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Every year, we marvel at Santa Claus’ extraordinary feat of delivering toys to boys and girls all over the world.

But, while it’s impossible for any mortal to match what Santa accomplishes in a single night, he does have down-to-earth counterparts in freight terminals and truck stops across the nation — truckers.    

Think about it. Over the course of a year, truckers probably move about as much freight as Santa does (and in tougher conditions — Santa doesn’t have to contend with heavy traffic, road construction, tolls and inspections). Both leave home and family to get the job done.

Santa and truckers both have to meet impossibly tight delivery deadlines and follow complicated routes. While both deliver toys and coal, truckers also haul everything from auto parts to zucchini. Santa doesn’t get paid and truckers don’t get paid enough.

Both have big hearts and a soft spot for children. Both have a mystique about them and appear larger than life. Most importantly, they’re both absolutely necessary for the holidays.

Here’s a chart comparing the two:  

Comparison	Santa Claus	Truckers
Schedule	1 (very long) night a year	Several hundred nights a year
Vehicle	Sleigh	Semi
Power source	Reindeer & magic	Diesel engine
Navigation	Rudolph	GPS
Cargo	Toys & coal	Everything
Health	Immortal	Definitely mortal
Diet	Cookies and milk	Jerky and Mountain Dew
Clothing	Red suit, boots, stocking cap	Jeans and flannel, boots, baseball cap
Red tape	No weight scales or HOS for Santa	Enough for the world’s biggest bow
Physique	Hefty	Likewise
Record-keeping	A list he checks twice	Electronic logs
Communication	Letters	CB radio, smartphone
Maneuverability skills	Lands on rooftops	Backs into loading docks
Star of TV & movies	Check	Check
Has own musical genre	Check	Check
Iconic figure	Check	Check
Makes people happy	Check	Check
Big hearts	Check	Check

Following two oversize load crashes that led to partial bridge collapses, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued a Safety Alert to remind motor carriers of the importance of obtaining permits and carefully reviewing routes before transporting oversize loads.

The Safety Alert, “The Impact of Oversize Loads on Our Nation’s Bridges,” cites the May 2013 crash in which a truck transporting an oversize load struck the Interstate 5 Skagit River Bridge near Mount Vernon, Wash., resulting in the collapse of a bridge span. It also cites the March 2015 crash in Salado, Texas, involving a truck carrying an oversize load on Interstate 35 that struck concrete bridge beams of an overhead highway bridge. The beams collapsed and fell into the travel lanes of the interstate, resulting in one motorist fatality and three injuries.

“When transporting oversize loads, planning ahead is critical,” said NTSB Chairman Christopher Hart, “Both carriers and permitting authorities need to do their part to ensure the safe transport of oversize loads.”

The NTSB Safety Alert provides several tips that carriers and permitting authorities can use to ensure that oversize loads are transported safely.

Each year truck drivers across the United States volunteer to drive a cargo of honor and respect by delivering wreaths to the cemeteries for veterans for Wreaths Across America Day.

 On Tuesday, Dec. 8, two truckloads of wreaths from Wreaths Across America will be arriving from Maine. One Eleven Logistics, based in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey has volunteered the trucks and their truck drivers Mark Jensen from Blackwood NJ, a Navy Veteran and Frank Postell from Croyde, PA to pick the wreaths up from Maine. Destiny Transportation in Edison, New Jersey has volunteered warehouse space and equipment.

Mark from One Eleven Logistics picking up the wreaths to come back to NJ. 

The wreaths will be transported by volunteers from New Jersey based trucking companies for delivery to local cemeteries for the December 12th National Wreaths Across America Day ceremonies.

 According to New Jersey Motor Truck Association Executive Director, Gail Toth, “The New Jersey Motor Truck Association is a proud supporter of the Wreaths Across America program. Our members in addition to volunteering to make deliveries have donated 470 wreaths for NJ cemeteries and will be sponsoring the wreath laying ceremony at the historic Old Colonial Cemetery in Metuchen. The ceremony on December 12th at Noon – all are welcome especially the children.”

 WAA's mission is to; Remember our fallen heroes Honor those that serve and Teach our children about the sacrifices made by veterans to preserve our freedoms. This mission is carried out by laying wreaths on veterans' graves across the country on the second Saturday of December.

Frank from One Eleven Logistics picking up the wreaths for NJ 

If you would like more information about the event, please call Gail Toth at 732-254-5000. For more information about Wreaths Across America visit www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org

Arlington, VA - The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) today released the latest findings of its annual truck bottleneck listing.  The 2015 Congestion Impact Analysis of Freight-Significant Highway Locations, which assesses the level of truck-oriented congestion at 250 locations on the national highway system, uses several customized software applications and analysis methods, along with terabytes of data from trucking operations to produce a congestion impact ranking for each location.  The data is associated with the FHWA-sponsored Freight Performance Measures (FPM) initiative.  The locations detailed in this latest ATRI report represent the top 100 congested locations.   The number one spot on the ATRI list this year is the Tom Moreland Interchange in Atlanta, GA, a five-level stack interchange at the intersection of I-285 and I-85.  Known by local commuters as "Spaghetti Junction," it is not only the confluence of two highly traveled interstates, but also provides ramps to four secondary roadways.  Also notable on this year's list - four of the top 10 truck chokepoints are located in Houston, TX.  The top 10 locations on the ATRI list this year are:  ATLANTA, GA: I-285 AT I-85 (NORTH) CHICAGO, IL: I-290 AT I-90/I-94 FORT LEE, NJ: I-95 AT SR 4 LOUISVILLE, KY: I-65 AT I-64/I-71 HOUSTON, TX: I-610 AT US 290 HOUSTON, TX: I-10 AT I-45 CINCINNATI, OH: I-71 AT I-75 HOUSTON, TX: I-45 AT US 59 LOS ANGELES, CA: SR 60 AT SR 57 HOUSTON, TX: I-10 AT US 59 "With a robust economy comes increased demand for consumer goods, the lion's share of which is carried by truck.  We see that reflected in the ATRI truck bottleneck list as more trucks move through the nation's major metropolitan areas to deliver the goods," said Ed Crowell, Georgia Motor Trucking Association President and CEO.  "ATRI's ranking allows states to better understand where targeted infrastructure improvements could keep the economy moving."     For access to the full report, including detailed information on each of the 100 top congested locations, visit www.atri-online.org.

ATRI is the trucking industry's 501(c)(3) 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.

Despite Attacks on Industry, Public Thinks Well of Trucking

Philadelphia – A new national poll released today found the public continues to believe truck drivers are among the safest on the road and that the industry is essential to the American economy.  The poll, the second commissioned by American Trucking Associations, was conducted by Public Opinion Strategies between August 30 and September 1, surveyed 800 registered voters on their attitudes about politics, the trucking industry and the state of infrastructure. “Our industry invests more than $7 billion each year in safety tools, technologies and practices, and this poll tells us those investments are working,” said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. “Americans believe trucks move the most freight and that our drivers are safe and getting safer. Those facts beliefs are not just correct, they are important to keep in mind when debating important safety issues.” Among the poll’s findings were: A majority of Americans, 63%, believe trucks move most of the nation’s goods – a three-point increase from 2014. Sixty percent of respondents said they have a favorable view of the trucking industry, the highest among transportation modes. When asked to offer unscripted thoughts on trucking, respondents called drivers hard working, said the industry provided thousands of jobs and trucking was dependable and efficient. The majority of Americans, 57%, said trucking’s safety record was excellent or good. And 34% of respondents said trucking’s safety record had improved over the past 20 years. Ninety-one percent of Americans believe car drivers are more likely to engage in risky behavior on the highways than truck drivers and 70% believe they are more likely to be at fault when a car and truck collide. Eighty-one percent of Americans believe truckers are safer drivers.  The poll also addressed the issue of speeds and speed limits, finding that:  Sixty-nine percent of Americans oppose reducing highway speeds to improve safety and reduce pollution, and 63% oppose the installation of speed limiting devices on passenger vehicles, but More than half – 56% – of respondents said they favored mandating speed limiters for large trucks.  “Safety is our industry’s most important calling,” said outgoing ATA Chairman Duane Long, chairman of Longistics, Raleigh, N.C.“I’m pleased that so many of my fellow Americans think so highly of our safety record, but we should not be satisfied. We need to do more to not only improve our safety record, but to tell people about it.” The poll’s results were released here at ATA’s Board of Directors meeting. A copy of the presentation can be found here.

Arlington, Va. — 420 professional truck drivers will arrive in St. Louis today to compete in the National Truck Driving Championships at America’s Center Convention Complex & Edward Jones Dome Center.  These elite drivers earned their way to compete in the “Superbowl of Safety” after winning their title earlier this summer at the state level.

Over 420 drivers from all 50 states will compete in St. Louis for four days, challenging their driving skills, and knowledge of safety, equipment and the industry. From 18-wheeler five axle sleepers to tank trucks to twin trailers—they will drive a course that recreates situations truck drivers face daily. These maneuvers may include: an alley dock, a rear line stop, a side park, a scale stop, a right turn, a front line stop, and straight line driving through a diminishing clearance.

On August 15, one contestant will drive away as the Bendix National Truck Driving Championships Grand Champion.

“The Truck Driving Championships represent the culmination of the industry’s dedication to safety,” said New Jersey Motor Truck Association Executive Director, Gail E. Toth.  “I congratulate all the contestants and I hope New Jersey cheers for our drivers this week.”

New Jersey participants at National Truck Driving Championships for each category include:

Antonio Barros, UPS Freight (Sleeper) - Kearny, NJ

Jorge Cardoza, Jr., FedEx Freight (Straight Truck) - Elizabeth, NJ

James F. Erickson, FedEx Freight (Flatbed) - Marlton Lakes, NJ

Carlos Chavarriaga, FedEx Freight (Step Van) - Elizabeth, NJ

Richard Lopardo, A. Duie Pyle Inc. (4-Axle) - Monroe, NJ

Jorge Lopez, FedEx Freight (5-Axle) - Jersey City, NJ

Bartlomie Pachicki, FedEx Freight (Tank Truck) - Carlstadt, NJ

Wilbert Vano, Con-way Freight (3-Axle) - Colonia, NJ

Joseph White, FedEx Freight (Tank Truck) - Keansburg, NJ

 ATA’s National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships include top professional truck drivers from around the United States competing at company, state and regional levels to make it to the national competition Aug. 11-15 in St. Louis, Mo. The NTDC annually attracts over 2,000 cheering friends, family, colleagues and spectators. For more information, visit the 2015 National Truck Driving Championships website.  Follow NTDC this week on Facebook.

June 29, 2015‐ Airport Plazas, Jericho, NY. The company is pleased to announce the opening of the first public truck parking facility in NYC. This new facility is located on JFK airport at the intersection of 150th Ave & 147th St. It has a capacity of over fifty tractor trailer trucks and is located direct across the street from the recently opened travel plaza that features a dedicated truck fueling facility together with a 24/7 food court with a 7‐Eleven, Wendy’s, Max’s Pizza, and Qdoba Mexican Grill.

The truck parking facility will offer the first 20 minutes of parking for free then incremental charges for a maximum rate of $59.00 per 24 hours. The company is currently leasing spaces on a monthly basis for $1,100 per month. Trucks that fuel at the facility will have the ability to earn a discounted rate.

For details and arrangements kindly contact either Mr. Edwin Reyes (ereyes@airportplazas.com) or Stefano Pascucci (spascucci@airportplazas.com)

Article from ccjdigital.com

“You’re either at the table talking about the issues or you’re on the menu,” Keith Tuttle, chairman of the Truckload Carriers Association, told attendees during a luncheon address at theCCJ Spring Symposium in Birmingham, Ala., on May 19. Tuttle, who is founder of Motor Carrier Service, a regional truckload carrier based in Northwood, Ohio, encouraged fleet executives to get involved in industry associations and to discuss trucking concerns with representatives at the local, state and federal level.

Trucking has a powerful story to tell, Tuttle said, citing:

• The 7 million people involved in trucking represent one in 16 jobs.
• From 2003-2013, the number of truck involved fatalities fell by 21 percent, while injuries dropped by 22 percent.
• Eighty-nine percent of fatal head on collisions between a large truck and passenger car are the fault of the passenger car.
• A new truck today produces 1/10th of the emissions as the same truck from 10 years ago.

Given those statistics, “are we doing enough work to inform the public that we’re a safe industry and that we care what happens to the planet?” he asked.

Joining industry associations and networking inside and outside of trucking can help solve a lot of issues, Tuttle said. For example, the recent revision to the 24-hour hours-of-service restart “didn’t just happen,” he said. He credits Barry Pottle, president and CEO of Pottle’s Transportation, Bangor, Maine, and his relationship with his congressman for helping to push through a bill that halts enforcement of the requirement that a drivers’ 34-hour restart include two 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. periods, as well as the once-per-week limit of the restart.

Such changes, “don’t happen without personal relationships,” he said. “For a supposedly de-regulated industry, we are the most regulated de-regulated industry in America.”

To help raise trucking’s profile, Tuttle encouraged fleet executives to support industry image campaigns such as Wreaths Across America, Highway Angels and Trucking Moves America Forward. “Many carriers that I know that are the safest, most profitable, and have the lowest turnover are involved in these image programs,” he said.

Tuttle said he has a reputation for being impatient with people who don’t do their fair share. “My charge to you is this: Don’t be the one who sits by idly while others are watching the past in the rearview mirror and setting a new course.”

Elite Drivers to Discuss Highway Safety as Summer Driving Season Begins Arlington, Va. – This Friday, drivers from American Trucking Associations’ Share the Road program will be discussing the importance of driving safely and attentively as the summer driving season starts. Share the Road Professionals Don Conklin (YRC Freight), David Green (Werner Enterprises), Neil Kirk (Penske Logistics) and Russ Simpson (Holland Inc.) and the Share the Road tractor trailer will be at ATA headquarters in Arlington, Va., offering tips and media ridealongs as an estimated 33 million Americans take to the highways for the unofficial start of summer.                          WHO: ATA Share the Road Drivers                         WHAT: Event to discuss highway safety                        WHERE: ATA Headquarters, 950 North Glebe Road, Arlington Va.                        WHEN: 9 a.m. Friday, May 22  *Editors and Producers: In addition to this event, Share the Road Professional Drivers in your area are available to speak about the dangers of speed on the nation’s highways.  Share the Road is a highway safety outreach program of the American Trucking Associations that educates all drivers about sharing the roads safely with large trucks. An elite team of professional truck drivers with millions of accident-free miles deliver life-saving messages to millions of motorists annually. The safety program is sponsored by Mack Trucks Inc. and Michelin North America Inc. www.atastr.org.  Follow the Share the Road on Twitter and Facebook.