Posted by Karen Thomas on Thu, Jan 26, 2012 @ 10:53 PM
Supply and demand can be argued to be the backbone of the world's economies. And where there's a need – there's also a need to deliver. Since it's been a while since a lot of us have been tested on economics 101, here's a brief tutelage on the subject courtesy of investopedia.com:
Demand refers to how much (quantity) of a product or service is desired by buyers. The quantity demanded is the amount of a product people are willing to buy at a certain price; the relationship between price and quantity demanded is known as the demand relationship. Supply represents how much the market can offer. The quantity supplied refers to the amount of a certain good producers are willing to supply when receiving a certain price. The correlation between price and how much of a good or service is supplied to the market is known as the supply relationship. Price, therefore, is a reflection of supply and demand.
Transporting the Foundation of International Economies
As mentioned earlier in the post – where there's a demand for supplies – there's a need to deliver those very supplies, tangible or not. Supplies are transported in a variety of ways. The Open Road is of course the concrete-laden channel for commercial vehicles to transport hundreds of millions of dollars worth of goods and services year in and year out. Planes and trains shoulder a large amount of commercial transport responsibilities as well. And there there are ships....
Ships and the National Strategy for Supply Chain Strategy
Ships are such an important channel of delivering the worlds' supplies to those countries, organizations, and people in demand, that President Obama spoke to this transportation channel's very importance in his announcement of the “National Strategy for Supply Chain Security.”
Straight from the White House
According to logisticsmgmt.com, “the White House highlights the fact that “International trade has been and continues to be a powerful engine of United States and global economic growth. In recent years, communications technology advances and trade barrier and production cost reductions have contributed to global capital market expansion and new economic opportunity. The global supply chain system that supports this trade is essential to the United States’ economy and security and is a critical global asset.
The White House said that the U.S Departments of State and Homeland Security will endeavor on a six month engagement period with the international community and industry stakeholders to solicit feedback and specific recommendations for how to implement the strategy in a cost effective and collaborative manner, with a focus on things like refining the nation’s understanding of global supply chain threats and risks over land, air, and sea, among others.”
(source: http://www.logisticsmgmt.com/article/white_house_is_focused_on_supply_chain_security.)
Straight STRAIGHT from the White House
The White House released the following fact sheet following President Obama's speech on National Strategy for Global Supply Chain Security.
- National Strategy for Global Supply Chain Security, 2012
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/01/25/fact-sheet-national-strategy-global-supply-chain-security
Posted by Karen Thomas on Mon, Jan 23, 2012 @ 11:24 PM
For having a rather small connotation, a scootch can go a long way. While parking your truck a scootch closer the curb may only mean moving it a few inches, a scootch can be scaled. Take gas prices for example. Say diesel prices dropped a scootch or two at the pump. Filling up once every three weeks – maybe a scootch won't make a different. Filling up a fleet of fifty big rigs and saving a scootch every gallon of gas can equal big savings at the pump. Scaling is essential when using a scootch as a measurable metric...and a scootch will go far in the transportation industry!
The price of diesel is dropping...just a scootch.
This week the average price for a gallon of diesel dropped a penny (or less in some cases) across the country.
According to thetrucker.com, “the nationwide retail on-highway price for a gallon of diesel was $3.848, down six-tenths of one cent, according to the Jan. 23 report by the Energy Information Administration of the Department of Energy.
The Lower Atlantic and Midwest regions saw the biggest decreases, a full one cent, while New England and California each registered small increases, up one-tenth and five-tenths of a cent, respectively. New England had the highest regional price at $4.077, though the state premium in California brought the average cost of a gallon of diesel there to $4.121. The Midwest had the lowest average price, $3.736,” (http://www.thetrucker.com/News/Stories/2012/1/23/Dieselslipslessthanapennyto3848pergallon.aspx.)
Meanwhile – compared to a year ago, diesel prices nationally are actually up a scootch (or four) at 41.8 cents a gallon.
Posted by Karen Thomas on Mon, Jan 23, 2012 @ 11:23 PM
The Open Road Blog Gas Saving Tip of the day: An education in transportation grants. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced today $77 million in grants to 22 University Transportation Centers (UTCs) to advance research and education programs that address critical transportation challenges facing our nation. The UTCs, which are located throughout the United States, conduct research that directly supports the priorities of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and the participating universities are a critical part of our national transportation strategy.
County: San Bernardino
Date: January 23rd, 2012
Station: 76
Address: 1195 East Walnut St. and South Grove Ave., Ontario
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.93
Date: January 23rd, 2012
Station: Royal Truck Stop
Address: 2300 East Steel Road and South Hunts Lane, Colton
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.93
Date: January 23rd, 2012
Station: ARCO
Address: 3368 South Riverside Ave. and Agua Mansa Road, Bloomington
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.93
(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)
County: Los Angeles
Date: January 23rd, 2012
Station: Super Petrol
Address: 1284 Venice Blvd. and Sawtelle Blvd., Culver city
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.89
Date: January 23rd, 2012
Station: Valero
Address: 9800 Alondra Blvd. and Bellflower Blvd., Bellflower
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.95
Date: January 23rd, 2012
Station: Chevron
Address: 9157 Slauson Ave. and Serapis Ave., Pico Rivera
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.95
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)
County: Riverside
Date: January 23rd, 2012
Station: Fatrip
Address: 10306 Arlington Ave., and Tyler Ave., Riverside
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.95
Date: January 23rd, 2012
Station: Arlington Gas
Address: 8970 Arlington Ave. and Rutland Ave., Riverside
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.95
Date: January 23rd, 2012
Station: Sam's Club
Address: 34220 Monterey Ave. and Dinah Shore Drive, Palm Desert
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.98
(Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)
Return to RSI HOME: http://www.rsiinsurancebrokers.com
Posted by Karen Thomas on Fri, Jan 20, 2012 @ 11:48 PM
The Open Road Blog Gas Saving Tip of the day: National issues aside - international economic situations are affecting domestic fuel prices as we move through the first month of twenty twelve. According to thetrucker.com, Oil prices fell today as Greece's debt negotiations sparked new concerns about Europe's financial problems.
County: San Bernardino
Date: January 20th, 2012
Station: Royal Truck Stop
Address: 2300 East Steel Road and South Hunts Lane, Colton
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.93
Date: January 20th, 2012
Station: ARCO
Address: 3368 South Riverside Ave. and Agua Mansa Road, Bloomington
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.93
Date: January 20th, 2012
Station: Valley Cotton Truck Stop
Address: 791 East Valley Blvd. and Mt. Vernon, Colton
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.93
(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)
County: Los Angeles
Date: January 20th, 2012
Station: Viva Truck stop
Address: 1430 East Pacific Coast Highway and Blinn Ave., Wilmington
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.89
Date: January 20th, 2012
Station: Kwik Serv
Address: 1235 Centinela Ave. and North Inglewood Ave., Inglewood
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.95
Date: January 20th, 2012
Station: Gas & Go
Address: 105 East Arrow Highway and San Dimas, San Dimas
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.95
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)
County: Riverside
Date: January 20th, 2012
Station: Arlington Gas
Address: 8970 Arlington Ave. and Rutland Ave., Riverside
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.95
Date: January 20th, 2012
Station: Raj Service Station
Address: 401 East 6th St. and South Howard St., Corona
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.97
Date: January 20th, 2012
Station: RS Service Station
Address: 703 East 6th Street and East Grand Blvd., Corona
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.97
(Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)
Return to RSI HOME: http://www.rsiinsurancebrokers.com
Posted by Karen Thomas on Fri, Jan 20, 2012 @ 10:18 PM
The month of January generally starts of with some changes. Whether you have one, ten, or zero resolutions penned for the year, January will require some sort of change. The obvious change...a new year. The not so obvious change – all those related to maintaining job-related compliance. Regulating bodies including the Department of Transportation (DOT) and its Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) like to start new years with a fresh start. And fresh starts typically include new rules. For transportation professionals and especially those carrying commercial drivers licenses CDLs), it's important to mark your calendars with the following deadlines.
According to the FMCSA, starting January 30, 2012 and no later than January 30, 2014, all CDL holders must provide information to their SDLA regarding the type of commercial motor vehicle operation they drive in or expect to drive in with their CDL. Drivers operating in certain types of commerce will be required to submit a current medical examiner’s certificate to their SDLA to obtain a “certified” medical status as part of their driving record. CDL holders required to have a ”certified” medical status who fail to provide and keep up-to-date their medical examiner’s certificate with their SDLA will become ”not-certified” and they may lose their CDL.
For specific State by State requirements for drivers and information related to how a State is handling the Medical Certification requirements, and to determine who to contact for additional information, click on the following link: http://www.aamva.org/aamva/DocumentDisplay.aspx?id={CA0F43CF-FBED-4FA6-A08E-1FAA7D44DFD9}
Take Note - 2012 CDL Changes
The FMCSA reports that state driver licensing agencies (SDLAs) will be adding medical certification status and the information on drivers' medical examiner’s certificate to Commercial driver’s license system (CDLIS) record beginning on the 30th of this month.
Have a CDL? Read this.....
According to the FMCSA, if you have a CDL you must:
1.Determine what type of commerce you operate in.
2.Certify to your SDLA to one of the four types of commerce you operate in as listed below...
(Interstate non-excepted: You are an Interstate non-excepted driver and must meet the Federal DOT medical card requirements.)
Interstate Exceptions
The FMCSA's medical requirements differ amongst interstate excepted and non-expected.
Interstate excepted: You are an Interstate excepted driver and do not have to meet the Federal DOT medical card requirements.
Intrastate non-excepted: You are an Intrastate non-excepted driver and are required to meet the medical requirements for your State.
No Exception to the CDL Rule
If your 2012 resolution included not procrastinating, it's an ideal time to provide information to your SDLA regarding the type of commercial motor vehicle operation you operate or plan to operate. No new year's resolution just yet? The FMCSA's got you covered.
Posted by Karen Thomas on Fri, Jan 20, 2012 @ 01:42 AM
The Open Road Blog Gas Saving Tip of the day: While it feels like winter's late in several parts of the U.S. - the Northwest is living quite a different reality. Snow - and lots of it - have plagued Washington state this past week. Throw in freezing temperatures and you've got yourself a state of emergency.
Washington's Office of the Governor reported, "WHEREAS, a severe winter stoml began on January 17th, 2012, and is forecast to continue for several days producing extensive snowfall throughout the Washington lowlands and in mountain elevations, affecting roadways and causing temporalY closures of key transportation routes due to hazardous conditions. Stay tuned for snowball (no pun intented) effects on nationwide fuel prices.
Date: January 19th, 2012
Station: Valley Cotton Truck Stop
Address: 791 East Valley Blvd. and Mt. Vernon, Colton
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.93
Date: January 19th, 2012
Station: 76
Address: 3610 South Riverside Ave. and Agua Mansa Road, Bloomington
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.93
Date: January 19th, 2012
Station: Royal Truck Stop
Address: 2300 East Steel Road and South Hunts Lane, Colton
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.93
(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)
County: Los Angeles
Date: January 19th, 2012
Station: Viva Truck stop
Address: 1430 East Pacific Coast Highway and Blinn Ave., Wilmington
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.89
Date: January 19th, 2012
Station: Gas & Go
Address: 105 East Arrow Highway and San Dimas, San Dimas
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.95
Date: January 19th, 2012
Station: Speedy Fuel
Address: 1222 East Anaheim St. and Watson Ave., Wilmington
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.95
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)
County: Riverside
Date: January 19th, 2012
Station: Arlington Gas
Address: 8970 Arlington Ave. and Rutland Ave., Riverside
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.95
Date: January 19th, 2012
Station: Raj Service Station
Address: 401 East 6th St. and South Howard St., Corona
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.97
Date: January 19th, 2012
Station: Jurupa Dairy
Address: 9775 Jurupa Road, Riverside NW
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.97
(Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)
Return to RSI HOME: http://www.rsiinsurancebrokers.com
Posted by Karen Thomas on Thu, Jan 19, 2012 @ 12:51 AM
The Open Road Blog Gas Saving Tip of the day: Research can lead to better transportation conditions. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced today $77 million in grants to 22 University Transportation Centers (UTCs) to advance research and education programs that address critical transportation challenges facing our nation. Solid research!
Date: January 18th, 2012
Station: USA Gasoline
Address: 13539 Baseline Road and Americana Way
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.93
Date: January 18th, 2012
Station: Silverwood Country Store
Address: 12077 CA-138 and Summit Valley Road
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.95
Date: January 18th, 2012
Station: Mobil
Address: 31429 Yucaipa Blvd. and Ave. East, Yucaipa
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.98
(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)
County: Los Angeles
Date: January 18th, 2012
Station: Castaic Truck Stop
Address: 31611 Castaic Road, San Fernando
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.37
Date: January 18th, 2012
Station: Alliance
Address: 31521 Castaic Road, Castaic
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.79
Date: January 18th, 2012
Station: Castaic Truck Stop
Address: 31611 Castaic Road near Parker Road, Castaic
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.79
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)
County: Riverside
Date: January 18th, 2012
Station: Arlington Gas
Address: 8970 Arlington Ave. and Rutland Ave., Riverside
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.95
Date: January 18th, 2012
Station: Fastrip
Address: 10306 Arlington Ave. and Tyler Ave., Riverside
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.99
Date: January 18th, 2012
Station: ARCO
Address: 2000 North Indian Canyon Drive and 20th Ave., Desert Hot Springs
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.99
(Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)
Return to RSI HOME: http://www.rsiinsurancebrokers.com
Posted by Karen Thomas on Wed, Jan 18, 2012 @ 12:53 AM
No one likes tests. Multiple choice, scan-trons, essays – they all conjure anxious reactions regardless of age. For transportation industry professionals though, tests are all part of the job. Regulating organizations including the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) require those in the transportation business adhere to a number of rules which oftentimes require completed tests.
For those who maintain commercial drivers licenses (CDLs), regular tests are more than familiar. The DOT code, 49 CFR §382.603, requires supervisors of CDL drivers to take 60 minutes of training on the symptoms of alcohol abuse and another 60 minutes of training on the symptoms of controlled substances use. The purpose is to qualify supervisors for determining when reasonable suspicion testing is needed.
The FMCSA does not certify trainers or training companies, nor does it pre-approve the curriculum presented. Employers are responsible for meeting the training requirement of 49 CFR §382.603 including ensuring that any training company/entity that they purchase training from provides training in the physical, behavioral, speech, and performance indicators of probable alcohol misuse and use of controlled substances. It is up to the employer to select which training to attend, keeping in mind the aforementioned guidelines.
Transportation employers understand the importance of governing rules – and ensuring employees (professional drivers) operate with the regulating parameters. The regulating bodies (FMCSA and DOT) provide the resources to ensure that tests are not only taken – but passed.
Posted by Karen Thomas on Tue, Jan 17, 2012 @ 11:09 PM
Order away!
Orders in the service sector rose last December, giving the transportation industry and economy at large a decent head start as we transitioned into the new year.
New orders and stronger imports are a combination for success. The Associated Press reported, “The Institute for Supply Management says its index of non-manufacturing activity rose to 52.6 in December. That's slightly above the reading of 52 in November, which was the lowest since January 2010, but well below last year's high of 59.7 recorded in February. Any reading above 50 indicates expansion,” (http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?subjectid=46&articleid=20120106_46_E3_CUTLIN10327.)
Purchase Progress
Purchasers are behind the economic growth. Where there are purchases, there's a need to transport those purchases from manufacturers to retailers to consumers. According to Kiplinger.com, “The U.S. economy will grow about 2.3% in 2012, a bit faster than the 1.8% pace in 2011.
Consumers are finally loosening the purse strings after four years of higher savings to restore wealth lost in the housing crash and 2008 stock market drop. Even those with sizable debts are willing to dip into savings to buy essentials, including big-ticket items such as cars when their clunkers reach the end of the road,” http://www.kiplinger.com/businessresource/economic_outlook/#ixzz1jmZPYIi6.)
The New Year is Looking Good as Far as Imports Go
These first two weeks of January produced strong numbers as far as imports go. According to Logistics Management, “the first two weeks of January vessels should be fairly full due to the upcoming Chinese New Year, which is on January 23. And manufacturing in Singapore, Thailand, and China will be hectic right up until January 22 prior to factories in these locales shutting down for the subsequent for weeks. This will lead to strong cargo numbers through January into the first week of February,” (http://www.logisticsmgmt.com/article/port_tracker_report_expects_january_imports_to_be_flat_with_seasonal_gains_/.)
The year is young and the economy is a little wobbly. The first quarter of 2012 will reveal new trends on the transportation front. With December's boost last year and positive projections as we move into Spring, things are looking good on the Open Road.
Posted by Karen Thomas on Fri, Jan 13, 2012 @ 12:47 AM
The Open Road Blog Gas Saving Tip of the day: While the content on the diesel posts is generally reserved for gas saving tips. We couldn't resist not sharingn news of a recent gain in transportation-related sales. Thetrucker.com reported December Class 8 sales hit 20,939, the most since December 2006 when sales totaled 26,462, capping a year with total Class 8 sales of 284,008. Not a bad way to transition into the New Year!
County: San Bernardino
Date: January 12th, 2012
Station: Valero
Address: 12080 Amargosa Road and Bear Valley Road, Victorville
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.89
Date: January 12th, 2012
Station: ARCO
Address: 3308 South Riverside Ave. and Agua Mansa Road, Bloomington
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.93
Date: January 12th, 2012
Station: USA Gasoline
Address: 13539 Baseline Road and Americana Way, Fontana
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.93
(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)
County: Los Angeles
Station: Kwik Serv
Address: 1235 Centinela Ave. and North Inglewood Ave., Inglewood
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.95
Date: January 12th, 2012
Station: CT Fuel Stop
Address: 1400 South Alameda St., Los Angeles
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.98
Date: January 12th, 2012
Station: ARCO
Address: 1501 Washington Blvd. and Maple Ave., Montebello
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.96
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)
County: Riverside
Date: January 12th, 2012
Station: ARCO
Address: 48055 Grapefruit Blvd. and 48th Ave., Coachella
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.95
Date: January 12th, 2012
Station: Sam's Club
Address: 34220 Monterey Ave. and Dinah Shore Drive, Palm Desert
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.97
Date: January 12th, 2012
Station: Raj Service Station
Address: 401 East 6th St. and Howard St., Corona
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.97
(Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)
Return to RSI HOME: http://www.rsiinsurancebrokers.com