A.M. Executive Briefing - May 26
This Morning's Headlines:
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BNSF Cutting June-Sept Wheat Rates to Pacific Northwest
Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway announced May 24 that its price for hauling wheat from Montana to locations in the Pacific Northwest will drop by $100 to $300 between June 1 and September 30. The reductions, the largest of which will be applied to origins that compete directly with long-haul trucking movements, are intended to allow BNSF shippers to capture additional market share. Reuters (05/24/00)Alberta Truckers Discuss Fuel Cost Management
Participants in the Alberta Trucking Association's annual general meeting about how the trucking industry can better deal with rising fuel costs suggested saving money in other areas and implementing technology.
Fuel costs can also be diluted through new technology; tools such as computerized speed controls, braking systems, and heating technology all improve fuel efficiencies. Edmonton Sun (05/25/00) P. S5; Mather, John
'Smart' Truck Tours North America
The so-called Technology Truck is touring North America as an information source for motor carrier organizations and public agencies.The technology truck, officially the Intelligent Transportation Systems for Commercial Vehicle Operations program, is a project supported by over 80 partners and coordinated by the Federal Highway Administration.
The technology truck – a 1997 Ford Areomax tractor with customized trailer, traverses the continent demonstrating such things as intelligent mirrors, logistics software, on-board scales, electronic engine monitors, satellite communication, and collision radar. Calgary Herald (05/26/00) P. W7; Rankin, Bill
Coal Trucks Come Under Fire in W. Va.
A number of residents of McDowell County, W.Va., are complaining that coal trucks driving through their area are overweight and overloaded. The townspeople have written to the EPA, the Department of Highways, governor, the state auditor, and other bodies, but without success.According to Dan Page of the governor's office, the Department of Highways has increased patrols in the area. MSNBC Online (05/25/00)
Motorists to Feel Fuel Price Swings Long Suffered by Truckers
As the summer-vacation driving season kicks off with the Memorial Day weekend, drivers of family cars are about to find what truckers have already been warning about – high fuel prices are pushing up transportation costs sharply.USA Today reports vacationers will not only find the highest average fuel prices on record, but will be shocked by wild swings in price for different regions.
For months, truckers have been saying those huge regional price disparities mean they must either levy fuel surcharges for freight loads, or may decline trips into higher-cost areas unless they get cost reimbursements. Transport Topics Staff
Solo Women Drivers Still a Rarity on the Roads
A predominately old-fashioned attitude coupled with extremely low representation in the industry tends to make the life of a female trucker somewhat lonely.According to the Canadian Trucking Alliance, less than five percent of the country's truckers are women – fewer than 2,000 overall.
In the United States, women make up a mere 5% of the entire trucking workforce. According to the American Trucking Association, that population has only risen by one percent in the last decade. Edmonton Sun (05/25/00) P. S10; Sandor, Steven
Compiled by Transport Topics staff and INFORMATION, INC. © 2000
