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June 13, 2006
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Headline
News
FTA to Eliminate Duplication Requirements
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has proposed, via a Notice of Rule Making (NPRM), to eliminate duplicative requirements for safety-sensitive employees for some public (mass) transportation systems, whom are subject to the alcohol and controlled substances (D&A) testing requirements of both FTA and the United States Coast Guard (USCG), or FTA and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Recipients could concurrently comply with FTA's Drug & Alcohol testing program as they comply with the testing requirements of the USCG or FMCSA. However, FTA's post-accident and reasonable suspicion testing requirements would continue to apply when accidents occur while performing public (mass) transportation activities.
Click here for a copy of the NPRM as it appears in the Federal Register.
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Transportation Industry Raises Concerns about ULSD
Amid concerns within the transportation industry, on Thursday June 1st, Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) entered the market. ULSD will be at least 80 percent of the diesel fuel imported and refined within the United States for use by on-road vehicles, containing only 15 ppm (parts per million) sulfur content.
The date of June 1st, also marked the first day retail outlets must label their on-highway diesel pumps as either ULSD or low sulfur diesel. The ULSD label states that ULSD is required for 2007 and later highway vehicles and engines, but is also recommended for all diesel engines. The low sulfur diesel label, by contrast, warns that it's prohibited for use in 2007 and later engines.
ULSD will contain roughly 97% less sulfur than the diesel fuel used prior to June 1st. Although June 1st was the deadline for refineries to begin producing ULSD, October 15, 2006 is when ULSD will become available at retail facilities across the United States. Since the new fuel touts a cleaner exhaust, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), predicts that the new trucks, which are produced in 2007 to use this fuel, will reduce smog emissions by an estimated 2.6 million tons each year. However, the EPA's information still does not eliminate the concerns the transportation industry has raised over the distribution of the ULSD.
According to transportation industry experts, compared to the era when leaded fuels were taken off the market, concerns have arisen about ULSD being easily contaminated by “older” diesel fuels. Although some have insisted, that the time-frame between now and October 15 th , will be used to work out any such problems that may arise, other's within the transportation industry have voiced the following concerns:
- ULSD's sulfur content is supposed to be limited to 15 ppm or less, yet ULSD remains vulnerable to losing its status if it picks up enough residual sulfur from previous 500 ppm (Low Diesel Sulfur), through pipelines and fuel terminals, which will exceed the 15 ppm limit during shipment to the pump, before the driver fills up.
- Operational Challenges – While fleets begin to use the ULSD and spend more money on fuel that is less efficient, many fleets begin to rethink their operations, in order to save money in other areas due to the increased cost in fuel. ULSD, for example, is expected to add about 5 cents to the production and distribution of every gallon of fuel, thus reducing fuel economy by up to 1 percent.
- Resale effects – Many fleets across the country currently resell their used vehicles, to companies in South America. Currently, with no ULSD regulations in effect in South America, there are concerns within the transportation industry, in regards to how these companies will find buyers for their used equipment, when the new 2007 engines may not perform on the well on the low sulfur diesel. Currently, there is not enough operational experience with post 2007 truck technologies to accurately predict what would happen with the use of fuel other than ULSD.
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Important Upcoming FMCSA Rule Changes
FMCSA will have a full agenda in the coming months, which could lead to several proposed and final rules changes in the near future. Those changes to the rules, could be the following:
- An NPRM linking a driver's medical certificate, to obtaining a Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
- Medical personnel to pass a test on illness and injury in order to qualify for the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME)
- Electronic On-Board Recorder (EOBR) as an NPRM
- Supporting Documents, such as a Final Rule, clarifying which documents need to be collected and maintained.
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FMCSA is Accepting Applications for Vision and Diabetes Exemptions
FMCSA announced in the Federal Register on Friday, June 2nd, the receipt of requests for exemptions for drivers with Insulin Treated Diabetes Mellitus (ITDM) and vision requirements.
In total, FMCSA received requests for exemptions from 47 drivers with ITDM, as well as, 47 requests to be exempted from the vision requirement. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals with ITDM to operate CMVs in interstate commerce or without meeting the Federal vision standard.
Click here to review the list of drivers who request exemptions for ITDM as it appears in the Federal Register. Click here to review the list of drivers who request a vision exemption as it appears in the Federal Register. Top
TSA Proposes TWIC
On Monday, May 22, the Transportation Security Administration issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which if realized, would implement the Transportation Worker Identification Credential program in the maritime sector. Under this program, merchant mariners holding an active License, Merchant Mariner Document, or Certificate of Registry and workers who require unescorted access to secure areas at maritime facilities or on vessels must undergo a security threat assessment, and, if found to not pose a security threat, obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). Persons without TWIC will not be granted unescorted access to secure areas at affected maritime facilities or on vessels.
Under this proposed rule, the Coast Guard seeks to amend its regulations on vessel and facility security to require the use of the TWIC as an access control measure. It is also proposing to amend its regulations covering merchant mariners to incorporate the requirement to obtain a TWIC. In a separate rulemaking action published elsewhere in this edition of the Federal Register, the Coast Guard also is proposing to consolidate existing licensing and documentation regulations to minimize duplicative or redundant identification or background check requirements.
The Transportation Security Administration proposes amending its security threat assessment standards that currently apply to commercial drivers authorized to transport hazardous materials in commerce to also apply to merchant mariners and workers who require unescorted access to secure areas on vessels and at port facilities. These proposed amendments also relate to the notification an employer receives when an employee who holds a hazardous materials endorsement or a TWIC is determined to pose a security threat. The Transportation Security Administration also is proposing regulations dealing with the enrollment of port workers into the TWIC program. TSA estimates that approximately 110,000 port truck drivers will be affected by the rulemaking.
In addition, the Transportation Security Administration is proposing a fee, as authorized under the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2004, to pay for the costs related to the issuance of the TWIC under this rule. TSA expects the total TWIC fees to range from $95 to $149, based on previous vetting by DHS. This rulemaking would enhance the security of ports by requiring background checks on persons and establishing a biometric access control system to prevent those who pose a security threat from gaining unescorted access to secure areas of ports.
This rulemaking implements the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, which requires that credentialed merchant mariners and workers with unescorted access to secured areas of vessels and facilities be subject to a security threat assessment and receive a biometric credential needed to access secured areas. Click Here for a copy of the rulemaking as it appears in the Federal Register. Top
TCA Salutes Highway Angel Andrew Lee, of Silver Springs , Nevada
Alexandria, VA, June 6, 2006 – The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) recently recognized Andrew Lee, of Silver Springs, Nevada, as a Highway Angel for assisting a diabetic grandmother in a crisis situation.
Lee had pulled into a truck stop off I-5 near Marysville, Washington, to purchase lunch, and was returning to his rig when he walked by an SUV parked close to the store entrance. The female driver had her window down, and Lee smiled and said hello. “She looked like she was ready to fall asleep,” Lee said of the woman who suddenly pleaded for his help. She explained that she was a diabetic, had been feeling dizzy, pulled into the truck stop, and upon checking her blood sugar, discovered it was extremely low. She did not have enough energy to get herself and her 17-month-old twin grandsons, who were asleep in the back of the vehicle, into the store to purchase what she needed. Fearing she would lose consciousness, when she saw Lee's friendly face, she said “Can you help me?”
Without hesitation, Lee quickly placed his own lunch on the hood of her car and ran into the store to buy orange juice. “I've been in this situation before,” Lee said. “I didn't know the entire consequences of it, but I knew a diabetic needed orange juice. It doesn't take very long to bring the blood sugar level to normal.”
An avid reader, Lee had learned that orange juice is a fast-acting remedy for correcting low blood sugar. To help stabilize the woman's sugar level, he hurried back to the store to get her some candy bars while she drank the juice. Then he remained with her until she reached a safe blood sugar level.
The woman, Dr. Ginny Tresvant, was so thankful, she wanted to pay him for his services, but he declined. Tresvant followed up with a letter to Davis Transport to commend Lee for his “quick thinking and fast actions” in what she called “a crisis situation.”
Lee, who has often stopped to help motorists during his 14 years of driving, thought there was nothing special about his actions. “I don't know why, it's just in my nature to help,” he said. “I like the feeling I get in helping people.”
Lee received a Highway Angel lapel pin, certificate, and patch for his efforts, and his employer, Davis Transport, Inc., also received a certificate for acknowledging a Highway Angel in their midst.
Since its inception in August 1997, the Highway Angel program has recognized hundreds of drivers for the unusual kindness, courtesy, and courage they have shown others while on the job. TCA has received letters and emails from people across the country nominating truck drivers for the program.
“We continue to be amazed by the number of professional truckers who go out of their way to help a stranger and many times put their lives at risk as well,” said Nancy O'Liddy, director of public affairs and marketing for TCA. “TCA is proud and delighted to offer the kind of program that gives these drivers the recognition and support they deserve while at the same time creates a greater public awareness and appreciation for the many outstanding drivers in this industry.”
To view archival copies of past Highway Angel press releases, visit our website address at www.truckload.org/pressroom/index.htm#angelnews. To nominate a driver online, go to www.truckload.org/highwayangels/nominate.asp. For more information on the program, contact TCA at 703/838-1950 or via email at Angel@truckload.org.
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Training a Priority for KLLM
According to Fleet Owner Magazine, KLLM Transport Services signed an agreement with Instructional Technologies, Inc. (ITI) to provide Pro Tread Driver Training to its fleet of nearly 1,400 drivers. Pro-Tread is an Internet version of ITI's Tread-1 program.
KLLM has required that all drivers participate in a specified number of training hours per year; Pro-Tread will be one of the key methods of delivering the training.
“We want to provide and maintain safe and healthy working conditions, to train our personnel and to use work procedures and practices that will minimize the exposure to accidents of our employees, our vehicles, our property, the cargo of our customers and to the public,” said Rick Parker, director of safety. “We are always looking for ways to improve our safety record and to provide training at all our locations regardless of driver scheduling and availability of training staff.” Top
Survey Reveals Top 10 Reasons Why Drivers Leave
Using qualified drivers can put the brakes on business operations. Before turnover can be significantly reduced, you must determine the real reasons they are leaving your company.
Getting good information from internally conducted exit interviews can be tough. Exiting employees in every industry resist such interviews for the same reasons:
- They may want their job back
- They may need a good reference
- They don't believe their opinions matter
- They have mentally exited and don't want to take the time
The refusal rate for exit interviews is high and employers make business decisions based on data from an insufficient percentage of the population. In general, the data is so vague that it is not actionable.
Since 1995, the Strategic TurnOver Program ä (STOP) has captured concrete, actionable responses from some 25,500 exited employees annually across more than 10 industries. Results and recommendations are reported in a client-specific format. Targeted interventions can then be assigned, measured, and monitored for accountability and ROI. Primary reasons for leaving vary for different companies – equipment type, route, time at home, etc.
To reduce turnover, you must understand that not all drivers are motivated by the same factors. By sorting the exited drivers into subgroups, you can understand them more specifically – by age, tenure, number of children at home, marital status, ethnicity, etc. You can also learn why they went to which competitors, and often re-hire the best ones. The chart below provides a breakdown of the top 10 reasons why drivers leave. This chart is based on sampling of 14,457 drivers between 2003-2006. Even if you believe money to be the most frequent reasons for turnover, you are right for less than one out of five drivers who exit.
Rim Yurkus, Chief Executive Officer, Strategic Programs Inc. (800) 800-5476 ryurkus@strategicprogramsinc.com
To learn how companies are using this information to reduce driver turnover you might be interested in purchasing a CD/Tape of TCA's audio conference, "Controlling Driver Turnover." The audio conference featured Rim Yurkus, Don Osterberg, Vice President of Capacity Development, Schneider National Inc. and Tres Parker, Vice President of Operations, Boyd Brothers Transportation. The program addressed:
- Understanding what makes drivers decide whether to stay with or leave your organization.
- Learning how to create "early wins" in your campaign to reduce turnover.
- Learning the real causes of turnover.
- Learning how to achieve measurable results using turnover data.
To order the CD/Audiotape please call LINK Conference Services at 800-756-8280 and ask for the February 23, 2006 program, "Controlling Driver Turnover." The CD/Audiotape is $129 for members and $159 or non-members. If you have any questions, please contact Virginia DeRoze at vderoze@truckload.org or 703-838-1950. Top
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