Trucking news and briefs for Monday, June 6, 2022:
ATRI seeks parking input from operators in Midwest
The American Transportation Research Institute on Monday launched a follow-up online survey seeking perspectives from truck drivers related to the real-time parking information system that was installed in eight Midwest states in 2019.
The follow-up survey is intended to collect preference information from truck drivers who have used the Mid America Association of State Transportation Officials (MAASTO) Truck Parking Information Management System (TPIMS). Drivers who operate anywhere in the Midwest states -- including Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin -- are encouraged to participate.
Responses to this survey will help the 10 state DOTs who compose the MAASTO coalition continue to use the regional system to best coordinate real-time truck parking information for most major corridors in the Midwest.
Truck drivers operating in the Midwest are encouraged to complete the brief confidential online truck parking survey by Friday, June 24.
Nightly I-20 closures planned in Louisiana starting Monday night
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development said beginning Monday, June 6, both westbound lanes of I-20 at the U.S. 80/Louisiana Highway 526 (Bert Kouns Industrial Loop) overpass in west Shreveport will be closed nightly.
The nighttime only closure is necessary to allow a contractor to begin repairs on the overpass that was damaged after it was struck by an illegal over-height load in late 2021, the department said.
The work is scheduled to take place from 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. each night for approximately 10 days, depending on weather and other factors.
As part of the interstate closure, traffic will be routed to a diversion cross-over that has already been constructed by DOTD crews at the interchange. DOTD said it is continually working to ensure the efficient flow of traffic once repairs are underway, though drivers should anticipate some possible delays and plan an alternate route if possible.
The bridge is currently load posted at 5 tons, meaning no vehicles heavier than five tons can legally cross until repairs are complete and the posting is removed. The load posting is in the interest of the safety of the traveling public, DOTD added.
DOTD bridge inspectors discovered the damaged bridge girders during a routine inspection. DOTD added that the incident was not reported to law enforcement at the time the overpass was struck.
New electric APU launched by Dynasys
Perrin Manufacturing, the parent company of Dynasys APU, announced the availability of the new Dynasys 24 auxilliary power unit.
The Dynasys 24 is a lithium-ion battery-powered APU that provides 12,000 btu of air conditioning and has a runtime of between 12 and 16 hours, recharged by the truck’s alternator while in route.
The company says the APU is the only battery unit on the market that has the capability of running a 12,000 btu air conditioning system for up to 16 hours. As with Dynasys’ EIS unit, the 24 can also be fitted with an Espar hydronic coolant heater for both the truck’s bunk and motor coolant. Most battery units have only 6 to 8 hours of runtime and provide 6,000 btu of air conditioning, through the use of traditional batteries, Dynasys adds.
The standard warranty is five years on the battery and two years, unlimited hours on all other components.
The sales and installation will be performed at one of the company’s Factory Trained Dynasys Dealers throughout the United States and Canada.
