Truckload Indexes

Truck drivers need to go into the job search understanding what they need in a position, and the fleet needs to understand how to deliver.

The Truckload Carriers Association will host a webinar on Tuesday to help truckload fleets understand current and potential regulations and other industry issues under the Biden administration.

While an Executive Order requiring federal contractors comply with diversity training compliance has been rescinded, employers should stay aware of potential upcoming changes under the Biden administration.

Shippers spent 12% more per mile for dry van truckloads on average through most of the fourth quarter of 2020 than they did in 2019.

The Truckload Carriers Association has named Demetrius Fields a Highway Angel for Fields’ actions in helping a family after their vehicle spun out in the middle of a busy highway during a severe winter storm.

As the Biden Administration and the Democrat-controlled 117th Congress lay out their progressive policy objectives, labor policy remains the big issue for the trucking industry.

International Roadcheck Week in North America is moving back to the spring this year, with May 4-6 set as the dates, according to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.

Trucking markets headed back in the right direction

If an employer chooses to mandate that their employees get vaccinated, a carefully written COVID-19 vaccination policy should describe the process for requesting accommodations, so employees know how to make such a request.

The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) recently honored professional driver Morgan Kirkland for his skill and quick thinking in preventing a potentially deadly head-on collision.

Revenue generated could help fund infrastructure investments, DOT Secretary nominee says in confirmation hearing.

Fresh from its takeover of Uber ATG in December, autonomous vehicle company Aurora has signed an agreement with heavy-duty truck manufacturer PACCAR (NASDAQ: PCAR) to commercialize autonomous Peterbilt and Kenworth […]

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit has upheld a determination by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that California cannot enforce state meal and rest break rules that conflict with federal hours-of-service regulations.

FMCSA recently announced its intent to establish a pilot program to study the implications of adding 6/4 and 5/5 sleeper berth splits into the hours-of-service regulations.

Even when a case seems clear cut, like an employee being under the influence of drugs on the job, the outcome may not be the anticipated outcome, and can often times be tied to actions (or inactions) by the employer.

Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse penalties of up to $5,833 issued by FMCSA are more than double what had been used as guidance over the past two years

The U.S. Department of Transportation released on Monday a strategy for integrating automated driving systems into the commercial trucking and passenger vehicle sectors.

We know we can’t hire our way out of the current driver situation and standing still will make you a target. Time is a wasting, and now is the time to address driver retention.

Fraley & Schilling has acquired the assets of KBT Enterprises, an Indiana-based carrier specializing in dry bulk material transportation.

Sixteen repeat fleets have been named to the TCA and CarriersEdge 2021 Best Fleets to Drive For list, which honors for-hire trucking fleets identified as offering the best workplace experiences for drivers.

Congress has repeatedly been criticized for taking too many vacations and leaving work unfinished, with the American public often left wondering what their elected officials are actually paid to do. However, that criticism does not hold true for the last month of 2020.

Federal excise tax waiver could help Volvo’s VNR Electric truck reach price parity, says electric vehicles director

Daimler AG is planning an initial public offering (IPO) of Daimler Trucks in late 2021, the German newspaper Handelsblatt reported Tuesday.

While new trailer orders are booming to meet capacity demands, 20% of the nation’s fleet could be sitting idle on any given day. Why?

WorkHound collects anonymous driver feedback. Its CEO recently sat down with Truckload Indexes to discuss 2020 from the driver perspective.

Unable to continue its tradition of providing hot meals to the truck drivers who deliver wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery for Wreaths Across America, TCA and Pilot Flying J have come up with another way to honor this year’s 75 drivers.

Several analysts have published transportation outlook reports for 2021 that are calling for continued strength in the trucking markets.

As vaccine distribution becomes more widespread and the country reaches herd immunity to the virus, TCA looks forward to seeing the lasting essentiality of trucking make its mark in the minds of the American people.

It is difficult to predict how courts will rule on mandatory coronavirus vaccinations under both Title VII and the ADA. In addition to legal considerations, employers should also consider whether such a policy is necessary and the effect it may have on company culture.

Any idea that cargo theft may have waned because of the COVID pandemic is unfounded, as data shows reported thefts have increased throughout 2020.

Interested in learning more about the TCA Profitability Program (TPP) and how benchmarking and data can help with your trucking operations in 2021 and beyond? TCA and FreightWaves will be hosting an informative, complimentary webinar at 1 p.m. ET, December 16.

In today’s edition of The Daily Dash, it’s been one year since the collapse of Celadon, and FreightWaves talks to some former drivers. Plus, Estes has been hit with a COVID-related lawsuit and Covenant is bumping up driver pay.

Are you a leader or a boss? The difference between the two is the difference between a highly efficient organization with engaged employees and one with constant turnover.

Joseph Brown on helping fellow trucker: “He was standing there wet. I offered to have him come and sit in my truck.”

Preliminary Class 8 truck orders posted their third-highest number in history in November, continuing a stunning comeback from pandemic-depressed bookings earlier in the year.

TCA and our truckload carrier members remain committed to hair testing as a viable method for determining long-term drug use by individuals in safety-sensitive functions. Recently, though, the Department of Health and Human Services threw the industry a curveball regarding these efforts.

A Ninth Circuit court decision can be considered a win for employers facing wage and hour class actions based on alleged technical violations of California’s rest break laws, but it doesn’t mean employers should let their guard down.

The average dry van carrier operating ratio for Truckload Carriers Association members dipped to a multiyear low in September, falling below 94% for the first time since late 2015.

Elevated demand and tight capacity have highlighted the trucking market for a few months now. Recent data points and commentary suggest this dynamic may not abate anytime soon.

The national reefer rejection index (ROTRI) topped 48% for the first time since the index’s creation this week, which could move even higher once the vaccine for COVID-19 begins being distributed in the coming months.

Valuing the accumulation of a single lesson learned every day is the secret to success. It is that small accumulation of ideas and experiences that add up to a person’s principles or standards of behavior and enhances conversations.

Management from some of the nation’s largest truckload (TL) carriers are having a tough time distinguishing between peak season and the new normal in a COVID world.

In today’s edition of The Daily Dash, the CEO of U.S. Xpress says that demand for services has plateaued. Plus, trucking could see a fundamental shift in policy and regulation, and a push to ban internal combustion engines could harm the ag sector.

TCA is hosting its 4th Annual Bridging Border Barriers, which is an informative half day session for trucking executives focused on key issues and topics affecting the trucking industry on both sides of the U.S./Canada border.

A federal order issued by President Donald Trump late in September creates new requirements for federal contractors with regards to race and sex stereotyping in workplace training.

Companies in the supply chain targeted in successful ransomware attacks face a dilemma: pay to regain access to their encrypted data and systems, or refuse, which carries its own cost.

In today’s edition of The Daily Dash, some carriers believe a proposed rule that would allow hair testing could weaken the effectiveness of the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. Plus, the U.S. Postal Service cuts a deal to ensure parcel delivery and Workhorse Group blames COVID-19 for not hitting production targets.

A legal decision in favor of an employer puts additional burden on an employee to show whether they worked overtime without compensation.

TCA recently filed comments in support of a proposed pilot program from FMCSA to study adding a 3-hour pause to the hours-of-service (HOS) regulations. TCA is hopeful that this is a positive sign for the revival of the sleeper berth pilot.

I was on a webinar last week where one of my colleagues was accused of “sensationalizing” the freight market dynamics in favor of the carrier world. These are the numbers in the current market, and we all know this cycle will come to an end.

In an online listening session Wednesday, FMCSA leaders heard views about possible changes in current broker transparency regulations. One question came up repeatedly: what about the shippers?

For the fourth consecutive year, a shortage of drivers topped the Critical Issues in the Trucking Industry survey conducted by the American Transportation Research Institute.

The lack of participation in a program meant to address a shortfall of drivers entering the trucking industry is forcing regulators to adjust.

All stakeholders are experiencing used truck momentum despite and because of the lingering pandemic.

The Truckload Carriers Association member company and TCA Profitability Program Retention Project member, Steve’s Livestock Transport was honored during this year’s Top Fleet Employer awards gala.

Drop in stocks relative to demand was the biggest ever in the latest report; demand figures finally seem to be reflecting strong trucking market

Detention time has been a perennial thorn in the side of the truckload industry. Now, with capacity as tight as it is, shippers will feel the pinch if they make drivers wait unnecessarily for their appointments. But will a new FMCSA pilot program accurately determine the impact of the problem?

Federal regulators have denied a request by the Small Business in Transportation Coalition to ease regulations for drivers traveling with their pets.

A federal district court has found that the Department of Labor’s final rule that narrowed the definition of joint employment under the Fair Labor Standards Act violated the Administrative Procedure Act has struck down portions of the rule.

Data and commentary point to an earnings blowout for trucking companies in the third quarter with the likelihood of similar results in the fourth quarter. However, headwinds surrounding driver recruitment and retention present a hurdle to the rally.

The expectation for truckload (TL) contractual rates to increase by double digits in 2021 is growing. In a Wednesday note to clients, UBS transportation equities analyst Tom Wadewitz outlined the fundamentals supporting this projection.

While federal or state law may allow an employer to mandate specific medial procedures or drugs, the employer should still conduct a thorough analysis of the specific facts presented and the applicable controlling federal and/or state law in the jurisdiction before proceeding.

Company redrawing the peak landscape, and is expected to dominate it, Convey says.

With the first presidential debate of 2020 in the books, I am reminded of our most basic right that we enjoy as free citizens of this country.: The right to vote.

The Department of Labor’s attempt to clarify and save the independent contractor model should be applauded.

Latest NHTSA data show truck occupant fatalities increased 0.2% in 2019.

TruckPark, whose mobile app allows truck drivers to reserve truck parking, has now introduced a fleet version for dispatchers to manage reservations.

Truckload giant appears to be out ahead of others as driver market tightens

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Wednesday that aims to end the sale of new gasoline- and diesel-powered passenger cars in the state by 2035, but while it also addresses trucks, it is unclear whether it also bans truck sales.

It is not an unusual event for an employee to leave their employment to pursue new opportunities. Unfortunately, sometimes these departing employees choose to use their experience against their former employer by working for that employer’s competitor.

The peak will be “bigger, faster, will come quicker and stay longer,” said Greg Ritter, chief customer officer of transport and logistics giant XPO Logistics Inc.

Every driver that stays with their current carrier is one less that has to go home and tell their families that they don’t have a job. Driver turnover is fixable, if we all start to take it more personally.

The country is slowly emerging from its summer vacation, and this is particularly true for lawmakers and policymakers in Washington, DC. While COVID-19 remains front and center, there is still much work to be done before the November elections.

Current legislation to expand truck parking slated to expire.

Back to school meant potential conflicts for parents. As school districts deploy a combination of in-person, hybrid, and remote learning models, businesses need to be aware of what their legal requirements are under FMLA.

USPack building last-mile scale through acquisitions.

A couple of Uber Freight alumni have launched an on-demand employment platform that aims to boost opportunities for truckless CDL drivers, as labor market changes fuel interest in driver-only business models.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals panel appeared split on whether a temporary injunction barring California’s AB5 employee classification law from being enforced within the trucking industry should be allowed to stand.

Looking forward, I believe the future is very bright for trucking while all the fundamentals are still in place for a tight capacity crunch. So, what are you doing to prepare yourselves for that?

While the COVID-19 pandemic has brought a seemingly endless supply of bad news, there may be one unexpected silver lining.

Each year, unengaged workers cost U.S. companies between $483 billion and $605 billion. In today’s increasingly remote business world, your brand’s social media channels could be one of your company’s most important internal communication touchpoints.

California regulators have approved a new rule aimed at dramatically limiting emissions from slow-moving and idling trucks, arousing the ire of trucking groups.

Truck drivers, search and rescue groups and humanitarian relief organizations, deliver critical medical supplies, food and other essentials after Hurricane Laura pounded the Gulf Coast.

A federal court in New York has invalidated portions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, potentially expanding eligibility for the program. But, this ruling will unfortunately create more uncertainty in an already uncertain area.

Five years ago, Thomas E. Keller Trucking was dissatisfied with its carrier benchmarking efforts. That changed when Keller joined the carrier benchmarking initiative of the Truckload Carriers Association’s (TCA) Profitability Program (TPP).

TCA’s annual Fall Business Meetings will be held virtually for the first time, the association announced, taking place on Sept. 22-23.

Until adequate wages and a sense of community are achieved, drivers will continue to look for greener pastures.

Entry deadlines for two of the premier Truckload Carriers Association contests are quickly approaching. Nominations for the 2020 Driver of the Year contests and Best Fleets to Drive For contest are still being accepted, but only for a few more days.

Brian Fielkow, CEO of Houston-based Jetco Delivery and a noted safety expert, is offering an instructor-led safety program with special VIP opportunities for TCA members.

California’s AB5 has the potential to harm trucking companies of all sizes and TCA, OOIDA and others continue to push back ahead of a key court hearing.

Most truck drivers with a drug violation in the FMCSA’s Clearinghouse have not completed the steps necessary to return to work, and 80% haven’t even started the process, according to the agency.

High Definition Vehicle Insurance (HDVI) brings software solutions to an industry that has been slow to join the telematics revolution.

President Trump signed an executive order deferring payroll taxes, but the money may have to be repaid at a later date, leaving questions on whether companies should continue to withhold the tax or not.

Despite economic uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, freight demand drove July Class 8 orders to their highest levels in six months.

Truck drivers work around-the-clock to deliver essential medical supplies and food as coronavirus cases rose around the country, and it’s time to codify into law their essential status.

Hurricane Isaias is barreling through the southern Bahamas Friday morning, likely tracking toward Florida’s east coast this weekend.

A warning last week from federal law enforcement on the cybersecurity risks associated with electronic logging devices (ELDs) has raised awareness in the trucking industry on the potential costs of getting hacked.

Fitness for duty policies should ensure that they do not impermissibly screen out certain disabilities or conditions, and that the tests or selection criteria are job related and are consistent with business necessity.

The ability of employers in the transportation sector to take a dispute with an employee to arbitration received a significant win in a New Jersey court last week.

Cautious optimism expressed for the June trucking market by analysts at both organizations