Industry News
11 DRIVER'S DIGEST NATURAL GAS `NOT VIABLE' FOR LONG-HAUL ATA In a written submission to the Senate Energy Committee, American Trucking Associations assert that natural gas (CNG or LNG) is not a viable alternative fuel for most long-haul US trucking operations, though it could be acceptable for some short-haul carriers. Cited reasons for this are said to include the high on-cost of vehicles able to run on gas, most obviously their engines but also the special fuel tanks required, es-pecially for LNG, and associated fuel metering and injection ancillaries. AutomotiveWorld.com, November 18, 2009 FLEET STUDY INDICATES SLOW DEMAND FOR 2010 EQUIPMENT The 2009 Fleet Study conducted by CK Commercial Vehicle Research indicates a likely slow demand for new 2010 U.S. Environmental Protec-tion Agency-compliant power units when they are initially introduced. Respondents to the study were wary of committing to placing orders for the new equipment in the fi rst half of 2010, according to CKCVR; even the 42 percent of respondents who said they might place orders character-ized, on average, the actual probability that trucks would be purchased in the fi rst six months of 2010 at 50 percent. CCJ.com, November 17, 2009 SCHNEIDER NATIONAL TAKING OVER EMERSON'S TRANSPORTATION DIVISION Emerson is a $20.9 billion manufacturer of appliances, tools, electron-ics, telecommunication, industrial automation and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment. Schneider National will provide a dedicated fl eet including approximately 300 drivers. The pressure upon businesses' balance sheets is causing fl eets to outsource non-critical business activities. In addition, the supply chain is becoming more complex as businesses continue to work to lower inventory levels this is increasing transportation service levels demanded by shippers, resulting in stronger demand for dedicated contract carriage. KRAFT FOODS AND SUPERVALU PUSH CONGRESS TO ALLOW AN INCREASE IN THE WEIGHT OF TRUCKS Such a change could save money, cut fuel use and reduce emis-sions they claim. A bill pending before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee would increase the allowable weight of trucks from 80,000 pounds to 97,000 pounds. But it would require a sixth axle be added to trucks carrying that much weight. The bill - HR 1799 - is backed by the Coalition for Transportation Productivity, made up largely of companies that ship products by truck, and the American Trucking Association. Opposing the bill are some independent truck owners and highway safety groups. A competing bill HR 1618, known as the Safe Highways and Infra-structure Preservation Act would freeze truck weights at 80,000 pounds and extend weight restrictions to cover the national highway system. Not every truck can be retrofi tted with a sixth axle. But for vehicles that can be altered, adding another axle would likely mean a $6,000 to $8,000 investment. The sixth axle would be added just inside the back two axles. INDUSTRY NEWS solutions fr om page 10 cr ossw or d Solution: C U R B C B S A B S P R E L L O A T L O T U N D U E B R A E R A F A N D R I V E R T R A F F I C T O E D L A W S C O H E N C D L D E C O R C A B E R R O R D A V E N I N A A S P I R E D B A N D I T E R E A T A N O T I S U Z U T S P E T A G E N E S H O T D O T L O N E moderate 2 8 3 5 1 4 9 7 6 1 7 4 6 3 9 8 2 5 5 9 6 8 2 7 1 3 4 3 6 2 4 9 8 7 5 1 8 2 9 7 5 2 6 4 3 4 5 7 1 6 3 2 9 8 7 4 5 9 8 6 3 1 2 6 2 1 3 7 5 4 8 9 9 3 8 2 4 1 5 6 7 tough 3 7 2 6 4 1 8 5 9 8 5 1 9 2 3 7 6 4 4 6 9 8 7 5 3 1 2 2 1 4 3 8 6 5 9 7 6 3 8 5 9 7 2 4 1 moderate 2 8 3 5 1 4 9 7 6 1 7 4 6 3 9 8 2 5 5 9 6 8 2 7 1 3 4 3 6 2 4 9 8 7 5 1 8 2 9 7 5 2 6 4 3 4 5 7 1 6 3 2 9 8 7 4 5 9 8 6 3 1 2 6 2 1 3 7 5 4 8 9 9 3 8 2 4 1 5 6 7 tough 3 7 2 6 4 1 8 5 9 8 5 1 9 2 3 7 6 4 4 6 9 8 7 5 3 1 2 2 1 4 3 8 6 5 9 7 6 3 8 5 9 7 2 4 1 5 9 7 4 1 2 6 3 8 7 4 6 2 5 9 1 8 3 9 2 5 1 3 8 4 7 6 1 8 3 7 6 4 9 2 5 moderate tough sudoku