A.M. Executive Briefing - Oct. 1
Editor's Note: Transport Topics Online is proud to offer Executive Briefing - a quick read on the day's trucking news. These summaries are produced by Information, Inc., which scours over 1,200 publications - from local newspapers to trade publications - and summarizes what they dig up. The result is the most complete trucking coverage anywhere. And only TT Online has it!I-35 Study Released Kroger May Face Strike, Union Says PrePass Truck Clearance System in Use Police: Truck Driver Was Trying to Merge FRP Properties, Inc. Announces New Developments Regarding its Transportation Business New Concept Truck Unveiled by Scania Transportation Technologies Industries Acquires Clark Engineering & Manufacturing
This Morning's Headlines:
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I-35 Study Released
Spokesman Randall Dillard of the Texas Transportation Commission says the state has to mull transportation choices other than large highways now that a commission study projects a rise in traffic volume on Interstate 35 that would require ten extra lanes. The study also projects rising truck traffic, which already makes up 30 percent of the interstate's volume. ABC NewsWire (10/01/99)Kroger May Face Strike, Union Says
The Teamsters said Wednesday it would mull a strike of truckers and warehouse employees across the country due to Kroger Co.'s selloff of warehouses and outsourcing of trucking and distribution operations. The union says close to 3,500 employees of the grocery chain were shifted to other companies. In Atlanta, the Teamsters say, many truckers and warehouse employees faced higher medical prices or lost pensions. In the past, Kroger heads said such outsourcing allows the company to save money and focus on core operations. They have also said saving money is necessary in order to do well in the company's merger with Fred Meyer Inc. Cincinnati Post Online (09/30/99) ; Peale, Cliff
PrePass Truck Clearance System in Use
Each month, the weigh stations on both sides of Interstate 64 near Hurricane, W.Va., see roughly 90,000 trucks. Some trucks, however, can avoid the station on the eastbound side, where the state's first HELP PrePass system is installed. The state feels the PrePass at the eastbound station has done well, and it is working on having another PrePass installed on the other side of I-64. By January, there could be PrePass systems along Interstates 77, 79, and 70.Jerry Legg of the Division of Highways' Planning and Research Division says the state does not make any money from the PrePass fees but the system increases safety and helps focus enforcement. It also helps truckers operate more efficiently and cuts crash risks if it decreases the line of trucks at weigh stations.
The PrePass transponder on the truck lights up green if there are no problems after the truck rolls over weigh-in-motion detectors and red if the truck needs to enter the weigh station. Charleston (W.Va.) Gazette (09/30/99) P. 20E; Sansom, Mary E.
Police: Truck Driver Was Trying to Merge
A trucker is in jail in Richmond County, Ga., on charges of second-degree vehicular homicide after a Wednesday afternoon accident that took the life of another truck driver. County sheriff's Maj. Larry Vinson says Daniel Paul Reed, 49, of Locust Grove, was trying to merge his tractor-trailer onto Interstate 520 from the emergency lane when he hit the other tractor-trailer, leading to an explosion. Spilled loads led to a four-hour shutdown of the interstate. A second-degree charge of vehicular homicide is a misdemeanor charge given if the alleged action was not done on purpose. Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle Online (09/30/99) ; Gourley, MeghanFRP Properties, Inc. Announces New Developments Regarding its Transportation Business
FRP Properties Inc. has named James B. Shephard, formerly chairman of the tanker subsidiary Florida Rock & Tank Lines, its new Transportation Group president. FRP has also put together a third-party agent- and owner-operator-focused company, Patriot Transportation. FRP said Sept. 24 it plans to spin off its real estate operations. The company also runs the flatbed business SunBelt Transport. Business Wire (09/30/99)New Concept Truck Unveiled by Scania
On Wednesday in Brussels, Scania showed a 2010s concept truck, which promises to beat conventional European semis' capacity by 50 percent while cutting emissions and fuel usage by weight between 20 percent and 25 percent. The concept truck has various improved aerodynamic features and eight axles that can carry eight metric tons apiece. The capacity could be enlarged by even more than 50 percent with the use of lighter materials.A new kind of tire, which gives better grip and lowers the distance required to stop, has been created along with Michelin. The 28-meter truck attaches the trailer to a rigid truck with a dolly and can maneuver as well as a 16.5-meter semi. M2 Presswire (09/30/99)
Transportation Technologies Industries Acquires Clark Engineering & Manufacturing
Imperial Group, a subsidiary of Transportation Technologies Industries Inc. that makes truck and bus components, has taken over Clark Engineering & Manufacturing for an undisclosed cash amount. Clark, which will become part of the Texas Fabricating Division of Imperial, is a Fort Worth-based supplier of Class 8 truck parts and accessories to such businesses as Kenworth and Peterbilt. Business Wire (09/30/99)© copyright 1999 INFORMATION, INC. Terms of Service
