News

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has begun notifying selected truck and bus companies that they will be required to submit their 2016 USDOT drug and alcohol testing program results within 60 days, as directed by 49 CFR § 382.403. 

The Annual Drug and Alcohol Information Survey results are used to determine the random testing rates for the following year.  Carriers notified by FMCSA that they have been selected to complete the annual survey are required to respond by March 15, 2017.  Failure to respond may result in civil penalties.  

For more information on USDOT/FMCSA drug and alcohol testing rules and regulations, see: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/drug-alcohol-testing/overview-drug-and-alcohol-rules.  Drivers and carriers with further questions should contact FMCSAdrugandalcohol@dot.gov  or call (202) 366-4844.

The opportunity to learn about employee rights is here. The webinar will explain employee rights and roles in the E-Verify and Form I-9 employment eligibility verification processes. 

Space is limited! Register now for tomorrow's session:

   Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017 at 3:00 pm Eastern and see our full webinar schedule on the E-Verify website.

Three transportation modes – air, vessel and truck – carried less U.S. freight by value with North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico in October 2016 compared to October 2015 as total freight on all modes decreased 3.6 percent to $93.2 billion in current dollars, according to the annual TransBorder Freight Data released today by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS).

The total value of cross-border freight has declined from the same month of the previous year in 21 of the past 22 months beginning in January 2015 with only an increase of 0.7 percent in August 2016.

Freight by Mode

The value of commodities moving by truck decreased 6.1 percent; vessel by 7.0 percent and air by 12.7 percent while the value of freight carried on pipeline and rail increased 21.8 percent and 6.2 percent respectively.

Trucks carried 65.3 percent of U.S.-NAFTA freight and continued to be the most heavily utilized mode for moving goods to and from both U.S.-NAFTA partners. Trucks accounted for $31.9 billion of the $50.3 billion of imports (63.4 percent) and $29.0 billion of the $42.9 billion of exports (67.6 percent).

Rail remained the second largest mode by value, moving 15.8 percent of all U.S.-NAFTA freight, followed by vessel, 5.4 percent; pipeline, 5.0 percent; and air, 3.8 percent. The surface transportation modes of truck, rail and pipeline carried 86.0 percent of the total value of U.S.-NAFTA freight flows.

U.S.-Canada Freight

From October 2015 to October 2016, the value of U.S.-Canada freight flows fell 2.5 percent to $46.5 billion due to decreases in the value of goods moved by vessel (down 31.1 percent), air (down 8.8 percent) and truck (down 3.1 percent). The value of freight carried on pipeline and rail increased 21.7 percent and 2.5 percent respectively. During this 12-month period, much of the mineral fuel freight between Texas and Canada shifted from vessel to pipeline as the value of mineral fuel shipments carried by vessel between Texas and Canada decreased while the value of pipeline shipments rose. Texas-Canada mineral fuel trade made up about 25.5 percent of all U.S.-Canada mineral fuel shipments in October 2016.

Trucks carried 60.8 percent of the value of the freight to and from Canada. Rail carried 16.1 percent followed by pipeline, 9.2 percent; air, 4.6 percent; and vessel, 2.9 percent. The surface transportation modes of truck, rail and pipeline carried 86.0 percent of the value of total U.S.-Canada freight flows.

U.S.-Mexico Freight

From October 2015 to October 2016, the value of U.S.-Mexico freight flows fell 4.7 percent to $46.6 billion due to decreases in the value of goods moved by air (down 18.0 percent) and truck (down 8.5 percent). The value of freight carried on three modes increased: pipeline, by 23.6 percent; rail by 10.4 percent; and vessel by 6.9 percent.

Trucks carried 69.9 percent of the value of the freight to and from Mexico. Rail carried 15.4 percent of the value of freight to and from Mexico followed by vessel, 7.9 percent; air, 3.1 percent; and pipeline, 0.8 percent. The surface transportation modes of truck, rail and pipeline carried 86.0 percent of the value of total U.S.-Mexico freight flows.

See BTS Transborder Statistics Release for summary tables and additional data. See North American Transborder Freight Data on the BTS website for additional data for surface modes since 1995 and all modes since 2004.    

As the leading organization overseeing the coordination of uniformity of commercial motor vehicle safety enforcement and regulatory compliance across Canada, the United States and Mexico, CVSA recognizes the exceptional careers of professional commercial motor vehicle drivers and their commitment to public safety through its International Driver Excellence Award (IDEA).

This annual award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond the performance of their duties as a commercial vehicle driver, distinguishing themselves conspicuously and beyond the call of duty through the achievement of safe operation and compliance carried out with evident distinction for an extended period of time. The nominated individual must be of personal character beyond reproach with no disqualifying past behavior, as indicated in the IDEA award criteria.

For more information, go to http://cvsa.org/program/programs/idea/.

Weekend Bridge and Street Closures – January 7-8

One tube in either direction of the Queens Midtown Tunnel will be closed from 11 pm Friday to 5:30 am Monday to accommodate ongoing Superstorm Sandy restoration work. One lane in each direction will always remain open in the other tube.

There will be lane closures on the northbound FDR Drive between 42nd and 49th Streets on Saturday between 12:01 am and 6:30 am and on Sunday between 1 am and 11 am for inspections. One lane will remain open at all times except for occasional full closures for up to 15 minutes on either day between 1 am and 5 am.

One tube of the Battery Park Underpass will be closed on Saturday from 1 am to 8 am for the restoration of the electrical and mechanical systems damaged by Superstorm Sandy. The West Street Underpass will be open when the south tube (West Street to FDR Drive) is closed. Variable message signs will alert motorists. 

One tube of the Hugh L. Carey Brooklyn Battery Tunnel will be closed from 8 pm Friday to 5:30 am Monday for Sandy restoration work. One lane will remain open in each direction in the other tube during these periods.

The Bayonne Bridge will be fully closed in both directions from 9 pm Friday to 8 am Sunday. Motorists should use the Goethals Bridge as an alternate. 

Disclaimer: All event dates, times and routes are subject to change at any time. Additional events are scheduled under the direction of the Mayor’s Office and the NYPD and may not appear in this advisory. Street closures are implemented and enforced solely by the NYPD. NYC DOT does not approve nor institute street closures for events.
 
Detailed information on weekend street closures will be available on the DOT web site at: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/wkndtraf.shtml.

MTA Bridges and Tunnels advise that beginning at 3 a.m., Tuesday, January 10th, cashless tolling will go into effect at the Queens Midtown Tunnel. This means travelers in both directions will either be charged via their EZ Pass account or those without EZ Pass will receive a bill in the mail. Motorists must continue through the toll plaza without stopping.

This Memorandum is being issued in an effort to clarify the above-referenced. The IFTA Articles of Agreement, Section R655 provides:

R655 GRACE PERIOD

.100 Carriers from new member jurisdictions shall be allowed a two-month grace period from the date of the new member's IFTA program implementation to display the IFTA license and decals. However, carriers must maintain the proper credentials for traveling in member jurisdictions until they display the valid IFTA license and decals.

.200 Carriers renewing their IFTA license and decals have a two-month grace period (January and February) to display the renewal IFTA license and decals. To operate in IFTA jurisdictions during this grace period, carriers must display either valid current or prior year IFTA license and decals from the jurisdiction in which they were operating or a valid single trip permit from the IFTA jurisdiction in which they are operating.

Because there are no new member jurisdictions implementing the IFTA in 2016, R655.200 above is the applicable language for the grace period in 2017.

Carriers must display one or more of the following to travel through IFTA member jurisdictions for the first two months of 2017.

1. A valid 2017 IFTA license and two IFTA decals issued by an IFTA member jurisdiction.

2. A valid 2016 IFTA license and two IFTA decals from an IFTA member jurisdiction (if a renewal application has been filed for 2017); or

3. A valid trip permit issued by the IFTA member jurisdiction through which they are operating.

Please be advised that IFTA License Renewals for 2017 MUST BE FILED WITH YOUR BASE JURISDICTION BEFORE THE END OF 2016. The two-month grace period is for display of renewal credentials, not to file your renewal application for those credentials (See R655.200 above).

In order to have a seamless operation into the new calendar year, I encourage you to file your renewal application with your base jurisdiction well before December 31, 2016.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact your base jurisdiction. You can find the contact information by visiting www.iftach.org and clicking on Carrier Information.

Twas’ the night before Christmas, at Farruggio’s Express

When Santa stopped by and seemed quite distressed

The weather is nasty, in most parts of the globe

The snow is blinding to even NASA’s space probe

It doesn’t seem I can make it, we heard Santa cry

The reindeer can’t see thru this blizzard, without them I can’t fly

Over 96 years, I only call on the best

I sit here before you, with a humble request

Rumor has it he said, that you have a system,

To see trucks on the road, their every position

Is it true that you have this, does the Geotab exist

Or is it merely a rumor, simply a myth

We have it Sam said, we have it without exception

With the Geotab we even have a Federal logbook exemption

In that very instant, the trucks on the screen began to glow bright

Like Christmas beacons, shining bright in the night

If it works as you say, he said with a glance

We may be able to do this, we may have a chance

The dispatchers got busy, Sam called all of his friends

They promised dear Santa, this is not how Christmas will end

Santa downloaded the program, he copied the app

He could see every driver, he studied the map

Via text, via email, the instructions went out

Drivers sprang into action, on Santa’s new route

From an app on his iPad, he managed the night

Each package delivered, each present just right

A calm came over Santa, he claimed in disbelief

You made Christmas happen, what a relief

With a twinkle of his eye and his jolly old laugh

He hugged each and every one of the Farruggio’s staff

I learned something new he said with a wink

Technology is amazing, I am just tickled pink

I can’t wait to tell Mrs. Claus, I know what she’ll say

Tomorrow she will have a geotab installed in my sleigh

She can check on my location, now that will be neat

I am just hoping it doesn’t keep track of how many cookies I eat!

In that very instant, he was off in the night

The snow had finally stopped, to the reindeers delight

With a ho ho ho, we heard dear Santa say

Once again you delivered, you’ve saved Christmas Day!

 

We at Farruggio’s would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Written by Jen Farruggio Bennett

Farruggio's Express is a NJMTA Member

Approximately 4.55 million vehicles are expected to travel the PA Turnpike’s 550-mile roadway from Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day. Typically, the Christmas/New Year’s holiday periods are among the busiest long-distance travel periods of the year. About 90 percent of all holiday travel is by car. Most of the traffic is expected to be spread out over the holiday week. The heaviest days are anticipated to be Dec. 23 and Dec. 27-30 with about 550,000 vehicles projected each of those days.

The PA Turnpike expects good weather for most of the holiday period. However, a wintry mix of variable precipitation consisting of rain, freezing rain, sleet, or snow is slated early the morning of Dec. 24 in the region of the Laurel Highlands and the Northeastern Extension. Turnpike maintenance and the State Farm Safety advisors — made up of Turnpike vehicles staffed by Turnpike workers —will patrol the roadway assisting motorists as needed.

“Just as we plan holiday time spent with family and friends, it is equally as important to plan for a safe trip,” said Mark Compton, PA Turnpike Chief Executive Officer. “We want to be part of those plans and enable motorists to get to their destinations safely. In addition to planning ahead, we encourage them to keep a half-full gas tank, stay alert for changing roadway conditions and access our communications tools.”

During the holiday all construction and maintenance work will be suspended to allow full use of the roadway; all lanes will be available starting 5 a.m. Dec. 23 until 11 p.m. on Jan. 2, 2017 except in the case of emergencies.  Additionally, State Police Troop T, the division in charge of PA Turnpike patrols, will deploy additional patrols to stop drunk drivers, speeders and aggressive motorists. “With heavy traffic and the possibility of wintry weather, it’s imperative to pay attention, drive at a safe speed, and keep enough distance between vehicles,” said Commanding Officer of State Police Troop T, Captain Paul S. Gustaitis.

 

The Turnpike also reminds drivers to heed Pennsylvania's "Steer Clear" law which requires drivers to slow down or move over when they encounter an emergency scene, traffic stop or disabled vehicle. Drivers must move over or slow down for all responders, including police, fire and ambulance as well as stopped tow trucks and maintenance vehicles.

To report an accident or other emergencies on the PA Turnpike, dial *11 on your mobile phone. To learn more about PA Turnpike conditions or to contact us, use one of these resources:

ON THE PA TURNPIKE

Variable & Digital Message Signs — nearly 100 signs along the Turnpike

Highway Advisory Radio — 1640 AM (tune-in near interchanges)

BY PHONE

Turnpike Roadway Information Program (toll-free) — 866-976-TRIP (8747)

Customer Assistance Center (toll-free) — 800-331-3414 (weekdays, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)

ON THE WEB

TRIPTalk — free, travel-alert smartphone app; download at https://www.paturnpike.com/travel/trip_talk.aspx

Travel Conditions Map — live, inactive conditions map; view at https://www.paturnpike.com/webmap

Waze — a crowd-sourced navigation app that provides real-time traffic conditions with input from other drivers; download at https://www.waze.com

Elite Professional Drivers Encourage Responsibility, Attentiveness this Winter

Arlington, Va. – Today, American Trucking Associations and America’s Road Team released winter driving tips for motorists taking to the nation’s highways this holiday season.  “Everyone is busy this holiday season running last minute errands for our family celebrations or driving to faraway states to visit grandparents or friends, but the trucking industry wants all motorists to make safety their number one priority,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “It’s easy to get caught up in the holiday spirit and forget to focus on safety, which is why we’re happy to provide these tips from professional truck drivers.”  More than 103 million Americans are expected to travel this holiday season, according to AAA. A higher volume of vehicles traveling side by side on roads in December and early January creates an increased need for adherence to safe-driving habits, especially when coupled with adverse driving conditions. Drivers should be well-aware of the uptick in congestion and plan trips accordingly.  “Have a plan before you pull out of the driveway,” said America’s Road Team Captain Eric Flick, professional truck driver for FedEx Freight. “Accidents happen when people try to rush places and become stressed about meeting deadlines or avoiding bad weather. If you have a plan and prepare for all scenarios, you will be much less likely to take costly risks, putting yourself and others in harm’s way.”  Highly trained professional truck drivers are equipped to navigate through poor driving conditions and make life-saving decisions. The 3.5 million men and women who drive trucks professionally compile hundreds of thousands of driving miles each year and understand the importance of safety. America’s Road Team, a group of elite professional truck drivers, developed the safety tips below in an effort to impart years of safe driving experience into an easy-to-read format for the general motoring public.  Snow and ice are common throughout many parts of North America during the winter months. Conditions are can change with little warning, and attentive drivers should be prepared to slow down and adapt to inclement weather. Additionally, the holidays are a time when friends and families gather together to celebrate with loved ones. Impaired driving is one of the leading causes of highway fatalities and should be avoided at all costs.   Remove ice and snow from your vehicle:  Clear your windows and roof of snow to ensure you have maximum visibility and avoid creating a hazard for the vehicle behind you. Do not allow ice and snow to create additional blind spots on your vehicle. Slow Down: Chances of a crash nearly triples when driving faster than surrounding traffic. Hydroplaning becomes more likely at increased speeds, especially on wet roads. Buckle Up: A safety belt will not prevent a collision, but it will save a life. Do not drive impaired: Driving is a great responsibility and your fellow travelers are relying on safe, attentive drivers to respectfully share the road and make good decisions. Avoid impaired drivers: Report drunk drivers to 911 – after safely pulling over – and stay on the line to help locate the suspected vehicle. A call can save lives. Erratic breaking, weaving between lanes, straddling the center line or taking excessively wide turns can all be signs of impaired driving. Be aware of truck blind spots: Trucks deliver all of your favorite holiday traditions. Pass on the left where the truck’s blind spot is much smaller. Keep your eyes on the road: Distracted driving is a major cause of traffic accidents and one of the leading causes of death amongst teenagers. Even just two seconds of distraction time doubles the chances of an accident. Use your cell phone when stopped and never text while driving. Do not cut in front of large trucks: Remember trucks are heavier and take longer to make a complete stop, so avoid cutting quickly in front of them. Consider this while watching the bowl games: fully loaded tractor-trailers can take the length of a football field plus both end zones to make a complete stop. Prepare your vehicle for long distance travel: Before you head out to your aunts, uncles and cousins, check your wipers and fluids and have your radiator and cooling system serviced. Simple maintenance before you leave your home can prevent many of the problems that strand motorists on the side of the road. Prepare yourself for long distance travel: The vehicle needs maintenance and the driver needs plenty of rest and hydration to function at his or her best. If you feel drowsy, pull over and wait until you are more alert. Leave early and avoid risks: Leave early to reduce anxiety about arriving late. Road conditions may change due to inclement weather or traffic congestion. Be aware of the vehicle in front of you: Leave extra room between you and the vehicle ahead.