Convoy Travels West Alberta to Host Female-Only Truck Convoy by James Menzies CORNWALL, Ont

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August 2009 Volume 20, Issue 8

Delivering daily news to Canada’s trucking industry at www.trucknews.com Convoy travels west Alberta to host female-only truck convoy By James Menzies CORNWALL, Ont. – This convoy is gaining a lot of momentum. What began as the brainchild of professional driver Rachele Champagne as she motored down the 401 one night in a small convoy including two other female drivers, has now grown into a North America-wide event. – Photo by David Benjatschek The first all-female Convoy for a Cure, aimed at raising money for SHOW TIME: The Western Canadian show truck circuit kicked off with the Pro-Trucker B.C. Big Rig Weekend July 4-5 in breast cancer research, garnered a Chilliwack, B.C. A new record was set with more than 160 trucks taking part, according to organizers. Pictured here is a 1988 lot of attention last October after Peterbilt 379L owned by Craig Oliver. 29 drivers raised $15,000. This year, Champagne said there will be three Convoys for a Cure: the original in Cornwall, Ont. on Oct. 3; another in Edmon- Want benefits? Take your PIC ton, Alta., also on Oct. 3; one in Moncton, N.B. on Oct. 17; and the first US version, which will take place in Dallas, Texas on Oct. 24. Revitalized PIC program continues to expand (Each convoy is held in October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness By Jim Bray does, indeed, pursue perfection – 1990s, but its initial “pursuit” was- Month). CALGARY, Alta. – It could be or at least as close to it as mere n’t as successful as had been “Convoy for a Cure is going in- called the relentless pursuit of human beings and their machines hoped, partly because of a per- ternational this year,” Champagne perfection, except for possible le- can come. ceived lack of benefit for carriers. excitedly told Truck West. Each of gal ramifications from a certain It appears to be paying off, “The concept was sound,” says the events will have a similar car company. But Alberta’s Partners though it wasn’t always this way. Lane Kranenburg, manager of the Continued on page 14 in Compliance (PIC) program PIC started originally in the early Continued on page 6

This year’s Truck News/Chevron Charity Golf Mark Dalton O/O Event raised over $17,980 InsideInside This Issue... And fulfilled the wishes of • A rugged throwback: Profiling Phil Walton, a proud Albertan who has witnessed a lot of change in the industry. Page 10 two deserving children! See pages • Case closed: It was a murder mystery that shocked the 16-17 trucking industry, and three years later justice is finally served. But it’s little comfort to victim’s wife. Page 18

• Are your reefers ready?: If you haul refrigerated goods in or out of California, there’s an impending new requirement you need to prepare for. Page 21

• Border brouhaha: Talk of closing the Aldergrove border crossing to trucks sent the BCTA into action. Page 24 Page 28

To view list of advertisers Reach us at our Western Canada news bureau visit us online at E-mail [email protected] www.trucknews.com

PAP Registration No. 11065 PM40069240 pg 02 tw aug 7/14/09 2:57 PM Page 1

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August 2009 TRUCK WEST Page 3 We mustn’t ignore owner/operator concerns

August 2009, Volume 20, Issue 8 Well, this is a first. One of the final- ent (probably). So you can see, Canada Post Canadian Publications Editorial Mail Sales Product Agreement No. 40069240 ists for the prestigious Truck you more than likely have nomi- “Return Postage Guaranteed” News/Truck West Owner/Operator Comment nees that are more worthy than I 12 Concorde Pl., Suite 800, Toronto, Ont., M3C 4J2 Sales: 416-510-6892 / Editorial: 416-510-6896 of the Year award has respectfully am for the Owner/Operator of the Fax: 416-510-5143 withdrawn from the running due to James Year Award. Truck West, USPS 017-178 is published monthly by his disillusionment with the indus- Menzies The good news is that, we had Business Information Group, a division of BIG Magazines L.P., a leading Canadian information try. Without revealing his name, no shortage of very qualified and company with interests in daily and community I’m going to turn the majority of deserving finalists from which to newspapers and B-2-B information services. US office of publication: 2424 Niagara Falls Blvd, this space over to him this month recorders and GPS tracking has choose. Join us at the Fergus Niagara Falls, NY 14304-5709. Periodicals Postage – because I think he has a very removed all flexibility in the sys- Truck Show on the main stage the Paid at Niagara Falls, NY. US postmaster: Send address changes to Truck West, PO Box 1118, important message, more impor- tem, while allowing drivers to evening of July 24 to celebrate Niagara Falls, NY 14304. tant than anything I could write in work 84 hours in seven days in- this year’s winner. SENIOR PUBLISHER – Rob Wilkins ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER – Kathy Penner its place. The following are some stead of the former 60 hours. As The bad news is that this finalist EXECUTIVE EDITOR – James Menzies excerpts: far as speed limiters on trucks go, I quite eloquently summed up the MANAGING EDITOR – Adam Ledlow After due consideration I would set my cruise control for 97-98 frustrations he and many of his CIRCULATION MANAGER – Vesna Moore CIRCULATION ASSISTANT – Anita Singh like to withdraw from your selec- km/h, but on the rare occasion I brethren are feeling. Even some of CREATIVE– Carolyn Brimer, Beverley Richards tion process. I’m sure you have have to put my foot in it to get the best owner/operators have had V.P. PUBLISHING – Alex Papanou many nominees who are more de- around someone, I don’t need a enough, it’s not just a handful of PRESIDENT – Bruce Creighton Circulation inquiries: 416-442-5600 ext. 3553 serving and worthy of the award. computer chip telling me I can’t. malcontents.We need to listen to Change of address: Please include subscription I have been in the trucking busi- If speed limiters are such a good their warnings, before it’s too late. ■ number from mailing label. Subscription rates: Canada (Includes GST) – ness for 31 years. While I enjoy thing, why don’t they limit the One year $40.60; U.S. – one year $66.95; what I do, the “fun” has gone out four-wheelers too? It would cut – James Menzies can be reached by foreign – one year $66.95 Send subscription orders, address changes (incl. mailing label from of the job. I’m currently driving an down on street racing and high- phone at (416) 510-6896 or by latest issue) to above address. On occasion, our subscription list is made available to organizations whose products or services may be old truck, a 1999 Freightliner with speed police chases, don’t you e-mail at [email protected]. of interest to readers. If you prefer not to receive such information, please write to us. Please allow 8 weeks for changes or corrections. two million plus kilometres on the think? (Newsflash: trucks are not You can also follow him on Twitter PAP Registration No. 11065 clock. the problem!) at Twitter.com/JamesMenzies. We acknowledge the financial support of the I have no desire to buy a new I can’t see why Government of Canada, through the Canada truck with all the pollution (con- any young person Magazine Fund, towards our editorial costs. We acknowledge the financial support of the trols) on them, with a big payment with any options Government of Canada, through the Publications for the next five years and proba- at all would want Assistance Program, towards our mailing costs. bly burn more fuel as well. to get into this in- I’d much rather keep fixing the dustry, with the old truck and be able to take holi- pay rates, the Advertising inquiries days a couple of times per year, in- working condi- stead of working like a slave to tions, and the lack Kathy Penner: 416-510-6892 make ends meet. of respect from Fax: (416) 510-5143 To my way of thinking, the John Q. Public trucking industry has been declin- and the politicians ing for many years now. I feel being what it is. owner/operators especially are a As for myself, I dying breed. We’re expected to do am just putting in more and more and get paid less time until I qualify and less. If anything happens, for early retire- we’re guilty until proven innocent. ment with Canada Rob Wilkins Kathy Penner The safety rules and regulations Pension. Once I Publisher Associate Publisher (416) 510-5123 (416) 510-6892 seem designed more for collecting get that monthly rwilkins@ kpenner@ fines than for safety. In the event of cheque, I will de- trucknews.com trucknews.com an accident there is a hoard of cide whether to lawyers ready to pounce like a stay in this indus- flock of vultures. try (unlikely) or The new hours-of-service cou- do something pled with electronic on-board completely differ-

Don Besler Brenda Grant some breaking news story and pro- National Sales Mgr. National Account Sales Get in the loop, stay in the loop vided a link to find out more? What (416) 699-6966 (416) 494-3333 [email protected] [email protected] if that 140-character update let you When I was handed the editorial di- know before anyone else what some rector’s job of Transportation Media Viewpoint important industry person we’ve more than five years ago,I made two just interviewed had to say on a key promises to myself, our staff and our topic? What if it was a heads up that readers: First, that the publications Lou Smyrlis we will be interviewing a key person in our group (Motortruck Fleet Editorial Director and that we could pose some of your Executive, Truck News, Truck West questions if you send them to us. and Canadian Transportation & It’s a great way to get in the loop Doug Copeland Bill Gallagher Regional Manager Regional Manager Logistics) would make every en- The next stop on this ride is and stay in the loop.As with all new Man., Sask. & Alta. British Columbia deavour to reach out to readers in as Twitter. If you are not familiar with communication tools, I view Twitter (416) 510-6889 (519) 589-1333 [email protected] Fax: (519) 395-5073 many innovative ways as possible. this new form of communication, it’s as an experiment, but I’m betting [email protected] And two, that we would evolve basically technology that allows you will find it useful. I’ve just start- TRUCK WEST is a proud member of the following into a multi-media company capable people to send short (140-characters ed “tweeting” myself (as have exec- trucking associations: of telling a story in the best way for maximum) updates to anyone who utive editor James Menzies and

ALTA. MOTOR TRANSPORT ASSN. that story to be told. In other words, wants to “follow” them. managing editor Adam Ledlow). So although the print products would I have to admit, this new technol- far I’ve posted information about a remain our core, we would make ogy left me quite skeptical at first. range of topics from what a senior SASK. TRUCKING ASSN. MAN. TRUCKING ASSN. B.C. TRUCKING ASSN. every effort to engage our audience To begin with, it suffered from economist had to say about the eco- The publisher does not assume any responsibility for the contents in ways that went far beyond that. what all these new electronic plat- nomic recovery and what Volvo’s of any advertisement and all representations or warranties made in such advertising are those of the advertiser and not of the publisher. The That has led us on quite a ride in forms do: a really stupid name for president had to say about sustain- publisher is not liable to any advertiser for any misprints in advertising not the fault of the publisher and in such an event the limit of the publisher's recent years as we added more and anyone over the age of 40 (maybe able transportation to the latest liability shall not exceed the amount of the publisher's charge for such advertising. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, in all or in more features to our Web sites even 30). I mean, how serious does trends on transportation rates and part, without the written permission of the publisher. (ctl.ca and trucknews.com), pub- “Twitter”sound to you? I also won- surcharges and Class 8 truck sales. From time to time, we make our subscription list lished special supplements on key dered why people would want to You can find us at : available to select companies and organizations whose product or services may interest you. issues, conducted and shared re- read short bursts that are the equiv- Twitter.com/LouSmyrlis If you do not wish your contact information to be made available, please contact our privacy officer via search, spoke at industry events, alent of a couple of sentences. And Twitter.com/JamesMenzies one of the following methods: ■ Phone: 1-800-668-2374 wrote blogs, produced a weekly to some extent I still think that part Twitter.com/AdamLedlow Fax: 416-442-2200 WebTV show, put on an annual golf is true. If the 140-character update is E-mail: [email protected] Mail: Privacy Officer. Business Information Group, tournament and organized educa- an update on what someone is hav- – Lou Smyrlis can be reached by 12 Concorde Place, Suite 800, Toronto, Ont., M3C 4J2 tional seminars.And from the atten- ing for breakfast, frankly I don’t give phone at (416) 510-6881 or by e-mail PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40069240 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES tion these new ventures have a damn and never will. And I doubt at [email protected]. TO CIRCULATION DEPT. – TRUCK NEWS, received, it’s clear you believe us to any of you would either. You can also follow him on Twitter 12 CONCORDE PL., SUITE 800, TORONTO, ON M3C 4J2 be on the right track. But what if that update was about at Twitter.com/LouSmyrlis. pg 05 tw aug v2 7/14/09 3:34 PM Page 5

August 2009 TRUCK WEST Page 5 InIn Brief Saskatchewan Commercial driver conducting truck seatbelt usage on weight surveys the rise in US WASHINGTON, D.C. – Seatbelt REGINA, Sask. – Truck drivers usage among commercial drivers in should expect to be pulled over the US rose 7% in 2008 to 72%, and weighed when travelling according to the latest figures from Saskatchewan highways during the Federal Motor Carrier Safety July and August, as the province Administration (FMCSA). conducts extensive weight sur- The latest figures were lauded by veys on its road network. the American Trucking Associations The Ministry of Highways and (ATA), which has been lobbying for Infrastructure is conducting the improved seatbelt enforcement. survey to get a better handle on As part of its 18-point road safety the types of weights and loads agenda, the ATA recommends: all that are travelling its roads. states enact primary seatbelt laws; “The information being gath- audible reminders for seatbelt use in ered by this survey is a necessary commercial vehicles; contrasting part of our continuing work to colours for seatbelts so law enforce- improve the province’s trans- ment can quickly identify non-users; portation network,” Highways state adoption of the failure to wear LOOK FAMILIAR?: Calgary police want to speak to the driver of this truck, after and Infrastructure Minister Jim a seatbelt defense; and denial of he or she left the scene of a fatal accident in Calgary June 18. Reiter said. “The amount of workers compensation for drivers heavy truck traffic on our high- who fail to use seatbelts. Calgary police seek trucker involved in fatal accident ways has shot up almost 10% be- In its 2008 Seat Belt Usage Study, tween 2007 and 2008 alone, with the FMCSA found that: seatbelt CALGARY,Alta. – Calgary police have reached out to the trucking indus- the growth of the provincial econ- usage by passengers in commercial try to help find a truck driver who was involved in a fatal collision June 18. omy requiring more products to vehicles rose to 61%; drivers for At about 2:50 a.m. June 18, an accident occurred at 52 St. and Glenmore be shipped by road on their way major fleets showed a higher usage Trail SE between a yellow 2005 Dodge Ram pick-up and a tractor-trailer. to their final destination.We con- of 75% compared to 62% usage The pick-up driver was killed in the accident and the tractor-trailer driver duct annual surveys in different among owner/operators; regional- left the scene. According to local media reports, it wasn’t clear if the regions of the province every year ly, commercial drivers in the west tractor-trailer driver even knew his or her trailer had been hit. to help assist with highway plan- were more likely to wear seatbelts Investigators are looking for the driver of the white Freightliner ning and design to best handle (77%) and drivers in the northeast Columbia (see pictures). The tractor may have a decal on the door and the this industry-driven traffic.” were the least likely to use them trailer is a white 53-footer with a reefer unit.The trailer has some damage to One-day survey sites will be set (56%); and seatbelt usage was the passenger side tail light area and may have yellow paint transfer, up at 15 sites across the province higher on weekends than week- according to investigators. and every truck that passes by will days, in urban areas than suburban If you have any information, please contact Const. Matt Urquhart of the be weighed. ■ or rural areas and in areas with Collision Investigation and Reconstruction Unit at 403-567-4018. ■ faster traffic. ■

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Page 6 TRUCK WEST August 2009 AlbertaAlberta Alberta now waiving fee for PIC member driver abstracts Continued from page 1 program, “But there wasn’t enough to entice companies to join.” This led, in 2002, to the program being put back onto the desk of the Minister of Transportation, where it sat until 2007. Then, after meetings between the Ministry and the industry, it was agreed to re-engineer the program and sweeten the deal with added in- centive for carriers. And sweeten it they did, upping the ante in several ways. One of the major benefits the new PIC initiative offers is 98% scale bypass for members, thanks to reader poles near highway monitoring stations that interact with a transponder mounted wire- lessly inside the PIC members’ truck cabs. This not only saves time but, since time is money, helps with their bottom lines. “When our members approach the scale, they get a green light that tells them they can continue on,” says Kranenburg, “and I fig- ure the savings from not having to slow down, stop, get weighed, and get back up to speed again is worth about $5 per stop.” He says that, even if you’re just going from Calgary to Edmonton MEMBERSHIP PAYS: The Partners in Compliance program was once criticized for lacking incentives to join. However, now fleets can bypass most Alberta scales and other benefits are adding to the advantages of membership in the program. and back you’ve saved two stops per trip.This adds up: Kranenburg estimates savings of up to on their profile. “Shippers are niche, which gives a lot of comfort lem on the road and who do the $500,000 a year depending on the starting to realize that their re- to members.” work required to ensure they fleet’s size, adding that the $70 per sponsibility (liability) is main- Currently, there are yellow PIC meet the highest standards,” says year transponder rental pays for tained after the product is on the plates ($7 per year) on approxi- Kranenburg. itself very quickly. truck,” says Kranenburg. “Ship- mately 5,000 vehicles in Alberta, The challenge is to get compa- Scale bypass was a good start, pers must deal with responsible including many motor coaches nies to come up to the standards, but Kranenburg (who was asked companies, carriers that have and school buses. but Kranenburg says he’s seen to run PIC when it was “re-in- done their homework. Society is Kranenburg would like to see company execs remark that the trucknated”) wanted more. “I was becoming litigious, and you can the program grow into a conti- whole culture of the company always disturbed when a profile use the Excellent rating to show nent-wide compliance zone. seems to have changed. “They says Satisfactory. Satisfactory is customers they have less to worry “I’d like to see it bring together have pride.” just a marginal passing grade, not about when dealing with you.” all the programs (in North Amer- It’s that “pursuing excellence” the excellence we’re trying to There’s more. PIC carriers have ica) including existing ones.I thing, but that in itself indicates focus on.” the $500 permit fee for CVIP don’t care what it’s called as long that this is an eternally evolving And in return for reaching inspection shops waived, access as the standards are maintained.” process. Kranenburg wants to see PIC’s standard of excellence, oth- to lower insurance rates and The idea, he says, is to allow the PIC go further, with standardized er perks were introduced – such as potential recognition by B.C. various officers the luxury of be- audits that are acceptable across a eliminating the charge for driver’s Transportation with a 95% scale ing able to concentrate on the car- wider range of organizations. abstracts. These printouts are an bypass there. riers that aren’t complying. “Why He also wants to talk to the annoying expense, and in Alberta Alberta Transportation Minis- waste time with guys who are shipping community, through the cost can reach more than $20 ter Luke Ouellette says the pro- compliant, who are meeting or ex- their associations, “and show each, $11 of which goes to the gram works well. “We’re very ceeding the standards?” them what we’re doing to protect province with the rest tacked on happy with it. It’s making our How close is that North them.” He’s passionate about the by the private registry office. roads safer because to be a American standard? “We’re talking fatigue issue, which he says is the “I wanted to see it brought contributing factor in many inci- down, with the government part dents involving commercial of the charge eliminated,” Kra- ‘Shippers are starting to realize that their trucks. “I’d like to offer a fatigue nenburg said. He also got a reg- management program to our istry in Airdrie to only charge $5 responsibility (liability) is maintained after members.” per abstract, a savings that also the product is on the truck.’ Kranenburg also wants to see adds up. the focus not only on hardware Kranenburg mentions two other Lane Kranenburg but on people as well. “I have a incentives he says are even more huge respect for drivers but the important to a carrier, not neces- system is letting them down.”He sarily in dollar savings – though he PIC carrier you have to be audit- to Manitoba and Saskatchewan cites a lack of proper education says PIC companies are the most ed as up to compliance, so it’s and Washington State,” says through driving schools that offer profitable because they know a made for some of the safest Kranenburg. He also thinks On- sub-standard training. dollar invested into safety and trucks on the road.” tario’s system can be adapted to The response so far has been compliance pays back 10 times – Kranenburg says that now the concept. good. “We’ve just finished our but because they reward an atti- some drivers are putting pressure Minister Ouellette has talked first year using the transponders tude and a commitment that pays on company owners to meet PIC with his former counterpart in and not one carrier has dropped dividends every day in more effi- standards. Saskatchewan and says they ex- out.” There are 20 companies in cient and happier operations. “It’s better for them as well as pressed interest. “We’re working the program currently, represent- One is the quarterly operational for the company,” he says, adding very hard to harmonize all our ing about 5,000 vehicles. review. “It forces you to look at that to him, the best benefit is the highway regulations with all west- “The system is working. I did your operation and see what’s online reporting every three ern provinces,” he says. have one driver who was pulled happening so far as overweights, months. “I send them out elec- Beyond the efficiencies, and the over three times close together, convictions, and those things that tronic forms, they fill them out carrots offered, PIC is also about but it was just one of those keep your carrier profile clean. It and send them back – it elimi- good old fashioned recognition random things that happens. saves you a lot of work in the long nates about 90% of the useless for a job well done. “I wanted to By the third time they were laugh- run,” Kranenburg says. paperwork and deals only with see PIC as recognizing the good ing about it, and the driver Second is the ‘Excellent’ rating topics specific to their industry guys, the ones who aren’t a prob- was great.” ■ pg 07 tw aug v2 7/14/09 4:43 PM Page 7

August 2009 TRUCK WEST Page 7 ManitobaManitoba Manitoba vies to become centre of transportation universe However, will frequent spring flooding dampen those plans?

By Jim Bray to trips between Winnipeg and the to a trip but, “there are over 1,000 get from CentrePort to the WINNIPEG, Man. – While Toronto US border. trucking companies in Manitoba customer and we’re literally talk- may be known – usually derisively – But he believes there are work- and none have moved away. It’s ing about only a few hours’ as the centre of the universe, it’s able alternatives, though he’s be- an inconvenience, but all they do difference.” Manitoba that’s the real geographic ing closed-mouthed so far about is drive around it – it’s not a show Still, if nothing else, there’s that centre of the North American uni- what they may be. stopper at all.” pesky perception of a vast mar- verse, a fact the province’s trans- “We think there are reasonable Hawkins says that, generally, itime sea taking up part of port industry is working to exploit alternatives without having to cre- only portions of the highways Manitoba at times, and Hawkins as much as it can. ate huge detours,” Dolyniuk says. flood and points out that well-run admits it’s something that poten- That’s the rationale behind “It will entail upgrading existing alternate routes are put into effect tial customers have asked about. CentrePort Canada, or Winnipeg roads that bypass the area in so trucking can continue.“Look at “But they’re satisfied that it isn’t a Inland Port, a concept that, be- question, and some things are in it in time and how timely you can serious issue,” he says. ■ cause of its strategic, central loca- play between various municipali- tion, is being sold as a way to con- ties that bode well (for finding a nect businesses across the solution).” ‘There are over 1,000 trucking companies in continent with markets around Dolyniuk says support has been the world. expressed from some communi- Manitoba and none have moved away (due This government/private sector ties that would be impacted by to flooding).’ partnership has set aside 20,000 these alternative routes but, be- acres of land (nearly 8,100 yond that, he says it would be in- Kerry Hawkins hectares) anchored by Winnipeg’s appropriate to comment further James Armstrong Richardson until his organization has a chance International Airport for the pur- to talk with the minister. pose, which will be accompanied In the meantime, “What we by green field investment oppor- look at down the road, beyond the tunities envisioned for distribu- flooding issue, is the actual border tion centres, warehousing, manu- crossing facilities on both sides,” facturing and the like. he says. The CentrePort concept plans The current facilities can’t ac- to link ground, air and rail routes commodate the FAST (Free and at the Winnipeg hub, which means Secure Trade) initiative, which he the trucking industry will play a says is “A bit of a frustration.” big part in bringing it to fruition. Dolyniuk also mentions traffic And Manitoba’s trucking industry queues that mix commercial and thinks CentrePort’s a great idea – personal traffic on each side of though, perhaps not surprisingly, the border as an issue. “There not one without challenges. needs to be dedicated personal “We’re all for it,” says Bob and commercial lanes. Certain Dolyniuk, general manager of the over-height loads can’t get Manitoba Trucking Association. through the regular traffic lanes “Not only is Winnipeg the geo- now because of a walkway over graphic centre of the continent, the booth. We definitely a need to but it’s also the only location in address the infrastructure at the western Canada where both CN border.” and CP Rail co-exist. We also “Pembina is the busiest port be- have an air freight terminal that’s tween Blaine and Windsor,” available and used 24/7 for do- Dolyniuk adds, “and in the prepa- mestic and overseas flights, access rations for CentrePort being INNOVATION to the Port of Churchill and the ramped up, these issues will need mid-continent corridor. And of to be addressed and FAST service FROM course we have our illustrious facilitated at Pembina as well.” R Manitoba trucking industry.” That ramping up is well under- WHITING Dolyniuk says it’s a great way, according to CentrePort DOOR opportunity. chairman Kerry Hawkins. “We’re “Winnipeg’s a logical distribu- pretty well up and running,” he tion point. You can bring a ship- says. ment in by air or rail, and truck it “Twenty-thousand acres have to nearly any point on the conti- been put under our control, we’re OPEN nent within 36 hours. It also offers in the process of discussing devel- great value for products moving opment of the land – servicing is a AND from the midwest US, Manitoba, big issue – and that’s moving CLOSE northwestern Ontario and parts along.” of Saskatchewan to the far east.” Hawkins says they have a major YOUR Maybe, but one potential fly in grant under their belts from the ROLL-UP ✓ the ointment is Manitoba’s infa- federal and provincial govern- ✖ mous floods, which have been ments – $212 million – to build a DOOR WITH known to throw monkey wrench- four-lane, high traffic bypass from THE PUSH OF es into the trucking industry’s ac- the west to the airport property tivities, especially if they’re head- directly and will “probably start A BUTTON! ing south past the 49th parallel. construction soon.” Washed out roads are a major So far as the Highway 75 flood- pain, causing millions of dollars in ing issue is concerned, however, extra expenses as companies are Hawkins sees it as being merely a ✓ forced to reroute their trucks red herring. ✖ around the wet stuff. “We assume a flood of some “We had flooding this year, and sort will happen every year, and 2006 and 1997,” Dolyniuk reports, they don’t last months. Every “and we’re preparing some rec- once in a while there’s a longer ommendations to take to the one, but it isn’t a huge issue.” province regarding Highway 75 Hawkins says there are multiple for when it floods in the future.” roads available for diverting truck He says that particular thor- traffic and the ability to get 1-877-845-3816 oughfare was closed for 35 days around flooded areas is “Quite this year due to flooding, and the sophisticated.” www.commandlift.ca detour added significant distance He admits a flood can add hours pg 08 tw aug v2 7/14/09 4:45 PM Page 8

Page 8 TRUCK WEST August 2009 FleetFleet Graphics

TRACTOR-TRAILER COMBINATION STRAIGHT TRUCK

SPECIAL EVENTS/PROMOTION NIGHT-TIME SAFETY

LIGHT-DUTY COMMERCIAL IDENTITY FLEET Best fleet graphics awarded by PMTC, 3M NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, Ont. – It’s undoubtedly the most colourful of the trucking industry’s many awards. The Private Motor Truck Council of Canada and 3M Canada have once again partnered to recognize the flashiest and most attention-grabbing commercial vehicle graphics. The competition, now in its 24th year, is open to both private and for-hire fleets. Awards in seven categories were presented during the PMTC’s annual convention June 19.This year’s winners were (fleet, graphics house, category): • Bonduelle Amerique du Nord, Turbo Images, Tractor-Trailer Combination; • Distribution Belle Beauce,Turbo Images, Straight Truck; • Molson Canada, Beyond Digital Imaging, Special Events/Promotion; • Molson Canada,Toronto Digital Imaging, Night-Time Safety; • Breadko National Baking, Turbo Images, Light-Duty Commercial Truck; • Okanagan Spring Brewery, National Graphic Solutions, Identity Fleet Graphics; • Lions Gate Trailers, National Graphic Solutions, Human Interest. ■ HUMAN INTEREST pg 09 tw aug v2 7/14/09 4:47 PM Page 9

August 2009 TRUCK WEST Page 9 AlbertaAlberta New regulations promise to streamline, modernize Alberta rules

By Jim Bray automotive technology.” think the same inspection is re- combinations even though there’s CALGARY, Alta. – New rules And, in a move that will bring quired for every commercial vehi- the body of a trailer sitting over that came into effect in Alberta Alberta in line with national safety cle, whether truck or various class top of that same combination,” on July 1 should help simplify standards – and other jurisdictions of bus. Root says. drivers’ lives as well as making the – written daily trip inspection “But it’s different between the “The regulation appears to say province’s regulations more com- reports will be required for trucks, different types of vehicle, so you you need a fender over and above pliant going forward. tractors, trailers and buses. have to read the regulation fully, that, and that may create a huge That’s according to Alberta Other highlights include: including all the subsections. It impact on the industry.” Transportation Minister Luke should be more clear, what’s re- He says there are literally tens Ouellette. “We took nine existing • Commercial vehicles will no quired for whom and for what of thousands of tractors that have regulations and moved them into longer be allowed to operate on a classes of commercial vehicle.” no fenders because they weren’t one,” Ouellette says, “as well highway at a speed or with a load Root also raises a concern with required – and aren’t really need- as making them meet the greater than the rating of any of new provisions regarding cargo ed because the trailers already act new Transport Canada federal the vehicle’s tires; securement, which he says appears like fenders. regulations.” • “Working lights” are permit- to be leading to the enforcement “We’re trying to get an interpre- The changes to the Commercial ted on commercial vehicles as people insisting that every bit of tation from the people who devel- Vehicle Safety Regulations and long as they aren’t in motion on a cargo is secured in closed trailers at oped the regulation,” Root says. Vehicle Equipment Regulations highway; all times, regardless of its size or Root says that overall, however, will affect cargo and people carri- • Updated first aid kit and fire weight. “This isn’t a bad thing. But you ers and are designed “to update extinguisher standards. “It’s going to create a huge issue have to be very careful how each Alberta regulations and ensure because some carriers are doing separate section, subsection and they are consistent with current Alberta Transportation says the multiple pick-ups and deliveries the like is looked at because they Canadian and North American changes come about after a and having to immobilize every- have to cover a wide variety of is- standards,” according to the multi-year review of commercial thing just isn’t realistic.” sues and in doing so it can create Ministry. vehicle safety and equipment reg- He also says it’s uncalled for, confusion.” Major changes range from the ulations which involved “exten- since no safety issues have been Root says it’s good that every- need for a new compliance label sive consultation with commercial raised. “We’re going to be chal- thing is being put in one place now, or mechanical fitness certificate vehicle stakeholders including lenging that.” though, because it should make the (from a qualified professional en- industry, municipal, and safety Then there’s the new interpre- regulations more convenient to gineer, naturally) for modified ve- organizations.” tation of the requirement for mud work with. hicles built from January 1, 2012 According to Minister flaps and fenders, which appears “It’s all about the interpretation,” onward to the requirement that, Ouellette, the changes are meant to say that each vehicle in Root says. “And going forward in what may seem like a no-brain- to make things more straightfor- Alberta, not just commercial vehi- we’re going to continue to look for er, all vehicles must be maintained ward – and safer – for Alberta cles, must have a fender over each some degree of satisfaction with “in safe operating condition.” operators and drivers. “We want- wheel. making the rules actually fit the Other tweaks include that comed to consolidate some rules and “We have a concern with having requirements of the industry, to mercial vehicles have brakes on all address some procedural and to have coverage over top of tire make them realistic.” ■ wheels including trailers (unless safety issues,” he says. exempted by the Motor Vehicle Mayne Root, executive director Safety Act or the Traffic Safety of the Alberta Motor Transport Alberta cracks down on commercial vehicles in June Act), the need to display a warn- Association, says they’re in the EDMONTON, Alta. – Surprise commercial vehicle enforcement blitzes ing sign on the rear of commercial process of identifying major issues across Alberta in June netted 1,202 charges. vehicles transporting flammable but that their initial reaction is to More than 4,101 commercial vehicles (including 150 buses) were liquid or gas (if the tank has a ca- support simplifying the rules as inspected during the inspections, according to the province. The blitzes pacity of 5,000 litres or greater) long as it doesn’t lead to more were conducted by Alberta Transportation and other law enforcement and the prohibition of single-axle confusion. agencies. trailers other than semis from car- “Their intent is valid,” he says. The inspections resulted in 466 vehicles being placed out-of-service rying petroleum products on a “But when things are amalgamat- while 356 trucks were fined for being overloaded, 176 violated danger- highway if the tank’s capacity is ed, it tends to provide the oppor- ous goods rules and 646 were charged for “other” violations, including 3,000 litres or more (for flamma- tunity for some confusion.” lacking insurance, driving with a suspended licence or lacking the neces- ble liquids) or 450 litres or more Root points to the section man- sary permits. (for flammable gas). dating written trip inspections, Alberta Transportation was using its thermal imaging technology to The requirements in the which weren’t a requirement in determine if vehicles had defective brakes, tires or other mechanical Driveway and Towaway regula- Alberta previously, and says the components. It’s the first province to use the technology. tion have also been simplified, way the new rule is written cur- June is Commercial Vehicle Safety Month in Alberta. ■ and updated to reflect “current rently it could lead carriers to

THIS MONTH’S CROSSWORD PUZZLE A

Across Down n s 1. Freight-terminal workhorse w

1. Carriers' rolling stock e r 2. Disney theme park near Orlando s

4. Irritating CB-radio noise

o n

9. Palindromic competition vehicle (4,3) 3. Smokeys' signed souvenirs

p a

10. O/O component 5. Truck mechanic's investment g

11. Unit of measure on Canadian pumps 6. Afﬁrmative words on cop-car radio (3,4) 2 4 12. '99-'06 Mack model 7. Tire-sidewall scuffer 14. Freight-cost component, perhaps (4,9) 8. Truck-stop facility, frequently (7,4) 17. Moncton-based carrier 13. One-way-out streets (4,4) 19. Applied grease and oil 15. On the road, in other words (2,5) 22. Carries cargo 16. Farmer's preferred pickup, perhaps (4,3)

23. Trafﬁc-stopping shape 18. Camel convoy's desert rest area ©

24. "Keep the ____ side down" 20. Assembly of two or more axles 2 0 0

25. Hell's ____, outlaw-biker bunch 21. Carpet type in '60s hippie van 8

M .

J a c k s o TRY IT ONLINE AT WWW.TRUCKNEWS.COM n pg 10-11 tw aug v2 7/14/09 3:51 PM Page 10

Page 10 TRUCK WEST August 2009 ProfileProfile Ruggedly independent to the core A trucking pioneer receives his due By Jim Bray says. “We grew up on horses and I ending on a distributor, while still CALGARY, Alta. – He’s hauled always liked travel.” too young to drive. from Alaska to the lower 48 over They did a lot of that which, He gravitated into driving small a span of a half century and he’s combined with a Reader’s Digest trucks in the oil patch and, when seen a lot of changes in the indus- article about ‘The Monster in the that gig ended he was interested try. And now he’s the recipient of North’ that the young Walton enough in continuing that he the 2009 Alberta Motor Transport read while at school in Blairmore, bought a gravel truck to work in Association’s Historical Award. may explain the confluence in his Valleyview. Phil Walton is a Calgarian with life of travelling, trucking and try- “The rest was history – gravel to EARLY START: Phil Walton got into an independent streak as wide as ing new things. logging to back to the oil patch.” trucking as soon as he was old the road is long. He’s been behind “It was a pretty intriguing story Walton eventually moved back enough – or maybe a bit before. the wheel since he could get a and it had a picture of an R.G. to Calgary, and went trucking licence – and maybe just a bit Letourneau machine they’d built into B.C., hauling cement to the the Yukon, northern towns across before – and his journeys have to help with the construction of East Kootenay and bringing back B.C. and into Manitoba. “Then taken him from employee to inde- the DEW Line, and that kind of lumber. they changed management and pendent, to corporation and even stayed with me,” he recalls. “From there we went and got a wanted to change carriers.” to inventor. The North had a particular few contracts of our own,” he says. By then it was the 1960s, and He comes by his independence romance for Walton and he One was moving roof trusses up with his fleet of six trucks he was and love for the road honestly. visited it often. from the US, a contract that lasted also hauling cattle into Seattle “My dad was a cowboy,” he One of his first jobs was tail- three years and which took him to and Tacoma. Walton always tried to find his own niche, and to do things G no-one else was doing. “We still E T dabbled with light oilfield haul- P ing, but we also built custom A Y P O step decks back when there E U R R weren’t many of them around,” he explains. Walton met with Panarctic Oil “the week they formed,” and that ended up being a 15 year venture. Western Canada’s Trucking Newspaper and Equipment Buyer’s Guide “Our job was to load all the mate- rials and drill rigs onto Hercules aircraft at Yellowknife and take them up to Melville and the high arctic islands,” he remembers. Being in the right place at the right time with Panarctic blended nicely with Walton’s desire to ex- SUBSCRIBESUBSCRIBE plore new horizons. “I always tried to find work that MOVING? was a first,” he says. “And I never READING SOMEONE did butt into anyone else’s jobs or ELSE’S COPY? REQUALIFY! contracts.” This desire to be first Send us your new address led to his creation of some spe- Have your own! in writing on this form. cialty vehicles that could go where NOW!NOW! a normal truck couldn’t – such as Company ______the high arctic. Name ______Title______One of these was a large “land locomotive” that used a big diesel Address ______engine to drive a generator that City ______powered electric motors driving Province ______Postal Code______the wheels – a concept that sounds similar to one GM has Telephone: ( ) ______Fax: ( )______dabbled with in recent years as E-Mail ______the basis for a high-tech “skate- CHANGE OF ADDRESS ONLY board” automotive platform. 1 1 4 Walton’s train pulled supplies into Serial # from code line on mailing label the Old Crow region of the Yukon when CN was building microwave Canada USA Foreign Charge Card Cheque Enclosed bases there. $ $ $ Visa No Walton has always considered 41.28 99.95 99.95 Calgary his home base, though at 1 Year Mastercard No (38.95 + 2.33 GST) times he’s had several offices. Amex No “But I don’t think they ever 2 Years 65.66 paid off,” he says or his other (61.95 + 3.71 GST) Expiry Date Signature Date offices. “They were just bonfires NB, NS & NF Add 14% HST to Price / Quebec Residents Add QST (7.5%) To Total to put out.”This undoubtedly con- CLIP and MAIL tributed to his refusal to let his DO YOU WISH PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS business expand to the point TO RECEIVE OR 1) How many vehicles are based at or controlled from 5) Indicate your PRIMARY type of business by checking where he couldn’t recognize it this location? Please indicate quantities by type: ONLY ONE of the following: With a) ■ For Hire/Contract Trucking (hauling for others) (CONTINUE TO — No. of Straight Trucks _____ No. of Trailers from the Phil Walton Enterprise ■ _____ No. of Buses b) Lease/Rental Hauling he first started in 1961. RECEIVE) — No. of Truck-Tractors _____ No. of Off-Road Vehicles c) ■ Food Production / Distribution / Beverages Payment to d) ■ Farming 2) Does this location operate, control or administer one Walton has obviously built an or more vehicles in any of the following Gross Vehicle e) ■ Government (Fed., Prov., Local) Weight (GVW) categories? Please check YES or NO: f) ■ Public Utility (electric, gas, telephone) enviable reputation, but he takes 14,969 kg. & over (33,001 lbs. & over)... ■ YES ■ NO g) ■ Construction / Mining / Sand & Gravel it in stride. 11,794-14,968 kg. (26.001-33,000 lbs.). ■ YES ■ NO h) ■ Petroleum / Dry Bulk / Chemicals / Tank 8,846-11,793 kg. (19,501-26,000 lbs.)... ■ YES ■ NO i) ■ Manufacturing / Processing 12 Concorde Place, “It was quite easy back then. ■ YES ■ NO ■ ■ 4,536-8,845 kg. (10,000-19,500 lbs.)..... YES NO ji) ■ Retail Under 4,536 kg. (10,000 lbs.)...... ■ YES ■ NO Suite 800, And I had a lot of peers I worked jii) ■ Wholesale 3) This location operates, controls or administers: k) ■ Logging / Lumber with and even the worst of ■ ■ Toronto, Ontario Diesel powered vehicles...... YES NO b) ■ Bus Transportation Signature Refrigerated vehicles...... ■ YES ■ NO them gave me good experience to m) ■ Other (Please specify) ______Pickups or Utility Vans...... ■ YES ■ NO M3C 4J2 learn from.” Propane powered vehicles...... ■ YES ■ NO 6) Are you involved in the purchase of equipment or replacement parts? ...... ■ YES ■ NO 4) Do you operate maintenance facilities If he has any regrets, it’s in be- at this location? ...... ■ YES ■ NO 7) Are you responsible either directly or indirectly ing a little impatient with some of Date IF YES, do you employ mechanics?...... ■ YES ■ NO for equipment maintenance? . . . . ■ YES ■ NO TODAY! his employees over the years. pg 10-11 tw aug v2 7/14/09 3:51 PM Page 11

August 2009 TRUCK WEST Page 11

“Sometimes I think about some people I had too short a fuse with earlier in my career, people I sold too short. I always had good people but I think I could’ve had more if I’d been gentler with them.” Naturally, a lot has changed since Walton began driving, and he doesn’t think all of it is for the better. He cites increased bureaucracy that big and little companies alike have to keep on top of, though the smaller companies are at a disad- vantage because “they’re not geared for it.” Walton thinks safety regulation has gotten a bit out of hand, too. “There’s a time and a place for everything and when you have to print out $10,000 worth of safety manuals that no-one reads and it’s really just common sense anyways – you can just see the dollars going to waste,” he says. “We don’t live in a perfect world, but if you have a good safety record that should speak for itself – you shouldn’t have to prove it over and over again.” Still, Walton thinks the changes are for the better overall. “I’d sooner cross the border today than years ago,” he says. “A new generation has taken over and they’re human. You come in, they ask you a few questions and you can ask them a few questions – there’s none of this ‘us against them’ like there was in the past – you keep your operation clean and there’s no trouble.” STILL TRUCKIN’: The pride that comes from a job well done is what motivates Phil Walton today. Technology has also changed for the better, mostly. “I’d have the business meant he had to give trouble going back to the 60s,” he up some of his personal life, he’s says. “You can get a lot more out grateful for his wife, Cathy, and of a day with today’s equipment. her understanding that he’d be It’s fantastic.” away for months at a time, with But a long career also brings very few phone calls. with it a broad perspective. “I Today he still works with his drive one of the fanciest, best sons, for whom he started Walton trucks on the road, with all the Enterprise Inc. when he decided comforts of home, but some of the to slow down. electronics in it cost as much as Looking at the world today, this we used to pay for an engine. It’s fiercely independent Albertan much more complex, too; you sees a lot he doesn’t like. can’t do a lot of the work yourself “This recession may be a lot dif- that you could once. It’s all com- ferent from past ones, and people puterized. It takes your ability are going to have to tighten their away to a certain extent.” belts. There’s so much waste in Walton is philosophical about it our lives now – everything’s dis- all, though. “It’s a natural state of posable. We’ve got to slow down affairs. Nothing stands still, even I and smell the flowers.” NO JOB TOO BIG: ‘You’ve got a load of what?’ No delivery was too difficult – or had to grow.” He blames much of the current unusual – for Walton. But while he did grow, his re- challenges on creeping socialism. fusal to grow the company as “Freedom requires responsibility. quickly or as large as he could You have the socialist thinker and have is part of the reason for his the conservative thinker,” he says. longevity. “The socialist thinker has an “I’m one of the few still here easier time because people like to operating regionally because I be protected.” know when to retreat – how not to Walton doesn’t trust the likes of get overextended by expanding Al Gore and David Suzuki, either. too much, too fast. You need solid “It isn’t about the environment,” foundations and truckers have al- he says, “it’s about controlling us. ways been pushed into growth This is socialism.” and eventually it leads into trouble,” When Walton learned he was he reasons. going to be presented the AMTA He has more advice for up and Historical Award, he took it in comers, too: “You need to have stride. enough heart in the job to get it “I said ‘That’s nice of you.What Satisfaction in a job well done. done and learn to sacrifice to get hoops do I have to jump “When you move away from the that. I don’t mean stupidly but through?’ Paul (Rubak, repre- job site and you look back and you have to persevere – and espe- senting the American Truck feel you’ve done a good job, that’s cially as a small business, you have Historical Society) said I could important.” to be good at everything. I know just show up. It was a nice visit.” And with as little BS as possi- people who take the night off After more than half a century ble.“We like being hands-on – just but my phone would ring 24 hours of working, Walton still experi- point us in the direction and we AN INVENTOR TOO: Walton once a day.” ences what he considers to be the can go and get the job done with- needed a land locomotive, so he While dedicating his energies to fondest memory of his career: out a lot of supervision.” ■ invented one himself. pg 12 tw aug v2 7/14/09 4:51 PM Page 12

Page 12 TRUCK WEST August 2009 ProfileProfile Maintenance master focuses on people first Winner ‘a good mediator who values human relationships’

By Julia Kuzeljevich MILTON, Ont. – It took two official ceremonies to award this year’s Volvo Trucks Canada 2009 Fleet Maintenance Manager of the Year, but he finally collected on all his prizes. Don Coldwell, district service manager with Volvo Trucks Canada, announced the name of the recipient, Ben Vandespyker, maintenance manager for Active Transport at the 46th Canadian Fleet Maintenance Seminar (CFMS) on May 28.Vandespyker, a father of two, was called out of the country unexpectedly at the time, and his daughter Lisa accepted a plaque on his behalf. So Volvo Trucks Canada, and our WebTV show Transportation Matters, followed up with Vandespyker on June 18 as he was awarded with a commemorative ring at Active Transport’s Milton, Ont. facilities. This official presentation was followed by a luncheon. Presenting the ring, Coldwell noted that mentorship, which he said helped him in his own career, was a prominent theme in Vandespyker’s nomination. “He is described as a caring, generous, reliable, fair mediator with a good ability to listen,” Coldwell said of Vandespyker. Volvo Trucks Canada sponsored the award, but did not participate in the selection process. An independent judging committee composed of trade journal- ists and past recipients of the award conducted this task. PEOPLE-ORIENTED: Ben Vandespyker of Active Transport was named the Canadian Fleet Maintenance Manager of the “Well, it’s an honour, especially Year, thanks in part to his people skills. Photo by Adam Ledlow at my age, to get it. Finally it was my turn so I was quite happy. Milton facility. and repaint, and they’re good for we call in the truck people and I didn’t expect it,” said He came to Canada in 1957, and another 10 years. We switched they give a little bit of a course. It Vandespyker. He thanked every- has been working in maintenance most of our trailer axles to grease really helps us,” said Vandespyker. one involved in his nomination, since 1949, beginning as a me- seals, and we use new tires and re- He said that training for me- and when asked for the most chanic. He has been at Active caps on all the trailers,” noted chanics is now so complex com- important trait of a good mainte- Transport since 1999 and prior to Vandespyker. pared to the “old days,” when you nance manager, Vandespyker that role worked in various main- He also oversees the company’s could fix a truck with a hammer stressed that it’s the human rela- tenance and operations roles at training programs, and is current- and a chisel. tionship aspect. D&W Forwarders and TNT, ly working with seven appren- This complexity means that not “How to deal with people is the among other companies. tices, who start out as greasers/oil all maintenance is done in the most important job of any manag- Active Transport specializes in changers at the facility and move shops anymore. er. You can tell people what to do long loads and heavy hauls, which on to comprehensive apprentice- Yet at the same time, examina- and make them do it. But you can means that spec’ing trailers for ship training. tions for apprentices require them ask people to do it and it has more these loads is an important part of “We have been very successful; to have widespread knowledge, result than telling them to.” Vandespyker’s job. most of the kids are staying here and to obtain 70% scores, for To qualify for the award, the “We do over-dimensional loads, and you can teach them the way questions and issues they may nominee’s fleet must be located in we haul lots of bridge beams, on you want to teach them,” said never have come across. Canada, must own and operate a trailers that are 48-80 feet long. Vandespyker, noting that the “Most of the kids have to go in minimum of 25 Class 8 vehicles, Spec’ing is one of the main issues company works on an ongoing ba- three to four times, they get ques- and must perform a minimum in maintenance. First of all we sis with government apprentice- tions that they can’t answer be- 80% of repairs and maintenance make sure that they can do the ship programs. cause the shops can’t train them in at the fleet’s facilities. The nomi- load, (with regard to the) amount He stressed that “all of the peo- all the items they encounter. nee, meanwhile, must be a of axles, longevity of the equip- ple are part of a good mainte- Some will never work on A/C, for Canadian resident with a mini- ment, proper brake systems, and nance facility” and that “it’s really example. It’s very hard to train in mum of five years’ fleet mainte- weight distribution. We recently a team effort. It’s probably the everything because it’s become so nance experience, three of which spent a whole day at the scales same in coaching. If I’m not here specialized. Some shops do noth- must be as a full-time mainte- spec’ing the proper angling for it still goes on, but if they’re not ing but hydraulics. Even in the nance manager, superintendent, double T’s that had to be legal here, nothing happens,” said school, courses may not be deep or director. both in Michigan and Ontario,” he Vandespyker of his maintenance enough to cover what is now re- Vandespyker, a long-time mem- told Truck West. staff. quired,” he noted. ber of the Automotive Transportation “We also rebuild our trailers in Quite often, he said, Active In his spare time, that’s to say in Service Superintendents’ Association, our own shop – we paint them on Transport will put on courses on a between phone calls from the fa- currently oversees a fleet of 175 a five to seven year cycle.” Saturday morning, keeping staff cility, Vandespyker plays a bit of tractors and over 400 trailers He said that running double abreast of new developments and golf and breeds miniature don- across three different Active trailers means double the price. issues. keys and labs on his hobby farm. Transport facilities, in Milton, So longevity is important. “At the dealerships they get “It’s a hobby, keeps you busy. Mississauga and Buffalo, with “We still have trailers from ’79. schooling but in a fleet you have Donkeys are like big dogs. They the bulk of the work at the We also rebuild the crossmembers to develop your own training so follow you around,” he noted. ■ pg 13 tw aug v2 7/14/09 4:53 PM Page 13

August 2009 TRUCK WEST Page 13 DrivingDriving Championships National Truck Driving Championships fall victim to economy By James Menzies holding provincial competitions, LANGLEY, B.C. – The recession then sending a team to the nation- has claimed another Canadian als,” Rosseker said. trucking victim: the 2009 National “Sponsorship dollars are drying Professional Truck Driving up. It’s unfortunate, but amassing Championships. The organizing volunteers, sponsors and driver committee called off this year’s na- competitors just isn’t flying right tional event, which was slated to now in an industry that’s experienc- take place in Abbotsford and ing layoffs, wage freezes and roll- Surrey, B.C. in September, due to a backs, thin profit margins and far lack of sponsorship. fewer loads moving.” “We had such optimism for host- The STA is planning on resuming ing the 2009 event, when we left its provincial event next year, al- Ottawa last September. Sponsors though it may have a different look. were already committed to sup- “We’re reviewing how the event NOT FEASIBLE: Due to a lack of sponsors and the costs associated with the port our event and the venues comes together and what it stands event, this year’s national championships had to be cancelled. File photo were in place,” said Shaun Garvey, for in terms of promoting driving chairman of the B.C. organizing safety among our membership,” pation in the national championship provinces. We crunched the num- committee. Rosseker said. along with the decline in sponsor- bers again and again, but each time, “Then, the bottom dropped out. Quebec also pulled the plug on its ship left organizers with no choice the viability of the event was in The economic crisis hit everyone provincial championship and has but to cancel the nationals, Garvey question. We owed the sponsors hard: our sponsors, our industry – rescheduled for 2010. explained. that stuck with us, the fleets that everyone was affected. After The Atlantic Provinces Trucking “With the reduction in sponsor- send their drivers to compete and months of open consultation with Association and its counterparts in ship commitments, we looked at the drivers that would attend full our national group, hearing what B.C., Alberta, Manitoba and every option to allow us to continue value for their dollars.The econom- the other provinces were experienc- Ontario each went ahead with with the event this year,” he said. ics just weren’t there!” ing with their provincial events, we their provincial truck driving “When other provinces weighed in, The 2010 National Truck Driving had no other choice but to cancel championships. However, many some were not holding their provin- Championships are slated to take this year’s event.” jurisdictions noticed a decline in cial events; others were not support- place in Manitoba, and organizers Meanwhile, the event is facing participation. ive of a national competition with- are hopeful the industry will be en- challenges even on the provincial The lack of coast-to-coast partici- out attendance from all of the joying better times by then. ■ level. The Saskatchewan Trucking Association cancelled its version of the truck driving championships al- Results: Show goes on in several western provinces together. “We looked at it long and hard LANGLEY, B.C. – Despite the un- tandem; and Ken Wiebe, EBD the Team Award went to Canadian with our industry, but the consensus fortunate cancellation of this year’s Enterprises, Super-B.Top Team ho- Freightways. was that many sponsors could not National Professional Truck nours went to TST Overland B.C. justify contributing to such an event, Driving Championships, several Express and Eagle was named in light of the serious economic provincial competitions went Grand Champion. Forty-nine of B.C.’s top drivers downturn,” said Al Rosseker, STA ahead as planned. competed in that province’s com- Alberta executive director. “Even though petition on June 27 at the Tradex Manitoba Saskatchewan is not fully feeling the In Alberta, drivers turned out at Centre in Abbotsford. Winners economic slump, our members are Manitoba drivers braved wet con- the Westerner Park in Red Deer to were: Robert Mullen, Canadian directly tied to moving freight east ditions to compete in the provincial go head to head in the province’s Freightways, step van; Hans and west, north and south. We’re a championships on June 27. A total truck roadeo.Winners were: Randy Wettstein, Canadian Freightways, bellwether industry; when the of 39 drivers squared off in six dif- Smith, Canadian Freightways, step straight truck; Jack Newton, trucks aren’t moving, the economy’s ferent categories. Winners were: van; David Bulechowsky, City of Canadian Freightways, single-sin- not moving.” Garth Deschamps, Canadian Calgary, straight truck; Patrick gle; Edward Rolston, Van Kam When the STA found out the Freightways, step van; Gene Thorne, Canadian Freightways, sin- Freightways, single-tandem; Dean APTA and others would not be Wertepny, TST Overland Express, gle-single; Timothy Bingley, Sokil Grant,Agrifoods International Co- sending their provincial winners to straight truck; Brian Hrabarchuk, Express, single-tandem; Dirk Reid, op, tandem-tandem; and David the national event, the association Con-Way Freight Canada, single- Bison Transport, tandem-tandem; Lighton, Air Liquide, B-Train. The decided to pull the plug on its event single; Frank Klassen, Penner Steve Calhoun, Canadian Team Award went to – you guessed entirely. International, single-tandem; Ed Freightways, B-Train. Bulechowsky it – Canadian Freightways. Grant “It’s an expensive proposition Eagle, Canada Safeway, tandem- was named Grand Champion and was named Grand Champion. ■

MISSING FASTER, EASIER SHAFFIQ VISRAM %25'(5 &5266,1* 5428-SR *HW*HW& &73$773$7FHUW FHUWLÀHGLÀHGZ ZLWKLQLWKLQGD\V GD\V D.O.B.: May 26, 1975 %HQHILWVRI&HUWLILFDWLRQLQFOXGH GET 3 MONTHS • Expedited clearance times ACE E-MANIFEST SERVICE Missing since: May 30, 1994 • Automatic access to Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program ABSOLUTELY FREE WHEN YOU APPLY FOR C-TPAT Missing from: Manotick, Ontario • Significantly reduced likelihood of random inspection WITH AVAAL • Significantly reduced enforcement and compliance inspections Height: 5' 8" • Shipments for inspection directed to front of the line Weight: 160 lbs. during random inspection AVAAL ALSO OFFERS: Eye Colour: Brown C-TPATC-TPAT SHIPPERSSHIPPERS CANCAN USEUSE ONLYONLY •ACEe-Manifest C-TPATC-TPAT TRUCKINGTRUCKING COMPANIESCOMPANIES Transmission Hair Colour: Dark Brown Photo age-enhanced to • Customs Clearance 27 years (2002) 'RQ W ORVH FXVWRPHUV *HW FHUWLÀHG WRGD\ • Dispatch and Logistics Shaffiq was last seen walking in the area around his school on May 30, 1994. His school Training bag was found two days later – empty. He has not been heard from since. • Authorities and Permits www.ontario.childfind.ca •Co-PilotTruckGPS& Anyone with information please contact: All Calls Confidential – No Name Required Cyber Trucker Contact Dara Nagra 1-877-995-1313 • Corporation Registration Email: [email protected] KU 2 Automatic Rd. Unit #110, Brampton, ON L6S 6K8 live support CHILD FIND 1-800-387-7962 www.avaal.com pg 01, 06, 14 tw aug v2 7/15/09 2:16 PM Page 14

Page 14 TRUCK WEST August 2009 Canada Sponsors, drivers needed for Alberta leg of Convoy for a Cure

Continued from page 1 to her target of 29 trucks and itinerary and a common goal – to $15,000 – in line with the results raise money for breast cancer from the inaugural convoy. research. The Alberta convoy will set out Word spread quickly after from the Husky Truck Stop in Champagne’s inaugural campaign Acheson, Alta. (at Hwy. 60 and last year, and she’s been ap- 16) and conclude at the Roadking proached by female drivers from Travel Centre in Sherwood Park. all over, who wish to contribute. McCallum will be attending the “They’re all doing really well,” Pro-Trucker Alberta Big Rig Champagne said of the new or- Weekend Aug. 29-30 to rally up ganizers. “I can’t believe how some support, she said. much energy the girls have and The New Brunswick convoy is how they’re putting their own being spearheaded by Caroline hearts and souls into this. These Wood. Back at the Cornwall con- convoys are going to be really voy, Champagne hopes to double wicked – I can’t wait to see the last year’s participation – from 29 end result.” trucks to 60 – and is confident the GROWING: The first Convoy for a Cure was held last year in Ontario. Kristin McCallum is organizer funds will also be increased two- of the Alberta convoy. She’s find- fold, from $15,000 to $30,000 on always need a hand, it’s a big to the 730 Truck Stop in Cardinal, ing out first-hand how difficult it this leg alone. event.” Ont. is to attract sponsors in an eco- Men can’t drive in the convoy Perhaps the biggest contribu- There, participants will enjoy a nomic downturn. However she’s itself, but they are welcomed to tion male truck drivers can make barbecue, draw prizes and hear forging ahead with the event, re- participate in other ways. is to help spread the word about from some guest speakers. gardless. “The only thing the men can’t the event, Champagne suggested. Details of each of this year’s “It’s going slow so far,” she ad- do is drive in the convoy; that was “The best way anybody can convoys are available online at mitted. “We’re having some trou- the whole point of this – to have help is to spread the word. Talk www.convoyforacure.com. ble with sponsorship, but we’re an all-female convoy,” Cham- about it on the CB. Even if it’s Or, you can also catch up with going to go ahead with it regard- pagne said.“But they can sit in the them saying ‘Hey, we should go Champagne at the OBAC booth less, just on a smaller scale.” passenger seat, they can volun- because there’ll be a lot of trucker at the Fergus Truck Show July 23-26. McCallum hopes female drivers teer, help with set-up, barbecue, chicks’,” she joked. OBAC is getting involved in will ask their carriers to get in- clean the trucks. Lots of guys par- Participants in the Ontario con- the program by hosting an volved as well and she’s sticking ticipated last year that way. We voy will gather at the Fifth Wheel OOIDA/NASCAR racing simula- in Cornwall, Ont. beginning at 8 tor at its booth and offering rides a.m. Women will be treated to in exchange for donations to Canadian trucking industry breakfast and they’ll gather to Convoy for a Cure. OBAC also clean the trucks and pose for pho- promises to donate $5 of each mem- tos. At noon, the convoy will re- bership sold at the show towards impresses during Roadcheck ceive a police escort down the 401 Convoy for a Cure. ■

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The results cles and 97% of drivers inspected of the North America-wide enforce- were found to be in compliance. ment blitz known as Roadcheck are “Roadcheck figures since 2007 in – and they’re impressive. show small but consistent improve- Overall vehicle and driver out- ments in vehicle mechanical fitness of-service rates both declined this and driver condition in the indus- Comprehensive coverage year, and seatbelt use increased ac- try,” said Canadian Trucking Al- cording to results from the 72-hour liance CEO, David Bradley. “De- blitz that took place June 2-4. spite enormous pressures on the for the road ahead. About 17 trucks were inspected bottom line of carriers as a result of every minute in Canada, the US this fiscal downturn, these Road- and Mexico, according to the Com- check figures are a shining exam- mercial Vehicle Safety Alliance ple that the industry has the best (CVSA). people behind the wheel; support, The overall compliance rate of maintenance and operations staff Complete coverage. 80.4% was the highest since 1996 dedicated to safety and industry Unparalleled value. and the overall driver compliance leaders that are firmly committed rate of 95.7% was the best ever, to investing in road safety.” • Transportation Risks CVSA reports. For NAS Level 1 in- A complete breakdown of Road- • Property Insurance spections, the compliance rate of check2009 is as follows: 77.8% (vehicles) and 96.1% (driv- • Manufacturing/Processing Risks Driver results: ers) was the best ever, representing • Cargo Insurance 7.1% and 20.4% improvements re- All inspections: 95.6% of drivers spectively over last year’s results. passed, and 4.4% were placed out • Commercial Liability Meanwhile, seat belt violations of service (5.3% were out of serv- were down 22.2% over last year. ice in 2008). “The commercial motor vehicle All Level 1 inspections: 96.1% of industry is proving the old adage drivers passed, and 3.9% were Alberta/British Columbia that it pays to be safe,” said Darren placed out of service (4.9% were 3012 – 106 Street Christle, CVSA president. “If you out of service in 2008). Edmonton AB T6J 5M5 look at the data it clearly shows HazMat: 97% of drivers passed, Toll Free: 1-888-463-4333 when carriers prepare for safety and 3% were placed out of service Phone: (780) 439-7205 they will benefit not only by avoid- (2.4% were out of service in 2008). ing fines but by saving lives. It can Vehicle results: Saskatchewan/Manitoba be said that Roadcheck 2009 saved Box 160, 127 Kaiser William Ave. 17 lives and helped to avoid 307 in- All inspections: 80.4% of vehi- Langenburg SK S0A 2A0 juries. Over the course of an entire cles passed, and 19.6% were placed Phone: (306) 743-2474 year that equals 2,068 lives saved out of service (20.8% were out of Phone: (204) 821-6116 and 37,352 injuries avoided. By any service in 2008). measure those are big numbers, All Level 1 inspections: 77.8% of and the enforcement community vehicles passed, and 22.2% were should be proud of its accomplish- placed out of service (23.9% were ments in this regard.” out of service in 2008). CALL FOR A In Canada, the news was even HazMat: 83% of vehicles passed QUOTE TODAY better, with Canadian carriers ex- the inspection, and 17% were ceeding the North America-wide placed out of service (17.6% were averages. In Canada, 82% of vehi- out of service in 2008). ■ Firestone 7/9/09 2:45 PM Page 1

Hard-working tires for hard-working truckers.

Generations of sons have trucked the good stuff on Firestone tires. There’s a Firestone tire that’s right for your job. Visit ﬁrestonetrucktires.com. This year's Truck News/Chevron Charity Golf Event exceeded everyone's expectations. Finally, we had great weather! But, more importantly, not only did we meet our goal of raising enough money to send young Cole and his family on a dream Disney Cruise, we raised enough money to grant the wish of another child dealing with a life-threatening disease. In total, we raised $17,980 dollars for charity!! The other child we have sponsored is 7-year-old Sara. Her medical condition is devel- opmental delay and bone marrow dysplasia. Sara had a stem cell transplant at the age of one after which she spent 6 months at Sick Kids and then almost a year on home IV nutrition. She eats with assistance now, is non-verbal and has the cognitive ability of a 4 year old but she’s completely mobile and a very active child. Sara's wish is to go to Disney World. She said she likes Disney princesses and hopes to have breakfast with a princess at Disney World. With the money we raised, we can grant Sara's wish. Anyone who was at this year's golf event and saw the smile on Cole's face and the faces of his family members when we told them about the cruise knows how important these dream vacations are to these children and their families. It gives them a chance to regroup as a family in a happy, carefree environment. So, once again, a big thank-you goes out to all of the participants, sponsors and prize donors who gave so generously. Together, you made it possible to make the wishes of two young children come true. A special thanks also goes out to John Mitchell of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He came out to lend his support by signing hockey sticks for all participants and having pictures taken with everyone. Our prize donors were too numerous to mention but we are very grateful for their support. A final thank-you goes to Southwood Graphics for providing all of our sponsor signs and banners. Our sponsors: pg 18-19 tw aug 7/14/09 1:47 PM Page 18

Page 18 TRUCK WEST August 2009 FeatureFeature

NO CLOSURE: Nicole, wife of murdered truck driver Donald Woods, struggles to come to terms with his senseless killing. Photo by Jeff Mitchell

“He liked to be his own boss,” Nicole added. “He liked to be on his own and do his own thing, to set his own hours.” Of course, the lifestyle had its drawbacks. He was on the road Case closed more than he was home. He’d grab what time he could with Nicole and Alex, the stepson Three years after an unthinkable crime rocked the trucking community, he treated as his own child. Donnie would drop in whenever justice is served. But there’s no closure for victim’s wife. he could at the family home near Athens, Ont., outside Brockville, and on occasion Nicole would By Jeff Mitchell The discovery, made on the af- on parole five years earlier. make the half-hour trip into town WHITBY, Ont. – The truck sat ternoon of June 23, 2006, was an A team of detectives and uni- to meet him when he’d pull off the unnoticed for two days on an ac- utter puzzle. formed officers would spend 401 for a brief visit. cess lane behind a Wal-Mart store. As they traced his final move- countless hours tracking Cyr’s They made their own family Shoppers and workers came and ments, homicide detectives with movements, testing the statement time. Alex, now 16, travelled fre- went, paying no mind to the rig. the Durham Regional Police he’d made that he’d had no con- quently with his stepdad; together It was a humid Friday in June would learn Woods had left tact with Woods the night he went they visited all 48 states of the when police in Pickering, acting Montreal two days earlier with a missing. continental US. on a report of an apparently aban- load of air-chilled chicken bound The investigative trail would ul- Nicole would ride along, too. doned vehicle, arrived to investi- for the Greater Toronto Area. It timately lead them right back to A smile played on her lips when gate. appeared the theft of the chicken, Montreal. she recalled riding along as A grisly scene awaited them. valued at $40,000, was the motive Donnie drove west to Calgary, • Lying on his right side on the for the brutal killing. then due south to Laredo, Texas. blood-spattered sleeper bunk, his The homicide cops would fol- Donald “Donnie” Woods was a They took five weeks, wending arms twisted awkwardly behind low that stolen cargo to food born trucker, falling in love with their way through the deep south. his back, was 35-year-old Donald processors in the Toronto area. the road in his teens. The hum of Donnie took his time, diverting Woods, a bear of a man, his body They would also focus on a truck pavement beneath his tires would the rig along back roads, always in covered by a blue sleeping bag. stop off Hwy. 401 in Belleville, become the underlying sound- search of a view of the Gulf of The cause of death was obvious: about 90 minutes east of Toronto, track of his life. Mexico. Woods had been shot in the back where Woods was last known to “It was what made him happy,” “That was the best trip I think of the head. A forensic patholo- have been. said Nicole Woods, who married I’ve ever been on,” Nicole said, gist would find the shotgun blast And they would travel to Donnie in 2001 after a courtship her gaze far away. had been administered point Montreal where they were wel- begun at a backyard barbecue at But for the most part theirs was blank, execution style. comed into the home of Paul Cyr, her sister’s house. “As much as it a relationship defined by time and The refrigerated trailer had a burly, heavily tattooed, convict- frustrated him, it made him happy distance. been shut down and was empty. ed killer who had been released at the same time.” The last time Nicole saw pg 18-19 tw aug 7/14/09 1:48 PM Page 19

August 2009 TRUCK WEST Page 19

Donnie, in the parking lot of a Brockville supermarket on the night of June 21, 2006, he loaded her vehicle with four damaged boxes containing dozens of frozen Tim Horton’s muffins. “I laughed at him,” Nicole said. “There were hundreds of muffins. I said,‘What am I going to do with all these muffins?’” Donnie promised to call Nicole before he bedded down for the night. It was going on 11 p.m. when he called, telling her he was pulling into the 10 Acre truck stop in Belleville. He said he was thinking about meeting up with a guy from a Montreal trucking firm who had offered him a job: Five days a week, day-time runs, for good money. No more lengthy ab- sences. Sleeping in his own bed at night. He was seriously consider- ing the offer. “It was his dream job,” Nicole said. She would remember the phone call and the name of the company – JC Drivers – when Durham police called to tell her the husband she’d spent two days frantically searching for had been found murdered in Pickering. • The investigation into Donald Woods’ murder was headed up by FATAL STOP?: Surveillance videos placed accused killer Paul Cyr at the 10 Acre truck stop in Belleville at the same time Durham police detectives Dave Woods was there. However, Cyr told investigators he didn’t talk to Woods at the truck stop. Photo by Jeff Mitchell Henderson and Mitch Martin, two seasoned cops who have seen Cyr’s kitchen with two cops, Cyr, checked into Cyr’s movements As the tense moments before their share of violent death. his wife and the family dogs the night of the killing that doubt the arrival of the jury crept by The homicide had all the hall- crowded around the table. On the was cast on his claims of inno- Nicole sat on a courtroom bench, marks of a planned and deliberate tape Paul Cyr sounds amiable and cence. visibly trembling. killing. cooperative. Yes, he told Martin, Police interviewed GTA food When the word “guilty” was Woods appeared to have been he knew Don Woods, and yes, he processors who said they’d dealt uttered she broke down, sobbing. abducted; police found plastic tie had talked to the man about a job. in June of 2006 with a man named At a sentencing hearing two wraps in and around the truck – But he said he hadn’t seen Paul who promised them fresh days later Superior Court Justice one of them bore traces of the vic- Woods the night of June 21, 2006. chicken at a low price. Bryan Shaughnessy pronounced tim’s blood and DNA – and his Martin confronted Cyr with Phone records placed Cyr in the the obligatory term of life with no wrists were bruised, suggesting, what would become a valuable vicinity of one of those processors parole for 25 years, but added he’d along with the odd positioning of piece of evidence: Security cam- – he phoned 19 times early in the be recommending that Cyr, now a his arms, that he had been bound. eras at the 10 Acre truck stop morning of June 22, 2006. two-time killer, never be released. The nature of the fatal wound in- caught Cyr there that night, at the Other evidence put Cyr in loca- Paul Cyr, silent and inscrutable dicated the killer had placed the same time Woods had pulled off tions connected with the killing throughout the trial, spoke out shotgun muzzle against the back the highway. and the selling of the cargo. at last: “I didn’t kill him,” he of Woods’s head and pulled the “From what I can see, you guys In late October of 2006 the suddenly said, his deep voice trigger – an execution. were there at the same time,” Durham detectives travelled once reverberating through the cav- And there was the missing Martin said. more to Montreal. This time they ernous courtroom. cargo, which gave cops a viable “He never talked to me,” Cyr came back with Paul Cyr in hand- Onlookers sat in stunned si- working motive of robbery. But replied. cuffs. lence. who would coldly kill a man for a Cyr continued his denials of in- Nicole was grabbing a bite at a “The jury thought otherwise,” few thousand dollars worth of volvement even as Martin asked McDonald’s in Kingston with the judge shot back. chicken? directly if he’d played any role in Alex when the call came that an “I didn’t kill him,” Cyr said “This was truly a whodunnit,” the killing. arrest had been made. She fell to again, louder this time. Henderson said. At one point Cyr mused, her knees, weeping, as the other The judge ordered silence. Cyr Police made public appeals for “Who wants to die for a box of diners looked on, incredulous. spoke no more. He was hand- tips in the baffling killing and chicken?” cuffed and led away. • fanned out across the GTA and The goodbyes at the end of the The climactic moment in the beyond, attempting to track the interview were cordial. But Cyr’s trial for first-degree murder courtroom drama left Nicole feel- pilfered chicken. Martin left determined to check occurred in Whitby over two ing empty; there is little satisfac- It was Nicole Woods, though, out Cyr’s story. months in May and June this year. tion to be had, conviction or no who got the police looking east to Police already knew plenty The Crown presented what it ad- conviction. It’s just over for now, Montreal. She told Martin and about the then 49-year-old Cyr. mitted was a circumstantial case. that’s all. Henderson about the job offer He’d been convicted of second- But when he made his final sub- “Everybody says I have closure from JC Drivers and Donnie’s degree murder in the 1987 stab- missions, prosecutor Jinwon Kim now,” she said.“Really? Do I have planned meeting in Belleville the bing of a Toronto man in a urged the jury to look at the total- closure?” night he disappeared. botched drug robbery and was re- ity of the case against Cyr. The She thought for a long moment In mid-July of 2006 Martin trav- leased on parole in 2001 after only logical inference to draw as she gazed at an enlargement of elled to Montreal to question serving 14 years in prison. But from the puzzle was that Cyr a photo booth image of her and Jacques Cyr, owner of the compa- that record didn’t automatically robbed and killed Donald Woods, Donnie, smiling goofily. ny. He could shed no light on the put Cyr any higher on the cops’ he told them. It was taken long ago, in mystery but told Martin his broth- “sliding scale” of persons of inter- It took jurors just a day to re- Montreal. er Paul, a driver for his company, est, Henderson said. turn with a verdict. On June 30 Finally, she sighed. knew Woods. Rather, it was when they they pronounced Cyr guilty. “There is no closure,” she said. ■ Martin phoned Paul Cyr, left a message, and just minutes later – Jeff Mitchell is a crime reporter got a call back. ‘Come on over,’ ‘Who wants to die for a box of chicken?’ based in Oshawa, Ont. After cover- Paul Cyr said. ‘I’ll tell you what I ing the entire trial, he wrote this know.’ Paul Cyr article exclusively for Truck News The interview was taped in and Truck West. pg 20-21 tw aug 7/14/09 1:50 PM Page 20

Page 20 TRUCK WEST August 2009 ShuntShunt Trucks ferently.It has gone with a synthet- ic composite cab rather than a steel one, which it claims can with- Here come the yard mules stand great amounts of stress. Its machine is also equipped with a full-height trailer protection On-road editor Harry Rudolfs takes a break from the highway guard which can act like a roll-bar should it tip over. to put shunt trucks from three manufacturers through TICO’s cab is the roomiest and the interior stretches 52 inches their paces. How do they measure up? wide. It also has room for a passenger seat, which can be bolted on and comes as an option.This could Up until 2007, off-road terminal used the motorized mirror to good be a great advantage for a driver tractors were a rarity. They were On-road effect when blind-siding on both trainer certifying a shunt pilot.Too priced similarly to the road-legal Editor the Capacity and TICO.The TICO often, training for shunt drivers is shunts and most customers opted model also comes with heated con- non-existent. for being able to certify their units Harry vex mirrors, a nice touch. Defrosting is a big problem on if the need arose. Even though Rudolfs When it comes to transmissions all shunts and the TICO comes most of these shunts would proba- all you can get in shunt trucks are with two external defroster fans, bly never leave the yard, they Allison automatics, but three dif- which I appreciated as my yard could still go and get their own fuel though I got a little better with ferent Allisons in this case: the test in Montreal occurred on a if necessary. And if the plant were each swing. My primary interest 3500 RDS electronic in the wet and humid day. It also has an to undergo construction, add new was driver comfort, safety and effi- Capacity; a slightly higher geared extra pair of glad hands, which entranceways, or an additional ciency. I drove each truck hard as and lighter duty 3000 RDS in the means you can keep working if drop yard was needed down the though it were Christmas season at Ottawa; and the old style Allison one rips off. road, then the equipment wouldn’t Purolator’s Rexdale hub: lots of MT 653 transmission in the TICO Unfortunately, because it is a be limited to backyard duty. starts, stops and squeezes; jack- (TICO reportedly still has access port truck I suppose, the TICO had But the popularity of off-road knifes and hard swings in both di- to 700 of these pre-electronic no hydro cable or trailer spike. shunts has increased greatly in the rections; twists and spins, etc. transmissions). These should be essential in any last few years. According to sales During a vehicle inspection, Some drivers like the old-style, yard, closed or open. reps, off-road terminal trucks now Capacity and TICO can have their almost obsolete, MT transmission The air horn button is located on account for about 25% of new or- engine and transmission read from because it allows them to slightly the floor where the high beam but- ders. Buyers are increasingly cost- outside the cab. But a daily check rock a truck when it’s stuck in the ton used to be on cars. This might conscious these days and swapping of oil in the Ottawa involves hop- snow. But a clear advantage to the be a good place for it rather than a an EPA engine for an industrial ping up on the hood (unless you electronic transmission is that the pull cord on the roof. That way, a one can knock thousands off the want to raise the cab). boom can be operated on the driver can give a couple of toots on price. And there are no worries One nice feature of the Allison Ottawas and Capacities while in the horn while backing under with- about damage to the delicate and electronic transmissions standard gear. out moving his hands from the expensive exhaust stack on EPA in Ottawas and Capacities are the I preferred the shifter lever on steering wheel. models, or having to wait for them built-in prognostic functions. This the Capacity to the electronic I couldn’t test the heaters on any to burn off soot while doors are tells the driver, without getting out touch pad option that came with of the trucks as it was the middle of crying for trailers. of the cab, the transmission fluid the Ottawa, only because in the summer. But neither shunt truck Shunt trucks have been around level, how much life is left in the winter you’ll end up poking the had air conditioning and this both- for about 50 years. Traditionally, filter, and when the transmission shifter pad with salty and grimy ers me. the Canadian market has been oil should be changed. fingers when your gloves get wet. Dealers will tell you that off- split between Capacity trucks Capacity’s Mike Hignett gave The instrument gauges are also road trucks are usually ordered built in Longview, Texas and me room to boot around their very similar in the Ottawa and without A/C. This is Canada, folks, Ottawa tractors made in Ottawa, rental yard with a new TJ5000. It’s Capacity. I was most comfortable with extremes in weather. And Kansas. New kid on the block a nice big yard in Mississauga, Ont. with the layout of the Ottawa dash, these yard mules have a lot of glass TICO (Terminal Investment and I was able to pull trailers com- but I also liked the marine toggle and get hot working in the sun. A Corportation) builds its own trac- fortably at 40 km/h. switches that Capacity is using. comfortable shunt driver is a good tor in Ridgeland, South Carolina I liked the array of spot lights on TICO’s instrument panel is simple shunt driver. and also has a long history in the the Capacity, the more visibility and functional with well-lit toggle All three trucks rode well. In US, but has just entered the the better. This unit was also the switches displaying icons. my opinion the Ottawa was the Canadian market. only one that came with a differen- All three models score equally best truck for handling and steer- The trucks I tested were all 4x2 tial lock-out, a nice feature to have well with cab accessibility. ability, but the differences be- off-road shunters, typical of what in the snow. Capacity has gone to a 16-inch tween it and the Capacity were you’d get from each manufacturer The empty trailers and a hard step, and the steps and gratings on only microscopic. if you were looking for a tractor to packed surface meant I couldn’t all machines were more than ade- Nothing wrong with TICO’s ride service a tandem-tandem yard. do justice to Capacity’s Dura-Ride quate. All had good climbing rails, either, it turns tightly and seems Horsepower varied from 204 to air bag isolation system. I’d really and yellow or orange painted comfortable enough, but it would 173 to 160, but this is not a huge is- need some loaded trailers and grates to designate safe areas on take a few more hours for me to sue in most shunting operations rough terrain to feel the differ- the catwalks for footing. get used to it. unless very heavy loads are in- ence.The cab itself rides on a four- Head clearance in the Capacity Last, but always worth mention- volved. Each truck was powered point air bag system, as does the is 66 inches (except in its 72”Texan ing, is the cup holder. Spilt coffee is by a Cummins QSB industrial en- TICO, while Ottawa has gone to a cab) and the TICO and the Ottawa not an unusual occurrence in the gine, although Cat engines are still three-point air cab system. have clearances of 68 inches. shunt truck profession, and I’ve available this year (except in the Ottawas and Capacities handle Instead of a sliding rear door, heard this can affect electrical con- TICO). Next year, all three makes very much alike.These trucks have TICO has gone to clear plastic, air- nections in the dash. So it is heart- expect to add Navistar engines to a wheelbase of 122 inches and 120 operated folding bus doors, which ening to see both TICO and their repertoires. inches respectively. The TICO seem to increase rear visibility and Capacity units come standard The three trucks came with dif- truck sits on a shorter wheelbase ease of exiting the unit. equipped with cup holders. ferent packages and options, but (116”) and thus swung sharper. I TICO has done a few things dif- Anyone wanna go f’coffee? ■ the prospective buyer should understand that a myriad of possibili- ties are available from each manufacturer, and many factors have to be considered when pricing a unit. For instance, all three shunts had heated mirrors but only two of them had a motorized right-hand mirror. But I’m sure the manufacturers will bend over backwards to accommodate any configuration of options specified by a customer. In my driving career, I’ve done hundreds of hours in both Ottawas and Capacities. But coming off the highway, my chops weren’t partic- ularly hot during these test drives, CAPACITY OTTAWA TICO pg 20-21 tw aug 7/14/09 1:51 PM Page 21

August 2009 TRUCK WEST Page 21 ReefersReefers California reefer rules postponed…again

By David A. Kolman Kiefer. “If the cost of compliance SACRAMENTO, Cal. – Once were only a couple hundred dol- again, the California Air Resources lars, we wouldn’t even be dis- Board (CARB) has delayed the cussing this.” compliance deadline for meeting The appropriate compliance so- emissions standards from transport lution is dependent upon several refrigeration units (TRU). key issues, including capital avail- Enforcement of in-use perform- ability to invest in new refrigerat- ance requirements for TRU engine ed trailers or compliance, and the model years 2001 and older will TRU itself, agree Kiefer and now commence Dec. 31, 2009. Rodowick. The compliance deadline was For TRUs with low hours – originally Dec. 31, 2008. However, meaning the major components that was postponed until July 17, like the compressor, evaporator 2009, as a result of the US coil and microprocessor are in Environmental Protection good shape – fleets tend to replace Agency’s delayed approval, which just the engines because the result was granted Jan. 16, 2009. CARB is a “like-new” reefer, says Kiefer. provided a six-month enforce- Fleets that have TRUs that have ment grace period to allow carri- DEADLINE EXTENDED: Canadian refrigerated fleets hauling into California will experienced heavy use are in- ers additional time to pursue com- have more time to comply with impending TRU emissions regulations. clined to invest in new reefers in- pliance methods. stead of replacing the engine. CARB says it is extending the Plus diesel particulate filter Enforcement of TRU ACTM “A new engine in an older, high- compliance deadline to Dec. 31, (www.rypos.com); in-use performance standards will hour unit may not make sense,” 2009 because as the close of the be done by CARB officials says Rodowick. “In many cases, grace period approached, it be- • Thermo King’s PDPF Level through inspections at border it’s more advantageous in terms came clear that several thousand 2 Plus flow-through filter crossings, weigh and inspections of overall cost of ownership to TRUs were not in position to (www.thermoking.com). stations, terminals, distribution purchase a new TRU.” comply by mid-July. centers, truck stops and anywhere Another complication for fleets The reasons for this included: Alternative technologies can also else TRUs are found operating. is the CARB regulations that call lack of timely action by TRU be used to meet the low emission Violations of in-use require- for retrofitting existing reefer trail- owners; higher costs for compli- and ultra-low emission in-use per- ments could result in penalties ers with SmartWay technologies. A ance than originally anticipated; formance standards. These in- that range from $500 per unit or program of the US EPA,SmartWay some retrofit systems not becom- clude electric standby, hybrid up to $1,000 per day per violation. is a partnership between govern- ing available until May 2009; electric/diesel equipment, all- Refrigerated fleets are coping ment, business and consumers to tightening of credit; and longer electric truck refrigeration solu- with the CARB TRU regulations find environmentally cleaner, more lead times for delivery of systems. tions, cryogenic temperature con- in a variety of ways. fuel-efficient transportation op- The regulations, Airborne Toxic trol systems or hybrid cryogenic While there has been an aware- tions. In its simplest form, the Control Measure (ACTM) for In- temperature control systems and ness of the impending regulations, SmartWay brand identifies prod- Use Diesel-Fueled Transport other technology approved by “many fleets have delayed action, ucts and services that reduce trans- Refrigeration Units (TRU) and CARB to not emit diesel PM or hoping that industry associations portation-related emissions. TRU Gen Set and Facilities Where increase public health risk near a would successfully push to over- As per these CARB regula- TRUs Operate, use a phased-in facility. turn the legislation,” says Bud tions, model years 2009 and 2010 approach during the next 13 years Other compliance options being Rodowick,Thermo King’s manag- refrigerated trailers and those to reduce diesel particulate mat- investigated that could become er of fleet performance. 2002 and older must be retrofitted ter (PM) emissions from TRUs available in the future are alterna- While delivering CARB com- with SmartWay-verified technolo- and TRU generator set engines tive fuel-powered engines, alter- pliance seminars over the past few gies by the end of 2012. Model that operate in California. native diesel-fueled engines and years to hundreds of customers, year 2003 and 2004 refrigerated Any carrier operating a TRU fuel cell-powered temperature Rodowick has been surprised by trailers must be retrofitted by the within California must comply control systems. Development the number of fleets that are just end of 2017, model year 2005 and with the in-use performance stan- work on compressed natural gas beginning to learn of or have been 2006 refrigerated trailers by the dards, regardless of whether vehi- (CNG) and liquefied petroleum misinformed about the regula- end of 2018 and model year 2007 cles are registered in or outside of gas (LPG) was done, but never tions. He has also heard from a and 2008 refrigerated trailers by the state or in Canada. made it to market. number of fleets that say they the end of 2019. Commonly referred to as TRU Biodiesel is close to completion simply aren’t going to haul freight Kiefer says the use of electric ATCM, the regulations establish of the multi-media assessment, in and out of California. standby is growing as a compli- two levels of stringency for in-use but then a biodiesel producer The “on-again, off-again” mixed ance option for those operations performance standards, which would need to apply to CARB for messages fleets received from the that support this type of solution, vary by horsepower range: low verification of B100 (pure various agencies and associations for example distribution fleets emission and ultra-low emission. biodiesel) as a VDECS. Once involved have contributed to a re- and grocery companies that can The standards are based upon biodiesel is approved as a luctance to act, adds David support the power-supply infra- model year of the TRU engine. VDECS, it can be used as a com- Kiefer, Carrier Transicold’s direc- structure. These standards can be met by pliance option, but not until then. tor of marketing and product “There is an often-overlooked using a TRU engine that meets TRU in-use performance stan- management. It has been difficult part of the CARB legislation that the required engine certification dards begin with reefers with a for the average fleet owner to jus- says that as long as a company value or by retrofitting the engine model year 2001 or older engine. tify the high cost associated with properly uses and documents the with the required level of CARB Compliance requires that these compliance not knowing whether use of electric standby as the com- Verified Diesel Emission Control engines be replaced or retrofitted or not the legislation would actu- pliance option, it will not have to Strategy (VDECS), such as diesel with CARB-verified diesel emis- ally stand. add any emissions-reducing up- particulate filters. sion control devices or technology “Even now, the District of grades to the engine or replace Among the diesel emission con- to reduce PM emissions by 50%. Columbia Circuit Court of the engine in the future.” trol strategies verified by CARB: These engines must have at least Appeals is scheduling a review,” CARB estimates the TRU at an 85% PM reduction on or be- Kiefer says. “This again has some ATCM regulations will reduce • Dinex Exhausts’ Dinex DiSiC fore 2016. fleets wondering whether they emissions from TRU and TRU Level 3 Plus diesel particulate fil- The next in-use performance should hold off on this big ex- gen set engines by approximately ter (www.dinexexhausts.com); standards compliance deadline pense or not, and that’s a pretty 65% in 2010, and by some 92% in date – for TRU engine model year big gamble.” 2020, resulting in “significantly • Huss Filters’ FS-MKS Level 2002 – is Dec. 31, 2009.These units Cost of compliance for CARB improved air quality and associat- 3 diesel particulate filter must also reduce PM emissions by VDECS currently ranges from ed health benefits.” (www.huss-filters.com); 50% by the end of the year and by about $4,000 to $7,000.The cost to Additional information on the 85% on or before 2017. replace a TRU engine varies from regulations and compliance can • Proventia’s FTF and Bobtail Model year 2003 units must re- $4,000 to $10,000. be found on the TRU section FTF Level 2 Plus flow-through fil- duce PM emissions by at least That’s quite a bit of money to of the CARB Web site at ters (www.proventiafilters.com); 85% by the end of 2010; model ask fleets to invest in an old TRU, www.arb.ca.gov/diesel/tru.htm, or 2004 and beyond by Dec. 31 of the especially at a time when so many by phoning the TRU Help Line at • Rypos’ DPF/LETRU Level 2 model year plus seven years. fleets are already struggling, says 888-TRU-ATCM. ■ pg 22 tw aug v2 7/15/09 8:47 AM Page 22

Page 22 TRUCK WEST August 2009 TaxTax Talk used to confirm that the truck is reg- Be ready this month for HVUT, HUT filings istered. For more information, visit www.tax.state.ny.us. Two important permitting renewals No more paper filing for you folks. Problems paying come due at the end of August. The Tax You’ll have to hook yourself up with in US funds confusing part is they have similar Talk an approved tax filer to do this. acronyms: Heavy Vehicle Use Tax Unfortunately, paying these re- New York HUT (HVUT) and Highway Use Tax Scott newals with a cheque may pose a (HUT). The HVUT is a US federal Taylor New York State’s HUT is a weight- problem for Canadians. Actually, tax administered by the Internal distance tax, computed based on the paying any US-based tax accounts Revenue Service while the HUT is a number of miles travelled on public with a cheque may be a problem. New York State program. The current HVUT renewal highways in the state (excluding toll- We’ve been advised by our bank If you operate in the US or in New period begins July 1, 2009, and ends paid portions of the New York State that some US banks will not accept York specifically, be ready for these June 30, 2010. You must file Form Thruway) at a rate determined by cheques from Canadian banks even filings this month.Those of you run- 2290 and Schedule 1 (available at the weight of the motor vehicle. though the funds are in US dollars. ning your own show will need to get www.irs.gov) showing all vehicles HUT permits expire every three Some of our clients have had trou- organized to file your HVUT and/or going into the US that are registered years. Most carriers operating in ble filing electronic payments with HUT returns either yourself or in your name and have a taxable New York have Series 19 HUT per- the IRS because the funds were through an experienced, profession- gross weight of 55,000 lbs or more. mits, which were supposed to have coming from US-dollar accounts at al permitting service. Those of you The due date for the renewal is Aug. expired in December 2008. But New Canadian banks. who are with a carrier should be 31. You must file regardless of your York had troubles with its online re- The best way to ensure payment is aware that these taxes will be paid business structure, ie. individual, newal system so the state extended to obtain a US-based bank account this month and the costs may be limited liability company (LLC), the Series 19 expiry date to Nov. 30, or to pay with US-fund bank drafts charged to your broker settlement, corporation, or partnership. 2009. However, the renewal applica- and money orders. We’re watching taking a bite out of your take-home Form 2290 must also be used dur- tion and the $15 per vehicle fee must this closely: if you’re having pay- pay. No one gets into trucking being the year to update your fleet if be in New York’s hands before Aug. ments questioned or rejected in the cause they love to file tax returns. you add or delete units. In fact, every 31. This year you have two ways to US because they’re drawn from a But it’s one of those chores that sim- time a new vehicle is added to your renew, either through the now-func- Canadian bank, I’d like to hear ply has to get done – and done right. fleet you must submit a new filing tioning online process (called OS- about it. Here’s what you should know about adding it by the last day of the CAR) or by mailing in a paper Form Finally, if you use an outside serv- your HVUT and HUT obligations: month after it joins. TMT-2. New York has been sending ice for mileage and fuel tax report- Let’s say you buy a new taxable letters to everyone registered with ing, make sure your provider under- US HVUT vehicle on Jan. 3, 2010, and start an HUT account with renewal in- stands your needs as a Canadian HVUT is assessed annually on using it right away.You must file an- structions and a password to use OS- carrier and can sit down with you or heavy vehicles operating on public other Form 2290 reporting the new CAR. You’ll need this password to your tax compliance manager per- highways in the US at registered vehicle by Feb. 28, 2010, adding it to log on and set yourself up. sonally to streamline the fuel and gross weights equal to or exceeding the remainder of the July 1, 2009- Since June 1, 2009, any new HUT mileage tax reporting process. With 55,000 lbs. The fee depends on the June 30, 2010 period. You’ll pay a requests have been given Series 20 more trip sheets, fuel statements, gross taxable weight of each vehicle. pro-rated amount based on the permits which do not need to be re- toll receipts, and other information If the gross taxable weight is from number of months until the June ex- newed. In fact, the Series 20 permits being collected electronically, it’s 55,000 to 75,000 lbs, the HVUT is piry. Based on this example, the fee we’ve seen have no expiry date. a good time to review how to $100 plus $22 per 1,000 lbs over would be US$229.17 to cover the Presumably, they’re good until at minimize costs and exposure to risks 55,000 lbs. With a few exceptions, a five months. Last year the IRS least December 2011. associated with non-compliance. ■ commercial vehicle with a gross tax- brought in a new filing restriction Regardless, remember the HUT able weight of 75,000 lbs or more that requires all carriers filing a permit is not required to be carried – Scott Taylor is vice-president of will be assessed the maximum return reporting 25 or more vehicles in the truck. At a roadside inspec- TFS Group. For information, visit HVUT: $550 per year. to file their returns electronically. tion, the licence plate or VIN will be www.tfsgroup.com. Safety Plan ahead and survive the crash with a loss reporting plan

As safe as today’s trucking industry scene. Many fleets have also is (are they heading to a particular can be, there is no denying the fact Ask the equipped drivers with cameras to hospital?) and where the damaged that collisions happen – and there Experts supplement this information, al- equipment might be towed. are costs to be paid every time the though that should be supported Fleet and equipment experts as- sound of squealing tires is followed Dave Roth & with some training on the images to signed by the insurance company by the sickening “crunch” of metal Jon Medel take.The first images should include will certainly want to review any of meeting metal. the appearance of any damage to the equipment alongside any They are the costs that can also the vehicles, a wider look at the sur- Department of Transportation per- spiral out of control if fleets and rounding area, skid marks, debris, sonnel. The approach is very similar drivers fail to take the proper steps And they will know exactly where and anything such as an obscured to the plans that are in place in the in the moments after a crash occurs. to place their first call, thanks to the sign that may have contributed to event of a fire, and the entire process The evidence that will be vital contact list that has already been the collision. A shot of any spill con- can be tested just like a fire drill. during an investigation will begin to programmed into their cell phone. trol efforts will also help to prove These tests begin by identifying disappear as soon as debris is The individual assigned the re- that drivers took every reasonable the call as a mock event, and calling cleared from the scene, while seem- sponsibility of accepting these calls – step to control a situation. each designated contact with details ingly minor fluid spills can transform namely, the loss reporting contact – As important as these images are, about the crash. Everyone who is in- into costly environmental disasters if will need to offer a calm voice that drivers also need to be careful to volved should then be recording the spill kits are not immediately put to can guide these drivers through the avoid taking pictures of injured peo- information that they are responsi- use. A few innocent comments can remaining steps, while notifying au- ple, which could later be put on dis- ble to collect, and following every even lead to legal problems in the thorities and insurance representa- play in the middle of a crowded step as if it was a real situation. months that follow. tives who can offer support. courtroom. The idea is to save valuable time Fleets that incorporate formal After all, a crash will be a stressful Meanwhile, the formal training in the event the plan ever needs to Loss Reporting Plans – primarily a event for everyone involved, and re- that accompanies a Loss Reporting be put into action, and to ensure that series of checklists, clearly defined quired resources can be as diverse as Plan will also help drivers to avoid everyone knows their respective roles, and updated contact numbers environmental clean-up teams and the instinct of discussing the situa- roles so valuable time and informa- – can ensure that none of the impor- collision investigators. tion with anyone other than the po- tion is preserved. tant steps are overlooked. Then it is a matter of protecting all lice, their fleet or a representative The Boy Scouts were right; it does It all begins with those who are the related evidence before debris is from their insurer. And they will pay to be prepared. ■ directly involved in a collision. If a cleared from the road and memories know that once their insurer has a proper plan and the related training begin to fade. lawyer at the site, any shared infor- – This month’s experts are Dave is in place, drivers will understand With the help of a Loss Reporting mation will be protected under the Roth and Jon Medel. Dave is the exactly how they are expected to: Plan’s formal Accident Reporting rules of lawyer/client privilege. Ontario regional manager of safety pull to the side of the highway (if Kit, drivers will be more likely to Back in the fleet offices, a formal and training services and Jon is that is possible); use signals, reflec- gather vital information such as the checklist will ensure that the desig- Markel’s corporate claims manager, tors and flares to warn surrounding identities of witnesses, the names of nated loss reporting contact follows operational support. Send your ques- motorists; and determine that every- involved drivers, road conditions steps of their own, ensuring that they tions, feedback and comments about one on the scene is safe. and a simple sketch of the accident understand exactly where the driver this column to [email protected]. pg 23 tw aug v2 7/15/09 9:03 AM Page 23

August 2009 TRUCK WEST Page 23 Opinion appreciate its quality. Going through the charade of The Emperor can’t see the (non- hard enforcement is akin to our Civil libertarian? existent) cloth, but pretends he can, Emperor parading through town to for fear of appearing stupid. All his show off his new “clothes.” Many of Just three days after Ontario began minions, of course, do the same. his subjects were hesitant to admit hard enforcement of its speed- Voice of The device Ontario and Quebec that they couldn’t see the new limiter law, a story appeared in are using to enforce the ludicrous clothes because they were afraid to the Toronto Sun titled Truckers the O/O speed limiter law is much like our appear stupid. It took one small, Association Backs Speed Limiters, beloved Emperor’s fancy new duds. guileless child to say what everyone wherein Ontario Trucking Associa- Joanne The gizmo, called Ez-TAP and made else was already thinking: “the tion (OTA) vice-president Doug Ritchie by an Indiana-based company called Emperor is naked.” Switzer refers to opponents of the XscapeEz, shows enforcement offi- So I’ve got a message for Emperor legislation as civil libertarians. The And the flaws are legion, ranging cers only that the road speed limit is Jim Bradley. ’Fess up that you’ve passage reads, “Some independent from compromised safety, question- active and set to 105 km/h. But so make a mistake and put a stop to driver-owners he (Switzer) called able environmental benefits, trade what? That setting by itself doesn’t this speed limiter enforcement cha- ‘civil libertarians’ object, much as and competitiveness concerns, and limit the actual speed of the vehicle. rade. Ez-TAP and other doodads many drivers fought seatbelt and some not insignificant enforcement For that, you need to consider other won’t do it.And given the enormous motorcycle helmet laws.” issues. There’s nothing new here. parameters like axle and transmis- cost of proper enforcement, any Switzer’s dismissive remark – The problems were identified early sion ratios, and tire circumference. move in that direction would squan- while scorning those of us who are on by OBAC and others, and the In other words, the road speed der resources that could be better concerned when government abuses Transport Canada studies back up limit setting means nothing if the used to actually improve highway its power and interferes unduly with many of our concerns. other parameters are not set accord- safety and reduce greenhouse gas the lives of its citizens – highlights But our most serious concern is ingly. The truck could be capable of emissions. two fundamental fallacies that that governments will not – or can- travelling faster, and inspectors It’s an undisputable fact that light proponents of the law have been not – answer the most basic of all armed with Ez-TAP will never know vehicles are the worst speeders on putting forward from the get-go. questions – the one that any self-re- it. Sort of defeats the purpose, does- Ontario’s highways,and it simply de- The first is that it’s primarily specting civil libertarian would ex- n’t it? fies logic to limit truck speeds as a “independent driver-owners” who pect responsible lawmakers to con- MTO admits that Ez-TAP is an means of solving the problem of ex- oppose this law. Nothing could be sider before they spend dime one of interim solution – chosen to speed cessive speeding. Our call has always farther from the truth. taxpayers’ money. up the verification process at a rea- been for more rigorous enforcement Most of the trucking industry – Why,with trucks among the safest sonable cost – but what exactly are and stiffer penalties aimed at the single-truck owners and fleets large vehicles on the road, with most fleets we enforcing here? real offenders – a much better use of and small – including many who al- and owner/ops already managing Certainly not Reg. 396/08 which government resources than target- ready govern their trucks, find this speed for economic reasons, and requires that “all aspects of a…vehi- ing the safest vehicles on the road. kind of purposeless government with commercial vehicle enforce- cle’s computer system or systems, And about that parade through meddling odious. ment regimes so cash-strapped that computer programs, components, town to show off the Emperor’s new The second misleading notion is they can’t do their existing jobs equipment and connections that are clothes? On the first day of hard en- that objections to the law are frivo- properly, have the governments of capable of playing a role in prevent- forcement in Ontario, an OPP offi- lous and unfounded, and centre on Ontario and Quebec rammed ing a driver from increasing the cer, armed with the mighty Ez-TAP, the desire of “some operators…to through an unenforceable law? speed of a commercial motor vehi- was busy pulling over trucks coming make faster deliveries,” as Switzer Well, get out your fairy tale book. cle beyond a specified value shall be out of the Flying J at Napanee. states in the Sun article. Hogwash! Remember the tale called The in good working order.” While the officer was diligently That’s a fairy tale that’s been foisted Emperor’s New Clothes? You could- The only way this law can actually checking trucks that were going, say on vote-hungry politicians and a n’t find a better metaphor for the be enforced is by a full interrogation 5-10 km/h, traffic was whizzing by truck-shy public for the past four speed limiter enforcement scheme of the engine’s ECM, which requires not 100 feet away on the 401 at years by the champions of this inde- our lawmakers have cooked up. licensed copies of the various upwards of 120 km/h. Darn tootin’ fensible government mandate. As Hans Christian Andersen tells OEM’s frequently updated soft- I’m a civil libertarian. ■ Not only is it insulting, it’s just the story,an Emperor is conned by a ware, and would delay trucks for plain dangerous, because it diverts couple of scoundrels who promise inspection for 45 minutes or more – – Joanne Ritchie is executive director attention and public debate away him a fine suit of clothes made from in other words, cost-prohibitive in of OBAC. Anyone for charades? from the very serious flaws in the beautiful cloth that is invisible to terms of both money and human E-mail her at [email protected] or law. anyone too stupid or incompetent to resources. call toll free 888-794-9990. Industry enviroTruck initiative which could for Canada and one for the US California clean air laws to affect us too reduce GHG from the Canadian work. The California Global Warming trucking industry by more than 13.5 CTA recently urged the Canadian Solutions Act requires the Industry million tonnes. Council of Ministers responsible for California Air Resources Board Issues Carriers can buy some time and both transportation and the envi- (CARB) to implement programs to phase in the re-tooling of their fleets ronment to direct their officials to: reduce GHG emissions from both if in 2010 they submit a written plan Jointly conduct an urgent and imme- David light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles to CARB as to how they intend to diate review of Canadian heavy Bradley starting in 2010. come into compliance over the next truck weights and dimensions regu- Regulations have been passed few years. Hard enforcement would lations that impede the ability to ac- which require heavy truck owners – start in 2011. commodate SmartWay/enviroTruck regardless of domicile – to equip enormous. The problem for Canadian carri- vehicles; and once having conducted their tractors and prescribed trailers For now, the law applies to new ers is that on the whole, Canadian that review, make amendments to with specific, certified technologies and existing long-haul on-road trac- truck weights and dimensions stan- the weights and dimension stan- and devices to improve tractor and tors pulling 53-foot van or refrigerat- dards in most provinces have not dards in each jurisdiction to accom- trailer aerodynamics and with the ed trailers (although the mandate is evolved along with environmental modate the GHG and smog-reduc- new generation of fuel efficient expected to be expanded over time). considerations and do not currently ing equipment and technology; then truck tires if they want to operate A minimum 5% fuel efficiency im- accommodate some of the engage with California to seek recip- into, out of and within California. provement for van trailers and at California requirements at all (ie. rocal recognition where those stan- That includes Canadian trucks. In least a 4% efficiency gain for refrig- full boat-tails) or without taking a dards may differ modestly and dis- 2008, Canada/California merchan- erated trailers are prescribed. significant productivity hit (wide- cuss exemptions or transition dise trade represented over $37 bil- To accomplish that, tractors will base single tires). Canada’s truck schedules; and also develop and co- lion, with Canada enjoying a $9.6 bil- need to be equipped with a combi- weights and dimensions standards ordinate a Canadian program of lion surplus. Trucking is the nation of streamlined tractor hoods, were developed in the 1980s when federal and provincial incentives to dominant freight mode, moving roof fairings, gap fairings, fuel tank environmental issues were not top permit and accelerate investment in about $18 billion (or 50%) of the fairings, aerodynamic bumpers of mind as they are now. the environmental equipment by trade. Moreover, six other US states and/or mirrors. While it is true that Canada’s Canadian truck operators. (AZ, MT,NM, OR, UT,WA) are sig- For trailers, that means side skirts, heavier weights in and of themselves It’s in everyone’s best interests to natories to the Western Climate front gap fairings, rear trailer fairings have been relative to US weights ensure this issue does not get Initiative (WCI), aimed at collective (boat-tails) and/or fuel-efficient, been environmentally beneficial, un- bogged down in process with juris- GHG reduction. low-rolling resistance tires certified less the standards become more dictional wrangling between the fed- Whether any or all of them will by the SmartWay Transport flexible – and soon – to accommo- eral government and the provinces follow California’s lead is currently Partnership. Basically, California is date the new California require- and/or between transportation and unknown. Regardless, the economic regulating the SmartWay truck. ments, Canadian carriers will either environmental departments. ■ consequences if Canadian trucks CTA is a member of SmartWay have to vacate California/Canada and trailers do not comply and are and the CARB/SmartWay equip- business in favour of US carriers or – David Bradley is CEO of the therefore banned from the state are ment is consistent with CTA’s maintain two separate fleets – one Canadian Trucking Alliance. pg 24 tw aug 7/14/09 3:05 PM Page 24

Page 24 TRUCK WEST August 2009 BorderBorder Aldergrove border crossing an open and shut – and open again – case

Analysis shows that truck volume Time will tell what proposals CBSA responds to BCTA pressure, increased an average of 11% per the CBSA will come up with, but year between 1995 and its peak in it appears clear that there are will keep crossing open to trucks 2006, whereas the average volume compelling reasons not only for at Pacific Highway peaked in keeping Aldergrove open but for By Jim Bray to see the more important border 2000 and has gone down by 2% upgrading the facilities to take ALDERGROVE, B.C. – First services moving eastward,” to fa- per year since then, while into account changing realities. they were going to close it down cilitate this growth. Huntingdon’s northbound traffic Yako says the BCTA will work to trucks, then it got a reprieve – Yako says the CBSA responded has dropped 10% per year since a with the business community and and the B.C.Trucking Association quickly and that “Given the infor- 2002 peak. other interested organizations on says it had a lot to do with the sec- mation we’d provided, they Not only that, but despite the both sides of the border, including ond chance the Aldergrove bor- changed their minds.” decline in actual traffic since 2006, the Greater Vancouver Gateway der crossing has received. Keeping the current facility the overall value of goods enter- Council and the International And while it’s happy with the open is only a temporary move, ing Canada has gone up from $157 Trade and Mobility Corridor, to way the issue is unfolding now, the however, until a new facility million in 2006 to $231 million in make sure the governments in- BCTA was a tad nonplussed at can be developed. Yako says 2008. volved are aware of how impor- the way it was handled right off the CBSA is developing a plan According to statistics pub- tant it is to the trucking industry the bat. to handle the transition, which lished by Washington State’s for the facility and the highway “This was a slightly odd situa- they’ve promised to share with Whatcom County Council of that connects it to be capable of tion,” says Louise Yako, vice-pres- the BCTA, a process she says Governments, southbound truck handling Aldergrove’s projected ident of the BCTA. “Normally, should happen relatively quickly – traffic showed a slight rise be- growth. with the CBSA (Canada Border “Probably within weeks.” tween 2006 and 2008 (from 55,853 “This is really where strength in Services Agency) and any govern- “We’ll be reacting to what they to 56,855), the only one of the numbers makes a difference,” ment department, there’s usually draft,” Yako says, noting the three crossings not to show a de- Yako says. “And we’d certainly a formal consultation process. In CBSA didn’t ask the BCTA for cline in southbound volume dur- welcome more support from the this case, however, we heard sev- any recommendations, just for a ing that period. industry.” ■ eral times through the grapevine response to what they come up that officials were thinking about with in the transitional plan. But closing Aldergrove (to trucks) but she knows what the BCTA would when we asked them – expecting like to see. Bradley warns of border back-ups the usual consultation process – “We’d like eventually to see full they’d say nothing had been de- commercial services at the cross- BOISE, Idaho – Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) chief David Bradley cided.” ing, which involves having to co- travelled to Idaho July 13 to warn Canadian and US legislators that there Then the news hit that the ordinate with Infrastructure are still major problems at the Canada/US border, even though they are crossing would, in fact, close to Development so access is im- masked by lower volumes due to the economic downturn. commercial traffic, leaving the proved to and from the facility.” He was speaking at the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region Summit, other already-strained crossings Currently, access is via where he warned that a return to normal volumes will reveal long delays to take up the slack. That sent the Highway 13, which will need to be and less predictability at the border. BCTA into action. upgraded substantially between “Anything that impairs the efficiency,productivity and reliability of the “We requested a direct meeting the border and the Trans-Canada North American supply chain impacts negatively on the region’s ability with the CBSA, and presented in- highway. to compete, to attract direct investment and to take full advantage of eco- formation on the impact the clo- “It’ll need to be twinned at nomic recovery when it comes,” Bradley pointed out. sure would have,” the association some point,” Yako says. The The states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington and the said. They offered economic data BCTA also wants to see the capa- provinces of Alberta, B.C. and Saskatchewan and the Yukon territory on the impact the closure would bility for brokers to have space as were all represented at the conference. have on trucking companies well. Currently there are none, Bradley insisted it’s possible to maintain border security while at the themselves, as well as demograph- “So we’ll need that.” same time facilitating cross-border trade. For instance, the move towards ic studies on projected population Keeping – and expanding – the automating cross-border truck traffic has the potential to improve effi- and business growth in the Fraser Aldergrove crossing does appear ciency, he said. Valley.And they showed that clos- to make economic and demo- However, he also said there can be “no denying that the border is less ing Aldergrove would throw a graphic sense. As of 2007, it host- efficient than it was before (9/11) and there were problems at the border monkey wrench into future devel- ed 17% of B.C.’s approximately prior to 9/11.” opment. 1.2 million northbound and south- “Creating a more secure, efficient and flexible border will require the “You can’t build any more in bound trucks, making it the 12th restoration of a risk assessment focus, real value-added benefits from par- Vancouver, Burnaby and those largest commercial crossing in the ticipation in low-risk trade programs, appropriate levels of inspectors, communities because they’re run- country, according to the BCTA. and strategic investment in infrastructure – and not just bricks and morning out of space and the only And there’s reason beyond the tar but systems as well,” said Bradley. area of growth left is in the Fraser easterly migration of people and And he also said Canada and the US must coordinate and reciprocally Valley,” Yako says, pointing out businesses to think that recognize security programs on both sides of the border. For instance, that this view is backed up by sur- Aldergrove might only become Bradley said truck drivers shouldn’t have to carry an assortment of low- veys and other info from the busi- more important in the future: un- risk security cards. ness community on both sides of til 2006, it was the only crossing in According to Bradley, what happens away from the border is as impor- the border. Rather than closing the province to post a steady in- tant as what happens at the border. ■ the facility down, then, “We’d like crease in northbound volume.

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August 2009 TRUCK WEST Page 25 OEM/DealerOEM/Dealer News It’s a three-peat for Beaver Truck Centre as Volvo Dealer of the Year WINNIPEG, Man. – Beaver gram for increased sales com- Truck Centre has been named pared to the previous year. Volvo Trucks’ 2008 Canadian The department also finished in Dealer of the Year. It’s the third the Top 20 of North American time the dealership, owned by sales versus its objective;Top 20 in Barry Searcy, has won the presti- reman sales versus objective; and gious award. it received the Multi-Million Selection criteria included Dollar Club award from Volvo for items such as: performance in new achieving and exceeding its sales truck and parts sales; Volvo en- objectives. gines; customer satisfaction; and The service department also investment in facilities. garnered attention, by placing John Oades, fleet manager with four of the five winning teams in Beaver Truck Centre, said the the Vista Tech Program. award recognizes “overall dealer Cameron Glass placed third in performance, not any one depart- the Canadian Hino Truck ment” making it especially re- Competition. And Chris Ingrim warding for the entire team. “We received the highest honours in are very, very thrilled,” he added. the Truck Transport Mechanic Searcy sent a heartfelt message competition. to employees, which said “I am THIRD TIME’S A CHARM: Beaver Truck Centre has been named Volvo’s All this did not go unnoticed at very thankful to be associated Canadian Dealer of the Year for the third time. the corporate level. with all of you and would like you Per Carlsson, president and all to know how very proud I am facility, and the dealership regu- couple units shy of first in Canada CEO of Volvo Trucks North to call you my team.” larly brings in trainers from in sales; Murray McDonald placed America, issued the following This marks the third time Volvo’s head office to educate 21st in North America; Larry statement about its top dealers: Beaver Truck Centre has won the customers on proper mainte- Myhal placed 42nd in North “Our dealers are on the front national award. nance. America; Oades placed third in lines every day, making sure our It was also named Canadian Despite sluggish market condi- North America, and first in fi- customers have the trucks, parts Dealer of the Year in 1999 and tions, Searcy said 2008 was a ban- nancing. and service they need to drive 2006. Beaver first opened its ner year for the dealership, and he Meanwhile, Beaver’s sales de- success. It is a pleasure to recog- doors in April 1997, and now has pointed out several impressive ac- partment won Volvo’s SuperStars nize the outstanding work of our 23 service bays and more than 85 complishments. Sales manager competition. The dealer’s parts top-performing dealers and the employees. Doug Haimes placed fourth in department placed first in example they set for customer It also has an in-house training North America and was only a Cummins’ Best in the West pro- support.” ■ SCR vs EGR battle now playing out in US courts

WASHINGTON, D.C. – An ugly support its case. “The whole point of using ex- portant issue.” legal battle is unfolding in the US “Navistar’s most recent filing haust aftertreatment is to meet the Navistar, of course, has devel- Circuit Court of Appeals for the demonstrates that the other engine 0.2 g NOx requirement, while de- oped an in-cylinder solution for District of Columbia, as Navistar manufacturers must have the ability livering to the customer excellent EPA2010 which does not require challenges the EPA’s acceptance of to participate in this case as friends fuel economy,performance and re- exhaust aftertreatment. It plans to selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of the court. This is necessary to reliability. And better fuel economy roll out engines in January, 2010 as a feasible solution for meeting fute misinformation Navistar has means a reduced CO2 footprint, that will initially exceed the 0.2 g EPA2010 emissions standards. presented to the court,” said Jim courtesy of SCR. Massive EGR NOx limit by cashing in emissions In a ‘Statement of Issues’ court McNamara, spokesman for Volvo can’t deliver these benefits. credits the company has earned filing, Navistar pointed out that Trucks North America. “Navistar, of course, admits its by reducing emissions beyond re- when the 2010 emissions rules “This includes Navistar’s desper- technology is unable to reach the quirements in previous years. were first developed in 2001, the ate attempt to mislead the court by 0.2 g NOx limit. There is ab- Navistar will then continue to “EPA decided that urea SCR taking information from Volvo solutely no benefit to society, cus- tweak its solution to get it down technology would not be available Trucks North America’s Web site tomers or the environment in the to the 0.2 g limit by the time its to meet the 0.2 g NOx standard out of context to reach a wildly in- approach Navistar has deliberate- credits run out, expected to hap- for the applicable model year.” accurate and misguided conclusion. ly chosen to confuse this very im- pen sometime in 2012. ■ “The EPA made an express ‘in- feasibility’ determination for SCR technology,” Navistar said in its filing. It went on to say the EPA 6920 Pacific Circle ruled out SCR because of: a lack Mississauga, Ontario L5T 1N8 of infrastructure to deliver urea at CANADA INC. the pump; a lack of standardized www.paicanada.com method of delivery of urea; a lack of adequate safeguards in place to Differentials Transmission Engine Kits ensure urea is used throughout & Components the life of the vehicles; a lack of safeguards to ensure drivers re- plenish urea; concerns for public safety; and other concerns. So when the EPA warmed up to SCR and formally accepted it as a viable EPA2010 solution,Navistar charged that the “dramatic • MACK change” imposes “entirely new • FULLER regulatory requirements.” MACK • 2 Valve Heads Naturally, all other heavy-duty Overhaul Kits Overhaul Kits & Components • 4 Valve heads engine manufacturers which have & Components • Camshafts chosen to use SCR to meet 2010 • Crankshafts emissions requirements are back- • MACK QUALITY SERVICE PARTS DETROIT DIESEL • Crankshafts ing the EPA. Volvo and others • EATON NAVISTAR • Crankshafts have filed an ‘amici curiae’ peti- FOR • Engine Components tion to participate as “friends of • ROCKWELL MACK • EATON • FULLER • CUMMINS • the court.”This move was protest- ROCKWELL • NAVISTAR CUMMINS • Crankshafts ed by Navistar, prompting Volvo Dealer Inquiries Welcome • Engine Components to issue a statement to the media CATERPILLAR • Crankshafts after sections of its Web site were To Order Call: 1-800-567-5916 • Fax: (905) 795-0699 reportedly used by Navistar to pg 26 tw aug v2 7/14/09 3:06 PM Page 26

Page 26 TRUCK WEST August 2009 OEM/DealerOEM/Dealer News Hybrids take to the Hill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – US legis- economies of scale are established, lators were given an up-close look company officials pointed out. at some hybrid commercial vehi- “Government incentives are nec- cles recently during a demonstra- essary to establish a market for these tion at Capitol Hill. vehicles with environmental bene- Mack had a TerraPro cabover hy- fits, similar to the incentives offered brid on display at the event (dubbed for hybrid passenger vehicles,” said Hybrid on the Hill Day), which is Tom Kelly, Mack senior vice-presi- the company’s first production in- dent, product portfolio manage- tent parallel diesel-electric hybrid ment. “The public benefit of these for Class 8 heavy-duty applications. incentives will be reduced environ- “Our hybrid technology will be mental impact as hybrid heavy-duty commercially viable, yet it will take trucks become more common.” time to establish a robust hybrid ArvinMeritor was also represent- market for heavy vehicles that will ed on Capitol Hill, where it show- enable us to invest in large scale cased its own hybrid system current- PURE AND CLEAN: Canadian Springs put its first hybrid delivery truck into production,” said Dennis Slagle, ly in use by Wal-Mart. service to quench the thirst of street hockey players in Vancouver. Mack president and CEO. Wal-Mart is currently evaluating “Incentives will accelerate the ArvinMeritor’s first hybrid drive- Canadian Springs takes delivery of hybrid adoption of Class 8 hybrids and train system in linehaul applica- bring forward the positive environ- tions. VANCOUVER, B.C. – Canadian Mengo McCall, director of busi- mental changes.” “While most hybrid systems today Springs has taken delivery of its ness development with Canadian Mack officials emphasized the are best suited for start-stop applica- first Class 7 hybrid delivery truck, Springs. “Pure, clean drinking wa- important role government can tions, our hybrid drivetrain is specif- and proudly used it to deliver ter is our business but we can’t play in encouraging the use of envi- ically designed for linehaul, over- drinking water to 2,000 street also pollute our air while provid- ronmentally-friendly commercial the-road trucks, the largest segment hockey players in the recent ing that water.” vehicles through the use of grants of the commercial vehicle popula- Play On! National Street Hockey The company says it will contin- and subsidies. tion,” said Carsten J. Reinhardt, Tournament in Vancouver. ue to seek opportunities to reduce Currently, most heavy-duty hy- president of ArvinMeritor’s Com- Canadian Springs’ hybrid is its environmental impact. brids come at a significant cost pre- mercial Vehicle Systems (CVS) busi- a Kenworth leased through “Today we’re happy to start us- mium and that will continue until ness. ■ PacLease and was partially funded ing hybrids, tomorrow maybe the by the Fraser Basin Council and technology will be available for the B.C. Ministry of the plug-in hybrids, all-electric or fuel EPA07 engines cleaner than expected Environment. cell vehicles,” said McCall. The company says it expects to “We’re aiming to be carbon neu- WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new “These latest emissions figures reduce its emissions by 37% when tral while continuing to supply a study shows that the emissions are a testament to the trucking and using hybrids to deliver bottled healthy product that does not con- standards foisted upon the trucking engine manufacturing industries’ water. tain sugar like so many other bever- industry by the EPA in 2007 are deep commitment to the environ- “Our goal is to be the most pro- ages. Our customers know our val- paying off, with a 90% reduction in ment,” said ATA president and gressive beverage company in the ue and we’re demonstrating our certain emissions occurring be- CEO Bill Graves. “We’re proud of world on many fronts,” said commitment to be progressive.” ■ tween 2004 and 2007. the significant progress that has The results have exceeded been made and we look forward to Navistar’s Chatham plant idles as remaining workers laid off expectations, according to a report building upon this foundation as by the Coordinating Research we continue to work toward a CHATHAM, Ont. – Workers at Navistar’s Chatham truck plant have re- Council and the Health Effects more sustainable future.” jected the company’s latest offer and the plant now sits idle, according to Institute. Under the EPA’s 2010 rules, NOx the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union. Engines that are EPA07-compli- will be slashed a further 50%. “We cannot expect our members to accept a contract that will elimi- ant have “exceeded substantially “Diesel engines are the work- nate their jobs and devastate their already hard hit community,” said even those levels required by law,” horses of the nation’s transporta- CAW president Ken Lewenza. “We need a real commitment from the the report said. tion infrastructure because they company on the future of this plant.” In fact, 07 engines were so much are fuel-efficient, durable and Workers at the plant no longer have a contract, and the remaining 350 better than required, that they pro- reliable,” said Jed Mandel, presi- workers have now been laid off.About 800 workers at the plant were al- duced 98% less carbon monoxide, dent of the Engine Manufacturers ready laid off, prior to the expiration of the agreement June 30. ■ 10% less NOx, 89% less particulate Association. “We can now add matter and 95% less non-methane near-zero emissions to the list of hydrocarbons than required by diesel’s positive attributes.”The re- Volvo now taking orders for EPA2010 trucks EPA under its 2007 diesel engine sult of the study can be found at: emissions standards. www.crcao.org/index.html. ■ GREENSBORO, N.C. – Volvo many other manufacturers can Trucks North America has an- say that?” nounced it’s now taking orders for Volvo says customers will also Canadian Kenworth dealers recognized its EPA2010-compliant trucks enjoy the elimination of active with selective catalytic reduction diesel particulate filter regenera- CALGARY, Alta. – GreatWest (SCR). Volvo boasts the latest tion events. Kenworth has been named generation vehicles are the “These trucks will deliver the Kenworth’s top North American “cleanest trucks in the world” and near-zero emissions and improved medium-duty dealer. The company will increase fuel efficiency and fuel economy SCR-equipped was recognized as the 2008 Kenworth allow fleets to reduce their carbon Volvo trucks have demonstrated Medium-Duty Dealer of the Year for footprint. over two winters and more than the US and Canada at Kenworth’s Production of EPA2010 Volvo’s three million miles of North annual dealer meeting. will begin in the Fall with deliver- American customer testing,” “It’s a special honour for GreatWest ies to commence a few weeks lat- Kress added. “We have also Kenworth to be chosen Kenworth er, the company announced. demonstrated that our ‘No Medium-Duty Dealer of the Year,” “A number of customers have Regen’ promise is a reality that said Jeff Storwick, president of expressed an interest in placing will bring additional fuel economy GreatWest Kenworth, which operates GREAT JOB: GreatWest Kenworth SCR-equipped units in their fleets improvements by eliminating ac- dealerships in Calgary, Clairmont, was recognized as the top MD ahead of 2010,” said Scott Kress, tive regenerations of the diesel Lethbridge, Medicine Hat and Red Kenworth dealer in North America. senior vice-president, sales and particulate filter.” Deer, Alta. Other finalists included marketing. “This gives early By mid-June, Volvo said it Canada’s Inland Kenworth and Kenworth Montreal. adopters the opportunity to gain had already received orders for Meanwhile, three of six Kenworth dealerships to receive Gold Awards familiarity with the technology 50 EPA2010 trucks. Another from the company this year are also from Canada: Custom Truck Sales and the benefits of SCR. It’s an- reason for rolling out EPA2010 (Regina, Sask.); Edmonton Kenworth (Edmonton, Alta.); and GreatWest other example of Volvo Trucks trucks early is to allow the produc- Kenworth (Calgary,Alta).A Silver Award went to Kenworth Quebec. following through on our commit- tion line at Volvo’s New River The awards were presented by Kenworth at its annual dealer meeting ment to customers to be ready to Valley truck plant to ramp up held recently in Columbus, Ohio. ■ go for 2010. Volvo is ready. How more efficiently. ■ pg 27 tw aug 7/14/09 1:52 PM Page 27

August 2009 TRUCK WEST Page 27 OpinionOpinion The Donald Woods murder sure puts things in perspective A few weeks ago, I had the mis- this and it turns out I have some- (For the complete details, please fortune of tearing the tendons in Publisher’s thing called “water on the knee.” see the story on pg. 18). my right arm. Comment A horse needle was used to I’ve lost friends to car accidents, It was a total fluke – I was golf- extract the liquid and I was cancer, heart attacks and Aids. ing (or attempting to) and had Rob instructed to avoid strenuous ac- They were all tragic. just made one of my famous 23- Wilkins tivities (no problem on that one, But Donald’s death was sense- yard drives off the tee block when doc!) So there I was, feeling very less, brought on by greed, nothing I felt a sudden pain rip through sorry for myself. Until now. more, nothing less. my elbow. day confirmed my worst night- You see, I have just read our He was a family man making a At the time, I didn’t think much mare – my golf season was fin- feature story – a wrap-up of the living doing what he loved, truck- of it, so I continued playing. ished. Donald Woods murder trial. ing. He did no wrong to the con- By the time we arrived at 18, the Apparently tendons can take a It has made me realize just how victed killer Paul Cyr. He did not pain finally forced me to stop. very long time to heal and recov- insignificant my little health prob- deserve to die. A trip to emergency the next ery may include some sort of lem really is. Think of Donald the next time physiotherapy.We’ll see. If you’ve been hiding away from life throws you a curveball. We’re People I had to laugh; one of my friends the world for the past few years all lucky to be here and life suggested that maybe I didn’t (or haven’t spent much time in shouldn’t be taken for granted. Dennis Barkman, a 27-year truck warm up properly. Ontario) and haven’t heard of this No matter how bad you think driving veteran with a diverse back- I told him that after 12 holes tragedy, Donald Woods was the you have it, some people would ground, was named the 2009 and close to 80 swings I was as trucker who was murdered for his love to have your problems. ■ Manitoba Driver of the Year. warm as I would ever be. load of chicken. Barkman has driven long-haul for As if that wasn’t enough, the He was found dead in his – Rob Wilkins is the publisher of Penner International for much of his past few weeks I’ve been sporting truck on June 23, 2006 behind a Truck West and he can be reached at career. However, he started out as a a stiff knee.The doc also looked at Wal-Mart store in Pickering Ont. 416-510-5123. farmer in rural Manitoba, then drove a cement mixer, then a feed truck, then a local delivery truck and then a lumber truck during his lengthy career. He settled on long- haul nearly 20 years ago and has spent the majority of his trucking career running highway. A PAT ON THE BACK Barkman has a clean abstract and safety record and has received many “compliments of driving skill and courtesy” via the DriverCheck monitoring system. NEVER FELT SO Jac Doerksen,driver relations and O/O business development manager with Penner International, said Barkman “continues to strive for excellence with safe and on-time delivery” and “consistently maintains a great attitude.” The Manitoba Driver of the Year Every year the Canadian Business Press award is sponsored by Volvo Trucks Canada and awarded by the recognizes publications that excel in writing and Manitoba Trucking Association. • graphic design. The Transportation Media Group The heroic actions of two more N. is proud to be part of an elite group. Yanke Transfer drivers have caught the attention of the US-based Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), earning them recognition as Top five Canadian Business Website Highway Angels.Team drivers Jason for the fourth straight year: Siddons and Paul Farrell were recognized for assisting two brothers ȝɄɄtrucknews.comȇѲ who were injured when their pick- up truck swerved off the road in Top five finish in the Best Resource/Infrastructure Article: November, 2008. The accident happened in northern Ontario while James Menzies, Truck West Siddons was behind the wheel and Farrell slept in the bunk.Siddons no- Top five Canadian Business Website: ticed the truck, which had rolled over and come to rest on its wheels. Canadian Transportation & Logistics: ctl.ca Its occupants appeared to be trying to escape the wreckage. Siddons Gold Award in the Best Resource/Infrastructure Article: woke Farrell up and they ran to the pick-up truck to find one of its occu- Adam Ledlow, Canadian Transportation & Logistics pants was badly bleeding. Farrell helped stop the bleeding while Silver Award in the Best Cover Category: Siddons called for help. The professional drivers then remained at the Mary Peligra, Adam Ledlow, Lou Smyrlis, Motortruck Fleet Executive scene until help arrived. It was later revealed the two men were taking turns driving on their way home from a funeral when the Canadian Transportation & Logistics and Motortruck Fleet Executive one driver fell asleep at the wheel. They said if it wasn’t for the actions were the only two transportation publications to receive of the N.Yanke Transfer drivers, the gold or silver honours during the 2009 awards ceremony. driver who was most severely injured may not have survived. When told of the Highway Angels recognition, Siddons said “We didn’t Transportation Media Group do it for any special recognition. It’s Fleet Executive WEST just second nature for us to stop and help. When you see someone in trouble, you help them.” ■ pg 28 tw aug 7/14/09 3:06 PM Page 1

MarkMark Dalton:Dalton: OwnerOwner OperatorOperator FICTIONFICTION Part 4

By Edo van Belkom schoolboy. “A bit of all three.” detachment. The story so far: “Okay. You want in deep, you'll get “So, when Billy said Mark is on his way to a huge truck yard near deep in time.” he didn’t want to be a Vancouver. He calls Bud, but his dispatcher has “Then, how ’bout $25,000 to start.” part of their crime ring no loads for him and none on the horizon. When He could hear the man groan on the anymore and wanted Mark reaches the yard, there are cops every- other end of the line, but Mark knew out, they threatened him. where investigating a murder. Mark parks his there were millions at stake. And when he said he trailer and manages to wedge it into a very tight “To start what?” the man replied. “A would go to the police, spot. The yard manager sees Mark park his trail- new bank?” they murdered him.” er and is so impressed he offers Mark a job as “I’ve got your trailer and I’m taking a “And you just hap- shunt driver to replace the driver who'd recently risk.” pened by?” the detective been killed in the yard. “Alright, alright,” he said. “I'll be asked. Mark gets checked out on the controls of the there in an hour. Have the trailer ready “Right place at the Ottawa shunt truck he'll be driving and gets for me.” right time,” Mark some instruction from another of the shunt driv- “Will do.” shrugged. "You’d be ers in the yard. With time, he gets the hang of An hour was just enough time for Mark amazed how often that’s the job and begins to enjoy the work. At break to make a few phone calls. He scrolled happened to me.” time, he buys a coffee and sandwich from the down his contact list and found the num- “We appreciate your catering truck that visits the yard and the coffee ber he was looking for. help, but there’s a small man on the truck tells him a bit about the shunt • matter of the money this driver, who Mark now thinks was murdered. An hour later the man Mark had been guy gave to you as part A driver approaches Mark and talks to him speaking to on the phone pulled into the of your arrangement.” about the dead shunt driver, hinting that the yard in his brand new Freightliner. Mark “Right, the money.” man stupid and was killed when he threatened had the trailer he wanted hooked up to “He’s saying it was to go to the police to reveal the illegal shipments his Ottawa and wouldn’t be letting go of $25,000.” going through the yard. Mark sees an opportu- it until he had the money in hand. They Mark laughed. nity and says he'll play ball, especially for the met in the main roadway between trail- “Twenty-five grand? If he $25,000 promised to him for hiding trailers in ers in the middle of the yard. was giving me that the yard. Then at the end of his shift, he finds a “That the trailer?” the man asked. much, I wouldn’t be here talking to you. stared. But Mark didn’t care who saw missing trailer loaded with drugs and comes up “You got the money?” I’d be hiding trailers for him right now.” him or even if they called the police on with a plan… The man nodded. The detective nodded. “We thought him for bringing a heavy truck into their • “That’s the trailer,” Mark said. so. This guy’s a small-timer with a big neighbourhood. There was something Mark closed the barn doors of the trailer The man pulled a bulging envelope imagination. He’s boasting about a lot of that needed to be done, and the sooner and placed another seal on the lock. He from an inside jacket pocket. As he hand- things, not just what he paid you.” A the better. fished around in his pants pocket for ed it over to Mark, Mark gave him a pause. “So, how much was it?" When he’d found the right house num- the card the man had given him, then larger envelope stuffed with paperwork “Five-thousand,” Mark said, taking the ber, Mark pulled to a stop at the curb and pulled out his cell phone and dialed the for the load. envelope from his pocket. “It’s all there. I left Mother Load running. He climbed number. It rang just once before someone “The paperwork’s immaculate,” Mark didn’t touch any of it.” down from the truck and started up the answered. said. “It'll get you anywhere you want The detective began counting the driveway. As he approached the front “Yeah.” to go.” money. “We’re going to have to seize this door, he saw some kids’ toys lying in the “This is Dirk Malton, the new shunt The man opened the envelope and as evidence, and as proceeds obtained yard and a bicycle leaning up against driver.” started filing through the papers. “Nice,” by crime you won't be getting it back.” the side of the garage. “Oh yeah.” he said. “You do good work.” “Not a problem,” Mark said. “I’m just He rang the doorbell. “I found the trailer you were asking Mark hefted the envelope in his hand. happy to help out.” After a short delay, the door opened about.” “I know I asked for a lot, but I’m worth it.” “And you did. It looks as if this guy is and a young woman stood in the door- “That’s great, when can I pick it up?” “Aren't you going to count it?" interested in pleading and giving us the way. She was obviously expecting, look- Not so fast, Mark thought. Either this Mark opened the envelope enough to names of the people he worked for. With ing quite haggard and in need of sleep. guy had a short memory or there truly see that it was filled with $50 and $100 any luck you won’t have to testify.” There were people sitting at the kitchen was no honour amongst thieves. “You bills, and not cut paper. “I trust you. “Great,” Mark said. “That’s the way I table, most likely her parents, and a boy mentioned money before.” Besides, in order for this thing to work like it.” stood in the hallway half hiding behind “Did I?” out, we have to trust each other, right?” • his mother so the stranger at the door “You did.” The man smiled. “I think this is going to A block from the police station, Mark couldn’t see him. “How much you have in mind?” work out just fine.” was on the phone with Bud. “Hi there,” Mark said. "Are you Billy's Mark didn’t know what to say. He “Oh, I know it is,” Mark said, waving “Hello?" wife?" wanted it to be large enough to make the good-bye and heading back to his yard “Bud, this is Mark.” “Widow,” she said. “Are you a friend risk he was taking worthwhile, but he mule. When he got to the truck, he “Mark who?" of his?" didn’t want it to be so low that they would climbed up into the cab and dropped the “I don’t have time for games right Mark tried to smile. “You could say have easily given him more if he’d only trailer where it was. Then he hurried off now, Bud. I need a load right away... that.” He reached into his jacket and asked. He decided to try and sell himself around the far end of the warehouse to one that takes me as far away from here pulled out the envelope. "This is for you,” as a good investment. “Before I tell you, where Mother Load was parked idling. as possible.” he said. I just want to mention that this In less than 20 seconds, he had “How does California sound?” “What is it?” isn't a one-time deal, right? You bring me parked the Ottawa and was bobtailing “I’m there, dude,” Mark replied. “It belonged to your husband,” Mark more trailers and I'll be able to keep’em out of the yard in Mother Load. When he Bud gave Mark the details and said he said. "I'm sure he would have wanted for you on an ongoing basis.” passed through the gates, he tooted once could pick up the load in a couple of you to have it.” “So what are you saying?” on the truck’s air horn and the roadway hours. The delay suited Mark just fine And before she could say another “There’s a value to that, right?” and area around the gate was suddenly since he had to make a stop before pick- word, he’d turned and was heading “You want in bad, eh?” lit up with the red and blue flashing lights ing up the load anyway. back down the driveway toward the “Well, this is a chance of a lifetime,” of a half-dozen police cars. The house was a modest starter home waiting Mother Load. Less than an hour Mark said. • in Burnaby. When he drove Mother Load later, Mark was on his way to California “What is it with you? You need the A couple of hours later Mark was sitting up the quiet residential street, people for a long, long haul. ■ money for drugs, gambling, or women?” across the table from a detective in the who were out watering their lawns or Mark did his best to giggle like a interview room of the nearby RCMP washing their cars all stopped and – Mark Dalton returns next month

The continuing adventures of Mark Dalton: Owner/Operator brought to you by MICHELIN NORTH AMERICA (CANADA) INC. pg 29 tw aug 7/14/09 1:53 PM Page 29

August 2009 TRUCK WEST Page 29 NewNew Products puncture, fixing punctures up to a ranging between $100,000 and 1/4-inch in diameter. Goodyear $500,000 as well as weekly benefits says it conducted a survey that of between $400 and $1,000, the showed refuse fleets with 50 trucks company says.The added flexibili- typically receive 102 tire-related ty gives owner/operators more ALK Technologies has introduced service calls per month. However, choice in coverage and extra PC*Miler 23, which is the first rout- 69% of those calls were attributed peace of mind, NTL says. For ing and mileage system to include to punctures with each of those more, contact Rod Stiller at carbon emissions and intermodal calls costing the fleet about $170, or [email protected] analysis functionality, the company $143,000 per year. or call 800-265-6509. claims. It also includes critical map • • data updates such as truck restric- Continental Tire has leapt into the There’s another player in the diesel tions and truck-specific toll costs. wide-base single market with its exhaust fluid (DEF) market. Old The Intermodal Analysis calculates HTL1 trailer tire. Aimed at World Industries has announced it alternative rail intermodal routes weight-conscious operations, the will distribute its BlueDEF to the for truck shipments, so users can company says about 1,022 lbs can commercial vehicle industry begin- compare truck and intermodal be shaved off overall tractor-trail- ning in 2010. Engines using selec- mileage, fuel consumption and car- er weight by replacing duals with tive catalytic reduction (SCR) will bon emissions. For more info on its wide-base singles at the drive and require the fluid in order to oper- latest version of PC*Miler, visit trailer axle positions. The HTL1 ate and comply with EPA2010 www.alk.com. features 13/32” tread depth in or- emissions regulations. Old World • der to minimize irregular wear and Industries says it has an established Shaw Tracking has added several improve fuel mileage, the company supply network of 10 production enhancements to its e-mail servic- claims. It also boasts a six rib de- locations and more than 4,500 dis- es: Driver E-mail; Driver SoS; and sign to distribute the load evenly tribution points. For information, Driver ACE Alert. Driver E-mail over the crown of the tire. visit www.bluedef.com. is a two-way e-mail service allow- • ing drivers to send and receive Goodyear has introduced a new Evans Cooling Systems has intro- personal e-mail from the cab of tire for waste haulers that incorpo- duced a new waterless heavy-duty the truck. Driver SoS provides rates its DuraSeal technology to re- thermal engine coolant that it says drivers with the ability to send duce tire failures and improve reli- was able to improve fuel economy emergency message through ability. The G289 WHA represents by 3% when independently tested to macro alerts to as many as six re- a new line of waste hauling tires To help fleets deal with current TMC/SAE Type II standards by cipients at one time, improving that the company says will improve economic conditions, National Auburn University. The company driver safety and security. Driver productivity and reduce costs. Truck League is offering addi- says it also offers superior corrosion ACE Alert, meanwhile, provides Features include: a wider, deeper tional coverage to its popular protection. The company claims to e-mail alerts from an approved 24/32-inch tread; a waste haul com- Trucker’s Income Replacement have the only waterless coolant EDI or ACE solutions provider pound for longer tread life and in- Plan program. The plan protects available in the market. Its boiling once a load has been cleared by creased scrub resistance; a sidewall professional drivers and their fam- point is 150 degrees F warmer than Customs. It’s aimed at eliminating protector rib to reduce sidewall ilies in the event of loss of income the operating temperature of the en- fines for showing up at the border scuffing; a shoulder design that en- due to an on- or off-the-job injury. gine, which prevents overheating, without the necessary pre-clear- courages uniform tread wear; and Customers may now choose cus- corrosion, liner cavitation and ance. For more info, visit the DuraSeal sealant inside the tire tomized options, including own- other maintenance issues. Visit www.shawtracking.ca. that is released in the event of a er/operator lump sum coverage www.evanscooling.com for more.■

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First Name Last Name Address City Prov/State Postal/Zip E-Mail Home Tel Cell Best way to contact me: ■ Home Tel ■ Cell ■ E-Mail ■ Other Work Preferences: ■ Owner Operator ■ Hwy Team ■ Hwy Single/Company Driver ■ Local ■ Lease Purchase ■ Driver Trainer ■ Moving ■ Other

Owner Operator? Manufacturer Year/Model Engine/Size Preferred Trailer Type (check all that apply): Trailer Type Experience (check all that apply) ■ Flatbed ■ Heavy Hauling/Specialized ■ Moving Van ■ Flatbed ■ Heavy Hauling/Specialized ■ Moving Van ■ Tanker ■ Straight Truck ■ Super B ■ Reefer ■ Tanker ■ Straight Truck ■ Super B ■ Reefer ■ Van ■ Other ■ Van ■ Other Current Drivers License: Do you have a Commercial License? ■ Yes ■ No License # Exp. Date Prov/State Issued Type Has your license ever been suspended? ■ Yes ■ No Total Truck Driving Experience /yrs Last Employer Name Company City Prov/State Tel Start/End Date Job Description Reason for Leaving Certification/Training: ■ Doubles/Triples ■ Air Brake Adjustment ■ Over-Size Loads ■ Hazmat ■ Air Brake (Drive) ■ Tankers Name of School Name of Course Completed City Prov/State Start/End Date Can you lift 50lbs? ■ Yes ■ No Cross Border Travel: I am able to cross the Canada/U.S. border to haul International loads ■ Yes ■ No I am willing to cross the border ■ Yes ■ I am FAST approved ■ Yes ■ No Would you like to contacted by driver agencies? ■ Yes ■ No By filling out and signing this application, I agree to abide by Driverlinks’s terms and conditions and consent to the use of personal information according to the Driverlink privacy policy. Careers On-Line www.trucknews.com Signature Date Driverlink is proud to protect the privacy of your personal information as required under federal privacy laws. If you would like By Mail: 6660 Kennedy Road, Suite 205, By Phone: By Fax: to see a copy of our privacy policy, please go to www.driverlink.com. If you would like a printed copy of our privacy policy, Mississauga, ON L5T 2M9 800-263-6149 866-837-4837 please call us at 1-800-263-6149 and we will be happy to mail one to you. pg 30 tw aug 7/14/09 1:54 PM Page 30

Page 30 TRUCK WEST August 2009 TSQTSQ BOWMANVILLE, Ont. – When it (along the highway) shut down right comes to getting food and exercise Truck Stop now too, which makes it hard to pick on the road, for truckers, sadly, the Question Can you maintain a and choose healthier choices, for options are few. The sheer size of sure. If the restaurant’s privately their equipment limits most truckers owned like the Fifth Wheel here, to fast food joints and truck stops – Adam Ledlow healthy lifestyle on it’s a lot better than stopping at a and the greasy spoon label attached Managing Editor Wendy’s or McDonald’s for sure,” to the latter is usually well-earned. the road? Janes said. And if finding a place to park at a • decent restaurant wasn’t difficult enough, I certainly can’t recall the last time I saw a big rig crammed into the parking lot at the local the driver of 44 years.“A lot of truck Goodlife or Bally’s. But have truck- stops are bad – the food is terrible at ers resigned themselves to their un- a lot of them – (but) I think basically healthy fates? Truck West stopped it’s the trucker’s responsibility. If by the Fifth Wheel Truck Stop in he’s got layover time, I’m sure he Bowmanville, Ont. to find out if could find a place where he could go Timothy truckers can maintain a healthy and work out.” Logan lifestyle on the road. • • Dave Dan Janes, a driver with Buckham Dave Pearce, a driver with Crown Pearce Transport in Peterborough, Ont., Distributors in Regina, Sask., says says truckers are more prone to a Timothy Logan, a driver with Elite that as a diabetic, he finds it difficult variety of ailments on the road, in- Fleet in Moncton, N.B., says that af- to find places to get a good meal. cluding less sleep, a higher rate of alter 20 years of eating at truck stops, “It’s hard, but you’ve got to just tunately, are way overweight. lergies, little time for exercise, and of he’s tried packing his own meals for pick and choose. I work at it, but There’s too many of them, and that’s course, poor food choices. the past several months – with great there are a lot of drivers who, unfor- because they just don’t care,” says “There are a lot of restaurants results. “I lost 50 lbs in the last four months not eating at truck stops. Imagine 20 years of eating grease? That’s the problem – a lot of these places have processed food.” And according to Logan, the onus should be on truck stops to provide a healthy meal. “They should have some type of enforcement that they have to have a healthy meal. I’d rather go into a ‘mom and pop’ truck stop because you get better quality food. It’s not cooked five hours ahead of time. A buffet’s the worst thing in the world for a truck driver.” •

Tom Robbins

Tom Robbins, who drives a bulk tanker with List Trucking in Waynesboro, N.C., tries to get in as much walking as possible on the job. “I walk whenever I unload. I hardly ever stay at a truck stop,but at a rest area at night I usually get out and When the going gets tough, walk around the rest area. If I’m close to a river I like to get out and walk the creek. It’s better than just the tough get smarter sitting in the truck all the time.” By bringing meals his wife cooks If there was ever a time to find ways to run your business more efficiently, now is the time. for him back home, Robbins is able to avoid truck stop food but he says it would be tough to change their So, where do you find accurate informa- expectations for shipment volumes, To Order go to: menus because they make what tion about industry trends and future rates, surcharges and capacity concerns www.trucknews.com/inside people want. estimates for shipment volumes, rates based on detailed research of shippers or call 416-442-2122 or “If we made them all go all and surcharges, so that you can plan operating in several industries. 1-800-668-2374 healthy, half the people out here your operation accordingly? Where can • What can your trucking operation wouldn’t eat it. That would hurt you find stats that allow you to compare expect in 2009? their business. Most places have started changing around – even in your operation to others, so that you • What are the business trends that here they’ve got a nice salad bar. If can identify potential problems and are changing your industry? you want to eat healthy, you’re fine, opportunities for your own operation? • What are the strategies shippers will but if you don’t they’ve still got the be using to stay the course in 2009? AVAILABLE greasy spoon stuff to go to. I don’t Look no further. Truck News, Truck West NOW! think anybody ought to impose any- and Motortruck have published a This timely report will provide you with body to do nothing, to be honest comprehensive guide for trucking and a wealth of knowledge that you can with you. Business is business.” ■ transportation professionals, called use to make 2009 your most successful “Inside the Numbers” – a snapshot of year ever. – Adam Ledlow is now on Twitter! Join today and follow his tweets at twitter.com/adamledlow. pg 31 tw aug 7/14/09 2:56 PM Page 1 It’s hard to tell them apart. That’s the idea. North America (Canada) Inc. © 2009 MNA(C)I. All Rights Reserved. The Michelin Man is a registered trademark licensed to

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