News

In the January 19th Federal Register, FMCSA announced that it has received an application from J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. (J.B. Hunt), Schneider National Carriers, Inc. (Schneider), Werner Enterprises, Inc. (Werner), Knight Transportation, Inc. (Knight), Dupre Logistics, Inc. (Dupree), and Maveric Transportation, LLC (Maverick) (the Applicants) to allow hair analysis in lieu of urine testing for pre-employment controlled substances testing of commercial driver's license (CDL) holders. 

The Applicants currently conduct pre-employment urine testing that satisfies the Department of Transportation's (the Department) requirements under 49 CFR part 40 and hair analysis, separate from the Department's controlled substances and alcohol testing program. 

The Applicants' believe their data ``. . . demonstrates that hair analysis is a more reliable and comprehensive basis for ensuring detection of controlled substance use'' and the exemption would enable these fleets to discontinue pre-employment urine testing. FMCSA requests public comment on the exemption application.

Comments must be received on or before February 21, 2017.

Read the Federal Register Notice at 

https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2017-01-19/pdf/2017-01278.pdf. 

Extreme delays, congestion likely at Delaware River crossings due to NJ & PA Turnpike bridge closure

Motorists urged to consider carpooling, working from home, changing work hours or public transit.

The PA Turnpike Commission and New Jersey Turnpike Authority are advising motorists to expect extreme congestion and delays starting Monday at all Delaware River crossings between Bucks County in Pennsylvania and Burlington and Mercer counties in New Jersey due to the continued emergency closure of the bridge connecting the Pennsylvania and New Jersey turnpikes. 

Motorists are strongly urged to take public transit, carpool, work from home or adjust work hours outside of peak commuting times during this closure. Severe congestion is expected at all area river crossings. Expect slow-moving or stopped traffic, especially during the morning and evening rush hours.

The following detours are in place:

• ·       Motorists heading to New Jersey will be detoured at PA Turnpike Exit 351 to Route 1 northbound to I-95 northbound, which becomes I-295 southbound in New Jersey, to I-195 eastbound to the New Jersey Turnpike. PA Turnpike Exit #358, Delaware Valley, will remain open for local traffic only; watch out for a single-lane pattern approaching Delaware Valley.

• ·       Motorists heading to Pennsylvania will be detoured at New Jersey Turnpike Interchange 7A to I-195 westbound to I-295 northbound, which becomes I-95 southbound; or from New Jersey Turnpike Interchange 5 to Mount Holly Road. Motorists traveling from northern New Jersey are advised to exit at Interchange 14 and use I-78 west into Pennsylvania. 

I-276 eastbound is closed and detoured at PA exit 358. Local roadways under the bridge including Radcliff Street, Palmer Avenue and Wood Avenue are also closed until further notice. Motorists traveling east from Route 130 will be able to use Interchange 6 to access the New Jersey Turnpike via the Pearl Harbor Memorial Extension. The westbound Pearl Harbor Memorial Extension will remain closed to all traffic; there will be no access to Interchange 6 from that direction.

The bridge is jointly owned and maintained by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. It was deemed unsafe and immediately closed Friday following the discovery of a fracture in a steel truss. Work is continuing to stabilize the bridge while engineers engage in a more comprehensive assessment and structural analysis to determine a permanent repair strategy. No timetable has been set for the reopening.

For real-time information about traffic conditions in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, drivers are encouraged to call 511 from any telephone. 

NOTE: The PA Turnpike today launched a new web feature to provide timely, accurate updates to travelers impacted by this prolonged bridge closure. Click here to learn more: https://www.paturnpike.com/DRBAlert.aspx

Captain John Gaddy Selected as Trucking Industry Ambassador

 American Trucking Associations named 20 professional truck drivers, including Captain John Gaddy of Asbury, NJ, to the 2017-2018 America’s Road Team, an elite group of professionals who serve as trucking industry ambassadors. Mr. Gaddy is a driver for Carbon Express, Inc. Wharton, NJ. and was the New Jersey Motor Truck Association’s 2015 Driver of the Year.

“There are 3.5 million safe, professional truck drivers on our nation’s roads and every single one of them has a valuable story to tell. ATA is proud to select these respected drivers as the newest America’s Road Team Captains and we are thankful that they will continue to tell their important stories throughout the country,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “Their companies, friends and families should all be incredibly proud of these drivers for dedicating themselves to spreading a positive message about trucking.”

America’s Road Team was established in 1986 as an outreach initiative designed to introduce the motoring public, lawmakers and the media to the trucking industry. Since its inception, America’s Road Team has impressed upon millions of drivers the trucking industry’s safety record, essentiality, and professionalism.  

New Jersey is proud to have Captain John Gaddy representing our state and the trucking industry through his selection to America’s Road Team,” said New Jersey Motor Truck Association Executive Director Gail Toth,  “We are grateful for his dedication to safety and professionalism each and every day and we are excited to see him recognized with this great honor.”

In New Jersey, the trucking industry provides 1 out of every 18 jobs and is responsible for transporting 73% percent of the state’s manufactured tonnage. Additionally, 84.5% percent of New Jersey’s communities depend exclusively on trucks to deliver their goods.

“For many drivers, being named to America’s Road Team is the pinnacle of their careers,” said ATA COO and Executive Vice President of Industry Affairs Elisabeth Barna. “By compiling millions of accident-free miles, serving hundreds of hours in their communities and articulating the passion they have for their careers as truck drivers, these new Captains are excellent examples of the professionalism that’s become a hallmark of our industry.”

For the next two years, the newly chosen America’s Road Team Captains will tour North America in ATA’s Interstate One Image Truck, an American flag emblazoned Volvo VNL 780 with a state-of-the-art truck driving simulator. The Captains, who will remain full-time truck drivers with their various ATA member companies, will speak candidly about the life of an American truck driver, the important role trucking plays in the delivery of critical goods and the safety-first mentality held by all professional truck drivers. 

“Volvo Trucks is honored to sponsor the America’s Road Team program and take part in this week’s selection of the 2017-2018 Captains,” said Volvo Trucks North America President Göran Nyberg. “America’s Road Team is one of the most visible groups of professional truck drivers in the country, and we believe their hard work and dedication pays dividends for our industry. We congratulate the new class of America’s Road Team Captains and wish them the best of luck as they carry out their mission over the next two years.”

The final round of the selection process for America’s Road Team was held January 8-10 in Arlington, Va. A panel of industry officials and trucking news media judged the finalists on their knowledge of the trucking industry, dedication to safety, ability to communicate the industry’s messages and overall safe driving record.

After receiving their signature navy blue America’s Road Team blazers, the 2017-2018 Captains immediately began their work in improving public perception of the trucking industry. Trucking industry professionals can support America’s Road Team’s mission by following the team’s two-year journey on Facebook and Twitter and interacting with the Captains at major industry events, conferences and community visits.  

The 2017-2018 America’s Road Team Captains are:

Steve Brand, FedEx Freight

Jon Brockway, Walmart Transportation LLC

John Gaddy, Carbon Express, Inc.

W. Scott Harrison, K Limited Carrier Ltd

Rhonda Hartman, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

Gary Helms, Covenant Transport, Inc.

Bill Krouse, YRC Freight

David Livingston, TCW, Inc.

Charles Lobsiger, Walmart Transportation LLC

Timothy Melody, ABF Freight System, Inc.

James Moore, Saia LTL Freight

Chris Outen, FedEx Freight

Charlton Paul Jr., UPS Freight

Jeffrey Payne, Reddaway, Inc.

Stephen Richardson, Big G Express, Inc.

Michael Sheeds, Werner Enterprises

Steven Smalley, ABF Freight System, Inc.

Gary Smith, Garner Trucking, Inc.

Earl Taylor, Penske Logistics

Tim Taylor, FedEx Freight

The America's Road Team, sponsored by Volvo Trucks, is a national public outreach program led by a small group of professional truck drivers who share superior driving skills, remarkable safety records and a strong desire to spread the word about safety on the highway.www.americasroadteam.com.

In August, long-time New Jersey Motor Truck Association Member Linden Bulk Transportation and its various operating entities were acquired and are now part of Odyssey Logistics & Technology Corporation.  Linden Bulk, a top 25 tank truck carrier established in 1982, provides safe, reliable bulk truck and intermodal transport across North America.  Headquartered in Linden, New Jersey, Linden Bulk has over 350 power units, 675 trailers, and 150 ISO container chassis with lift kits.  In addition to its Linden, NJ headquarters, Linden Bulk has facilities in Pennsylvania, Texas, and Louisiana.

Odyssey is a global logistics solutions provider with over a $2B freight network and services that include international transportation management, intermodal services, trucking services, managed services, consulting, and sample fulfillment.   With operations in North America, Europe and Asia, Odyssey operates in all modes of transport with TL/LTL trucking, containership, rail, air, and bulk transport including bulk truck, ISO Tank, railcar and tanker, as well as food-grade product lines. 

“Acquiring Linden Bulk Transportation broadens our portfolio of services,” said Bob Shellman, president and CEO, Odyssey Logistics & Technology. “Combined with our existing intermodal chemical ISO tank and North America tank brokerage businesses, this latest acquisition strengthens our position as a leader in chemical transportation.”

NJMTA Board Member and former Linden Bulk Chairman Sandy Salz reports that “the sale of Linden Bulk to Odyssey gives Linden Bulk’s many colleagues and drivers the opportunity to grow and thrive as part of the Odyssey family.”  Further, Salz explained that “Linden Bulk will continue to service its existing customers and will maintain its active participation in NJMTA and the New Jersey trucking community.”  Linden Bulk's daily operations will continue to be directed by Paul DeFalco and Michael Salz.

The FMCSA Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) Website has been updated with the December 30, 2016 snapshot from the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS).  The term "snapshot" refers to data captured from the MCMIS database as it appears on a particular date.

Request Reports Today

You may request a prospective driver's latest PSP data at: https://www.psp.fmcsa.dot.gov.

PSP records include a 5-year crash and 3-year inspection history for commercial drivers.  Account holders may access a PSP record during the hiring process after the driver's consent has been properly obtained.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) has released Port Performance Freight Statistics Program: Annual Report to Congress 2016. This report is BTS’s first edition of the annual report on the Port Performance Freight Statistics Program, established by the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act of 2015, Section 6018. The goal of the program is “to provide nationally consistent measures of performance” of the nation’s largest ports, and to report annually to Congress on port capacity and throughput. This annual report presents data and statistics on capacity and throughput at the top 25 ports by tonnage, 20-foot equivalent unit (TEU), and dry bulk tonnage; nationally consistent port performance metrics; and looks ahead at improving this statistics program. The report also includes detailed information on U.S. maritime ports and discussions of throughput and capacity concepts to provide a more complete picture of port activity and to place the statistics in context.

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/.