CSA DATA * USA - Carrier group, FMCSA settle suit over public CSA data

Washington,DC,USA -Today's Trucking –10 March 2011: -- A small group of small truckers has settled its suit with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration over carrier information made public under CSA...  In exchange for dropping the suit -- brought on by the National Association of Small Trucking Companies, the Expedite Alliance of North America and the Air & Expedited Motor Carriers Association, which represent about 2,700 small carriers --  FMCSA agreed to change how it publishes carrier scores...  Starting March 25, FMCSA will replace the orange "ALERT" symbol on its website with an exclamation mark inside a yellow triangle. As well, there will be an explanation that the symbol does not imply a specific safety rating...  The carrier groups were concerned that the language and presentation on the website could imply that carriers with 'alerts' as unsafe, which could be used by opportunistic plaintiffs' attorneys to brand a company negatively...  The carriers had attempted to block the FMCSA from releasing carrier safety data before CSA was launched in December, but that challenge was quashed by a federal court, giving the agency the green light to proceed...  CSA is now underway and the FMCSA has already begun sending out intervention letters to carriers who exceed at least one safety category threshold... (Photo from cpatrucking: FMCSA inspector)

RULES & REGULATIONS Opinion * USA - CSA — Problem or Solution?

Mount Pleasant,S.C.,USA -Transport Topics, by James Scapellato -Feb. 28, 2011: -- Some trucking industry executives predicted the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability program was going to be a “game changer” for the industry. They were right... The U.S. Department of Transportation’s premature public release of questionable CSA/Safety Measurement System data has caused some of America’s most respected and safe carriers irreparable damage to reputation and productivity — with little recourse... Furthermore, an interstate carrier has no real-time means of challenging and overturning alleged compliance review and roadside violations because they are immediately uploaded into FMCSA’s Motor Carrier Management Information System and released to the public under CSA on a monthly basis. As a result, the affected carrier is deemed guilty with neither adequate notice nor due process. That’s not the American way... The industry has waited 15 years for a supporting documents final rule, despite a specific congressional mandate and a writ of mandamus from the U.S. Court of Appeals compelling it to be done... To kick off the discussion/debate, I suggest the following to the DOT:

• Appoint impartial third-party hearing examiners or arbitrators under federal contract to fast-track resolution of CSA/SMS/ intervention challenges within 30 to 45 days from the date of filing. Require examiners/arbitrators to rule in writing as soon as possible but no later than 45 days from receipt of the record.

• Grant examiners/arbitrators the authority to render binding decisions based on the record and evidence submitted by the parties.

• Where appropriate, grant examiners/arbitrators the authority to enjoin the upload and/or continued disclosure of CSA/SMS calculations and conclusions to the public.

• Allow decisions by examiners or arbitrators to be “final agency action,” which entitles either party (government or carrier) to appeal the decision to the appropriate federal court.

• Require as a prerequisite that enforcement officials submit to the carrier all data, calculations, methodology and rationales to justify the upload of alleged violations into CSA/SMS at least 10 days before disclosure.

• Grant carriers the opportunity to exhaust other administrative challenges on issues such as unreasonable administrative searches, discriminatory enforcement treatment, improper safety rating downgrades, compliance review and Notice of Claims alleged violation and penalties, roadside dataQ issues (short for https://dataqs.fmcsa.dot.gov/login.asp, the website where carriers can contest points on their BASICs) and others before upload and disclosure to the public.  (Photo: On to regulations nightmare)

DRIVERS' SHORTAGE * USA & Canada - New rules in effect for truckers

* Iowa/USA - New regulations in the trucking industry have some industry observers concerned about a driver shortage

(Photo by Dawn J. Sagert: Steve Cummings, of Waterloo, a trailer mechanic and wash bay manager at Gray Transportation, washes the cab of a semi Friday, Feb. 18, 2011, in Waterloo, Iowa. Cummings says the trucks are washed for each new driver, which is generally weekly)

Waterloo,IO,USA -Cedar Valley Business, by JIM OFFNER -February 28, 2011: ...  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has made changes in rules to place more responsibility for safety, log books and hours of service on the shoulders of drivers. In the past, rules focused more on the companies that employed drivers...  Some industry participants estimate the changes could cull the number of eligible drivers by as much as 30 percent...  An aging driver pool and tougher safety regulations will cut into driver ranks by an estimated 200,000, said Jeremy Geertsma, an Expeditors' Detroit district manager...  Some have called the new rules the most comprehensive regulatory change in years...  But carriers also say the changes have a legitimate purpose...   He noted state departments of transportation can't suspend licenses, but drivers are graded based on their adherence to the rules. Drivers who don't follow the rules will be assessed penalty points that could cost them job opportunities and prime-level pay, said Darrin Gray, president of Gray Transportation in Waterlo...  The new rules help carriers get a gauge on driver qualifications, Gray noted...

* Ontario/Canada - Looking for a new career? ...   Growth seen for jobs in trucking industry

Brantford,ONT,Canada -The Expositor -2 March 2011:  ...  If so, you might want to be at the Best Western Brant Park Inn, Holiday Drive, on Wednesday. That's when a number of trucking companies from across North America, some of which have terminals and offices in the Brantford area, will be looking to hire professional drivers...  Two information sessions are scheduled at 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. People attending the sessions will hear from trucking representatives, who hope to dispel some of the myths about their industry. Among those taking part will be Jayne Gunn, a longtime Brantford resident who is the Ontario recruiter for Sunbury Transportation, which has its head office in Fredericton, N.B...  Ross Jessop, the health and safety manager for Transport Sales and Services in Caledonia, also will be at the information sessions. "Some of us have had our secure world turned upside down and are starting all over again" ...  He noted that he thinks the economy is starting to turn for the better and the transportation industry will benefit... (Photo from citytowninfo: A heavy truck driver)

* Indiana/USA - PAM Transport Continues Sign-On Bonus for New Truck Drivers

Indianapolis,IND,USA -Vocus/PRWEB -March 01, 2011: -- PAM Transport, in partnership with Driver Solutions, will continue to offer a $1,200.00 sign-on bonus to new drivers that complete company sponsored CDL training and earn their CDL (Commercial Driver’s License). This is a limited-time bonus that has been made available to help meet the new driver demand that currently exists in the trucking industry... In order to qualify for the bonus, new drivers must attend company sponsored CDL training to learn the basic skills needed to start a trucking job. The 3 week training covers everything from classroom knowledge to the hands-on driving skills that will be needed to pass the CDL skills test. Drivers that qualify for a job opportunity with PAM Transport will be eligible to receive the bonus after they complete all necessary training requirements...

* Illinois/USA - Trucking company to hire 50 employees

Orion,ILL,USA -CBS 4QC -4 March 2011: -- A local trucking company can barely keep up with demand, so they're hiring 50 more employees... Tennant Truck Lines in Orion plans to hire drivers and office staff. A company spokesperson says the trucking industry is picking back up from the recession... Tennant's biggest client is John Deere. To find out more, call their office at 800-367-9223 and ask for the recruiter... (Photo from hankstruckpictures: Tennant Truck Lines' heavy truck)

* Wiscosin - Marten Transport increases driver pay

Mondovi, Wis,USA -Truck Net, by dgehman -3 Feb 2011:  --  Marten Transport, a Wisconsin-based certified top paying carrier, continues to lead the trucking industry as a premium employer with another raise in driver pay announced as effective April 1...  These new increases, along with driver base rates on Marten Transport’s Fair Pay sliding scale, allow drivers with one year of prior experience to earn as much as $0.415 per mile; drivers with five years of prior experience to earn as much as $0.445 per mile; and senior drivers to earn as much as $0.485 per mile...  In addition to maintaining pay levels during the economic downturn, Marten held its mileage rates and increased accessorial pay. Last year, the company also raised layover pay to lead the industry at $100 per day... (Photo from marten: header photo)

* Illinois - Q-C trucking company plans to put more drivers on road

(Photo by Jeff Cook/QUAD-CITY TIMES: Danny Goldizen of East Moline moves around trailers at Tennant Truck Line in Moline)

Orion,ILL,USA -The Quad-City Times, by Doug Schorpp -March 6, 2011: -- Aaron Tennant is aggressively looking for about 40 new employees to fill the demand for drivers for his company, Tennant Truck Line... His company survived the recent recession. In fact, it is doing well enough to need more drivers now. He said Tennant was one of a few trucking companies that did not have to lay off employees in recent years because of the sagging economy... Tennant runs large machinery for Deere & Co. and Case IH as well as other manufacturers from the East Coast to as far west as Colorado. His home office and one terminal are located off U.S. 150 in Orion, Ill...   Tennant also has terminals in Augusta, Ga., off U.S. 6 in Moline and in downtown Moline. There are personnel in Baltimore who handle port arrangements... The biggest need is for experienced truck drivers both local and over-the-road needs...

* USA - Unemployment Rate Falls Below 9% for First Time Since 2009. Trucking Industry Adds More Than 11,000 Jobs

Washington,DC,USA -Transport Topics -4 March 2011: -- The U.S. unemployment rate fell below 9% in February for the first time in almost two years as employers added 192,000 jobs, the Labor Department said Friday...  The trucking industry added 11,200 new jobs to its payrolls, the biggest gain in recent months, Labor figures showed...  The rate drop, from 9% in January to 8.9% in February, was the first time it has been below 9% since April 2009...  Besides trucking, employment also rose in manufacturing, construction and temporary help agencies, while state and local government payrolls declined...

Opinion & Report: CSA * USA - Coach Your Drivers and Win

Every driver will have his or her own CSA score, and every company will have its composite CSA score

Washington,DC,USA -Transport Topics, by Rim Yurkus -President and CEO Strategic Programs Inc.- 7 Feb 2011: -- The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s new Compliance, Safety, Accountability program is changing transportation’s driver-retention game... Whenever scores are mentioned, sports come to mind, and just as baseball’s stars expect to be treated better and paid more than the average guy in the dugout, we can expect top-scoring truck drivers to use their CSA scores to negotiate compensation packages in much the same way baseball giants negotiate deals based on their batting averages... That’s fine for the team because a team packed with A-level players is going to win games, and winning teams can do more for their players than less successful ones... Developing a winning team doesn’t happen with a snap of your fingers, but you can develop a championship team if you or your driver managers adopt a coaching role to help drivers win — and maintain — good CSA scores... Under FMCSA’s old SafeStat system, a carrier’s performance on the road and potential crash risk were assessed using only four broad categories. CSA, SafeStat’s replacement, uses seven categories FMCSA calls them BASICs, short for “Behavioral Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories” ... They are:

• Unsafe driving.

• Fatigued driving (hours of service).

• Driver fitness.

• Controlled substances and alcohol.

• Vehicle maintenance.

• Cargo-related.

• Crash indicator.

Clearly, driver behavior is a major part of the new measurement system, hence the need for serious coaching...

* TransCore white paper reveals early CSA trends

Portland,ORE,USA -Truck News (CAN) -Feb 4, 2011: -- TransCore's CarrierWatch has compiled an early analysis of how fleets are measuring up under the new Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) safety measurement system in the US... In evaluating the scores of about 166,000 for-hire interstate carriers evaluated under the program, TransCore found: carriers may have Alerts under CSA even if their numeric scores are good or non-existent; more carriers have Alerts under CSA than had 'deficient' ratings under SafeStat; and CSA BASIC scores and Alerts vary significantly by state... A white paper published by TransCore noted that 90% of freight carriers with more than 500 trucks have at least one BASIC score while 25% of interstate freight haulers with five or fewer trucks have at least one score. This is because the nature of CSA makes it easier to evaluate carriers with more trucks on the road... Thirty-four per cent of interstate freight carriers have a numeric score for at least one BASIC but only 0.3% have a numeric score in every BASIC, TransCore found... The Midwestern states are assessing the most Alerts for Unsafe Driving, specifically: Illinois; Kansas; Nebraska; Iowa; Indiana; Michigan; Kentucky; and West Virginia... In terms of reach, CSA seems to be more effective than SafeStat. Fifty per cent of carriers had no data available under SafeStat while 23% of carriers have no data recorded under CSA. Sixteen per cent of carriers had deficient SafeStat scores while 21% have Alerts under CSA... Thirteen per cent of freight carriers have received Alerts for fatigued driving while 8.2% have garnered Alerts under the vehicle maintenance BASIC...

CSA * USA - FMCSA Launches Truck Safety Program Online

Agency makes motor carrier safety performance data available to shippers, public

Washington,DC,USA -The Journal of Commerce Online, by William B. Cassidy -Dec 13, 2010: ... Trucking company safety scores in five performance categories are available online following the Dec. 12 launch of the Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010, or CSA... The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration threw the switch on its program Sunday, after a federal appeals court denied a petition to block or delay CSA... The National Association of Small Trucking Companies claimed the public release of carrier data could jeopardize the business of many small motor carriers... But the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington said Friday a group representing small truckers had "not satisfied the stringent standards required for a stay" ... The data available includes scores in five of seven safety performance categories that eventually will be used to determine motor carrier safety fitness ratings... The data is available through FMCSA's online Safety Management System. Visitors to the Web site may search by carrier name, DOT number or MC number... The FMCSA stressed the CSA data is not a safety fitness determination or rating and does not represent the agency's final determination about a carrier's safety... NASTC is concerned shippers and brokers will reject truckers whose the scores in any of CSA's performance categories exceed thresholds for "alerts"...

* CSA IN CANADA?

Toronto,ONT,CAN -Truck News/Hooked Up, by James Menzies -14 Dec 2010: -- Speaking of CSA, there's been little word on whether Canada will follow suit with some variation of the program north of the border. I sure hope they do. And it can't come fast enough. I've noticed some pretty ratty equipment on the road recently. Just the other day, I followed a tractor-trailer in complete darkness, in heavy rain on the 401, with no trailer lights and only one tail light. The very next morning I saw a truck headed in the opposite direction with no – that's right, no – headlights... My big fear is that there will be two tiers of drivers: safety-conscious, compliant drivers who will run north-south and then the compliance-challenged, sloppy seconds who will be left to ply Canadian roads because they won't measure up to CSA scrutiny. In my personal opinion, Canada should move to harmonize with CSA as soon as possible...