Trucking news and briefs for Monday, June 20, 2022:
Idaho boosting compliance tech at I-84 weigh station
International Road Dynamics has snagged a more than $1 million contract to supply and install an eastbound mainline weigh-in-motion and electronic pre-clearance system to complement the westbound IRD system at the new Idaho Transportation Department port-of-entry facility on I-84 near Declo, Idaho. This will be the sixth such site IRD has deployed in Idaho.
This system will capture truck weight at highway speeds upstream of the weigh station using IRD's weigh-in-motion scales and check for tire defects with the company's Tire Anomaly and Classification System (TACS).
The system will also use an IRD-supplied license plate reader and vehicle Identification system to check vehicle credentials. This credentialing information will be screened against state and federal databases using IRD's commercial vehicle safety e-screening platform. Trucks in violation of weight or safety regulations will be automatically signaled to report for inspection at the port-of-entry weigh station by message signs.
[Related: On-road tech catches truck tire anomalies]
During peak times, weigh stations often exceed capacity and are forced to close or allow trucks to bypass the weigh station until the lineup at the station is cleared. By combining Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks (CVISN) information with the weight, the weigh station can focus on high-risk vehicles, allowing compliant carriers with good safety records to bypass the weigh station, IRD said. While that improves the effectiveness of the weigh station, it also provides a benefit to carriers with good records in terms of reducing wait times and the fuel costs associated with stopping for inspection.
Mack joins industry-wide steering gear recall
Mack Trucks is recalling more than 6,000 trucks – 2021-22 Granite, Anthem, LR, Pinnacle, and Terrapro tractor trailers – over steering gears that may have been assembled incorrectly, which can cause the gear to fracture.
Mack's announcement is a formality as R.H. Sheppard, a subsidiary of Bendix, is recalling 105,271 of its Sheppard steering gears, which the company said were purchased by 29 manufacturers to be used in vehicles, including major truck OEMs.
The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed out July 29, 2022. Owners may contact Mack customer service at 1-800-866-1177. Mack's number for this recall is SC0437.
Paccar recalling medium-duty trucks
Paccar is recalling certain 2022 Kenworth T180 and 2023 Kenworth T280 and Peterbilt 535 vehicles over concerns that an ABS lamp was not enabled and will not illuminate, even during an ABS malfunction.
Dealers will perform a complete software update to correct the parameter setting, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Aug. 14, 2022. Owners may contact Paccar’s customer service at 425-828-5888 (Kenworth); 940-591-4220 (Peterbilt). Paccar’s numbers for this recall are 22KWC and 22PBC.
Additionally, Paccar is recalling certain 2022 Kenworth T180, 2021-2023 Kenworth T280, 2022-2023 Kenworth T380, and 2022-2023 Peterbilt 536 and 537 vehicles over concerns that internal components of the transmission actuator may slip, causing the actuator to become miscalibrated.
Dealers will replace the transmission actuator, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 14, 2022. Owners may contact Paccar’s customer service at 1-425-828-5888 (Kenworth); 1-940-591-4220 (Peterbilt). Paccar’s number for this recall is 22KWD and 22PBD.
[Related: Chances of a recession essentially a toss-up | Details of steering gear recall]
Arizona rest area reopens
The Bouse Wash Rest Area on I-10 in western Arizona has reopened following a year-long renovation project.
Improvements by the Arizona Department of Transportation include upgrades to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, replacing restroom fixtures and expanding the parking lot. Also, renovations improved and modernized ramadas, water and wastewater systems, vending buildings and other equipment.
The renovations took place on the eastbound and westbound rest areas, which are west of Tonopah at milemarker 53.
Driver named Highway Angel for helping fellow trucker after accident
The Truckload Carriers Association has named truck driver Navdeep Singh, from Winnipeg, Manitoba, a Highway Angel for rescuing an injured fellow truck driver whose vehicle ran off the side of the road and crashed. Singh drives for CN Transportation Ltd. based in Ontario, Canada.
On Sept. 28, 2020, at 3:15 p.m., he was heading westbound on Highway 2 about three kilometers outside Starbuck, Manitoba, when he witnessed a farm truck heading eastbound blow a tire, lose control and veer straight into a ditch.
Singh watched as the truck rolled over, coming to a rest in some farmland. No other vehicles were involved.
“I was afraid that the driver must have gotten hurt really badly and might need help, so I stopped safely and ran to help,” he said.
Singh said the driver was unconscious and upside down, hanging on by his left leg, which was tightly stuck between the driver seat and gear lever.
“I had to pull off the windshield to reach him, which came off easily,” Singh added. He was relieved when the injured truck driver spoke, telling him his name was "Bob."
Several passersby stopped to help and together, Singh and the men were able to get the injured man’s leg free and remove him from the crashed cab safely.
By the time emergency personnel arrived, Bob was conscious but was not sure what had happened. An off-duty paramedic also stopped at the accident site and helped before emergency crews arrived.
The Manitoba Trucking Association recently awarded the MTA-Bridgestone Trucking Hero Award to Singh for his selfless act.
TCA has presented Singh with a certificate, patches, lapel pin and truck decals. CN Transportation has also received a letter acknowledging him as a Highway Angel.
[Related: Christopher Lloyd named Highway Angel of the Year]
