News

The Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a new toll schedule, effective September 1, 2024. 5 axle tolls will increase from $37.50 to $45.00.

DRPA bridges, include the Ben Franklin, Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry, and Betsy Ross bridges.

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TOLL SCHEDULE

FMCSA removed the ELDs below from the list of registered ELDs due to the companies’ failure to meet the minimum requirements established in 49 CFR part 395, subpart B, appendix A.

ELD Name	Model Number	ELD Identifier	ELD Provider
CTE-LOG ELD	CRS	CRS102	CTE LOG ELD LLC
ELD VOLT	ERS	ERS246	Power Deal Corp
POWERTRUCKS ELD	PRS	PRS211	Miran Support LLC
TFM ELD	TFM100	TFM001	TFM GROUP INC.

Motor carriers and drivers using the ELDs above must take the following actions:

1. Discontinue using the revoked ELDs and revert to paper logs or logging software to record required hours of service data.
2. Replace the revoked ELDs with compliant ELDs from the Registered ELDs list before September 21, 2024.

Motor carriers have up to 60 days to replace the revoked ELDs with compliant ELDs. Motor carriers and drivers who continue to use the ELDs listed above on or after September 21, 2024 will be in violation of 395.8(a)(1)– “No record of duty status” and drivers will be placed out-of-service in accordance with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) OOS Criteria.

If the ELD providers correct all identified deficiencies for their devices, FMCSA will place the ELDs back on the list of registered devices and inform the industry and the field. However, FMCSA strongly encourages motor carriers to take the actions listed above now to avoid compliance issues in the event that these deficiencies are not addressed in time. An email containing this information was sent to our subscriber list on July 23, 2024. To ensure you receive updates like this from FMCSA, sign up to receive our emails.

In a June 13th Federal Register notice, FMCSA announced its plan to submit an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its review and approval and invites public comment.

FMCSA intends to use quantitative data collection techniques through a self-administered online survey to understand CMV drivers' perceptions and behaviors regarding safety belt usage and road safety.

Background

Existing data on the usage of safety belts and perceptions related to road safety do not capture the diversity of different types of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers in a post-coronavirus disease 2019 national emergency landscape. Understanding safety belt usage and perceptions of road safety among CMV drivers will assist FMCSA in gauging emerging trends among this cohort and will inform future messaging and communication efforts targeting CMV drivers.

Eligible participants are self-identified CMV drivers residing in the United States with internet access. The collection is an online voluntary survey, with a low burden for respondents and a low cost for the Federal Government. The collection is non-controversial and does not raise issues of concern to other Federal agencies. The results are not intended to be disseminated to the public, and the information gathered will not be used for the purpose of substantially informing influential policy decisions. The collection is targeted to the solicitation of opinions from respondents who have experience with the program or may have experience with the program in the future. Personally identifiable information is not being collected. There are no gifts or payment incentives ( e.g., money or reimbursement of expenses, a token of appreciation) being provided to participants.

CLICK HERE for Federal Register notice.

The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) today released a new report that analyzes the benefits of employing renewable diesel (RD) as an alternative to battery electric vehicle (BEV) trucks.

This analysis is a follow-up to findings from past ATRI research on the topics of zero-emission vehicles and electric infrastructure challenges.  In those past reports, ATRI utilized the U.S. Department of Energy’s GREET Model to confirm renewable diesel as a promising solution for lowering the trucking industry’s CO2 emissions.

While both RD and BEV pathways have implementation costs, the report concludes that relying on BEV to decrease CO2 emissions is nearly six times more expensive than using RD. 

In the report, RD and BEV pathways are evaluated on three criteria:

• Environmental Benefits
• Operational Capabilities
• Financial Viability

It was confirmed that when trucks using RD today are converted to BEV, there is a significant negative environmental impact.  Additionally, the report highlights operational benefits for trucking when using RD as an alternative, as well as significant infrastructure and new vehicle cost savings.

“My company quickly and successfully transitioned to renewable diesel in April of last year.  ATRI’s research offers concrete evidence that this move is better for the environment and easier to achieve than other low-carbon options,” said Andy Owens, CEO and Manager of A&M Transport of Glendale, Oregon.

Overall, ATRI estimated that a transition to BEV for long-haul trucking will cost over $1 trillion in electric infrastructure and vehicle purchase costs over 15 years.  However, to achieve similar CO2 benefits with RD, ATRI estimates a price tag of $203 billion, a significant cost savings for achieving the same environmental benefits.  Since RD is considerably more scalable than BEV and can be deployed immediately in trucks without modifications, it is likely that CO2 benefits using RD can be achieved on a much shorter timeline than with a BEV transition.

A copy of the full report is available through ATRI’s website here.

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.

A text messaging scam designed to trick drivers into entering their banking or credit card information into a bogus website is now targeting New Jersey drivers.

The text message, which claims to be from “NJ Turnpike toll services,” directs drivers to click a link to pay an outstanding toll balance in order to avoid a late fee. NJ Turnpike toll services is not associated with the New Jersey Turnpike Authority or any other toll agency in the New Jersey E-ZPass Group. The outstanding toll balances described in the text messages are not real. Drivers who receive text messages from NJ Turnpike toll services should delete them without clicking on the link. And drivers who have clicked the link and filled out the form should immediately contact their bank or credit card provider.

Similar scams have been reported recently by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and other U.S. tolling agencies. The New Jersey Turnpike Authority received the first inquiries from drivers who have received the NJ Turnpike toll services messages on Thursday, April 11th.

This scam does not appear to target New Jersey E-ZPass customers. The bogus text messages are being sent to phone numbers in New Jersey area codes regardless of whether the recipients are E-ZPass account holders.

Drivers who believe they have received one of the bogus text messages can file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

In a groundbreaking move for New Jersey's energy and transportation sectors, KW Rastall Oil proudly announces that beginning April 17, 2024, it will become the first company in the state to offer Neste MY Renewable Diesel™, a renewable Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) that is chemically identical to fossil diesel. This pioneering initiative underscores KWR's commitment to innovation, sustainability, and providing customers with cleaner energy alternatives.

KW Rastall Oil (KWR) has partnered with Diesel Direct, the largest distributor of renewable diesel in the country, to supply and brand its cardlock facility. This partnership launches the first retail truck stop in New Jersey equipped to offer Neste MY Renewable Diesel. Diesel Direct is thrilled to support this venture, marking a significant milestone in the availability and distribution of renewable fuels in the region.

Neste MY Renewable Diesel is made from sustainably sourced, 100% renewable raw materials. The use of Neste MY Renewable Diesel can reduce GHG emissions by up to 75%* over the fuel's life cycle compared to fossil diesel, paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future. It delivers strong performance compared to fossil diesel, and since it is a "drop-in" solution, no modifications to existing diesel engines and fueling infrastructure are needed to make the switch.

KWRs decision to introduce Neste MY Renewable Diesel aligns with its mission to lead by example in the transition towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly fuel landscape. "Our commitment to sustainability and innovation is at the core of everything we do," said David Rosenburgh, President of KWR. "Offering Neste MY Renewable Diesel allows us to make a significant impact on reducing carbon emissions in New Jersey while providing our customers with a superior, drop-in replacement of traditional fossil diesel."

Neste MY Renewable Diesel not only offers environmental benefits but also provides operational advantages for businesses and consumers alike. Its compatibility with existing diesel engines and infrastructure means that customers can make a seamless switch to renewable diesel, without additional investment in new technology or equipment.

KWR is making Neste MY Renewable Diesel accessible to a wide range of customers, including fleet operators, transport companies, and individual consumers. The fuel will be available at KWR's retail fueling station in North Brunswick, its other NJ dispatch centers and through direct delivery services to fleets, job sites, tanks, and businesses.

KWR invites businesses and consumers in New Jersey to join them in making a positive environmental impact by choosing cleaner fuels, such as renewable diesel. This initiative is a step towards reducing the state's carbon footprint and advancing towards a cleaner, more sustainable future.

KWR (Rastall Oil) is a leading provider of fuel services in New Jersey, known for its commitment to innovation, quality, and environmental sustainability. With a history of nearly 50 years of fueling, KWR is dedicated to meeting the energy needs of today while planning for the energy solutions of tomorrow.

For further information, please contact:

Bryan Domenick, Sales Manager, Mid-Atlantic Region

Phone: (732) 297-5600 x 25
Mobile: (848) 202-6989
Fax: (732) 821-3113
Email: BryanD@Rastalloil.com  
Website: http://www.rastalloil.com/

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike), in partnership with the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) began enforcing  the Work Zone Speed Safety Camera program designed to crack down on drivers speeding through highway construction sites.

Previously referred to as Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement, the initial five-year pilot program was made permanent when House Bill 1284 was signed into law on December 14, 2023.

The legislation made several adjustments, including a new 15-day warning period beginning on the mail date of the first violation.

If a driver is caught speeding through a work zone by Work Zone Speed Safety Cameras, they will not receive a second violation until 15 days after the mail date of their first violation.

This allows time for the warning to be delivered to the motorist to ensure they are aware of the program and change their driving behavior. Once the 15-day warning period has ended, multiple violations can be received on consecutive days, and even on the same day.

Additionally, under the new legislation, all violations are reset, meaning every motorist will start over with a first violation, even if they had received violations under the pilot program.

Violations that were issued prior to Feb. 15, 2024, during the pilot program are still valid and will continue to be pursued.

"The Work Zone Speed Safety Camera program is about making work zones safer for both workers and motorists by reducing speeds and changing driver behavior," said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. "Data from the pilot program shows it was successful, and we're pleased that it's now a permanent program in Pennsylvania."

Over the course of the five years of the pilot program, there was a 38 percent reduction in speeding in work zones (one mile per hour or more over the speed limit), a 47 percent reduction in excessive speeding in work zones (11 miles per hour or more over the speed limit), and work zone crashes declined by up to 50 percent when a speed enforcement vehicle was present.

Work zones with speed safety cameras deployed are marked with signage in advance of the enforcement area. To improve driver awareness and ensure the signs are more easily noticed by motorists, new high-visibility signs are being implemented.

Pennsylvania's Work Zone Speed Safety Camera program uses vehicle-mounted systems to detect and record motorists exceeding posted work zone speed limits by 11 miles per hour or more using electronic speed timing devices.

Camera systems are only operational in active work zones where workers are present.

Registered owners will receive a warning letter for a first offense, a violation notice with a $75 fine for a second offense, and a violation notice with a $150 fine for third and all subsequent offenses.

These violations are civil penalties only; no points will be assessed to driver's licenses.

"Speed safety cameras are important tools for discouraging drivers from exceeding posted speeds," explained PA Turnpike Chief Operating Officer Craig Shuey. "Paying attention and reducing speed are critical as drivers approach a work zone where workers are inches from live traffic. The goal of this program is to build awareness and most importantly, to change unsafe driving behaviors.

In 2022, there were 1,293 work zone crashes in Pennsylvania, resulting in 14 fatalities, and 42% of work zone crashes resulted in fatalities and/or injuries. Since 1970, PennDOT has lost 90 workers in the line of duty. The PA Turnpike has lost 45 workers since 1945.

For more information on the Work Zone Speed Safety Camera program, including a list of projects where the units are deployed, visit WorkZoneCameras.PennDOT.gov.

Between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. on Tuesday, March 26, a cargo vessel struck a support column of the I-695 Key Bridge. The strike caused a complete collapse of the bridge into the Patapsco River. There is a shutdown of traffic along that portion of I-695, which has more than 1.3 million truck crossing per year (average about 3,600 per day). This is a primary route entering and exiting the Port of Baltimore.  A state of emergency has been declared by our governor, and we are in contact with various state and federal agencies about the impact this will have on trucking.  Should you want to push something out to your members that travel in Maryland, below is a summary of alternate routes you may share.

Route alternatives due to Key Bridge collapse.

As a result of the I-695 Key Bridge collapse due to ship strike, motorists must avoid the southeast corridor of I-695. The I-695 Outer Loop is closed at MD 10 (exit 2) and the Inner Loop is closed at MD 157/Peninsula Expressway (exit 43). Alternate routes will be the I-95 or I-895 tunnels; however, trucks should be aware of the following restrictions on those roadways.

Hazardous materials are prohibited in the tunnels and should use the western section of I-695 to travel around Baltimore. This includes vehicles carrying bottled propane gas in excess of 10 pounds per container (maximum of 10 containers), bulk gasoline, explosives, and significant amounts of radioactive materials.

Vehicles in excess of 13’-6”, in height, or 96” (8 feet) in width are prohibited from using the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895). The I-95 Ft. McHenry Tunnel restrictions are height – 14’ - 6”; width – 11’ - 0”.

Louis Campion, President & CEO

Maryland Motor Truck Association