Today's Trucking Staff

Spot Market Freight Volume Down, Remains Strong

PORTLAND, OR -- Spot market freight volume remained relatively strong in May, edging down just 1.7% compared to April, according to the DAT North American Freight Index.Compared to the extraordinary volume of May 2014, freight declined 27%, however, volume exceeded same-month totals for 16 of the 18 years since the index was established in 1997. May freight volume dipped 0.8% from April for vans, 4.6% for flatbeds, while refrigerated freight increased 8.1%. Rates on the spot market followed the trends in volume by equipment type, slipping 1.9% for vans, 0.5% for flatbeds, while reefer rates rose 2.7%, compared to April.

Got a Favorite Trucking Loo? Share It for Annual Contest

MISSISSAUGA, ON -- Have you ever walked into a public restroom, especially at a truckstop or any other place that caters to trucking, that impressed you so much you had you to take a photo? One that was so memorable you walked out and immediately told a friend "You will not believe what that washroom looks like!" We must confess, at Today's Trucking, some of us have been guilty of this, though we aren't saying who. But why keep such discoveries a trucking industry secret? Its time to let the whole world know, or at least Canada, that trucking has some great, clean water closets and a contest has arrived for just such a purpose. The restroom supply company Cintas Canada is on the hunt to find these washrooms, launching its 6th Annual Canada's Best Restroom Contest. Through July 31st nominations can be submitted through the contest website.

Minister Urges Trucking to Address Mental Health

TORONTO--Federal Minister of Labor Dr. Kellie Leitch recently wrote to the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA), asking the group to encourage member carriers to take action to address the issue of psychological health in the workplace. The minister's letter refers to sources of data showing that a significant proportion of the Canadian workforce suffers from some form of mental illness, affecting worker productivity, safety and workplace losses, according to the group. The minister's letter provides a link to tools that can assist employers in assessing, addressing and mitigating psychological health and safety issues from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS).

Fight Expected Over Upcoming Truck Emissions Rules

The trucking industry in the U.S. is bracing for federal regulators to soon propose new rules requiring the fuel efficiency of new trucks to increase by as much as 40% by 2027 from 2010's level. That's according to a story this week from Reuters, in which it reports that some trucking aren't necessarily opposed to tougher standards. The reason is because fuel is one of any trucking operation's greatest costs, but the real fight may lie in the smaller details of the plan. For instance, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency earlier said it will introduce "performance-based" standards, meaning truck makers can use a variety of options to hit fuel economy and emissions targets, ranging from changes in the engine all the way to putting additions on trucks and trailer bodies.

Safety Officials Push for Collision Avoidance Systems

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Safety officials in the U.S. are recommending what it calls the "life saving benefits" of a technology to become standard on all new commercial and passenger vehicles. A new National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Special Investigation Report, The Use of Forward Collision Avoidance Systems to Prevent and Mitigate Rear-End Crashes stresses that collision avoidance systems can prevent or lessen the severity of rear-end crashes, to help save lives and reduce injuries. According to statistics from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rear-end crashes kill about 1,700 people every year and injure half a million more. More than 80% of these deaths and injuries might have been mitigated had the vehicles been equipped with a collision avoidance system.

Sharpe Now Eastgate Truck Centre Dealer Principal

HAMILTON, ON — Mike Sharpe has joined Eastgate Truck Centre as an ownership partner, assuming the role of dealer principal.  Sharpe’s industry background spans 20 years…

90 Years for HTC Boils Down to Lobster Celebration

HAMILTON, ON -- Few transportation organizations can say they have been around 90 years, so when you are just 10 years shy of hitting the century mark there is only one thing to do...celebrate in style.

Trucker Stunned Over Arrival at Home

KITCHENER, ON - It took 35 years, but truck driver Lucian Stoica's dream of owning a Harley Davidson motorcycle finally came true with the dragster appearing in his driveway earlier this month.

Triton Transport Purchases Davey Cartage Equipment

Chilliwack, BC and Edmonton, AB -- Specialized trucking provider Triton Transport Ltd. on Tuesday announced it purchased a majority of the specialized equipment of Davey Cartage Co. Ltd., which is ceasing operations after more than 30 years due to the owner's retirement.

Haven’t You Heard? Oil Provinces Still Booming

CALGARY -- Housing in Canada's oil producing regions is booming, confounding analysts who say there is an energy slump that's hurting the overall economy. So why is this good news for trucking?

Warning: Pan Am Games Will Make Hogtown Traffic Worse

TORONTO -- Truckers in Ontario can expect serious delays and frustration when the Pan Am games hit town. A preliminary report from the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) shows the games in Toronto (July 10 to 26) could add 20 minutes or more to delivery times.

Average Diesel Cost Down for Second Straight Week

The average cost of diesel fuel in Canada has moved lower for the second consecutive week, according to a weekly report from the petroleum information services provider The Kent Group Ltd.

Driverless Trucks On-Duty in Canada

CALGARY -- Self-driving trucks are hard at work and more of them are on the way.

Did Your Company Get Named Top Fleet? Click here!

OTTAWA-The 22 top fleets in Canada represent quite a mix of both private and for-hire operations.

International Trucks In Serious Come-Back Mode

LISLE, IL --Despite still dealing with financial problems, the truck and engine manufacturer Navistar International Corp. is rapidly gaining market share in the North American medium-duty market. That was one of several nuggets the company discussed in a conference call with analysts. That was one of several nuggets the company discussed in a conference call with analysts on Thursday. According to Troy Clark, president and CEO, Navistar's medium duty market share increased six percentage points in its fiscal second quarter over the first quarter to 27%. "In fact one of our major leasing customers recently shared some data with us that shows that DuraStar chassis and ISB engine combination delivers the best fuel economy and lowest cost of ownership across their entire fleet," he said. "Our leasing and rental customers are increasingly happy with our performance. Our share is growing with these very important buyers. Notably we've also seen a significant increase in dealer wide sales. That's key to our success in the medium-duty segment."