BTS Releases North American Surface Trade Numbers for December 2007:
Surface Trade with Canada and Mexico Rose 3.1 Percent from December 2006

Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 3.1 percent higher in December 2007 than in December 2006, reaching $60.9 billion, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), a part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), reported today.

More information on transborder freight data and data from previous months are posted on the BTS website at http://www.bts.gov/transborder/.

January 10th, 2008

Walgreens Teams up with DHL to Offer Shipping Services Chainwide

DEERFIELD, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Walgreens (NYSE:WAG)(NASDAQ:WAG) has entered into an agreement with DHL, the world’s leading express delivery and logistics company, to offer shipping services in virtually all of its stores chainwide. The rollout will begin in April in Illinois and Florida and is projected to expand to more than 6,500 locations by the end of calendar 2008.

January 9th, 2007

Mexican President Defends NAFTA Despite Protests

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican President Felipe Calderon defended a regional trade deal on Monday..........click here for the rest of this article

January 7th, 2008

Talking Transportation: The Truth About Trucks
By Jim Cameron - Special to WestportNow

Two years ago, in my very first Talking Transportation column, I tried to dispel the myth that our highway problems are all caused by trucks. "Let's Blame the Trucks" attacked that common wisdom with facts that didn't win me many friends But that's hardly my goal in these musings.
Read the rest of the article here. While you're there why not take a few minutes to register and leave a comment; we need these kinds of friends!

January 4th, 2008

Great American Announces Another ''Big Rig Giveaway''

CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For the second year in a row, Great American Insurance Group's Trucking Division is giving away a totally transformed heavy duty, Class 8 truck in the company's popular "Big Rig Giveaway" sweepstakes. The 2008 sweepstakes prize, a tricked out Peterbilt 379EXHD, will be given to a trucker chosen at random from Great American's booth, #67200 at the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) on March 29 at 2:00 pm EST. This one-of-a-kind Pete will included a uniquely designed paint finish, new interior and upholstery, chromed-out detailing, and electronics including a DVD player, flat screen monitor, blind spot camera, security system, remote controlled electric hood opener, microwave and mini-fridge.

To enter the "BIG RIG GIVEAWAY," visit the Great American Trucking website at www.GreatAmericanTrucker.com. The contest is open to Class A commercial licensed drivers ages 21 or older. Employees and families of sponsors and vendors are not eligible. No purchase or payment is necessary to enter or win. The winner is responsible for taxes, insurance and all applicable fees. Void where prohibited by law.

December 12th, 2007

BTS Releases Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI);
Freight Index Rose 1.3 Percent in October from September

The Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) rose 1.3 percent in October from its September level, rising after a one-month decline that brought the index to its lowest level since January 2004, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), a part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), reported today.

A news release summarizing the data may be obtained by clicking this link.

ATA Welcomes New Rule on Hours of Service
Research Shows Regulations Reduce Crashes, Fatalities and Injuries

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The American Trucking Associations (ATA) welcomes the Interim Final Rule on drivers’ Hours of Service issued today by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

The rule retains the key components of the 2004 rule, which ATA has supported because in just four years it has led to significant decreases in the number of fatal large truck crashes, the fatal large truck crash rate, the number of injuries from truck-involved crashes, and the injury crash rate.

“FMCSA has made an important contribution to highway safety by keeping in force Hours of Service rules that have led to a reduction in deaths and injuries over the last several years,” said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves.

The new rule reflects the scientific research that shows that the comprehensive regulations in effect since 2004 (except for a change in sleeper berth regulations in October 2005) promote driver alertness and enhance highway safety. Components of the rule include:

Increasing from 8 to 10 hours the minimum amount of time that drivers must be off-duty between shifts, providing a greater opportunity for 7 to 8 hours of sleep;
Reducing the maximum daily on-duty time by one hour from 15 to 14 and eliminating the provision allowing this time be “tolled” by breaks;
Providing a maximum 11-hour driving time per shift to complete runs safely; Promoting schedules nearer to a 24-hour circadian cycle;
Allowing for a minimum of 34 consecutive off-duty hours of rest, recovery and restart to eliminate potential sleep debt.

The FMCSA cited data collected by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute that showed there is no increase in crash risk in the 11th hour of driving. Government and industry safety data and metrics clearly indicate that the current HOS rules are an improvement in truck safety over the pre-2004 rules.

For example:
The number of truck-involved fatalities decreased 4.7 percent in 2006 – from 5,240 in 2005 to 4,995 in 2006 – the largest percentage drop in truck-involved fatalities since 1992;
The projected truck-involved fatality rate for 2006 is at its lowest since record-keeping began in 1975;
The number of truck-involved-crash injuries decreased by almost 2,000 in 2005 and dropped another 8,000 in 2006;
The injury crash rate, another accepted metric, is also at its lowest point since DOT recordkeeping began.

The Interim Final Rule is an interim measure in effect while the agency collects additional data on the safety impact of the two challenged provisions. ATA will work with its members during the next stage of the HOS rulemaking process to document motor carriers' safety experiences under the 11- and 34-hour provisions.

President Graves also noted that ATA continues to pursue other goals on its safety agenda, including a requirement for speed limiters on new trucks, a 65-mph national speed limit for all vehicles and increased use of seatbelts. November 10, 2007

*UPS Announces 2008 Rates*

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--UPS (NYSE:UPS) today announced new list rates for 2008, including an average 4.9 percent increase for UPS Ground and Ground Hundredweight shipments and a net average increase of 4.9 percent on all air express and U.S. origin International shipments.

The increase for air express and international shipments is based on a 6.9 percent increase in the base rate, less a 2 percent reduction in the current fuel surcharge. Updated rate and service information will be posted on ups.com/rates beginning Nov. 16, and customers can preview UPS Ground, Air and International express rates. On Dec. 31, customers can download the /2008/ /Rate and Service Guide/.

The new rates will take effect on Dec. 31, 2007.

September 7, 2007

U.S. & Mexican Trucking Companies Cleared to Operate Beyond the Border DOT provides details on steps taken to ensure safety of year-long Demonstration Project in response to latest Inspector General report.
Details in this U.S. DOT press release.

August 31st, 2007

Mexico Prepares to Allow U.S. Trucks to Cross Border
By Thomas Black and Karen Gullo Read the complete report at Bloomberg dot com

August 10th, 2007

Altitude set to broadcast 2007 Pikes Peak specials in August.
Details in this release

July 25th, 2007

If you travel Arkansas highways, especially in a commercial vehicle, check out these new laws that go into effect July 31st.

NHTSA reports traffic deaths lowest in five years. Read the full report.

July 22nd, 2007

States push for truck-only lanes
By James Hannah, Associated Press

Read the USA Today story here

July 12th, 2007

Maryland university scores $1,000,000.00 federal grant,according to this report on Bizjournals.com.

July 10th, 2007

Unhealthy Truckers Try to Shape Up
By EMILY FREDRIX, AP Business Writer
Read the complete story at FOXNews

June 16th, 2007

Mystery Streaker On I-55/I-70

Read story

June 1st, 2007

12-Year-Old N.J. Boy is Winner of ''Design Dale's New Ride'' Contest
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Twelve-year-old Vincent Giacalone of Emerson, N.J., took the "championship cup" in The UPS Store® "Design Dale's New Ride" coloring contest.
His winning design will appear on the 2007 The UPS Store/Toys for Tots #44 Camry that NASCAR legend Dale Jarrett plans to race on Oct. 28 in Atlanta to kick off The UPS Store/Toys for Tots 2007 holiday fund-raising campaign.

May 8th, 2007

Keep America Beautiful Launches Web-based Campaign
This is KAB's first national outreach program since 1998. The campaign consists of three animated films that feature KAB Man, a superhero who furthers the organization's mission. The campaign's Web site will also feature bonus materials such as an online game, merchandise and downloadable posters.
For more information, visit Kabman.org

May 7th, 2007

A large percentage of truckers choose a pickup or utility vehicle as their leisure vehicle.
Check out Prime Media's revamped TruckTrend

May 1st, 2007

TCEQ Kicks-Off 2007 Texas Innovative Vehicle Expo
Event Highlights Innovative Technologies That Reduce Emissions and Gasoline Use

A hybrid school bus, a hybrid semi-truck, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and a solar car- these are just a few of the innovative technologies being showcased at this year's Texas Innovative Vehicle Expo.

As gas prices remain high and communities continue to look for strategies to improve air quality, an increasing number of innovative technologies are making their way into the marketplace. Many of these technologies will be on display starting Tuesday, May 1, at the 2007 Texas Innovative Vehicle Expo at the Austin Convention Center, part of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's (TCEQ) three-day Environmental Trade Fair and Conference.

April 28th, 2007

The Box That Changed the World, 51 Years Ago Today
By John Steele Gordon
Read the fascinating story of the container here..

April 16th, 2007

Angry truckers to encircle D.C. with 'blockade'
Protesting administration plan to allow Mexican long-haulers on U.S. roads
Click here for the story @WorldNetDaily.com

When TruckTalk first hit the scene there wasn't much happening between transportation and the Internet. I thought that the best way to be of service to the community was to offer an e-mail newsletter.
That was several years ago and this is 2006. Our industry continues to embrace technology and move forward with the rest of the world. I decided to replace the newsletter with message boards where members could exchange ideas and share information
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The goal continues to be to maintain a site that you will bookmark and return to often. Your entry to the latest in industry news and information. The links you find here will assist in your search for answers about equipment, services, regulations and the people and organizations involved in the transportation process.

I've tried to contact every link you see listed in these pages. If you find a bad link please let me know. If you are affiliated with, or know of, a company or group that needs to be listed here, let me know about them. I'll send an e-mail and ask for permission to link.
Even though scheduled publication of TruckTalk, the newsletter, has been suspended the message boards are ready and waiting for your comments and participation.