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Ridewell updates suspension line
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Ridewell’s RSS-233T-20K mid-mount disc brake design.
Ridewell Suspensions has
revised and expanded its 233-20K truck and trailer product lines to
include galvanized components, while trailer drum brake models have been
given a new cross-channel and hanger design.
Also included in the truck suspension family are expanded options for
a factory-integrated and pre-plumbed air tank kit. And the 233-20K
roll-off product line now includes a narrow option for an easier fit
onto the vehicle frame.
New to the 233T-20K trailer product line is a bridge between the air
springs to simplify installation, as well as Huck fasteners. A
cross-channel and hanger design for drum brake models highlight new
pivot connection hardware as well, reducing the number of fasteners
needed per suspension. All models that require air springs to be placed
away from the frame will include a bridge. Source of article click here : Truck News
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Marijuana becomes legal in Canada on Wednesday, but barriers remain for consumer
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Employees collect cuttings from cannabis plants at Hexo Corp. in Quebec on Sept. 26.
In neighboring Quebec, a dozen outlets are to open, while in British
Columbia, there will be just a single provincial store, although it is
expected that cannabis will still be available in privately owned stores
where sales have long been tolerated.
Federal law also will allow adults to grow four
plants apiece for personal consumption, extending a rule for legal users
of medical marijuana, but Quebec and Manitoba intend to ban personal
growing outright. And foods containing cannabis, such as cookies and
candies, will remain illegal for the next year until the Canadian
government completes its regulatory regime for edibles. In the meantime,
they are apparently easily available through illicit sources. [Toronto medical official calls for decriminalizing drugs as opioid overdoses skyrocket in Canada] Several
provinces already have complained that cannabis producers have shipped
less product than anticipated, which could lead to product shortages. Vic
Neufeld, chief executive of Aprhia, one of the top producers, told
investors last week that he expects product shortages to occur for two
or three months until production increases and there is better
understanding of consumer demand. “It’s like trying to merge a five-lane highway into
a one-lane country road,” he said. “It’s tough to get everything
through the bottleneck on a timely basis.” The
anticipated shortage of cannabis through formal retail outlets could be a
major boost for black-market providers, said Anindya Sen, an economics
professor at the University of Waterloo. He notes that many of these
suppliers already use websites, apps and even home delivery for their
offerings. “My fear is that in provinces like
British Columbia or Ontario where we have no retail access, it will be
easy to” find illicit suppliers online, he said in an interview. “You
put in your postal code and up pops a legal supplier or a guy in a
truck.” Despite the hiccups, Sen said he believes Canada has an opportunity to take a leading role in an emerging industry. “A lot of European countries will be looking at what is happening here,”
he said. “If Canada gets it right, it could be a world leader” in
creating systems to produce and process commercial amounts of cannabis. Already, there is an increase in stock market interest for Canadian cannabis producers who have floated their shares. Despite
the fledgling nature of the industry, the value of the shares has
surged with market capitalization of the top five producers reaching
$40 billion, a situation that some consider a bubble. Cannabis
legalization is one of Trudeau’s signature issues, although
implementation has proved more complicated than anticipated. In the past, he has admitted to smoking “five or six times” but said he never enjoyed it much. A
spokesman said that any consumption by the prime minister took place
“many years ago,” and that Trudeau has no plans to purchase or consume
cannabis once it is legalized. For Canadians crossing the border into the United
States, the situation will remain risky for anybody who uses cannabis,
even after the law changes. “Anybody who admits to having violated the
law relating to a controlled substance is inadmissible to the U.S.,” according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Len
Saunders, an immigration lawyer in Blaine, Wash., who specializes in
cross-border issues, said Canadians crossing the border are being placed
in a difficult position. If they are asked by a
U.S. border official whether they have used cannabis and admit they
have, they may be barred entry. If they deny having smoked marijuana and
are found out to have lied, they are in even more serious trouble. What
Saunders suggests to his clients who have smoked is not to answer a
cannabis question from a border officer, which is the individual’s
right. But the Canadian should not attempt to cross the border that day. U.S. citizens have no such risks because U.S. officials cannot legally bar a citizen from entering the country, Saunders said. But
Customs and Border Protection last week agreed to relax its position
related to Canadians working in the cannabis production business. Previously,
they were to be barred entry. Now, they can enter the United States if
they are traveling for reasons “unrelated to the marijuana industry.” Source of article click here : The Washington Post
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Safer drivers, safer roads
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Planned changes aimed at improving the training and qualification
standards for commercial truck drivers in the province is welcome news
for all road users.
Whether the changes will lead to safer highways and roadways in rural
Alberta remains to be seen. What is known is that with more and more
trucks on the roads these days, there is an obvious need to make sure
drivers are not endangering themselves or others.
The province is implementing mandatory entry-level training for new
Class 1 and Class 2 commercial drivers starting early in 2019.
As well as the mandatory training, tougher safety requirements for
new commercial truck and bus companies will also be put in place.
For his part, Transportation Minister Brian Mason says improving
commercial trucking safety is something truckers themselves want and
something that should benefit all Albertans in the long term.
“We’ve worked with our industry stakeholders to make these changes
with their support and we are pleased to be moving forward to put them
in place,” said Mason.
“We are advancing safety standards in our commercial driving
industries to enhance road safety, not only in Alberta, but across the
continent, as commercial drivers travel across Canada and North
America.”
The changes being put in place in the spring will include having a
standardized curriculum taught in all driver training schools, specified
hours of training required in-class, in-yard and in-vehicle, the
introduction of enhanced road tests, and a requirement that safety
fitness certificates be renewed every three years.
As well, driver instructors and examiners will be retrained and retested to deliver and test the new curriculum. As the April 2108 Humboldt bus tragedy showed, collisions involving
larger transport vehicles can sometimes cause death and injury to large
groups of people in an instant.
No question, up-to-date and comprehensive driver training, along with
proper maintenance of vehicles, are key to ensuring that collisions are
avoided and prevented.
As such, these changes announced last week are welcome news for all Alberta motorists and passengers. Source of article click here :INNISFAIL Province
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Congrats on limiting the effects of the increase cost of fuel
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The shortage of drivers is changing the dynamics of trucking costs and could alter the labor/fuel cost ratio.
It’s always interesting when the American Transportation Research Institue (ATRI) comes out with its annual An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking report.
The 2018 update included data from motor carriers that accounted for
178,926 truck-tractors, 4,773 straight-trucks, and 360,434 total
trailers, and accumulated over 9.4 billion miles in 2017 across a
variety of industry segments and fleet sizes.
The numbers are from 2017 before we saw pay raises for drivers and
before full implementation of the ELD mandate may have capped average
miles and before increases in the cost of oil boosted diesel prices up.
The shortage of drivers is changing the dynamics
of trucking costs and could alter the labor/fuel cost ratio. The
labor/fuel cost in 2014 was about 1, when, again according to this same
ATRI report, the cost of fuel per mile was $0.58 and the total labor
$0.59. But the latest ATRI data suggests it was closer to 2 in 2017.
So what does that mean? As the ratio grows and the cost of the
driver eclipses the cost of fuel it may cause fleets to look at their
operations differently. One option is that they will become more
interested in automated vehicles, but it could also cause them to
consider wider use of 53-foot doubles to haul more freight per driver as
in done in Canada and in some limited regions of the U.S. Or it could
push the growth of intermodal.
Another interesting aspect of the new data here is
specifically the cost per mile of the fuel. When compared to 2016, that
cost is up in 2017 to $0.37 from $0.34, a 9.5% increase. A big jump in
costs, but it could have been worse. When comparing the diesel cost at
the pump, using the commonly referenced U.S. Energy Information Administration,
that cost rose from $2.30 to $2.65/gallon, respectively 2016 to 2017.
This was a 15% increase. So, congrats to you all, you limited the
increased cost of fuel at the pump by getting better MPG on the trucks.
So, what is my takeaway from this year’s report? Driver costs are up,
raising the ratio of labor/fuel to about 2, and fuel costs at the pump
are up. But, fleets are continuing to deliver the goods we need by
keeping drivers in the seats and ALL our collective works on saving fuel
is paying off, to limit the fuel expense when pump prices increase.
Keep on Truckin’, as efficiently as possible.
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Mack Sets Up as Go-To Truck for Harsh Canadian Climate
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Two Mack Anthems parked outside Westcan’s facilities in Edmonton. (Joe Antoshak/Transport Topics)
EDMONTON,
Alberta — Bolstered by a growing Canadian economy and a strong trucking
market overall, Mack Trucks is looking to increase its presence across
the northern border.
Economic forecasts, including from the International
Monetary Fund, show Canada’s GDP will grow about 2% in 2019.
Additionally, Canadian exports grew 12.3% in the second quarter — the
strongest quarterly gain in four years — and total construction spending
there also is the highest it has been since 2014.
“When we talk to our customers, when we talk to our
fleets, the issue right now isn’t tonnage, it’s not freight, it’s
finding capacity and finding drivers to drive the capacity,” Jonathan
Randall, senior vice president of North American Sales, said during a
media event here Oct. 10.
A Westcan propane tanker. Westcan entered an agreement with Mack in 2009. (Joe Antoshak/Transport Topics)
“More often than not, when selling trucks to a customer,
if they’re going to order 20, 30 or 40, the off-the-cuff comment is,
‘I’d order another 20 if I could find drivers for them,’” he said.
Westcan Bulk Transport, an Edmonton-based company present
at the event, operates 16 locations across Canada and serves more than
500 customers in the retail petroleum, oil and gas, mining, agriculture
and construction industries. It entered its most recent agreement with
Mack in 2009 because of the manufacturer’s engineering support for harsh
Canadian conditions. Westcan built a large portion of the ice road that
leads to the diamond mines in Canada’s northwestern territories, and it
sends trucks to haul fuel and other supplies along that route every
February and March.
“Mack came to the table with a tractor that truly delivers
on the regular feedback we have provided regarding what we want to see
in a fleet tractor,” said Mike Royer, vice president of fleet services.
Currently, Westcan’s fleet of roughly 700 power units is about 80% Mack,
and it has adopted the Mack Anthem as its fleet truck.
A key reason why, Royer said, is its available safety
features. That includes the Bendix Wingman Fusion, which gathers input
from radar, video and the truck’s braking system to help minimize
accidents. If the system identifies a large, stationary object in a
vehicle’s lane of travel, it will notify the driver up to 3.5 seconds
before impact. If the driver does not take action, the Wingman Fusion
can automatically engage the brakes.
Bendix noted that this can be useful in situations when
visibility is reduced, such as snowstorms that are not uncommon in
northern Canada.
According to Stu Russoli, highway product manager at Mack,
among the areas the company targeted when developing the Anthem was
driver comfort.
This also is an area of importance for Westcan, which is
launching a driver recruitment effort aimed at improving the image of
trucking. Last month the company debuted the video “You’re Meant for the
Road” in an effort to improve recruitment and retention. The campaign
seeks to replace a stereotype of the truck driver as disconnected, with
an image positioning Westcan drivers as a group of elite, trustworthy
and skilled role models.
The need is real; a study commissioned by the Canadian
Trucking Alliance predicts a shortage of as many as 48,000 drivers in
the country by 2024.
Source of article click here :Transport Topics
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Truckers must ‘fuel and go’ during Biketoberfest
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The arrival of thousands of motorcyclists in Daytona, Florida later
this month means a change of procedures at the Love’s Travel Stop in
that area.
Biketoberfest
is Oct. 18-21 and Daytona Harley Davidson, which is located next door
to Love’s in Ormond Beach, is a major participant of the annual
motorcycle event and rally. This means there will be lots of extra
traffic in the area.
As such, Love’s said it can only allow trucks to fuel and go.
Long-term parking won’t be available at this location throughout
Biketoberfest
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Police blitz pulls 158 trucks off the road
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Roadside inspection of 357 vehicles found just 39 without any issues; $37K in fines levied Police in Delta, B.C., targeted more than 350 trucks in a
commercial vehicle blitz last month, issuing tens of thousands of
dollars in fines and pulling nearly half the vehicles off the road for
safety concerns. More than 80 officers pulled the trucks over at six spots in Delta between Sept. 25 and Sept. 27. Of the 357 vehicles pulled over for an inspection, only 39 passed without issue. Another 152 needed minor repairs that could be done later, and
158 — a little more than 44 per cent — were in such bad shape, they
needed immediate repair before they were allowed to proceed. Issues ranged from a missing gas cap to steering problems. The steering axle on one tractor-trailer was loose, which police said could have caused a "catastrophic" loss of steering. Officers issued around $37,000 in tickets and fines over the three days. Delta
police run a commerical truck blitz every year because the city sees
some of the highest number of commercial vehicles on its roads. A statement from the department said this year's crackdown was one of B.C.'s largest. Source of article click here : CBC NEWS
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Let’s take control of the HR narrative
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The trucking and logistics industry continues to face some serious human resources (HR) challenges.
Workforce shortages, new technologies, and a competitive job market
are top-of-mind issues. From Moncton to Kelowna, fleets are struggling
to find the drivers they need. Some report having goods stranded until a
driver can be located.
Companies are investing in higher wages, advertising, and recruitment
campaigns. Yet we know that fewer and fewer Canadians are choosing
trucking and logistics as a career. Fewer than 15% of drivers are
between the ages of 18 and 35, and a mere 3% are women.
At the same time, e-commerce and innovative warehousing and
distribution processes are creating new opportunities in the trucking
and logistics industry.
Opportunities we need to seize.
There is a lot at stake here, and we need to start looking at more
comprehensive and sustainable solutions from an HR perspective. As you
develop strategies for managing your own workforce, here are some ideas
that should influence your thinking:
Jobs may change, not disappear
New technologies will absolutely impact the nature of work in our
industry. However, at this point, we are not sure how. It could be that
traditional occupations morph into new ones – in a more automated supply
chain, drivers may become “transportation engineers” and dispatchers
“logistical analysts.” Companies will need to adapt as operations
evolve.
And, when we read stories about how technology will change our industry, others seem to be controlling the narrative.
For example, autonomous trucks are being tested in live environments –
and they make headlines every time. In 2016, our own federal minister
of finance, Bill Morneau, was quoted as saying that the truck driver job
will disappear in the years to come. Other research shows that many
Canadians believe that autonomous trucks will soon be rolling down our
highways.
We need to take control of this narrative, and we need to better identify how these roles can change.
It’s hard to attract and recruit people to a job they think will be obsolete in a few years.
Create a work-life balance people actually want
Our youth research shows that work-life balance matters – often as much
as compensation. It’s clear that increasing compensation will not be
enough to attract the workers we need.
We need to take a good hard look at the nature of a job that has
drivers away from home and family for weeks at a time. How can we
address aspects that can be seen as unhealthy, including making sure
drivers get proper rest, food, exercise, and time at home?
How we can offer a work environment and lifestyle that people actually want?
More informed decisions
To better attract and recruit the talent we need, we need to better
understand the current and future labor market in the first place.
Change is happening quickly, and we need to ensure that we have the
information to make sound HR decisions.
Our new labor market information initiative will help us do just
that. Trucking HR Canada will probe further as to how the workforce of
the future perceives our industry so that we can take the steps
necessary to ensure we better connect with them. At the same time, we
will assess the current business and economic climate as it pertains to
changing work environments.
Amidst the challenges, this is an exciting time. And, we will be
reaching out to industry stakeholders over the next few months for
input.
We may not find all the solutions, but we are starting to pave the way. Source of article click here : Truck News
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Ground breaks for Gordie Howe Bridge
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WINDSOR, Ont. – Ground has officially broken on the new Gordie
Howe International Bridge, beginning full-scale construction of a
six-lane, 2.5-km cable-stay span to link Windsor, Ont. and Detroit,
Mich.
It should be open to traffic as early as 2022.
“With over 2.6 million trucks a year crossing between Windsor and
Detroit, carrying $1.6 million in trade per minute, today’s ceremony
paves the way for a brighter trading future under the newly minted USMCA
agreement,” said Canadian Trucking Alliance chairman Scott Smith.
“Although more details are needed, potential cross-border program
modernization under the USMCA agreement can potentially be adapted into
new plaza construction – a tremendous benefit toward the future growth
of cross border trade.”
The alliance participated in the groundbreaking and a related U.S.
ceremony earlier this summer. Canada is the sole financial investor in
the bridge.
“As the owner of a fleet whose equipment crosses into Michigan each
day, my company and our customers welcome the introduction of added
capacity into the U.S. The Gordie Howe Bridge adds extra market security
to the supply chain which will undoubtedly bring a positive investment
climate for the trucking industry and its customers who depend on
efficient ports of entry into the United States,” said Steve Ondejko,
chairman of the Ontario Trucking Association. “Today is a good day for
Canadian business.” Source of article click here : Truck News
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Alberta government taking back driver’s licence road testing from private indust
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WATCH ABOVE: Transportation Minister Brian Mason announced on
Tuesday that the Alberta government is taking back carrying out driver
licence road tests from the private sector, effective March 1, 2019.
The
Alberta government is taking back carrying out driver licence road
tests from the private sector — 25 years after the province moved to the
privatized model. Changes to the way road tests are carried out
in Alberta was something Transportation Minister Brian Mason promised to
do after the Humboldt Broncos bus crash. Mason said Tuesday it’s
the best solution to fix testing plagued by reports of poor service,
high fees and lack of access in smaller centres.
“It’s a Wild West kind of system that has not served Albertans well,” he said. He said his government receives scores of complaints ranging from underhanded dealing to criminal behaviour. “We
get, like, seven complaints a day on average … people being failed so
that they have to pay a fee to retest,” said Mason. “There’s some
question about some people being passed maybe that shouldn’t be. “There
are instances of harassment and even assault. It’s pretty clear that we
have a system that is broken and we need to fix that.”
Mason said driver examiners will be government employees and the changes will be in place by March 1, 2019. Watch
below: Big changes are coming to driver testing in Alberta. As Tom
Vernon reports, starting on March 1, all road tests will be conducted by
government employees.
There
will be a flat fee of $83 for a standard Class 5 licence. The fee for a
Class 1 commercial truck driver will be $219, and Mason said further
changes to Class 1 and Class 2 licences will be announced later. Service
Alberta Minister Brian Malkinson said the way Albertans access road
tests won’t change significantly, as people will still go through a
registry to book their test. “We are taking steps to ensure
Alberta’s driver examination model is safe, transparent and secure,”
Malkinson said. “We committed to consulting and working with registry
agents, and we did just that.” Road tests are currently done by
153 private testers across the province. Mason hopes to hire most of
those existing testers as government employees. “I think the
majority of them are professionals that do a really good job, and if
they’re interested, we’re interested in hiring them,” Mason said. The tests will still be administered through private registry agencies, as is done now, but will be done by government testers. The
examiners will get training and be subject to reviews, he said. There
will be a call centre for complaints, but revenues are expected to
offset added costs. The province said the benefits to Albertans include: - Standardized fees to ensure everyone pays the same price for the same service.
- Enhanced oversight to ensure road test services are conducted fairly, consistently and professionally.
- A call centre to receive complaints and co-ordinate responses effectively.
- Mobile driver examiners using tablet and GPS technology to enhance accessibility across the province, especially in rural areas.
- Online and in-person scheduling.
- Benefits and professional development opportunities for driver examiners.
When
Alberta moved to a privatized model in 1993, the rationale was based on
increased access for Albertans and low cost to provide examinations.
Instead, the government said concerns emerged surrounding oversight and
high fees, compared with the rest of Canada. Mason said performing
driving tests is a basic government function and shouldn’t have been
privatized by Ralph Klein’s PC government. “This is an example of one of the privatizations that took place that hasn’t worked at all,” Mason said.
“Basically, it’s completely unregulated.”
The
province plans to hire 161 examiners and ensure that they are available
so that tests can be done quickly no matter where a person lives. As
it stands, Mason said it’s difficult for new drivers in remote rural
areas to get road tests because of cost efficiencies — examiners can
spend a day doing five tests in Edmonton or spend a day driving to a
remote location to do one. “It becomes very difficult to provide good service under this (current) model outside major centres.” WATCH:
Service Alberta Minister Brian Malkinson explains how the province
taking back carrying out road tests will benefit drivers, including
lowering costs and increasing access in rural areas.
Alberta
is believed to be the only jurisdiction in North America that delivers
road tests through the free market. They are arranged through privately
operated registry agencies. An independent consultant’s report
said the approach is failing to deliver projected cost savings to
consumers and is open to collusion and abuse due to lack of co-ordinated
oversight and independent data such as in-vehicle video. In July,
Malkinson said an in-house study by his department from 2014 to 2017
found there were more than 40 investigations of improper behaviour on
the tests. It ranged from improperly scored exams and poor customer
service to a sexual harassment complaint.
There were also complaints that would-be drivers are purposely flunked to make them retake their tests as a cash grab. Malkinson’s
department estimated the average price for a basic Class 5 driver’s
licence is $90 a test — double or triple the cost for similar tests in
other provinces. Prices rise sharply after that for more
specialized licences and top out at $219 on average for a Class 1
licence for commercial truck drivers. That’s three to four times higher
than in other provinces. A motorcycle road test that costs $22 in Saskatchewan and $20 in Prince Edward Island costs an average of $145 in Alberta.
Wayne
Drysdale, transportation critic for the Opposition United
Conservatives, said the New Democrats have botched the issue by moving
testing back in-house, especially given that the government is running
deficits in the billions of dollars. “It appears that the NDP is
intent on ‘fixing’ something that isn’t broken,” Drysdale said in a
release. “If a few bad actors exist, then the government should of
course address that. But today’s change is drastic overreach. “The
NDP is once again intent on growing the size of government, despite the
current fiscal crisis our province faces in part because of increases
in government spending.” Source of article click here : Global News
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Designated truck route on agenda again at Thunder Bay city council
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Previous city council elected in 2010 started process; could finish with 2018-2022 council A process started over four years ago to eliminate truck
traffic from Dawson Road and West Arthur Street in Thunder Bay, Ont.,
may get another holdover at Thunder Bay city council tonight. Council
originally passed the concept on Oct. 6, 2014, which included a weight
restriction for trucks travelling on West Arthur Street. Proposed bans
on heavy trucks along some city thoroughfares, such as Dawson Road, have been debated by city council previously. Administration
will bring forward its plan to create a designated truck route in city
limits, effectively forcing transport drivers to drive along the
Trans-Canada Highway, via the Thunder Bay Expressway and Highway 11-17
as they pass through the city. Trucks with local deliveries would
be required to stay along the Harbour Expressway for as long as
possible, and then drive directly to their destination. Mayor
Keith Hobbs will bring forward a motion to defer the decision until
January 2019, so the next city council can deal with the issue. "Although
I appreciate that this matter has been ongoing for some time and based
on previous direction from council, further consultation was
needed," Hobbs wrote in a memo. "It is my opinion that the timing of
this presentation is problematic." Hobbs wrote that any decision
puts incumbent members of council in a difficult position, which could
have an effect on how the current council votes, or the public votes in
the municipal election. He also wrote the new council could simply
overturn any decision made, when the matter itself is brought to city
council proper, and not committee of the whole. Report delayed numerous times The
report was originally slated to be approved by council in early June,
but administration pulled the report, to consult once again with
stakeholders. The trucking industry, as well as the chamber of
commerce have also called for numerous delays on any decision, and ask
for additional consultation. The
Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, along with Santorelli's Truck Stop are
slated to make a deputation to council on Monday night to speak about
their concerns with the proposal.
The city has already received correspondence from Resolute
Forest Products, who said their contract truck drivers have concerns
about adding to the length of their route to access the sawmill at Fort
William First Nation, as well as the pulp and paper complex on Neebing
Avenue. The surrounding communities of Oliver-Paipoonge, Neebing,
O'Connor, Conmee and South Gillies have all voiced opposition to the
route. The communities all said they oppose routing the estimated
500 trucks per-day through the village of Kakabeka Falls, which does not
have turning lanes, but does have four lanes of traffic. City
administration noted the creation of the route will cost $10,000
annually, which includes renting billboards and signage to inform truck
drivers of the route. Source of article click here : CBC NEWS
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Canada’s spot market sees more capacity, less freight
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TORONTO, Ont. – Canadian spot market load volumes increased towards
the end of September, but third quarter volumes were 29% off
unprecedented Q2 numbers.
Third quarter load volumes were only 11% lower year-over-year,
according to TransCore Link Logistics. The truck-to-load ratio started
September at 2.90, but improved to 2.68 by the end of the month.
Third quarter load volumes were the second highest ever for a third
quarter, behind only last year’s. More trucks are coming online,
TransCore noted, with truck postings surging to more than one million
postings per month, last seen in the third quarter of 2016.
Compared to August, September’s load volumes were down 15%, and
year-over-year volumes were down 22%. TransCore Link Logistics suggests
the results reflect a quiet season of shipping activity during a year of
record-breaking load activity. Natural disasters and uncertainty about a
trade agreement may also have weighed on loads, the company suggests.
Intra-Canada loads accounted for 33% of total volumes and represented
a 7% decrease year-over-year. Cross-border loads represented 65% of the
data; loads leaving Canada for the U.S. and those headed north were
both down 26% y-o-y.
Equipment postings were up 16% compared to last September, with
capacity increasing 23% in the third quarter compared to the second
quarter. Last September there were 1.8 trucks for every load, and this
September that rose to 2.68. Source of article click here : Truck News
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Simon Cowell helps dogs saved from meat farm get new life in Canada
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Some of the nearly 200 dogs rescued from a meat factory in South Korea
are being rehomed in Canada – thanks in part to Simon Cowell.
Many of the dogs, including puppies and older dogs used for breeding,
have spent their lives in metal cages, many with painful injuries,
malnutrition and skin diseases.
They are now on their way to emergency shelters around the world thanks
to the work of Humane Society International and a $42,000 donation from
Cowell, a former judge on America’s Got Talent and American Idol, who
heard about the HSI project from the organization's U.K. branch. t is the 13th canine meat factory to be shut by the society in the last three years.
More than 70 of the animals saved from slaughter arrived in Montreal on Friday.
Ewa Demianowicz, campaign manager for HSI Canada, said: "This canine farm is overwhelming.
“Dogs spent their days in dirty metal cages, unable to meet their most basic needs.
“They will have a wonderful new life in their new homes and will never
suffer deprivation or cruelty again and that is fantastic. "
The newly arrived dogs were temporarily sheltered at a Cambridge, Ont.,
trucking company after being flown from South Korea, before being taken
to the Montreal shelter for rehabilitation, socialization and eventual
adoption.
Many of the dogs were severely emaciated with eye and skin infections and other injuries.
The new Canadian dogs will receive veterinary care and will soon be up for adoption.
Some of the animals are traumatized and volunteers have to gently guide the dogs into their new cages.
They'll get multiple walks and time to roam, spending up to two months
at the shelter being rehabilitated and getting veterinary care that
started in South Korea.
Nara Kim, HSI's dog meat activist in South Korea, believes there is
momentum across Asia to ban the canine trade. She said she believes
HSI's approach – which involves offering farmers money to help them move
into another line of farming – is the right way to reduce the number of
dog meat operations.
According to HIS, more than 2.5 million dogs are raised each year in
thousands of dog meat farms in South Korea, the only country known for
raising dogs for human consumption. 
A dog rescued from a South Korea meat farm ready to be rehomed in Canada
Rebecca Aldworth, executive director of the HSI Canada, told CTVNews Montreal: “These dogs have come from the worst place imaginable.
“These dogs are getting a second chance, which they really deserve.” Source of article click here : CTV
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Training for truckers should be mandatory in N.L., driver says
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Cliff Rowe says some drivers have no real training driving tractor trailers In the wake of the Humboldt Broncos crash in Saskatchewan in
April that killed 16 people and resulted in multiple charges against the
trucking company involved, one trucker in Newfoundland and Labrador
says there should be mandatory training for tractor trailer drivers. Cliff
Rowe, owner of Fogo Island Freight, says some drivers in the province
do not have any formalized training beyond the basic requirements set by
the province's Motor Vehicle Registration division. "If you've
got a friend with a truck, he can show you how to drive and everything —
you still end up at motor registration, of course, for the final test
— but that's the way it is here in Newfoundland," Rowe said.
He said most people likely aren't aware that formalized
training isn't required for truck drivers in the province, but given the
size of a transport truck, it's important that drivers have more
training regarding safety and proper operation of the vehicle. "It's a professional business. You have to know what you're doing with those big rigs," Rowe said. "[When] you go to school, you learn more than basics." All the drivers in his company have completed formal training at schools in the province, Rowe said, including his three sons. He
said he doesn't know why training requirements haven't been
implemented, and that many in the trucking industry would also like to
see more training. Driver training review ongoing In a
statement to CBC News, the provincial government said tractor trailer
drivers can take a training course specific to commercial vehicles
through a school that is registered and has a curriculum overseen by the
Department of Advanced Education Skills and Labour, but the training
isn't required. Drivers can also follow a non-formal stream to
apply for a commercial driver's licence that requires a medical exam, a
knowledge test and a practical driving exam, the statement said. A
driver must also have a minimum of 32 months of driving experience. The
province said its Motor Registration Division is currently consulting
with other provinces to conduct a review of training standards for all
commercial classes of licences, including large truck operators. The review is expected to be completed this fall, with the outcome informing any future changes to driver training. Ontario is currently the only province in Canada that requires specific training for transport truck drivers. Source of article click here : CBC NEWS
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Oversized, overweight restrictions on Florida’s Mid-Bay Bridge
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Mid-Bay
Bridge is a toll bridge that runs across Choctawhatchee Bay in Okaloosa
County, Florida. (Image Courtesy of Mid-Bay Bridge Authority)
The Florida Department of Transportation on Oct. 5 announced oversize
and overweight restrictions on the Mid-Bay Bridge in Okaloosa County
for vehicles over 80,000 pounds.
FDOT announced the temporary restrictions after a routine inspection
discovered corrosion on a steel cable inside the bridge that reinforces
concrete. The truck restrictions were announced as a preventative
measure while a repair plan is created. The bridge remains open to
passenger vehicles.
On average, 22,000 vehicles drive over the Mid-Bay Bridge each day.
The bridge was built in 1993 and runs 3.6 miles over the Choctawhatchee
Bay.
FDOT did not provide a timeframe for when the temporary truck restrictions would be lifted. Source of article click here : Truckers News
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Ritchie Bros. preps for big three-day Edmonton auction
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More than 700 owners already consigned 5,300+ equipment items to the October 23 – 25 event
EDMONTON,
Oct. 9, 2018 /CNW/ - Winter is coming and contractors are busy getting
ready, upgrading and altering their fleets for cold/wet wintery
conditions. As a result, hundreds of sellers and thousands of buyers are
expected to participate in Ritchie Bros.' next big Edmonton auction on October 23 – 25, 2018.
"October is a major fleet realignment time for contractors, which makes it an ideal time for an auction," said Trent Vandenberghe, Regional Sales Manager, Ritchie Bros.
"We already have more than 5,300 equipment items and trucks listed to
be sold for more than 700 owners in our October event. Contractors send
us their equipment from all across Western Canada
to take advantage of the massive crowds we attract, especially around
this time of year. Our October auction also features a great selection
of real estate, all of which will be sold unreserved."
Equipment highlights in the auction include
80+ excavators, 70+ skid steers, 60+ dozers, 65+ compactors, 40+
loaders, 70+ flatbed trucks, 30+ dump trucks, 120+ truck tractors, 30+
agricultural tractors, and more. All items will be sold without minimum
bids or reserve prices.
The three-day auction features several
complete dispersals, including more than 100 items being sold for A
& R Reclamation Ltd. Based in Sylvan Lake, AB, A & R Reclamation has been servicing the reclamation, remediation, civil and oilfield industries for the past 23 years.
"With Ritchie Bros.
I can sell all my gear in one go instead of selling an item at a time,
which could take me a year or two, plus the market exposure they provide
is huge," said Arnold Bowen,
Owner & CEO of A & R Reclamation. "This is a complete
dispersal. All the equipment I'm selling was working for us and
regularly maintained by our full-time mechanics. One of the best things
about Ritchie Bros.
as a buyer—I've bought millions of dollars of equipment from them over
the years—is that all of the equipment is right there for you to inspect
and they can provide maintenance records, etc., which makes me
confident when bidding."
Specific equipment highlights in the Edmonton auction include:
- 10 Caterpillar D6T LGP dozers
- Six Caterpillar D7E dozers
- Five Caterpillar 336EL hydraulic excavators
- Three Volvo A40G 6x6 articulated dump trucks
- Four John Deere S680 combines
- Six Kenworth T800 tri-drive vac trucks (incl. five sleeper models)
- Four Kenworth C500 T/A T/A bed trucks
- Two 2011 Dragflow DRH400 submersible dredges
- A 2015 Kenworth T900 tri-drive hot oiler pressure tank truck
20 parcels of real estate to be sold by unreserved auction
Ritchie Bros. often sells agricultural, industrial, residential, and commercial real estate in its Edmonton auctions. On Day Two (October 24) of the Edmonton auction the company will sell more than 20 parcels of real estate, including an industrial property in Strathcona, a commercial property in Vermillion River County, and farmland in Mountain View County. For more details on the real estate being sold in the auction, visit rbauction.com/realestate.
SOURCE Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers
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Truck driver ticketed for crashing through work zone
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SASKATOON, SASK. — The City of Saskatoon has ticketed a semi-truck
driver who nearly hit a roadworker and damaged a specialized pothole
patching machine. “Fortunately, no one was injured. However, one person was in the work
zone at the time and three others were on their way from another site –
each of them with families to get home to,” said Brandon Harris,
director of roadways and operations, in a press release. “With advance
warning signs and plenty of pylons, there is absolutely no reason for
any vehicle to be in that work zone and put lives at risk.”
The man was ticketed under the Traffic Safety Act for driving without due care and attention.
The incident happened July 15 at Circle Drive and Avenue C.
According to the city, the semi-truck and trailer knocked over two
metal construction signs, ran over several pylons and dragged the city’s
new infrared pothole patching machine – which was loaded with propane
tanks – for six metres.
A worker, who was nearly hit, attempted to warn the truck driver.
Drivers are required to slow to 60 km/h or the posted speed limit
when they enter a work zone and follow the directions of all signs in
the area.
“My message for drivers is unless you are part of that crew in that
moment, you must not touch the pylons, signs or any other barriers,”
said Harris. “These are in place to protect the people who are at work.”
The crew was on its fourth day of a pilot project to test the new
infrared patching technology and its effectiveness on restoring sections
of damaged asphalt before they deteriorate into potholes.
The cost of fixing the unique, experimental patch machine is unknown as repairs and troubleshooting are ongoing.
“Even in light of our highly visible ‘At What Cost?’ public awareness
campaign, some people continue to disobey work zone road signs, put
lives at risk and in some cases cause work to shut down,” said Harris.
He noted it is the second ticket this month the city has given for
work zone violations reported by city workers. Multiple reports of other
work zone violations are still under investigation by Saskatoon Police
Service.
Crews who witness a driver inside their work zone are encouraged to
record license plate information and provide a driver description to
police.
“People squeeze their vehicles between barricades all the time,
thinking they are above the law,” said Harris. “It’s dangerous for our
workers, puts the equipment at risk of damage and can be harmful for the
driver.” Source of article click here : Journal of Commerce
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Meet B.C.’s cooling titan
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RICHMOND, B.C. – Volta Air hasn’t been in the business of producing
electric reefer units that long, but it has already secured $110,000 in
cold, hard cash that comes through a significant business prize.
The manufacturer in Richmond, B.C., recently secured the top honor
through Innovate B.C. – New Ventures, recognized as the province’s
largest and longest-running tech competition for early-stage start-ups.
Its current products come in the form of 12-volt systems that don’t
rely on traditional diesel power, and come with integrated rechargeable
batteries and optional solar panels. The end result is that each unit
can annually save 15,000-lb. in carbon dioxide emissions when compared
to a traditional reefer, the company says.
The Pluto model is made for vehicles like Ford Transit and Daimler
Sprinter vans and generates between 7,000 and 12,000 BTUs, capable of
maintaining temperatures between 4 and -8 C. Its larger cousin, the
Titan, generates up to 20,000 BTUs, and supports a dual-zone cooling
system.
Research and development began about seven years ago, leading to the
launch of the business four years ago. Through support from a team at
Simon Fraser University, the product line itself began to emerge just
over two years ago.
Initial sales have included the likes of the Spud grocery delivery
service in Vancouver, and BYD will be using the technology as it
prepares to create an all-electric refrigerated delivery vehicle.
About 550 units have been sold in the past two years, and Volta says
it has recorded more than 30,000 operating hours in the field.
“We basically make the home delivery and urban delivery of fresh and frozen products more efficient,” says Kris Malek, CEO.
There were plenty of companies participating in Innovate B.C.’s
competition, which began with a list of 190 candidates for the prize, he
says. But after several rounds of analysts pouring over business plans
and models, a win was secured.
“There are no engine-connected parts, so a lot of our end users are
installing themselves,” Malek adds, referring to product benefits. “What
we’re offering is a fully electric system that runs off the battery.”
The story is about more than the electric power source alone, though.
A related monitoring system anchored in the Internet of Things also
watches over equipment operation in real time, he says.
The company currently has 10 employees in Canada and two in the U.S.,
and manufacturing is based in Richmond, B.C. (One unit is produced in
China.) Dealers, meanwhile, have been secured from Texas to California,
and B.C. to Toronto. Source of article click here : Today's Trucking
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Bridgestone, Firestone and Bandag tires to cost more
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations and
Bridgestone Canada are informing customers that Bridgestone and
Firestone truck tires will increase in price Nov. 9.
Bandag retreads sold in the U.S. and Canada will also be affected.
National account, national fleet, and national fleet preferred prices
will go up 10% on Bridgestone and Firestone tires, as well as Bandag
retreads.
The price increase is in response to increased business costs and
other market dynamics, the company said. The price increase will affect
tires shipped on or after Nov. 9. Source of article click here : Truck News
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Canmore sets up warming centre to help stranded motorists
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BOW VALLEY – The Town of Canmore has set up a warming centre to help
dozens of motorists stranded on the Trans-Canada Highway after a heavy
snowfall blanketed the region causing traffic chaos on highways and
roads, Oct. 2.
The Town opened the centre just before 1 a.m. on Oct. 3 and within an
hour a steady trickle of people could be seen entering Canmore
Collegiate High School to seek refuge from the storm that dumped upwards
of 50 centimetres of snow on the region.
Earlier in the day, dozens of accidents were reported on the
Trans-Canada Highway and the 1A leading to periodic closures, however,
with darkness setting in and hundreds of vehicles still stuck on the
road the RCMP decided to close the Trans-Canada between Deadman’s Flats
and Las Des Arcs in both directions to begin evacuating stranded
motorists.
Prior to being rescued, many
motorists took to social media to vent their frustrations and share
their stories about being stuck on the highway for hours on end with no
help or information.
Kimberley Day was on her way to the Calgary airport with her partner
when they got stuck for more than nine-and-a-half hours on the highway
between Deadman’s Flats and Lac Des Arcs.
“As the darkness fell it started to really sink in that we could very well be here for hours,” said Day.
“We’re fortunate that we have gas and we have water because there are
definitely some people around us who are probably a lot more desperate
than we are.”
Others shared similar stories from their vehicles.
Natalie Bowker was traveling from Lake Louise to Saskatoon with a
friend when they also got stuck behind a line up of cars and transport
trucks near Lac Des Arcs around 12-noon. “In front of me right now I can probably see about 50 cars and no one is moving,” said Bowker, around 9:30 p.m.
“No one has come by to check on anyone for food, water, gas, or anything like that.”
Derek McKirdy, a truck driver for the past 15 years, described the situation as a “gong show.”
“I’ve driven through worse than this, but what I don’t understand is
why there’s no one out here to help people,” said McKirdy, who spent at
least eight hours stuck on the Trans-Canada near the rock cut.
“At least I can move around in my truck and I have food and water,
but we’ve sat here for eight hours and have not seen a plow or anything,
it’s unbelievable.”
He blamed the poor road conditions on “incompetence” by the highway maintenance crew.
“I just don’t understand where the plows were, it makes no sense to me why they weren’t out plowing before all this took place.”
Earlier in the day Canmore RCMP Sgt. Stanton Andronyk said winter
driving conditions were expected to continue throughout the next 24
hours in the region and advised motorist to stay home.
“If you don’t have to travel today, then we would recommend against it,” Andronyk said. He said drivers heading out should expect delays and travel at speeds appropriate for the conditions.
The warming centre is located at Canmore Collegiate High School (1800
8th Ave). Coffee, snacks, chairs, and cots are available. The entrance
to the gym is located to the right of the main entrance.
Environment Canada, meanwhile, has extended its snowfall warning for Kananaskis, the MD of Bighorn, Canmore and Banff areas.
In addition to intense bands of snow producing visibility to less
than one kilometre, general snowfall amounts of 20 to 50
centimetres were reported on Tuesday (Oct. 2). Another 10 to 25
centimetres was expected to fall on Wednesday night (Oct. 3) however,
the snow is expected to taper off from north to south by the morning. Source of article click here : Outlook
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