Posted by Karen Thomas on Wed, Sep 01, 2010 @ 11:03 PM
Signs of life in the U.S. Economy have been spotty of late. Stock market fluctuations have investors on their toes, real estate markets have plummeted as tax rebates run out, and all the while consumers have remained attached to their dollars with looming unemployment reports hovering in double digits. The transportation industry though chugs along and had been successful on several fronts. As many know in the transportation industry, it's dependent on the production of goods and services and the need to transport them. Manufacturing has been privy to significant success as of late – directly benefiting the transportation industry.
The Institute for Supply Management™ (ISM) is the largest supply management association in the world as well as one of the most respected. ISM’s mission is to lead the supply management profession through its standards of excellence, research, promotional activities, and education. ISM’s membership base includes more than 40,000 supply management professionals with a network of domestic and international affiliated associations. ISM is a not-for-profit association that provides opportunities for the promotion of the profession and the expansion of professional skills and knowledge, (www.ism.ws.)
This past week, ISM reported that manufacturing increased just last month making it thirteen months in a row that the industries seen some gains.
According to The Associated Press, “The Institute for Supply Management said Wednesday its manufacturing index rose to 56.3 in August from 55.5 in July. A reading above 50 indicates growth. Manufacturing has helped lead the economy out of the worst recession since the 1930s. The trade group’s index has surged since late 2009 and hit a 6-year high in April. But as economic growth has slowed this summer, expansion in the manufacturing sector has leveled off.”
The favorable report boosted stocks today, which faltered earlier in the week.
Posted by Karen Thomas on Mon, Aug 30, 2010 @ 11:10 PM
The Open Road Blog Gas Saving Tip of the day: Diesel costs drop. National on-highway diesel fell 1.9 cents today, with the Gulf Coast region falling 2.8 cents and the Lower Atlantic states’ pump prices decreasing by 2.4 cents over that of a week ago.
County: San Bernardino
Date: August 30th, 2010
Station: Mohsen Truck Stop
Address: 35680 Daggett Yermo Road, Yermo
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.96
Date: August 30th, 2010
Station: Royal Truck Stop
Address: 2300 East Steel Road and South Hunts Lane, Colton
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.97
Date: August 30th, 2010
Station: G & J Mini Mart
Address: 15515 Bear Valley Road and Cypress Ave., Hesperia
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.99
(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)
County: Los Angeles
Date: August 30th, 2010
Station: Food 4 Less
Address: 6700 Cherry Ave. and East 68th Street, Long Beach
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.99
Date: August 30th, 2010
Station: Petro Bras Gas
Address: 7515 Alondra Blvd. and Garfield Ave., Paramount
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.99
Date: August 30th, 2010
Station: ARCO
Address: 24020 Newhall Ave. and Arch Street, Newhall
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.03
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)
County: Riverside
Date: August 30th, 2010
Station: ARCO
Address: 52138 Harrison Street and 52nd Ave., Coachella
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.95
Date: August 30th, 2010
Station: ARCO
Address: 48055 Grapefruit Blvd. and 48th Ave., Coahella
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.96
Date: August 30th, 2010
Station: Morongo Travel Center
Address: 49020 Seminole Drive and Apache Trail, Cabazon
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.99
(Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)
Return to RSI HOME: http://www.rsiinsurancebrokers.com
Posted by Karen Thomas on Wed, Aug 25, 2010 @ 11:09 PM
The Open Road Blog Gas Saving Tip of the day: SUmmer fun isn't over just yet. The Great American Trucking Show continues its run. Show hours this year are Thursday, August 26, 12 noon- 5 p.m., Friday, 10 a.n.-5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The Trucker.com reports, the show will be held the Dallas Convention Center and includes exhibits as well as entertainment.
County: San Bernardino
Date: August 25th, 2010
Station: 76
Address: 3610 South Riverside Ave. and Agua Mansa Road, Bloomington
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.97
Date: August 25th, 2010
Station: Royal Truck Stop
Address: 2300 East Steel Road and South Hunts Lane, Colton
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.97
Date: August 25th, 2010
Station: Valero
Address: 1055 North Waterman Ave. and Olive St., San Bernardino
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.99
(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)
County: Los Angeles
Date: August 25th, 2010
Station: ARCO
Address: 9706 Telegraph Road and True Ave., Downey
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.97
Date: August 25th, 2010
Station: 76
Address: 10211 East Alondra Blvd. and Woodruff Ave., Bellflower
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.99
Date: August 25th, 2010
Station: Petro Bras Gas
Address: 7515 Alondra Blvd. and Garfield Ave., Paramount
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.99
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)
County: Riverside
Date: August 25th, 2010
Date: August 25th, 2010
Station: Morongo Travel Center
Address: 49020 Seminole Drive and Apache Trail, Cabazon
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.03
Station: 76
Address: 40648 California Oaks Road and Jackson Ave., Murrieta
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.03
Date: August 25th, 2010
Station: 7-Eleven
Address: 23021 Sunnymead Blvd. and Frederick St., Moreno Valley
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.03
(Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)
Return to RSI HOME: http://www.rsiinsurancebrokers.com
Posted by Karen Thomas on Sat, Aug 07, 2010 @ 10:18 PM
The Open Road Blog Gas Saving Tip of the day: Reports from the Labor Department were not so good last week. While unemployment rates remained below ten percent nationwide, the 9.5% figure didn't sit well with many. The transportation industry though did a commendable job as far as hiring goes. The Associated Press reported, that the trucking industry added 5,900 jobs in July, after slipping slightly in June when the for-hire industry lost 200 jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
County: San Bernardino
Date: August 7th, 2010
Station: Mohsen Truck Stop
Address: 35680 Daggett-Yermo Road and Yermo Road, Yermo
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.02
Date: August 7th, 2010
Station: Mobil
Address: 1090 Ontario Mills Drive and 4th Street, Ontario
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.05
Date: August 7th, 2010
Station: ARCO
Address: 31340 Yucaipa Blvd. and Hampton Road, Yucaipa
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.05
(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)
County: Los Angeles
Date: August 7th, 2010
Station: Valero
Address: 113 East Arrow Highway and Glendora Ave., Glendora
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.99
Date: August 7th, 2010
Station: United Oil
Address: 5170 Long Beach Blvd. and Morningside Street, Long Beach
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.09
Date: August 7th, 2010
Station: Garo Gas
Address: 960 East Washington Blvd. and North Mentor Ave., Pasadena
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.09
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)
County: Riverside
Date: August 7th, 2010
Station: ARCO
Address: 6287 Day Street and Campus Parkway, Riverside
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.05
Date: August 7th, 2010
Station: Morongo Travel Center
Address: 49020 Seminole Drive and Apache Trail, Cabazon
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.05
Date: August 7th, 2010
Station: Fastrip
Address: 10306 Arlington Ave. and Tyler Ave., Riverside
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.09
(Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)
Return to RSI HOME: http://www.rsiinsurancebrokers.com
Posted by Karen Thomas on Thu, Jul 22, 2010 @ 01:05 AM
The Open Road Blog Gas Saving Tip of the day: It's a good day when sales are - good. The trucking industry saw tall orders for Class 8 commercial vehicles just as the summer season arrived. TheTrucker.com reported, "Net orders for heavy-duty Class 8 commercial vehicles reached the highest level of the year in June, posting an increase of 93 percent compared to June of 2009, according to the market analysts at ACT Research Co. (ACT)."
County: San Bernardino
Date: July 21st, 2010
Station: ARCO
Address: 16337 Main Street and 3rd Ave., Hesperia
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.99
Date: July 21st, 2010
Station: Valero
Address: 2649 South Waterman Ave. near Barton Road, San Bernardino
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.99
Date: July 21st, 2010
Station: Valero
Address: 1055 North Waterman Ave. and Olive Street, San Bernardino
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.99
(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)
County: Los Angeles
Date: July 21st, 2010
Station: ARCO
Address: 24020 Newhall Ave. and Arch Street, Newhall
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.97
Date: July 21st, 2010
Station: ARCO
Address: 9707 Telegraph Road and True Ave., Downey
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.97
Date: July 21st, 2010
Station: Chevron
Address: 20500 Newhall Ave. and Sierra, Newhall
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.99
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)
County: Riverside
Date: July 21st, 2010
Station: Chevron
Address: 8283 Arlington Ave. and Lake Street, Riverside
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.95
Date: July 21st, 2010
Station: Fastrip
Address: 10306 Arlington Ave. and Tyler Ave., Riverside
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.95
Date: July 21st, 2010
Station: 76
Address: 6002 Van Buren Blvd. and Cypress Ave., Riverside
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.95
(Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)
Return to RSI HOME: http://www.rsiinsurancebrokers.com
Posted by Karen Thomas on Wed, Jul 21, 2010 @ 12:39 AM
The Open Road Blog Gas Saving Tip of the day: Just like the temperatures dropped in Southern California after a brief 'heatwave' - so have diesel prices. The Energy Information Administration reported that today the retail on-highway diesel price U.S. average dropped $0.004 per gallon today, falling to $2.899 per gallon.
County: San Bernardino
Date: July 20th, 2010
Station: Valero
Address: 2649 South Waterman Ave. near Barton Road, San Bernardino
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.99
Date: July 20th, 2010
Station: Valero
Address: 1055 North Waterman Ave. and Olive Street, San Bernardino
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.99
Date: July 20th, 2010
Station: 76
Address: 1195 East Walnut St. and South Grove Ave., ontario
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.99
(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)
County: Los Angeles
Date: July 20th, 2010
Station: ARCO
Address: 13550 Beach Blvd. and Hillborough Drive, La Mirada
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.99
Date: July 19th, 2010
Station: ARCO
Address: Atlantic Ave. and Santa Ana, Bell
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.99
Date: July 20th, 2010
Station: ARCO
Address: 8111 Atlantic Ave. and Santa Ana St., Cudahy
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.99
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)
County: Riverside
Date: July 20th, 2010
Station: Chevron
Address: 8283 Arlington Ave. and Lake Street, Riverside
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.39
Date: July 20th, 2010
Station: 76
Address: 6002 Van Buren Blvd. and Cypress Ave., Riverside
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.95
Date: July 20th, 2010
Station: Fastrip
Address: 10306 Arlington Ave. and Tyler Ave., Riverside
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.95
(Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)
Return to RSI HOME: http://www.rsiinsurancebrokers.com
Posted by Karen Thomas on Wed, Jul 21, 2010 @ 12:21 AM
Safety first. We've heard this as kids (before crossing the street) and as teenagers (when first learning to drive) and more than ever as adults (i.e. don't provide personal information online). Speaking of safety, the transportation industry maintains stringent safety standards. The departments (Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and the National Highway Transportation Safety Board) are the most influential organizations that influence both commercial drivers and non-commercial drivers. Protecting drivers' well-being is first and foremost, and thousands of dollars and man-hours are spent each year trying to figure out new ways to protect those on the open road.
Take for example just a few initiatives put forth by the NHTSB:
■Traffic Safety Facts: Assessing the Attention-Getting Capability of Brake Signals: Evaluation of Candidate Enhanced Braking Signals and Features, Sponsored by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington D.C, June 2010 DOT HS 811 330
■Traffic Safety Facts: Development of a Simulation Model to Assess Effictivness and Safety Benefits of Enhanced Rear Brake Light Countermeasures, Sponsored by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington D.C, June 2010 DOT HS 811 331
■"Evaluation of Enhanced Brake Lights Using Surrogate Safety Metrics: Task 2 & 3 Report Development of a Rear Signaling Model and Work Plan for Large Scale Field Evaluation"- Sponsored by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington D.C, June 2010 DOT HS
811 329
While preventative measures are ideal, sometimes a retrospective reveals beneficial information. Take for example truck crash data. According to FleetOwner.com, “
Truck collisions and near-collisions are low from January through June, but more than triple at points between July and November, according to a new analysis of truck crash data,” (www.fleetowner.com.)
Sean Kilcarr of FleetOwner.com wrote that video event recorders assessed more than 18 million unique driving events that resulted in two billion miles or traveled roads. Kilcarr reported that, “DriveCam’s research found that collisions and near collisions in long-haul trucking are very low from January to June (between 1% and 5%), but start to spike in July, peaking at 18% and remaining above 14% through November,” (www.fleetowner.com.)
Analysis of the DriveCam data supports the statement that driving not just at night, but even later into the day is more dangerous than driving the early morning commute. Human factors including fatigue and difficulty seeing as the sun goes down are attributed to the likelihood of accidents occurring later in the day.
Posted by Karen Thomas on Tue, Jun 29, 2010 @ 10:56 PM
The Open Road Blog Gas Saving Tip of the day: Road trips aren't just for vacationers. If you drive a truck or commercial vehicle as a profession, there are a number of sites to see along major routes that won't detract from the job at hand. The highway arteries that traverse the United States host several historical, unique - and even odd - attractions that can be appreciated without taking away from the work day. Stay tuned for the Open Road's top ten list!
County: San Bernardino
Date: June 29th, 2010
Station: ARCO
Address: 16337 Main Street and 3rd Ave., Hesperia
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.03
Date: June 29th, 2010
Station: Mohsen Truck Stop
Address: 35680 Daggett-Yermo Road and Yermo Road, Yermo
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.04
Date: June 29th, 2010
Station: Valero
Address: 1055 North Waterman Ave. and Olive Street, San Bernardino
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.05
(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)
County: Los Angeles
Date: June 29th, 2010
Station: Roche Fuel
Address: 8445 Atlantic Ave. and Salt Lake Ave., Cudahy
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.01
Date: June 29th, 2010
Station: Food 4 Less
Address: 6700 Cherry Ave. and East 68th St. Long Beach
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.03
Date: June 29th, 2010
Station: ARCO
Address: 615 West Florence Ave. and Denver Ave., Los Angeles
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.05
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)
County: Riverside
Date: June 29th, 2010
Station: ARCO
Address: 48055 Grapefruit Blvd. and 48th Ave., Coachella
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.05
Date: June 29th, 2010
Station: ARCO
Address: 52138 Harrison Street and 52nd Ave., Coachella
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.05
Date: June 29th, 2010
Station: Morongo Travel Center
Address: 69123 Ramon Road and Date Palm, Cathedral City
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.09
(Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)
Return to RSI HOME: http://www.rsiinsurancebrokers.com
Posted by Karen Thomas on Mon, Jun 28, 2010 @ 12:27 AM
The state of California is a little short on dough. Citizens of the state have stomached a few years of hardships – cutbacks, furloughs, and budget crisis. While there's been some turnaround, the state's had to become a bit inventive as it tries to get back on a positive financial track. And what better way to be inventive than with advertisements. The state's promoted itself via television ads showing images of surfers, spa aficianados and a skiing governor. Billboards, online ads, and radio campaigns have all been given center stage. What's left?
Bob Pool of The Los Angeles Times reported the state's next potential advertising medium: license plates.
CASHNCA, CALI$$$, SPENDCA, NOMOTAX...
No – the state's not considering personalized license plate copy-written to promote internal initiatives. It's much more technical than that. According to the LA Times the, “state legislature is considering issuing digital license plates that would turn the back of the car into a miniature billboard,” (www.latimes.com.)
Mini billboards – six by twelve inches to be exact- could be looking back at you the next time you're stuck in traffic. An opportunity for advertisers, designers, and the tech industry? Not so fast. For those familiar with digital advertising – or most advertising channels in general – your information is as stake. License plate advertisements may be another way not just to promote a product or service, but to collect information from unknowing parties. In addition – they could also be a major distraction on the road. No one wants to be in the vicinity of a driver who's looking at everything but the road ahead.
The monetary impact though could help a state in financial need. The Times reported, “Lawmakers are being asked to launch a feasibility study to determine if the advertising revenue from millions of electronic license plates would help close the state's $19-billion deficit. In addition to being a moneymaker, the high-tech plates also could be used to streamline automobile registration procedures and to quickly tell motorists about hazardous road conditions and Amber Alerts, officials suggest,” (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2010/06/license-plate-ads.html.)
Posted by Karen Thomas on Sat, Jun 26, 2010 @ 04:51 PM
Tractor-trailers are still a common site on the road. The transportation industry relies on 16-wheelers plus a bevy of commercial-sized vehicles ready to transport goods and services across the country and even beyond its borders. While the trucking industry has taken its hits just like any other industry in the last two years, it keeps on trucking for lack of a better term. While commercial trucks are still road regulars, a different trend is appearing amongst non-commercial drivers. That trend includes two wheels or a pair of feet.
The Department of Transportation revealed new data showing that bicycling and walking are up by 25 percent. Are people being green or is it directly correlated to a difficult economy where the cost of fuel is too much for some?
According to the DOT, “data from the Federal Highway Administration’s 2009 National Household Travel Survey which shows that both bicycling and walking trips have increased by 25 percent since 2001. The FHWA funded Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center included this data in The National Bicycling and Walking Study: A 15-Year Status Report. The report details trends and changes in bicycling and walking since 1994,” (http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2010/fhwa1610.htm.)
The DOT contributes this fuel-less trend to community development among other things. Bike lanes, work-live developments, and safer environments can be attributed to the increase in foot and bicycle traffic. US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood siad, “This report demonstrates what we’ve been saying here at the Department. Americans want and need safe alternatives to driving. And by making biking and walking safer and more accessible, we’ll be able to provide Americans with more choices and help foster more active, livable communities.”
While cars and trucks aren't going anywhere, people are taking it to the street – on foot and by bicycle – one step (or pedal) at a time.