Posted by Karen Thomas on Sun, May 13, 2012 @ 12:17 AM
The Open Road Blog Gas Saving Tip of the day: While gas prices are still high to the naked eye, the are dropping (at least this week.) Thetrucker.com reported that the price of oil fell Friday after reports that China's economy appears to be slowing down.
Benchmark U.S. crude lost 95 cents to finish at $96.13 in New York. Brent crude, which helps set the price for oil imported into the U.S., lost 47 cents to end at $112.26 per barrel in London.
County: San Bernardino
Date: May 12th, 2012
Station: 5 Point Auto Service
Address: 1221 Washington St. and Mt. Vernon Ave., Colton
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09
Date: May 12th, 2012
Station: 76
Address: 4350 Mills Circle and Mall Drive., Ontario
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.15
Date: May 12th, 2012
Station: ARCO
Address: 12300 Arrow Route and Etiwanda Ave., Rancho Cucamonga
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.15
(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)
County: Los Angeles
Date: May 12th, 2012
Station: Viva Truck Stop
Address: 14300 West Pacific Coast Highway and Blinn Ave., Wilmington
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.97
Date: May 12th, 2012
Station: Petromore
Address: 6597 Long Beach Blvd. and Artesia, Long Beach
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.99
Date: May 12th, 2012
Station: Pacific Pride
Address: 9089 Glenoaks Blvd. and Tuxford St., Sun Valley
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.99
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)
County: Riverside
Date: May 12th, 2012
Station: Corona Gas Station
Address: 625 West 6th St., and West Grand Blvd., Corona
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.07
Date: May 12th, 2012
Station: RS Service Station
Address: 703 East 6th St. and East Grand Blvd., Corona
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.07
Date: May 12th, 2012
Station: ARCO
Address: 1855 Columbia Avenue and La Cadena Drive, Riverside
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09
(Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)
Return to RSI HOME: http://www.rsiinsurancebrokers.com
Posted by Karen Thomas on Sat, May 12, 2012 @ 11:54 PM
Every industry needs and advocate. The Open Road has many. The reason – the Open Road is comprised of not only many types of transportation but people, vehicles, environments, technology and so much more. The Open Road provides many arenas to advocate.
Open Road Advocate
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) prides itself in being the voice for transportation and catalyst for organizational and technical excellence.
AASHTO's Mission
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials advocates transportation-related policies and provides technical services to support states in their efforts to efficiently and safely move people and goods.
AASHTO Goals and Objectives
Goal 1. Re-establish transportation as a national priority.
Goal 2. Advocate and communicate to achieve AASHTO's goals.
Goal 3. Provide world class technical services.
Goal 4. Assist State DOTs with leadership and performance.
AASHTO Associate Membership
• Discounted publication rates and one free publication
-Associate Members are also entitled to a free copy (hard copy or electronic version) of an AASHTO publication. AASHTO members also receive publications discounts .
• Discounted meeting fees
-AASHTO associate members can attend all of AASHTO’s meetings at reduced registration fees, which provides access to the network of state transportation officials that constitute AASHTO’s membership.
(source: http://www.transportation.org/default.aspx?siteid=37&pageid=3062)
Advocates are importnat. As Open Road professionals (or professionals in any industry for that matter) it's nice ot have an organization not onlyl behind your company's back – the the Open Road's.
Posted by Karen Thomas on Fri, May 11, 2012 @ 12:36 AM
Borders aren't always physical boundaries. Sometimes it takes talking, planning, and support to maintain or cross a physical border. The Open Road includes a border every now an then. Some of those borders are invisible and others are comprised of concrete, fences and even personnel. The United States-Mexico cross-border long-haul trucking pilot program is on program that deals with both the mental and physical border.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) United States-Mexico cross-border long-haul trucking pilot program tests and demonstrates the ability of Mexico-based motor carriers to operate safely in the United States beyond the municipalities and commercial zones along the United States-Mexico border.
The pilot program is part of FMCSA's implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) cross-border long-haul trucking provisions. This pilot program would allow Mexico-domiciled motor carriers to operate throughout the United States for up to 3 years. United States-domiciled motor carriers would be granted reciprocal rights to operate in Mexico for the same period.
According to TheTrucker.com, the FMCSA will publish a notice in the Federal Register Friday seeking public comments on data and information concerning the Pre-Authorization Safety Audits (PASA) for the three carriers — Higienicos Y Desechables Del Bajio, Servicios Refrigerados Internacionales and Transportes Del Valle De Guadalupe.
The FMCSA posted a notice recently that the three carriers had passed the PASA.
The Federal Register notice and review of the comments is the final step before authority to participate is granted, denied or delayed.
According to the Federal Register notice, the FMCSA inspected and approved one truck and one driver from each carrier.
FMCSA records show there is either insufficient data or no violations in any of the five public CSA categories to generate a score for Higienicos Y Desechables Del Bajio and Servicios Refrigerados Internacionales. Transportes Del Valle De Guadalupe is being issued its first DOT number as part of the pilot program and has no CSA data posted on the FMCSA website.
(source: http://www.thetrucker.com/News/Stories/2012/5/10/3morecarriersonestepclosertoMexicotruckprogramparticipation.aspx.)
While there are still border boundaries in place, the Open Road partners are there to cross them.
Posted by Karen Thomas on Tue, May 08, 2012 @ 01:17 AM
Smart phone Applications take up a lot of time. There's poker to play, art to draw, words to create, and angry winged-animals to launch. And then there are applications that help with more realistic endeavors. Case in point, there are technological advances that aid in selecting the proper bus route to ride. Points and social media statuses aside – there are considerably more important objectives to go after and thankfully – apps to support them.
Department of Transportation (DOT) Apps
The DOT recently challenged students to create a new phone app that will help consumers make smart safety decisions about bus travel in general.
According to the DOT:
The U.S. DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration today launched a contest that challenges student software developers to use the agency’s raw performance data on commercial bus companies to create new apps and online solutions that enable consumers to make smart safety decisions when booking their bus travel. It is hoped that the challenge will also raise public awareness about the availability and usefulness of FMCSA’s bus safety data. FMCSA’s Motorcoach Safety Data Utilization Student Challenge is open to all U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are 18 years or older and enrolled at a fully-accredited higher education institution, or planning to enroll in the fall of 2012 or winter of 2013. Submissions will be accepted starting April 30, 2012 through August 1, 2012. Winners will be announced on September 20, 2012.
For complete details on contest eligibility requirements and rules, visit www.Challenge.gov.
Applications Come and Go
As gas prices go up (or remain pretty high at least), public transportation becomes more attractive. Public transportation can be difficult to coordinate from the average commuter's perspective. Technology though – in the form of apps and other devices – can help us select smart ways to travel the Open Road.
Posted by Karen Thomas on Wed, May 02, 2012 @ 12:49 AM
Compliance controls the way we do business. It keeps the rogue in check as it does standards and fair business practices in general. Compliance control generally comes at the hand of those that have the most control. Capitol Hill – has a lot of control. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) are two of the most influential organizations when it comes to maintaining compliance on the Open Road. Open Road professionals know though how to remain within the lines of the law.
Open Road Compliance Resources
The FMCSA provides a complete compliance powerpoint that sets the expectations and provides ample information on how to remain...compliant.
A Compliance Review is an on-site examination of a motor carrier’s operations by a U.S. federal safety investigator to determine a motor carrier’s safety fitness.
Review of motor carrier operations such as:
financial responsibility
accidents
hazardous material
commercial/economic regulations (if applicable)
The Compliance Review focuses on the carrier’s:
safety management controls
operational performance
U.S. regulatory compliance
Compliance Review of motor carriers are generally conducted at the carrier’s principal place of business. FMCSA’s Division Offices and/or State Offices are responsible for calling the carrier to schedule a mutually agreeable time and location for conducting the Compliance Review. The Investigator’s call to the carrier will be followed by a letter to the carrier confirming when and where the Compliance Review will be conducted.
The Compliance Review process consists of 9 steps:
1. Opening Interview
2. On-Going Interviews with Carrier Staff
3. Accident Review
4. Financial Responsibility
5. Maintenance Review
6. Commercial Drivers License, Controlled Substance Testing & Driver Review
7. Hazardous Material
8. Hours of Service Review
9. Close Out Interview
Maintaining compliance requires action and motivation. Maintaining knowledge on compliance takes pro action. Pro action...that's up to the Open Road team.
Posted by Karen Thomas on Tue, May 01, 2012 @ 12:49 AM
The Federal Transit Association (FTA) has a big job. Since 1954 it's managed programs designed to maintain financial assistance for mass transportation. And mass transportation moves a lot of people. If you've been stuck alone in any sort of gridlock, than sure enough – mass transit has crossed your mind. While the universal music selection may be gone (hey, there's always an i-something or other to provide personal play lists), mass transit provides many benefits. As a matter of fact, ridership (amongst mass transit) increased by 28.7 percent from 1991 to 2010. During the same period, Federal assistance applied to transit increased by nearly 74.3percent (constant 2005
dollars).
In the last two years, the FTA reports that:
• The number of bus systems increased in the last 10 years (77 new systems).
• Demand response combined with Demand Response-Taxi increased by nearly 14.5 percent (63 new systems) over the same period, reflecting the need to continue
providing special transit service for elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities. Demand Response-Taxi is combined with Demand Response.
• Vanpool increased by 56 percent (24 new systems) during the 10 year period.
FTA Modes Explained
The FTA oversees the following modes of transportation:
Bus
The most common form of mass transit service provided throughout the United
States. Buses operate on fixed routes and schedules over existing roadways.
Buses must be in compliance with mass transit rules including Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) provisions.
Commuter Rail
Local (short-distance) travel operating between a central city and adjacent
suburbs. Service is provided on regular schedules, moving commuters within
urbanized areas or between urbanized areas and outlying areas. Multi-trip tickets
and specific station-to-station fares characterize commuter rail service, with one or
two stations in the central business district.
Heavy Rail
Heavy rail service is characterized by high-speed and rapid acceleration passenger
rail cars operating singly or in multi-car trains on fixed electric rails; separate rightsof-
way from which all other traffic is excluded; sophisticated signaling, high
platform loading and a heavy passenger volume.
Demand Response
Service (passenger cars, vans or small buses) provided upon request to pick up
and transport passengers to and from their destinations. Typically, a vehicle may
be dispatched to pick up several passengers at different pick-up points before
taking them to their respective destinations and may be interrupted en route to
these destinations to pick up other passengers.
Demand Response – Taxi (DT)
A special form of the demand response mode operated through taxicab providers.
The mode is always purchased transportation type of service.
Light Rail
Light rail is an electric railway with a lighter passenger volume compared to heavy
rail. Passenger cars operating singly (or in short, two-car trains) on fixed rails in
shared or exclusive right-of-way, low or high platform loading characterize light rail
service. The vehicle’s power is drawn from an overhead electric wire.
Vanpool
Service operating under a ride sharing arrangement providing transportation to
individuals traveling directly between their homes and a regular destination. The
vehicles (vans, small buses, and other vehicles) must have a minimum seating
capacity of seven. Vanpool(s) must also be in compliance with mass transit rules
including Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provisions, be open to the public,
availability must be advertised and the service must be operated by a public entity
or a public entity must own, purchase or lease the vehicle(s).
Since 2010...
• The number of bus systems increased in the last 10 years (77 new systems).
• Demand response combined with Demand Response-Taxi increased by nearly 14.5 percent (63 new systems) over the same period, reflecting the need to continue
providing special transit service for elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities. Demand Response-Taxi is combined with Demand Response in below Figure 3
and Figure 4.
• Vanpool increased by 56 percent (24 new systems) during the 10 year period.
Meanwhile – The FTA is Making the Earth a Better Place
According to the FTA, the Obama Administration has successfully pioneered a new approach to helping local communities plan a greener, more sustainable future. The Partnership for Sustainability coordinates federal resources to help urban, suburban, and rural communities improve access to affordable housing, increase transportation options, and lower household transportation costs while protecting the environment.
In addition, the FTA is committed to helping American innovators develop and test new technologies to power public transportation vehicles for the next generation, while supporting the transit industry’s ability to put new, clean-fuel vehicles on the road to reduce our dependence on oil and reduce harmful emissions. Together, we’re reducing transit’s carbon footprint and fostering a healthier environment.
To learn more about the FTA and ways it's improving mass ridership and environmental endeavors, visit: http://www.fta.dot.gov/earth_day.html.
Posted by Karen Thomas on Thu, Apr 26, 2012 @ 12:17 AM
On the Open Road, the ears are open as well. Policies and rule makings that affect the Open Road are fortunately open for conversation before becoming paved into laws we must comply by. Certain Open Road-related decisions require more discussion than others. Potentially contentious laws lead to a lot to talk and ire. Electric On-Board Recorders (EOBRs) are one of those points of discussion.
Open Road Topics are Open to the Public
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced that it will hold a public listening session to solicit information, concepts, ideas, and comments on Electronic On-Board Recorders (EOBRs) and the issue of driver harassment. Specifically, the Agency wants to know what factors, issues, and data it should consider as it addresses the distinction between productivity and harassment: What will prevent harassment from occurring; what types of harassment already exist; how frequently and to what extent harassment happens; and how an electronic device such as an EOBR, capable of contemporaneous transmission of information to a motor carrier, will guard against (or fail to guard against) harassment. Additionally, the Agency will solicit concepts, ideas, and comments from enforcement personnel on the hours-of-service (HOS) information they would need to see on the EOBR display screen to effectively enforce the HOS rules at the roadside and the type of evidence they would need to retain in order to support issuing drivers citations for HOS violations observed during roadside inspections. This session will be held in Bellevue, Washington (WA), and will allow interested persons to present comments, views, and relevant new research that FMCSA should consider in development of Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SNPRM). This listening session will be recorded and a transcript of the session will be placed in the docket for FMCSA's consideration. The listening session will also be webcast via the Internet and will allow for email interactivity during the webcast.
Talk is...
Talk is tantamount to proper change. Several professionals in the trucking industry have weighed in regulatory issues, especially those regarding EOBRs. While the conversation today may be EOBRs, tomorrow it may be fuel prices and in ten years it may be flying trucks. No matter the topic, the important thing to recognize is that the Open Road welcomes open conversation.
Posted by Karen Thomas on Tue, Apr 24, 2012 @ 11:59 PM
Earth Day was a few days ago, but in actuality – it's everyday. Especially on the Open Road. Preserving – and respecting – the Earth's natural resources is a stance that many acknowledge more than one day out of the year. The trucking industry is on the forefront of environmentally forward thinking trends. Despite the stigma that's attached to big rigs and the notion that they're the root of all road pollution, fleet owners, owner operators, truck drivers, and truck manufacturers have made big rig-sized steps towards “green” improvements. On the Open Road, Earth Day is everyday.
Earth Day's Origin
According to earthday.org, the idea came to Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, after witnessing the ravages of the 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Inspired by the student anti-war movement, he realized that if he could infuse that energy with an emerging public consciousness about air and water pollution, it would force environmental protection onto the national political agenda. Senator Nelson announced the idea for a “national teach-in on the environment” to the national media; persuaded Pete McCloskey, a conservation-minded Republican Congressman, to serve as his co-chair; and recruited Denis Hayes as national coordinator. Hayes built a national staff of 85 to promote events across the land.
As a result, on the 22nd of April, 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment in massive coast-to-coast rallies. Thousands of colleges and universities organized protests against the deterioration of the environment. Groups that had been fighting against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, freeways, the loss of wilderness, and the extinction of wildlife suddenly realized they shared common values.
(source: http://www.earthday.org/earth-day-history-movement.)
Earth Friendly Big Rig Science
According to practicalenvironmentalists.com, “scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory are testing new drag reduction devices that could one day make large trucks more aerodynamic. The new truck designs will provide trucks more fuel efficiency, possibly saving the trucking industry as much as 10 billion dollars in fuel costs.
UPS and Coca Cola have recently placed orders for 18 wheelers that use hybrid technology, as found in the Toyota Prius and other gas-electric models. Adopting hybrid technology could save more than 3000 gallons of diesel per truck, per year. At the Georgia Tech Research Institute, engineers are using wind tunnels and computer modeling to design big rigs with reduced drag, “http://www.practicalenvironmentalist.com/automobiles/even-cargo-trucks-are-getting-a-green-make-over.htm.”
EPA-Induced Standards
Per the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) new heavy-duty diesel engines sold in the U.S. after 2007 must meet strict new EPA standards that filter almost all the black soot particles and much of the nitrogen oxides that cause acid rain. The next set of standards went into effect in 2010 to reduce nitrogen oxides even further.
Posted by Karen Thomas on Mon, Apr 23, 2012 @ 11:46 PM
Despite current economic conditions, luxury still sells. Movie theaters are being built across the United States that offer plush seating, drinks and food, space, and all at a twenty dollar price point. New cars feature not only seat warmers but GPS, Facebook connection, and little beeps just before you're about to back into something. The Open Road doesn't skimp on luxury either. While you may disagree (especially in California where major highways may seem a tad neglected), the Open Road is filled with luxurious tractor trailers that gleam from the inside out.
Sweet “Cab” Dreams
If you're a long haul driver, a good night's rest (or whatever time of day you sleep) is worth its weight in gold. While five diamond hotel standards (3000 count sheets and “heavenly” pillows”) may not come standard in most big rig cabs, there are some that can take one to la la land in no time.
One company that specializes in big rig sleeper trucks is Indiana Custom Trucks, LLC. Indiana Custom Trucks converts big rigs into custom sleeper trucks. According to the company, custom sleeper trucks have evolved into a complete luxury vehicle and are now closer to being like their RV cousins. Custom sleeper trucks are no longer just a place to rest between stops but a home away from home.
A custom sleeper truck from Indiana Custom Trucks, LLC will bring all the comforts of home right into your truck. The company can customize sleeper truck conversions and incorporate refrigerators, sinks, stoves, hot water systems, bathroom and so much more.
Options include:
ICT 102" Patriot Sleeper
American Roads Series
Comfort Coach Series
Front Runners Series
Sundowner Sleepers Series
Custom Conversions
http://www.trucksleeper.com/ICT-Gallery.htm
Luxury Truck Accessories
It's all about bling and accessories. Diamond earrings and gold necklaces don't hold a candle to road bling (based on size alone.) Shiny chrome, custom paint jobs and even custom lighting set trucks apart from one another. Truck accessories are functional. Function doesn't come with an aesthetic sacrifice on the Open Road.
Pro-Tech brand tractor trailer and truck accessories is used by professionals across the United States.
Truck accessories include:
Cab Racks/Droms
Toolboxes
Fenders
Other Accessories
Light Truck
Truck Racks
Toolboxes
Special Storage
Flat Beds
Bodies
Storage Boxes
Fire
Fire Bodies
http://www.protech.net/
While it's not always how one looks (speaking in terms of tractor trailers), fine design and function make the Open Road a more comfortable and visually pleasing one at that.
Posted by Karen Thomas on Sun, Apr 22, 2012 @ 12:10 AM
The Open Road Blog Gas Saving Tip of the day: International aid on the fuel front? According to thetrucker.com, Germany helped drive oil prices higher Friday. It was a respite from persistent worries about weaker energy demand as Europe's debt crisis still hangs in the air.
Benchmark U.S. crude rose 78 cents to finish at $103.05 per barrel in New York, while Brent crude added 76 cents to end at $118.76 in London.
County: San Bernardino
Date: April 21st, 2012
Station: 5 Point Auto Service
Address: 1221 Washington St. and Mt. Vernon Ave., Colton
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.19
Date: April 21st, 2012
Station: 76
Address: 1195 East walnut St. and South Grove St., Ontario
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.19
Date: April 21st, 2012
Station: Orange Show Food and Fuel
Address: 520 West Orange Show Road and East Street, San Bernardino
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.19
(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)
County: Los Angeles
Date: April 21st, 2012
Station: Petro Bras Gas
Address: 7515 Alondra Blvd. and Garfield Ave.
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.13
Date: April 21st, 2012
Station: ARCO
Address: 9706 Telegraph Road and True Ave., Downey
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.15
Date: April 21st, 2012
Station: Vernon Fuel
Address: 4321 South Alameda St. and Vernon Ave., Vernon
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.17
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)
County: Riverside
Date: April 21st, 2012
Station: Mobil
Address: 31702 Mission Tr. and Diamond Dr., Lake Elsinore
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.12
Date: April 21st, 2012
Station: 76
Address: 2240 Compton Ave. and Ontario Ave., Corona
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.15
Date: April 21st, 2012
Station: RS Service Station
Address: 703 East 6th St. and East Grand Blvd., Corona
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.17
(Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)
Return to RSI HOME: http://www.rsiinsurancebrokers.com
