P.M. Executive Briefing - Dec. 29
This Afternoon's Headlines:
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Support Up For Cleaner Diesel Fuel
Arizona state Rep. Carolyn Allen (R-Scottsdale) said she will introduce a bill that would require the use of California Air Resources Board-quality diesel fuel, which burns more cleanly due to a lower sulfur content. The bill might cover the entire state or just the Phoenix and Tucson areas, she said.The trucking industry says it would also bring confusion due to the variety of state rules, especially if CARB diesel fuel is only required in parts of Arizona, and raise the diesel cost up to 30 cents per gallon. However, Allen has gained the support of Arizona Public Service Co., Southwest Gas, the state Chamber of Commerce, and fuel- and mining-industry lobbyist Jim Bush. In addition, Allen said that predictions put diesel engines' market share at 50% in the next 10 years.
Hub Group, Cysive Launch Web-Based System for Drayage
Vendor Interface, an online system for intermodal drayage transactions, has been created by the Hub Group logistics firm and the e-business architecture builder Cysive. Hub says the service will enhance its efficiency and allow round-the-clock order processing while giving shippers better tracking and communications. The system will allow Hub to determine the right carriers for shipments then notify the carriers of the available shipments. Journal of Commerce Online (12/29/99)State Gets Up to Speed with Traffic Web Site
Detroit recently became one of the U.S. cities for which SmartRoute Systems provides online, real-time traffic information for metro area freeways and arteries. The smartraveler.com Web site offers data on traffic conditions, travel times, construction, events, and weather for Detroit and other cities.The Detroit operation is run from the Michigan Department of Transportation Intelligent Transportation Center downtown. The traffic information comes from cameras, road sensors, trucking and tow companies, and police and other government authorities. Detroit News Online (12/29/99) ; Greenwood, Tom
N.C. Ports May Boom
Thanks to an up to $2 million tax credit for port clients and $40 million from the state, the ports of Wilmington and Morehead City, N.C., have a bright future, say port advocates.The ports have not entirely recovered from their poor condition and stiff competition in the 1980s, and they have been hurt by the fact that $4.3 million was taken from Wilmington projects to be used in reconstruction from Hurricane Floyd. But port officials are optimistic about both ports, but more so for Wilmington because it has higher acreage and has more diversification in its cargo, even though its tonnage is presently less than Morehead City's.
In addition, the Cape Fear River's draft will be increased to 42 feet by 2003 by the Army Corps of Engineers, so the shallower draft entering Wilmington will no longer drive as many potential customers to Virginia and South Carolina ports.
For the future, port officials plan to hook up with the trucking industry in North Carolina, look into intrastate rail, and promote importing and exporting among local businesses. Charleston (S.C.) Post and Courier Online (12/29/99)
Quest for Big Rigs' Business
Danny's - a Big Rig Resort will debut in March along Interstate 10 in Phoenix, Ariz., offering fast food, a coffee bar, showers and laundry facilities, wash and service bays, and parts and accessories. Also at the site will be game and TV rooms, an "oasis" containing streams and waterfalls, and space left over for a possible hotel and restaurant.Ten blocks away is Danny's Family Truck Wash and Service Center, whose president and owner Victoria Hendon is opening the new $8.8 million Big Rig Resort in partnership with Danny's Family Carousel. Even though an adjacent Pilot truck stop opened last year, the present location will see 1999 sales in excess of $4.2 million. Arizona Republic Online (12/29/99) ; Larson, Jane
Alberta's Whistle Stops: Risking a Grave Silence?
Canadian Pacific Railway engineer Devin Rodway is criticizing Lacombe, Alberta's November decision to enter discussions with the railroad and Transport Canada about banning train whistles in town. Rodway, who like most engineers along that line has been in collisions at rail crossings, believes that getting rid of the loud whistles will increase the chances of such accidents.The town council in Lacombe, which is Rodway's home town, decided to seek the discussions even though he told them about his concerns last month. Lacombe is just one of the communities across the province that has been exploring bans of train whistles, and Canmore, a resort community, has banned them. The bans have also met with concern from the country's Transportation Safety Board.
Transport Canada and the railroad will look at crossings, to ensure that they have sufficient warning devices and visibility, before eliminating whistles at the crossings. Charles Chinell, a former CN Rail conductor who proposed a whistle ban for Lacombe, said the sleep-disturbing whistles will not be needed if drivers heed the law and the warning devices. Edmonton Sun (12/29/99) P. 12; Evans, Rachel
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