Truck Rollover crashes: How & why?

How do large semi-trucks lose control and how can these accidents be prevented? According to the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine, "When a truck travels along a curved path, centrifugal force causes it to lean away from the direction of the curve. The result can be a “rollover” in which the truck overturns. Tractor-trailers are particularly vulnerable because of the trailer’s high center of gravity and frequently unstable loads."

Some more factors that could possibly contribute to these rollover accidents are, the driver's lack of staying awake, paying attention, steering, and distraction. Rollovers are the "deadliest crashes, occurring with particular frequency on freeway ramps and inclines and suggested the use of sensor activated warning signs that detect unsafe approaches."

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HOS is slowing the rate increases for trucks

"An uneven flow of freight volume combined with the still-uncertain impact of changes to hours of service (HOS) regulations that went into effect July 1 are retarding the ability of carriers to win significant rate increases, at least for the moment."

 According to Jonathan Gold, vice president of the National Retail Federation, told Fleet Owner than many of the group’s members are “still trying to figure out” what alternations they’ll need to make to their supply chain operations due to HOS changes. Gold went on to add, "Many are still trying to ascertain what changes will be needed, it’s all part of evaluating their supply chain needs.” What does this mean for the industry? It means that U.S. economic growth should continue to strengthen and thus boost freight demand and hopefully things can get to a consistent growing level again. 

Curtosey of Fleet Owner

The Annual Transportation Stat. Report has just been Released

The U.S. Transportation Department’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics has just released the Transportation Statistics Annual Report for 2012.

The 17th edition of this congressionally mandated report presents key transportation indicators along with an overview of the transportation system. It also includes data and information about freight movement, transportation and the economy, system reliability, transportation safety, energy use and environmental impacts.

In addition, it focuses on closing data gaps and improving the ways in which transportation statistics are collected, compiled, analyzed, and published.

You can view the entire report on the BTS website.

What every driver needs to stay connected

Sometimes technology fails, so it is good to have a back up plan when out on the road. According to Drive Smart, here are three gadgets that can come in handy when you are on that long trip and need a reliable technology backup.

1. Electric Power Inverter:

This is the least costly way to make sure you have constant usability of your gadgets. While on the road, it’s essential to access GPS and your phone at all times. Having a backup power supply, such as an electric power inverter, gives some leniency of your power.

2. Portable Solar Panel:

While they don’t carry as great of a charge as an electric power inverter typically does and take a bit longer to charge, they can keep your essentials ready to access whenever you need them.

3. Mobile Wireless Internet:

With the availability of mobile wireless Internet packages, these inconveniences are only optional. As connectivity becomes a greater concern for an increasingly connected industry, it’s crucial for drivers to have a contingency for when they lose availability for an extended period of time.

After two months of decline, the trucking industry has gained more jobs

According to numbers reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, both May and June produced net job losses in the for-hire trucking industry- however, 6,300 net payroll jobs were added in Juy. The trucking payroll employment doesn't include private fleets. "Also, May’s 3,500-job reduction was downwardly revised to just 3,000 job cuts in the month." Total unemployment for the entire U.S. economy increased by 162,000 jobs. That number is weaker than economists had predicted and is the lowest month-over-month increase since March.