News

Traffic congestion on U.S. highways added $94.6 billion in costs to the trucking industry in 2021 according to the latest Cost of Congestion study published by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI).  This is the highest level yet recorded through this ongoing research initiative.

ATRI utilized a variety of data sources including its unique truck GPS database to calculate trucking delay impacts from 2017 through 2021 on major U.S. roadways.  While year-over-year congestion costs decreased in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they rose sharply in 2021 with a total of 1.27 billion hours of lost productivity.  This increase in costs reflects the dramatic post-COVID economic recovery, with high GDP growth and freight demand borne from record levels of consumer spending.  This level of delay equates to more than 460,000 commercial truck drivers sitting idle for one work year, and the 2021 figure represents a 27 percent increase from the report’s baseline year of 2016 – an increase that is twice the rate of inflation.

In addition to the national findings, ATRI’s analysis also documented state and metropolitan delays and related cost impacts.  The top 10 states each experienced costs of more than $3 billion, led by California ($9.00B), Texas ($7.26B) and Florida ($7.16B). Combined, these 10 states ultimately account for more than half (53%) of trucking’s congestion costs nationwide.  Additionally, the New York City metropolitan area ranked highest for cities, with costs approaching $5.5 billion annually.

The report also documents transportation investment by states through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which could provide as much as $350 billion in funding to address congestion.

“Over the last several years, our industry has experienced some of the most dramatic increases in operating costs, including fuel, labor and equipment,” said Michael Lasko, Vice President of EHS and Quality at Boyle Transportation.  “Imagine how those costs are magnified by sitting still in traffic. We all should keep in mind that those costs are passed down directly to consumers resulting in higher prices for goods and services throughout the economy.  Hopefully we can leverage the new infrastructure spending to get our supply chains moving again.”

ATRI’s analysis also found that the trucking industry wasted over 6.7 billion gallons of diesel fuel in 2021 due to congestion, resulting in more than $22.3 billion in additional fuel costs. A copy of this report is available on ATRI’s website here.

New Jersey’s statewide costs ranked seventh in the country at $3.8 billion in 2021, a 14.6 percent increase from 2016. 

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Join @Motive at Topgolf - Mount Laurel
November 1
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Register Now https://go.gomotive.com/TopGolf-NJ-2023.html

As proud members of the New Jersey Motor Truck Association, Motive invites you to join them for an afternoon of networking, laughs, and some friendly competition – all while discovering how Motive's fleet management solutions drive safety and success in your operations.

Here’s the course layout:
- Insights and best practices presented by Gary Johnson, Head of Safety & Compliance Strategy, Motive
- Plenty of food, drinks, and golf
- A chance to meet with Motive executives and network with industry peers

Bettaway Rolls Out All-Electric Yard Tractors for AriZona Iced Tea Logistics Operations

Specialized, all-electric tractors enter service in yard operations to position trailers, move them to and from docks to cross-dock freight, then reposition for dispatch.

EDISON NJ – SEPT. 26, 2023 — Bettaway Supply Chain Services has introduced all-electric yard tractors to its logistics and warehousing operations supporting AriZona Beverage Company’s production operations in Edison, NJ.

The battery-electric yard switching tractors are specialized units used to position trailers in the facility’s parking area, move them to and from dock doors where cargoes are cross-docked among trailers being unloaded and reloaded, and then reposition trailers in the yard where they are then mated with road tractors for dispatch.

The two EV yard switchers, which replaced diesel-powered units, can operate for nearly 24 hours before recharging, and take less than two hours to recharge. The specialized units also have ceramic solar tinting on all the cab’s windows to protect drivers from heat and UV ray exposure. In addition, the units were painted with a unique graphic design and color scheme developed by AriZona and promoting its flagship iced tea product.

They are domiciled at a state-of-the-art, AriZona Beverage Company iced tea factory that has one of the largest solar panel installations in the state of New Jersey.  On a sunny day, the solar array produces 5 megawatts of power, enough to supply 300 to 400 homes.

“The EV units have been performing flawlessly, the drivers enjoy the smooth quiet ride as well as no more exhaust fumes, which were an issue with the diesel units,” noted John Vaccaro, president of Bettaway, which provides high-performance supply chain services to major beverage and CPG companies and is a leader in pallet recycling and sustainable supply and management of national pallet networks.

“This is one of several steps we are taking to introduce EV units to different parts of our operations,” he added. “We have a deep commitment to sustainability in logistics, and we intend to continue exploring EV opportunities and deploying zero-emissions equipment as it becomes commercially viable.” Bettaway also has on order three of Tesla’s long-delayed electric semi-truck units.  

Among other sustainability initiatives, since 2008, Bettaway has been spec'ing light weight trucks and trailers for its 150-tractor, 900-trailer fleet, delivering improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. Over the past several years Bettaway also has been upgrading its fleet with fully automatic transmissions, further improving fuel economy.  

In addition, the company employs advanced transportation optimization software for route planning and management to ensure efficient delivery and minimum miles traveled and fuel used. Lastly, the company has installed motion-sensitive lighting in its warehouses to minimize electricity use.

About Bettaway Supply Chain Services: South Plainfield, NJ-based Bettaway is an integrated material handling, transportation, and supply chain management company. A family-owned business for 40 years, Bettaway is an industry leader in pallet supply and management solutions, providing a managed service incorporating a network of some 500 facilities and a centralized suite of pallet services. The company also provides quality transportation with its own dedicated fleets on both the east and west coasts, and national 3PL network. Value-added services include a full-scope warehouse operation with a variety-pack line, e-commerce fulfillment and distribution management for beverage and other CPG products, as well as supply chain consulting. Bettaway also is the founder and operator of PalletTrader, the supply chain industry’s first neutral, collaborative eCommerce marketplace for online posting, buying, selling and delivery of white wood pallets. Visit us at www.bettaway.com.

Media contact: Gary Frantz, Bettaway, gary@gnfcomms.com, (925) 594-1434

NJMTA would like to take a moment to thank everyone who sponsored the NJMTA Annual Golf Outing & Networking Event. Your support and partnership played a key role in the success of our event, and we appreciate your participation.  We hope to see you again next year.

2023 Golf Outing Winners

1st Place Team - Campbell's Express - Bill Messenger, Dave Sullivan, Frank Kohute & Joe Zulli.

2nd Place Team - Bergey's Truck Centers - Matt Huston, Lincoln Bergey, Chris Albright & Zach Clark

3rd Place Team - Eagle Systems - Dave Hensal, Mike McIndoe, Kevin Quigley & Mike Gomez

Closest to the Pin - Kevin Quigley, Eagle Systems

Longest Drive - Joe Kolkowsky, Cummins Sales & Service

The American Transportation Research Institute, the trucking industry’s not-for-profit research organization, today launched the 2023 Top Industry Issues Survey.  The annual survey asks trucking industry stakeholders to rank the top issues of concern for the industry along with potential strategies for addressing each issue.

Now in its 19th year, ATRI’s annual analysis not only ranks the issues overall but also provides insights into how critical topics are ranked differently by motor carriers and professional drivers.  The report also allows stakeholders to monitor issues over time to better understand which issues are rising, or falling, in criticality.

“The annual Top Industry Issues Survey has long been a crucial part of understanding the challenges facing our country’s supply chain.  ATRI’s research provides an opportunity for thousands of trucking industry professionals, from drivers to executives, to weigh in on the most important topics that affect trucking and collectively decide on the best strategies for addressing each,” said ATA Chair Dan Van Alstine, Ruan Transportation Management Systems President and COO.

“I encourage my fellow drivers to take a few minutes and complete ATRI’s Top Industry Issues Survey.  Whether your top issue is truck parking, driver compensation, detention, traffic congestion or something else, it only takes a few minutes to make your voice heard and for us collectively to let the industry know what drivers are most concerned about,” said Ken Duncan, an America’s Road Team Captain and professional truck driver for Walmart Transportation.

The results of the 2023 survey will be released October 14, 2023 as part of the American Trucking Associations Management Conference & Exhibition to be held in Austin, Texas.

Industry stakeholders are encouraged to complete the 2023 survey available by clicking here.  The survey will remain open through September 29, 2023.

ATRI is the trucking industry’s 501c3 not-for-profit research organization.  It is engaged in critical research relating to freight transportation’s essential role in maintaining a safe, secure and efficient transportation system.

FMCSA is interested in developing a new methodology to determine when a motor carrier is not fit to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in or affecting interstate commerce.

FMCSA is requesting public comment on the need for a rulemaking to revise the regulations prescribing the safety fitness determination process; the available science or technical information to analyze regulatory alternatives for determining the safety fitness of motor carriers; feedback on the Agency's current safety fitness determination (SFD) regulations, including the process and impacts; the available data and costs for regulatory alternatives reasonably likely to be considered as part of this rulemaking; and responses to specific questions in this advance notice of proposed rulemaking.

CLICK HERE for Federal Register notice.

CDOT launches new videos to increase trucker safety

Focal point: Preventing crashes on mountain highways  

Denver — As part of “The Mountain Rules” truck driver education series, the Colorado Department of Transportation is releasing three new videos aimed at educating and preparing truck drivers — especially those from out of state — for the unique challenges they face on Colorado’s mountain highways.

The videos are specifically focused on safe winter driving, navigating construction work zones, and handling hot brakes.

“We know that our state’s terrain and unpredictable weather conditions create immense challenges for semitruck drivers,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “We’ve created this series as a way to equip truck drivers with the necessary knowledge and awareness to safely and confidently navigate our highways, especially in the high country.”

“The Mountain Rules” series was developed by CDOT, in partnership with the Colorado State Patrol and the Colorado Motor Carriers Association in 2019. All videos in the series emphasize the importance of being prepared for the specific obstacles truck drivers face when traveling through the state.

While local truckers may be familiar with Colorado’s highways, those from out of state often are new to the intricacies of navigating winter driving conditions along steep mountain corridors, understanding chain and traction laws, managing hot brakes, and adhering to Colorado's Move Over law. Each topic has its own dedicated, 10-minute video as part of the overall series to help prepare drivers.

"Traveling along the I-70 corridor includes sharp curves, seven and eight percent grades, not to mention congested peak travel times accompanied by quickly changing weather conditions," stated Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. "Colorado relies on your presence and services, and this video series will help prepare you for the common conditions on I-70. Safety should never take a back seat - prepare yourself before the trip." 

CDOT and its partners encourage all truck drivers to educate themselves and view the videos, which can be found on CDOT’s YouTube channel and at freight.COtrip.org. The Mountain Rules videos also are distributed to truck driving schools, trucking companies, and other trucking-related entities.

“The steep downgrades, winding roadways, and fast changing weather conditions, make for a challenging drive, for even the most experienced truck driver,” said the CMCA President Greg Fulton. “The Mountain Rules program and videos provide a great educational tool for truck drivers, especially those unfamiliar with Colorado's mountains. It helps them to understand how to navigate our mountainous roadways in a safe manner.  We believe this tool and other strategies by our state and local partners will make mountainous corridors like I-70 safer and reduce delays and closures.”

ABOUT “THE MOUNTAIN RULES”

A partnership between the Colorado Department of Transportation, Colorado State Patrol and the Colorado Motor Carrier’s Association, “The Mountain Rules” is a comprehensive, strategic and safety-focused effort to inform and educate in-state and inter-state trucking companies and drivers on the challenges of driving in Colorado’s mountains. It includes information on potential hazards, and a consistent reminder to go slow, steady, and safe for the long haul. For more information, please see: https://freight.colorado.gov/safety/mountain-rules

In light of the announcement by Yellow Corp. that it has ceased operations, American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear issued the following statement and encouraged former Yellow employees to access a new ATA database to help them find new employment opportunities within the trucking industry:

“Yellow’s closure is a substantial blow to America’s economy and the company’s 30,000 hardworking employees and their families in all 50 states.

“Since its founding nearly a century ago, Yellow has been an integral part of our supply chain.  As the nation’s first less-than-truckload carrier, it was a key part of trucking history as well.  Through the company’s involvement with the American Trucking Associations, Yellow employees promoted the industry and were tremendous advocates for highway safety, leading by example.

“The past several days have been especially difficult for drivers, dock workers, mechanics, salespeople, administrative and support personnel, and other employees, many of whom dedicated decades of their careers to the company.  Yellow personnel earned a well-deserved reputation as being professional and solution-oriented, helping countless customers to seamlessly navigate the complexity of logistics to ship their products on time virtually anywhere in the country.  

“Our message to former Yellow employees is that we want them to remain a part of the industry that they have done so much to build and strengthen.  That is why the ATA is launching a new website to connect former employees with prospective employers who are eager to utilize their unique and in-demand skills and experience.  Former Yellow employees can share information at www.trucking.org/JobSeeker. Providing this personal information is completely voluntary and will not be given to employers outside of ATA membership, nor will it be disclosed to third-party vendors.

“We hope that launching this resource will assist displaced employees by connecting them with new opportunities within the industry and help fill the void left by Yellow’s closure.”