- / N2N / – May of 2007, Ellen Voie founded the Women In Trucking Association (WIT) with a dream of making the industry better for women and all drivers. After four years, WIT and Ellen Voie have come a long way.

With over 1600 members comprised of both drivers, carriers and others in the trucking industry, WIT has become a ‘go to’ association for people to contact for information about driver’s issues, obstacles facing women in the trucking industry and about the increasing role of women within trucking. Ms Voie has met with FMCSA’s Anne Ferro, DOT’s Ray LaHood and NTSB’s Debra Hersman among others in Washington D.C. and is working with the Department of Justice on getting a crisis line in place for drivers in trouble with trainers or who have other major issues.

This year brought the second annual Salute to the Women Behind the Wheel event in Louisville KY at the Mid American Trucking Show. NTSB Chairperson Hersman was scheduled to speak at the event and Ms Voie was implemental in Ms Hersman making the journey to Louisville by truck, some driven by WIT members. During the event, WIT’s driver advisory committee, along with America’s Road Team met privately with Ms Hersman to talk about highway safety from the driver’s point of view.

WIT’s mission statement is “Women In Trucking was established to encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry, promote their accomplishments, and minimize obstacles faced by women working in the trucking industry”; Ms Voie is using the current interest in women’s issues to address issues faced by all drivers. After years of work and research, Ms Voie recently completed a white paper about training protocols for WIT’s corporate members concerning abuse by some trainers of their trainees of both genders.

What is next for WIT in the future? Under Ms Voie’s capable leadership, the sky is the limit, but be assured that she will continue taking WIT forward to put faces to the women who work in the trucking industry and to assist in any way the association can to remove obstacles facing women who want to advance within trucking.
By Sandy Long, ladygodiva1953@att.net

Nation2Nation publishes articles of interest to professionals involved in Supply Chain Security, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Import Export, International Trade, Border Security, Transportation, Transportation Safety, Trucking, Railroad, Air Freight, Maritime and Cargo Management.  Contact Jeff Platts at contact@nation2nation.net.

This post was submitted by Sandy Long.

“The change in season means every precaution must be taken in order to defend against pirate attacks,” said David Matsuda, Maritime Administrator. “Our agency remains committed to helping U.S. crewmembers be vigilant and well-prepared for pirate attacks.”

In response to pirate attacks worldwide, the Maritime Administration is working with federal agency partners to reduce the vulnerability of U.S. ships and crews by:

-issuing advisories directly to U.S. ship operators based on latest intelligence
-working with industry to improve implementation of best practices to deter piracy
-distributing industry produced anti-piracy training videos for crews
-conducting voluntary security vulnerability assessments with Naval Criminal Investigative Service on U.S. ships

The Maritime Administration promotes the development and maintenance of an adequate, well-balanced, United States merchant marine, sufficient to carry the Nation’s domestic waterborne commerce and a substantial portion of its waterborne foreign commerce, and capable of service as a naval and military auxiliary in time of war or national emergency.

Source = DOT

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FMCSA Regulations on Operation of Large Commercial Vehicles

According to FMCSA rules, drivers may not operate their vehicles when their attention is impaired by fatigue, illness or any other cause that makes operation of a vehicle unsafe. More detailed regulations regarding the number of hours that may be logged per day are found at 49 C.F.R. Part 395. The use of drugs or alcohol is prohibited. All speed limits must be observed. Vehicle operating and safety equipment must be inspected and in proper order. A vehicle’s cargo must be properly secured and inspected before the trip starts and again within the first 50 miles and every further 150 miles, every three hours or after every change of driver status, unless the vehicle is sealed or the cargo inaccessible.

Buses, cargo tank motor vehicles and cargo vehicles carrying listed hazardous substances must stop prior to railroad crossings and check for oncoming trains. These vehicles must not change gears while crossing the tracks. All other commercial motor vehicles must be driven at a speed that allows them to stop before reaching the tracks.

Commercial motor vehicles must be operated with extreme caution when adverse conditions, such as snow and ice, adversely affect visibility or traction. If these conditions become sufficiently dangerous, operation of the vehicle must be stopped. Drivers must wear seat belts.

Vehicles stopped for emergencies must use hazard signal flashers, reflective triangles and flares. Vehicle lamps and reflectors may not be obstructed by cargo or dirt. Drivers are prohibited from fueling vehicles with the motor running or with any source of ignition nearby. Commercial vehicles may carry no more than 119 gallons of reserve diesel fuel in a metal or plastic container. Drivers are also prohibited from picking up unauthorized passengers, using the vehicle when carbon monoxide is detected or using any open flame heater when the vehicle is in motion. Radar detectors are also prohibited.

FMCSA Regulation Violations Can Be Evidence of Negligence

Violation of any FMCSA regulations may result in citations from law enforcement. More importantly, violation of these federal regulations may be used as evidence of negligence in any civil lawsuit brought by persons injured or on behalf of those killed due to the negligent or reckless operation of a commercial motor vehicle. If you have been severely injured or a loved one was killed in a tractor-trailer accident, contact an experienced trucking accidents lawyer to discuss your options.

Article provided by Robinette Legal Group, PLLC
Visit us at www.robinettelaw.com

Source = 24-7

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“If you are a commercial driver or carrier operating in violation of federal drug and alcohol laws, we will remove you from our roadways,” said Secretary LaHood. “Parents deserve to know their children are being driven by bus drivers who are drug and alcohol free, and every motorist deserves to feel confident that the drivers of large trucks and buses are safe and sober.”

During the two week sweep, FMCSA strike force investigators examined the drug and alcohol safety records of commercial drivers employed by bus and truck companies, including school bus drivers, interstate passenger carriers, hazardous material transporters and general freight long-haul trucking companies. Their goals were to identify motor carriers in violation of federal drug and alcohol testing requirements and to remove from the road commercial truck and bus drivers who jump from carrier to carrier to evade federal drug and alcohol testing and reporting requirements.

“FMCSA is committed to ensuring that only safe commercial drivers and carriers are allowed to operate,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. “Our annual drug and alcohol strike force is just one of the ways we weed out those ‘bad actors’ and make our roads safer for everyone.”

The 109 commercial drivers identified in the sweep face the prospect of a monetary fine and being barred from operating a commercial motor vehicle for failing to adhere to federal drug and alcohol regulations. Additionally, 175 commercial carriers face pending enforcement actions for violations, such as using a driver who has tested positive for illegal drugs and for not instituting a drug and alcohol testing program. Both drivers and carriers will have an opportunity to contest the alleged violations and the amount of the civil penalties.

Source = DOT

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“Working together, we can put an end to the thousands of needless deaths and injuries caused by distracted driving each year,” said Secretary LaHood. “By getting the best minds together, I believe we can figure out how to get people to put down their phones and pay attention to the road.”

Last fall, Secretary LaHood sparked a national conversation on distracted driving when he held a Distracted Driving Summit in Washington, DC. The Obama Administration immediately committed to lead by example, by enacting an Executive Order banning all text messaging by four million federal employees while they’re driving government-owned vehicles, while driving any vehicle on official government business, or using mobile devices issued by the government while behind the wheel. Secretary LaHood also taped a national PSA and launched a new government website – www.distraction.gov – to provide the public with a comprehensive resource about how to get involved.

At this year’s event, experts from around the country will explore accomplishments since our first summit, as well as the many challenges that lie ahead. Key topics will include research, technology, policy, public outreach, and best practices in enforcement.

In the year since Secretary LaHood convened the first Distracted Driving Summit, efforts to curb distracted driving have grown exponentially. Dozens of state and local governments have enacted anti-distracted driving legislation and the federal government has established texting bans for commercial truck and bus drivers. The Department of Transportation helped victims establish a national non-profit advocacy organization called FocusDriven and launched pilot law enforcement campaigns in Hartford, CT and Syracuse, NY.

Research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that in 2008, nearly 6,000 people died and more than half a million were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver. More than 20 percent of all crashes that same year involved some type of distraction.

To learn more and get involved in the DOT’s efforts to stop distracted driving, please visit www.distraction.gov. Additional details will be released as they become available at www.distraction.gov/2010summit.

Source = DOT

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BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico fell 5.9 percent in April 2010 from March 2010. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors.

Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline. In April, 86.6 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moved on land.

The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in April was up 12.9 percent compared to April 2005, and up 40.5 percent compared to April 2000, a period of 10 years. Imports in April were up 38.2 percent compared to April 2000, while exports were up 43.3 percent.
U.S. Surface Transportation Trade with Canada

U.S.–Canada surface transportation trade totaled $39.9 billion in April, up 32.1 percent compared to April 2009. The value of imports carried by truck was 21.5 percent higher in April 2010 compared to April 2009, while the value of exports carried by truck was 31.6 percent higher during this period.

Michigan led all states in surface trade with Canada in April with $5.5 billion.

U.S. Surface Transportation Trade with Mexico

U.S.–Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $25.9 billion in April, up 32.8 percent compared to April 2009. The value of imports carried by truck was 31.2 percent higher in April 2010 than April 2009 while the value of exports carried by truck was 28.6 percent higher.

Texas led all states in surface trade with Mexico in April with $9.1 billion.

The TransBorder Freight Data are a unique subset of official U.S. foreign trade statistics released by the U.S. Census Bureau. New data are tabulated monthly and historical data are not adjusted for inflation. April TransBorder numbers include data received by BTS as of June 10.

The news release and summary tables can be found at www.bts.gov. More information on TransBorder Freight Data and data from previous months are posted on the BTS website at http://www.bts.gov/programs/international/transborder/. BTS will release May TransBorder numbers on July 29.

Source = RITA

Nation2Nation publishes articles of interest to professionals involved in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Import Export, International Trade, Border Security, Transportation, Transportation Safety, Trucking, Railroad, Air Freight, Maritime and Cargo Management. Contact Jeff Platts at contact@nation2nation.com.

BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico rose 17.6 percent in March 2010 from February 2010. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors.

Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline. In March, 86.9 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moved on land.

The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in March was up 17.7 percent compared to March 2005, and up 33.6 percent compared to March 2000, a period of 10 years. Imports in March were up 31.8 percent compared to March 2000, while exports were up 35.8 percent.

U.S. Surface Transportation Trade with Canada

U.S.–Canada surface transportation trade totaled $42.1 billion in March, up 35.6 percent compared to March 2009. The value of imports carried by truck was 19.4 percent higher in March 2010 compared to March 2009, while the value of exports carried by truck was 30.4 percent higher during this period.

Michigan led all states in surface trade with Canada in March with $ 5.8 billion.

U.S. Surface Transportation Trade with Mexico

U.S.–Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $27.8 billion in March, up 39.1 percent compared to March 2009. The value of imports carried by truck was 39.0 percent higher in March 2010 than March 2009 while the value of exports carried by truck was 31.6 percent higher.

Texas led all states in surface trade with Mexico in March with $9.6 billion, the largest amount of trade between Texas and Mexico on record, exceeding the previous high of $9.0 billion in October 2008.

The TransBorder Freight Data are a unique subset of official U.S. foreign trade statistics released by the U.S. Census Bureau. New data are tabulated monthly and historical data are not adjusted for inflation. March TransBorder numbers include data received by BTS as of May 12.

The news release and summary tables can be found at www.bts.gov. More information on TransBorder Freight Data and data from previous months are posted on the BTS website at http://www.bts.gov/programs/international/transborder/. BTS will release April TransBorder numbers on June 29.

Source = DOT

Nation2Nation publishes articles of interest to professionals involved in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Import Export, International Trade, Border Security, Transportation, Transportation Safety, Trucking, Railroad, Air Freight, Maritime and Cargo Management.  Contact Jeff Platts at contact@nation2nation.com.

“We are always looking for new and creative ideas that will enable us to move goods more efficiently, conserve energy, protect the environment, and ensure we can compete globally in the 21st century,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said.

“It’s all about using innovative technology to save time and money and to boost commerce and the economy,” Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez said. “Timely and accurate information on freight movement will benefit both government and the private sector in making transportation decisions.”

State and local transportation agencies can use the information to prioritize their highway investments to target critical congestion needs. At the same time, businesses and freight companies can use it to more strategically time and choose their routes to avoid congested areas.

The new Freight Performance Measures web-based tool, FPMweb, measures operating speeds for trucks at any given place and point in time along 25 interstate highways that are considered significant freight routes.

Developed through a multi-year FHWA research initiative with the American Transportation Research Institute, a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit research trust, FPMweb is a first of its kind effort to capture information on truck travel speeds from around the country through on board GPS and satellite technology. Low speeds reflect congestion levels at a particular location and time of day.

The FHWA also released the 2009 Bottleneck Analysis of 100 Freight Significant Highway Locations based on the research.

# # #

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List of Twenty-five Interstates
I-5
I-10
I-15
I-20
I-24
I-25
I-26
I-35
I-40
I-45
I-55
I-65
I-70
I-75
I-76
I-77
I-80
I-81
I-84
I-85
I-87
I-90
I-91
I-94
I-95
*

Link to map of 25 Interstates:

http://www.atri-online.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=252&Itemid=72

*

Link to 100 Freight Bottlenecks:
http://www.atri-online.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=248&Itemid=75
*

Link to freight tool:
https://www.freightperformance.org/fpmweb/user_login.aspx

Source = FHWA

Nation2Nation publishes articles of interest to professionals involved in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Import Export, International Trade, Border Security, Transportation, Transportation Safety, Trucking, Railroad, Air Freight, Maritime and Cargo Management. Contact Jeff Platts at contact@nation2nation.com.

“There’s tremendous opportunity out there for women interested in transportation-related careers,” said Secretary LaHood. “We need to do more to prepare, train and educate young women about the possibilities that await them.”

Secretary LaHood said the need for environmental engineers and technicians is expected to rise by 30 percent over the next decade. The Department of Labor reported in 2008 that less than 6 percent of employed women worked in transportation, and only 10 percent of all civil engineers in the U.S. are women. The joint initiative will support the advancement of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through a strategic partnership between the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Women’s Transportation Seminar International (WTS).

“WTS is excited to launch this strategic partnership with DOT and to help develop a transportation workforce of the future” said Elaine Dezenski, WTS International President. “Through this effort, we will work with government and industry to attract and prepare more girls and women for careers in transportation. Our goal is to help create a 21st century workforce to support a transportation network and infrastructure needed in the 21st century.

Utilizing its network of 45 chapters and over 4,000 transportation professionals, WTS will work with the DOT to organize a series of outreach sessions in 2010 and 2011 throughout the U.S. Sessions will focus on workforce development as it relates to STEM, with specific attention given to attracting and retaining a highly qualified, diverse and technically advanced workforce for the future.

The Memorandum of Cooperation signed today supports the following key goals:

* understanding where gaps exist in the attraction and retention of women in transportation-oriented technical fields such as engineering and logistics;
* developing a tool-kit of best practices in the areas of mentoring, promoting women entrepreneurs and attracting students in technical fields into transportation;
* developing more effective professional development opportunities for women across the lifecycle of a career;
* developing ideas and partnerships to encourage girls (13-18 years) to consider careers in transportation; and
* engaging the WTS community in a broad-based policy initiative that supports the advancement of women in U.S. transportation.

The initiative supports both the DOT strategic plan and its goal to achieve organizational excellence in workforce development and the WTS mission to transform transportation through the advancement of women.

Source = DOT

Nation2Nation publishes articles of interest to professionals involved in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Import Export, International Trade, Border Security, Transportation, Transportation Safety, Trucking, Railroad, Air Freight, Maritime and Cargo Management. Contact Jeff Platts at contact@nation2nation.com.

“Operating a passenger or freight train demands the full and undivided attention of crewmembers at all times. Lives depend on it,” said Secretary LaHood. “We want to make sure that railroad employees know not to use hand held devices on the job because doing so jeopardizes safety.”

The proposed rule announced today is the latest in a series of actions taken by the Department to combat distracted driving. During a seminal September 2009 Distracted Driving Summit, Secretary LaHood announced the Department’s plans to vigorously pursue regulatory and other steps to reduce the risks posed by distracted driving.

The rule would prohibit the use of an electronic device–whether personal or railroad-supplied– if it interferes with that employee’s or another employee’s performance of safety-related duties. Railroad operating employees would be permitted to use cell phones or similar electronic devices under highly limited circumstances.

The notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) provides certain exceptions for watches, calculator use, medical devices, railroad radios, cameras used to document bona fide safety hazards or violations of rail safety laws and various emergency situations. The regulations would also authorize the Federal Railroad Administration to review a railroad’s training program on the use of electronic devices and require that records be kept documenting employees receiving recurrent training at specified intervals. The NPRM seeks comment on whether violations of the rule should be used as a basis for revoking a locomotive engineer’s certification to operate a locomotive under other FRA regulations.
“There should be no confusion about when and where cell phones, video games or PDAs may be used by train crews,” said FRA Deputy Administrator Karen Rae.

FRA is proposing to codify a modified version of its 2008 Emergency Order No. 26 (EO 26), which sets forth stringent restrictions on the use of electronic devices by railroad operating employees. FRA issued EO 26 less than three weeks after a September 12, 2008 collision between a Metrolink commuter train and a Union Pacific Railroad freight train in Chatsworth, California, killing 25 people.

Preliminary investigative findings revealed that the engineer operating the Metrolink train was text messaging at the time of the collision. While longstanding railroad operating rules and EO 26 have restricted the use of electronic devices, FRA has determined that Federal regulations are necessary to more effectively prevent the inappropriate and unauthorized use of these devices on the job. A final rule would supplant EO 26.
The proposed rule will be published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, may 18. Comments on the proposed rule may be submitted through www.regulations.gov (Docket# No. FRA-2009-0118). The deadline for submitting comments on the proposal is June 17.

Source = DOT

Nation2Nation publishes articles of interest to professionals involved in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Import Export, International Trade, Border Security, Transportation, Transportation Safety, Trucking, Railroad, Air Freight, Maritime and Cargo Management. Contact Jeff Platts at contact@nation2nation.com.