 facts about CSA 2010 that are commonly misunderstood. To access the documents, visit Continue Reading

Truckers can expect to see more roadside inspections after the implementation of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Comprehensive Safety Analysis (CSA 2010) model later this year. The model is ultimately aimed at reducing crash risks, and according to the safety specialist at Penske Truck Leasing and former South Carolina state transportation police officer, fleets will be challenged to completely rethink their safety management practices. Under this new model, carriers will bear the most responsibility for all safety components because their drivers will be Continue Reading

Hendrickson Trailer Suspension Systems have a new product slated for launch in the first quarter of 2011 that will address some of the biggest concerns fleets, dealers and OEMs have regarding automatic tire inflation systems. The company says its new Tiremaax Pro was designed to address over inflation and balancing into a system that continuously monitors tire pressure and responds to changes in the outside temperature. While balanced tire pressures are ideal for any application, the greatest benefits to balancing are achieved with dual tires. By keeping pressures balanced, scrubbing between Continue Reading

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) made preliminary scores based on its Comprehensive Safety Analysis (CSA 2010) model available to fleets last week, allowing companies to identify unsafe behaviors and address safety compliance issues. In December, each motor carrier’s score will be made public. Prior to CSA 2010′s implementation later this year, the FMCSA recommends that motor carriers verify and update their motor carrier Continue Reading