A.M. Executive Briefing - Dec. 27
This Morning's Headlines:
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X-Ray Use Expands at Border Points
Customs agencies in the United States and worldwide are increasing their use of X-ray and other imaging devices at border points. Although this means more cargo is inspected at the U.S.-Mexico border, the inspections are faster and aimed better, so freight movement is not slowed generally, said U.S. Customs applied technology divisions acting director Robert Armstrong.
Armstrong said Customs intends to have the Mexican border secure by 2002 even though some of the technology it wants to use remains in the experimental stage.
The agency will also be expanding usage of the Automated Targeting System, which determines how likely it is that drugs will be in a specific shipment via historical information.
Drug traffickers will have a harder time evading the imaging devices as Customs uses more of the devices, some of which are moveable, said Armstrong. Journal of Commerce (12/27/99) P. 1; Lucentini, Jack
Local Mack Truck Center Part of New Dealership Group
Nextran has been formed out of eight truck dealerships in Florida owned by Pritchett Investment Group. Nextran is among the top U.S. Mack Truck dealership franchisees."All major markets on the Interstate 95 and Interstate 75 corridor of Florida will be serviced by a Nextran truck center," said President and CEO Jon Pritchett. Business Journal of Jacksonville Online (12/27/99) ; Schoolcraft, Lisa R.
M.S. Carriers to Pay Its Drivers More
M.S. Carriers said its regional and linehaul drivers' pay will be increased by March 5. The company expects operating expenses to go up 5 cents a loaded mile as a result, and it plans to pass the added expense on to customers.Truckload customers understand the importance of drivers to quality service, said senior vice president of marketing and customer service Woody Welch. Journal of Commerce (12/27/99) P. 12
Utility to Build Dry Van Plant in Virginia
Utility Trailer is to construct a 250,000-square-foot plant in Glade Springs, Va., to build the 2000-D model dry-freight van.
tility will also add new dry-freight models and options, concentrating on eastern U.S. and Canadian customers.
Other Utility dry-van plants are in California and Arkansas. Heavy Duty Trucking Online (12/27/99)
Steel Officials Call for Higher Truck Weight Limits
Indiana steel-company officials are trying to get the state to raise weight limits in line with those in Michigan, but the state is contending with safety issues and the cost of bridge and road improvements.Due to the auto, timber, and mining industries in Michigan, that state is allowed to have higher truck weight limits than the 80,000 pound federal limit--as much as 164,000 pounds on some tandem-trailer, extra-axle trucks called "Michigan trains."
According to steel officials, it would be cheaper to carry steelto customers and the Burns Harbor port if Indiana allowed the higher limits.
Right now, Indiana has designated certain roadways from steel mills in Indiana to the border with Michigan for "train"-style trucks as much as 134,000 pounds. Due to this lower limit, some truckers drive to the Michigan line from the steel shippers twice, and some violate the Indiana limit. Indiana State Police lately found 15 out of 42 trucks inspected on U.S. 20 to be in excess of the 134,000-pound limit.
According to a Purdue University study, bridge and highway improvements necessary for 164,000-pound trucks in Indiana would cost over $70 million, said management systems director John Weaver of the Indiana Department of Transportation. Associated Press (12/26/99)
Trucker's Family Suing Caltrans Over Fatal Crash
The California Transportation Department has been sued by theamily of trucker James R. Thompson, who died in March after his fuel tanker fell over and caught fire at the intersection of two freeways.
The lawsuit claims that Caltrans had not appropriately designed and marked the ramp, which links the westbound Riverside Freeway with the northbound Santa Ana Freeway.
The ramp had been part of a construction zone for the Santa Ana Freeway widening for two years, during which time crashes increased more than 100 percent, with 10 truck crashes.
M.C.M. Construction is also named in the lawsuit.
In October, Caltrans officials rejected a claim from the trucker's estate.
Another man also died in the March 12 accident, in which Thompson's falling truck crushed a car. Los Angeles Times (12/25/99) P. 3B; Garvey, Megan
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