Trucking news and briefs for Friday, Oct. 25, 2024:
FTR market conditions index improved for truckers in August, but remained negative
Market conditions for carriers were better in August than in July, but they remained in negative territory, according to FTR.
FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index improved in August to -1.39 from the reading of -5.59 in July. A return to consistent decreases in fuel prices was the biggest factor in better conditions during the month, the firm said, but all factors improved at least minimally.
FTR forecasts TCI readings to remain mostly negative to neutral through the beginning of 2025.
FTR's Trucking Conditions Index improved in August but remained in negative territory.FTR
The TCI tracks the changes representing five major conditions in the U.S. truck market: freight volumes, freight rates, fleet capacity, fuel prices, and financing costs. The individual metrics are combined into a single index indicating the industry’s overall health. A positive score represents good, optimistic conditions. Conversely, a negative score represents bad, pessimistic conditions. Readings near zero are consistent with a neutral operating environment, and double-digit readings in either direction suggest significant operating changes are likely.
[Related: When will freight markets turn to the positive for truckers?]
I-95 lane closures planned in Rhode Island
The Rhode Island Department Transportation (RIDOT) is set to conduct weekend lane closures along I-95 on the weekends of Nov. 1-4 and Nov. 8-11 as part of the state’s fifth rapid bridge installation since this summer.
The upcoming project will be for the replacement of the NB I-95 bridge over Elmwood Avenue in Providence. The bridge will be completely replaced over those two weekends.
The closures will start each weekend at 8 p.m. on Fridays with all lanes open by 5 a.m. Monday morning. Additionally, the high-speed lane on I-95 NB will be closed during the first weekend of closures.
During each weekend, RIDOT will close two lanes on I-95 NB just after the Route 10 (Exit 33) interchange. RIDOT strongly suggests that travelers use alternate routes such as Route 10 and I-295 on both weekends and plan additional time for travel.
For each weekend on I-95 NB, the lane closures will allow RIDOT to demolish and replace different parts of the structurally deficient bridge. Additionally, the on-ramps from Route 10 to I-95 NB will be closed on select nights and during the second weekend of demolition.
Starting Wednesday morning, Oct. 30 and for the week of Nov. 4-8, there will be a lane split on I-95 NB at the bridge with two lanes on either side of the work zone. Drivers should not stop or suddenly change lanes at the split. This unsafe behavior will cause traffic delays and could lead to a crash. All lanes go through.
Carrier requests exemption for pulsating brake light module
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is requesting public comments on a request from a 500-plus-truck fleet for an exemption to install the Intellistop pulsating brake light module on its trucks.
Casey’s Services Company seeks an exemption from the requirement the brake lights be steady burning.
Intellistop’s module is designed to pulse the required rear clearance, identification and brake lamps from a lower-level lighting intensity to a higher intensity four times in two seconds when the brakes are applied and then return the lights to a steady-burning state while the brakes remain engaged.
The Intellistop module requires an exemption for use because current Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard regulations require that installed brake lamps, whether original or replacement equipment, be steady burning.
FMCSA previously denied an industry-wide exemption request from Intellistop and instead asked individual carriers looking to use the module to apply. FMCSA just last month granted one such waiver.
Those interested in commenting on the request can do so here through Nov. 22.
