Trucking news and briefs for Friday, June 9, 2023:
More time to comment on trailer side underride guards
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is extending the comment period for its advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) related to side underride guards on trailers.
NHTSA published the notice on April 21 and requested comments on a number of factors related to side underride guards, including their effectiveness, unexpected benefits and costs, and more.
NHTSA's advance notice said side underride guards could add more than 800 pounds to the trailer and upward of $3,000 in additional cost, and laid out membership for its 16-person Advisory Committee on Underride Protection, which will make recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation on safety regulations related to underride crashes.
The comment period was originally set to close June 20. Its extension comes after requests from the American Trucking Associations and others, who said they needed additional time to gather information and develop comments.
The comment period was extended for 30 days and now closes July 20. Comments can be filed here.
[Related: Trailer side-underride-guard rule could bump costs $3K]
Nebraska fuel haulers’ HOS waiver extended
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen this week extended an hours-of-service waiver for fuel haulers in the state due to a fuel shortage.
The governor’s order is designed to help reduce delays at petroleum product terminals, facilitating timely delivery of fuels to consumers, according to a statement from Pillen's office.
The waiver extension is effective immediately and will remain in effect through Sept. 4.
The order temporarily allows drivers to work extended hours hauling gasoline, gasoline blends, diesel, fuel oil, ethanol, propane, or biodiesel.
Drivers utilizing the waiver are required to have a copy of the governor's order with them. It can be found here.
[Related: Canada waives hours regs for Nova Scotia wildfire relief haulers]
Women of Trucking Advisory Board meeting later this month
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced in a Federal Register notice to be published June 12 that its Women of Trucking Advisory Board (WOTAB) will meet Thursday, June 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern. The meeting will be held virtually.
Registration for the meeting and an agenda will be available here at least one week before the meeting. Attendees are asked to register in advance.
According to the Federal Register notice, the board will begin consideration on its next task -- Ways to Expand Existing Opportunities for Women in the Trucking Industry.
[Related: Women of Trucking Advisory Board meets again]
New San Antonio parking facility planned
Plans are in the works for a new truck parking facility in San Antonio, Texas.
The project is being created by Riggy's, a company that operates truck parking facilities across the country.
It will include a building with free laundry, showers, and a lounge for drivers. Drivers will have a pin code to enter the lot or use the Riggy's app.
MySA.com reports construction on the $5.2 million facility is set to begin in July and finish in December.
Riggy's currently has two open locations in Texas – in Katy and Houston – with plans for another in Katy, along with Lancaster and San Antonio. A lot is also in the works for Memphis, Tennessee.
[Related: St. Paul, Minnesota, officially bans truck parking]
