Shore Power
The Sacramento Municipal Utility District has installed 16 electrical shore power hook-ups at California’s Sacramento 49er Travel Plaza. The district has described the project “as part of a national movement to accommodate truckers with auxiliary power so they can turn their engines off.” The Sacramento truckstop is located on Interstate 80 just west of the Interstate 5 junction.
Tonnage Up
The American Trucking Associations’ seasonally adjusted Truck Tonnage Index increased 10.6 percent in September, nearly erasing a big drop in August. The September index was 155, relative to a base of 100 in 1993. Compared to September 2002, the index, unadjusted for seasonal factors, increased by 4.2 percent. Year-to-date through September, the unadjusted tonnage index is up 3 percent compared to the same time period in 2002.
Toll Road Construction Starts
Texas has started construction on State Highway 130, a 49-mile toll road that will be part of the Central Texas Turnpike System. It will run from Interstate 35, north of Georgetown, to U.S. 183, south of Austin. The first phase of the Central Texas Turnpike System, including Texas Highway 130, is expected to be complete by December 2007.
When complete, tolls are expected to be 12 cents per mile.
Schneider Raises
Schneider National announced a new pay package for company drivers (solo and team), owner-operators (solo and team) and fleet owners. The mileage premium for team company drivers will increase by 5 cents per mile. Schneider National owner-operator pay will rise to 86 cents per mile (solo) and 84 cents per mile (team). Schneider National is also increasing and adding non-driving pay package for both company drivers and owner operators.
Schneider Opens Brokerage Offices
Schneider National Inc. recently announced the debut of two new brokerage offices in Baltimore, Md., and Memphis, Tenn., bringing the total number of Schneider Brokerage offices opened in 2003 to five. The new locations in Baltimore and Memphis are part of an ongoing commitment to expand Schneider National’s field sales presence.
Paccar Tire Deal
Paccar Inc. and Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire LLC have signed a new long-term global agreement that continues the specification of Bridgestone brand truck tires as standard original equipment on Kenworth, Peterbilt and other PACCAR vehicles.
Texas IdleAire
IdleAire Technologies Corporation has opened the first of three Advanced Travel Center Electrification (ATE) system installations planned for Texas. The first opened this week at the Travel Centers of America’s (TA) Dallas South Travel Center in Dallas, Texas. A second, at the TA in Baytown, is under construction, and a third, at the TA in San Antonio, is in the pre-construction stages.
Kenworth Award
Kenworth Truck Company’s Renton, Wash., plant recently received an “Ergonomics in Action” award from the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. The award recognizes a number of innovative projects completed at the plant since it was opened 10 years ago. The state is recognizing Kenworth for applying ergonomics principles to reduce injuries and increase productivity, according to Ken Mettler, L&I Ergonomics Program manager.
Committee Appointment
Volvo recently announced that Paul L. Vikner, who has served since July 2001 as president and CEO of Mack Trucks Inc., will become a member of Volvo’s Group Executive Committee (GEC) effective Jan. 1, reporting to Leif Johansson, president and CEO of the Volvo Group. The GEC is the highest-level management committee in the Volvo Group. Vikner will continue to serve as President and CEO of Mack.
Schneider Installs In-Cab Heaters
Schneider National Inc. is installing Webasto Product North America’s Air Top 2000 in-cab parking heaters in all of its new tractors purchased since June 2003. The environmentally friendly heater is fuel efficient and produces significantly less pollution than an idling tractor. The Air Top 2000, which is the size of a standard mailbox and sits under the bunk in a cab’s sleeper berth, runs on diesel fuel and operates much like a forced-air furnace. Fuel is drawn directly from a tractor’s diesel tanks so the heater runs more efficiently than an idling truck, the current method used to keep the cab warm during driver breaks.
New Love’s
Love’s Travel Stops opened a new facility in Marion, N.C. It is located along I-40 and Highway 226 at Exit 86. Marion is Love’s 92nd Travel Stop and is the 10th of 13 new facilities scheduled to open this year.
