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April 2009 Volume 20, Issue 4

Delivering daily news to Canada’s trucking industry at www.trucknews.com Disturbing Volumes down on main NWT report ice road Commercial YELLOWKNIFE, NWT – Freight trucks are now trucked over the Tibbitt to Contwoyto ice road in the NWT is mode of choice down by about 45,000 tonnes compared to last year, says Erik for drug-runners Madsen, director of Joint Venture Management Committee, opera- By Jan Westell tors of the ice road. SURREY,B.C. – A major trend is The Tibbitt to Contwoyto winter emerging, with more drug traf- road begins about 60 kilometres fickers favouring land ports of en- east of Yellowknife, and connects to try over the more traditional three diamond mines. Most of the route through Toronto’s Pearson road is built over frozen lakes with International Airport, according connections via land portage. It is to the Canada Border Services about 400 km long this year, com- Agency (CBSA). pared to its normal length of almost The CBSA analyzed a pattern of 600 km, after Tahera’s Jericho cocaine trafficking between Jan. 1, Diamond Mine shut down last year. 2001 and June 30, 2007, and pub- The ice road opened on Feb. 1, lished a report on the findings and is expected to close about entitled: Cocaine Seizures, Pacific March 31, according to Madsen, Region Perspective. whose group manages the road In the 6.5-year period analyzed for BHP Billiton Diamonds and in the report, CBSA seized 8.2 Diavik Diamond Mines. tonnes of cocaine in Canada, con- “Everything is on schedule and sidered to be worth more than $1 it’s going really well,” said Madsen. billion dollars, at various land, air, “The cold weather this year really marine and postal ports of entry helped to build the ice up, and the across the country. While the tra- loads/the tonnages are there. We ditional methods of cocaine im- anticipated being done on schedule porting had historically been via or even earlier.” air and marine methods, over the Diesel fuel is the largest item last 19 months examined by the being trucked north on the road, report, land-based movements along with cement, tires, prill (am- have become the favoured monium nitrate) for explosives and method of importing cocaine into various construction materials. Canada, mainly via commercial However, Madsen admitted that trucks through “Pacific Region” the 45,000 tonne decline in projected ports of entry. HEAVY HAUL: US Customs officers empty a cattleliner of marijuana after volumes (to 200,000 tonnes) is The majority of cocaine coming intercepting the load at the border. being felt by some truckers. Continued on page 8 Photo courtesy US Customs and Border Protection Making matters worse, De Beers Continued on page 6 Small tweaks, big savings InsideInside This Issue... Mark Dalton O/O See pg. 26 • Cab safety: A look at how to spec’ a cab for maximum safety in the event of an accident. Page 9

• Big bark, what about the bite?: Technical correspondent John G. Smith takes a spin in the Mack Titan. Does the biggest bulldog live up to its name? Page 17

• Limiter protest: Ontario truckers take their message to Queen’s Park and we were there. Page 18

• Survival plan: A comprehensive look at how to weather the storm and prepare your fleet for better times ahead, as seen by transportation consultant Dan Goodwill. Pages 20-21 Page 28

To view list of advertisers Reach us at our Western Canada news bureau visit us online at Call Jan Westell at 604-943-1170 or e-mail [email protected] www.trucknews.com

PAP Registration No. 11065 PM40069240 pg 02 tw apr 3/11/09 12:52 PM Page 1

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Name: Address: Town/City: Prov: Postal code: Home phone: Bus. phone: Email: Number of years in trucking/commodity hauled: Primary truck and engine: Number of vehicles: Contracted to (if applicable): How do you maximize fuel efficiency?: My choice is based on: Safe driving record � Industry/community involvement � Heroism � Going "Green" Initiatives � Explain:

(Include additional information on separate paper if insufficient space) Nominated by: Phone: Mail completed forms to “AWARD” Truck News/Truck West, Attn: Kathy Penner 12 Concorde Place, Suite 800, Toronto, Ontario M3C 4J2 FORM MUST BE FILLED IN COMPLETELY AND NOMINEE MUST HAVE CLEAN DRIVER'S ABSTRACT

OO award 2009.indd 1 1/8/09 10:25:59 AM pg 05 tw apr v2 3/11/09 1:00 PM Page 5

April 2009 TRUCK WEST Page 5 Speed limiter protest fizzles as age battle ramps up As far as protests go, it wasn’t equipment requirements have April 2009, Volume 20, Issue 4 exactly the Million Man March. Editorial created further inconveniences. Canada Post Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement No. 40069240 Despite expectations of some 200 Comment We’ve partnered with OBAC to “Return Postage Guaranteed” or more trucks forming peaceful create a page devoted to the issue 12 Concorde Pl., Suite 800, Toronto, Ont., M3C 4J2 Sales: 416-510-6892 / Editorial: 416-510-6896 convoys from starting points in James on its Web site (www.obac.ca). Fax: 416-510-5143 Cambridge and Bowmanville and Menzies At the very least, you’ll now Truck West, USPS 017-178 is published monthly by converging at Queen’s Park have a place to direct uninformed Business Information Group, a division of BIG Magazines L.P., a leading Canadian information March 2, only a half dozen or so MPPs for background on this is- company with interests in daily and community trucks actually took part. (You all studies completed on the po- sue. newspapers and B-2-B information services. US office of publication: 2424 Niagara Falls Blvd, can read the story on pg. 18). tential impacts of the law. Some insiders have voiced opti- Niagara Falls, NY 14304-5709. Periodicals Postage I counted a couple dozen pro- It’s unlikely. mism that the road test require- Paid at Niagara Falls, NY. US postmaster: Send address changes to Truck West, PO Box 1118, fessional drivers on the grounds, But kudos to him for represent- ments for senior drivers will in Niagara Falls, NY 14304. who were there to support protest ing himself with class, even in the fact be lifted. SENIOR PUBLISHER – Rob Wilkins ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER – Kathy Penner organizer Scott Mooney. face of major disappointment. That’s good news. EXECUTIVE EDITOR – James Menzies Their cause, of course, was Bill More than 700 people ex- But in the meantime, let’s help MANAGING EDITOR – Adam Ledlow 41 – Ontario’s controversial law pressed their support for the nudge along those who wield the WESTERN EDITOR – Jan Westell ■ CIRCULATION MANAGER – Vesna Moore requiring all trucks in the demonstration on a Facebook power to get such things done. CIRCULATION ASSISTANT – Anita Singh province to be mechanically limit- page and dozens – if not hundreds CREATIVE– Carolyn Brimer, Beverley Richards ed to 105 km/h. – made verbal commitments to be – James Menzies can be reached by V.P. PUBLISHING – Alex Papanou PRESIDENT – Bruce Creighton If you’re the glass half empty there. phone at (416) 510-6896 or by Circulation inquiries: 416-442-5600 ext. 3553 type, it’s easy to write the demon- Those who did attend were, e-mail at [email protected]. Change of address: Please include subscription number from mailing label. stration off as an embarrassing quite frankly, hung Subscription rates: Canada (Includes GST) – flop. Some in the mainstream me- out to dry. One year $40.60; U.S. – one year $66.95; dia have already done so. On another note, foreign – one year $66.95 Send subscription orders, address changes (incl. mailing label from If you’re an optimist, on the could it be that the latest issue) to above address. On occasion, our subscription list is made available to organizations whose products or services may be other hand, you take solace in the issue of mandatory of interest to readers. If you prefer not to receive such information, please write to us. Please allow 8 weeks for changes or corrections. fact that the handful of drivers road tests for senior PAP Registration No. 11065 who did participate had their mo- drivers in Ontario is We acknowledge the financial support of the ment in front of a full throng of every bit as con- Government of Canada, through the Canada Magazine Fund, towards our editorial costs. mainstream media. tentious as the We acknowledge the financial support of the Pretty much every media outlet speed limiter law? Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program, towards our mailing costs. was represented and a news chop- Based on the per circled persistently overhead, number of calls I seemingly waiting all the while received from sen- Advertising inquiries for the convoy to arrive. ior drivers in re- At the end of the day, based on sponse to last Kathy Penner: 416-510-6892 the few short clips that did make month’s cover story Fax: (416) 510-5143 the news, the journalists that and editorial, I’d attended were either under- say it’s close. whelmed by the display, disinter- (This too, is pri- ested in the message or both. marily an Ontario Or maybe, like me, they were issue – but should unable to keep their pens from be of interest to all freezing solid. professional driv- Mooney told me after the event ers). Rob Wilkins Kathy Penner Publisher Associate Publisher that while he was disappointed in I appreciate (416) 510-5123 (416) 510-6892 the turnout, he was grateful for every one of those rwilkins@ kpenner@ the support of some key players – calls. Most callers trucknews.com trucknews.com notably two Opposition MPPs, wanted to know the Teamsters and OBAC. what they could do He’s still hopeful enforcement to have the law of Bill 41 will be suspended until changed, especially the legislature can further review now that new

Don Besler Brenda Grant capacity has been reduced in their National Sales Mgr. National Account Sales How bad can it really get? segment and 53% said they expect (416) 699-6966 (416) 494-3333 [email protected] [email protected] to see further capacity reductions This has been one long, cold win- over the next six months. ter for truck makers. Sixty-seven per cent of respon- For many fleets and owner/op- Viewpoint dents said they would not be erators on either side of the adding tractors to their fleet and border there is just little reason to Lou Smyrlis 23% said they’d reduce their buy right now. Editorial Director fleet size. US truck tonnage did spike 3% South of the border, despite all in January but that’s not saying the bankruptcies of the past Doug Copeland Bill Gallagher Regional Manager Regional Manager much considering how weak year, FTR’s forecast has capacity Man., Sask. & Alta. British Columbia December’s numbers were. prospects over the next three utilization staying below 70% (416) 510-6889 (519) 589-1333 [email protected] Fax: (519) 395-5073 Placed in proper perspective, months, which was up sharply through the third quarter of 2009. [email protected] January’s tonnage “spike” is actu- from the 34% who expressed pes- With such dismal performances TRUCK WEST is a proud member of the following ally a 10.8% drop when compared simism in the same survey in the and expectations by North trucking associations: to the previous January. fourth quarter of 08. American carriers it’s no surprise

ALTA. MOTOR TRANSPORT ASSN. It was also the second lowest Seventy-four per cent of that net orders for all North tonnage total since October respondents said they are experi- American truck OEMs fell to 2002. Industry forecaster FTR encing declining freight volumes, 6,167 units in February – a further SASK. TRUCKING ASSN. MAN. TRUCKING ASSN. B.C. TRUCKING ASSN. Associates expects US trucking compared to just 52% of respon- 21% decline from anemic January The publisher does not assume any responsibility for the contents activity to continue its steady de- dents in the previous survey. and a whopping 60% decline of any advertisement and all representations or warranties made in such advertising are those of the advertiser and not of the publisher. The cline with loadings forecast to Sixty-one per cent said loaded since last February. (The number 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 drop another 10% over the next miles are decreasing, up from includes orders in the US, Canada 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 several months and be off by 36% in the fourth quarter. and Mexico as well as exports). part, without the written permission of the publisher. more than 7% in 2009. On southbound lanes into the There should be hope the stim- From time to time, we make our subscription list That represents more than a US, 82% of respondents said vol- ulus packages offered by the fed- available to select companies and organizations whose product or services may interest you. doubling of the drop-off forecasted ume was down, compared to just eral governments in both the US If you do not wish your contact information to be made available, please contact our privacy officer via just a couple of months ago. 51% in the last survey. and Canada will help kick start one of the following methods: Phone: 1-800-668-2374 There’s not much better news The survey suggested the indus- the economy; if they fail, it will be Fax: 416-442-2200 this side of the border. try is expecting a freight recession time to break out the “worst case” E-mail: [email protected] Mail: Privacy Officer. Business Information Group, When the Ontario Trucking to continue for at least into June. scenarios. ■ 12 Concorde Place, Suite 800, Toronto, Ont., M3C 4J2 Association polled trucking com- The OTA survey suggests PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40069240 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES panies at the start of the year it trucking companies are parking – Lou Smyrlis can be reached by TO CIRCULATION DEPT. – TRUCK NEWS, found 51% of fleets were pes- trucks to cope with decreased de- phone at (416) 510-6881 or by e-mail 12 CONCORDE PL., SUITE 800, TORONTO, ON M3C 4J2 simistic about overall industry mand – 45% of respondents said at [email protected]. pg 01, 06-08 tw apr v2 3/11/09 3:43 PM Page 6

Page 6 TRUCK WEST April 2009 In Brief Slowing economy B.C. truckers give impacting northern Port peace in B.C.? provincial budget VANCOUVER, B.C. – Labour diamond mines peace has been achieved between a green light the B.C. Maritime Employers Continued from page 1 Association (BCMEA) and the LANGLEY, B.C. – The 2009-2010 Canada announced recently that its International Longshore and provincial budget has received Snap Lake mine has experienced a Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local the support of the B.C. Trucking production slowdown, with 128 em- 514, after a tentative agreement Association (BCTA). ployees being laid off. reached last month was signed by “The government is tightening “It’s surprising that (the economic both parties. its belt on discretionary spending, slowdown) is affecting the diamond “Representatives from the while simultaneously continuing mines as much as it is, because BCMEA and ILWU Local 514 met an aggressive program of infra- men still buy diamonds for their (in early March), confirming their structure improvements that will women,” says Blair Weatherby, respective memberships have ratified the collective agreement in create jobs today, while support- president of the NWT Motor Trans- effect between Apr. 01, 2007 and March 31, 2010,” said Greg Vurdela, ing economic growth well into the port Association. vice-president marketing and information services, BCMEA. future,” says Paul Landry,president The Yellowknife fleet operator The 450 ship and dock foremen with ILWU have been without a and CEO of the BCTA. has managed to cope with the eco- contract since March 31, 2007. There has been no comment by ILWU “BCTA is very pleased that nomic downturn by diversifying Local 514 during the negotiation process, or since the ratification vote. investments in the Gateway Pro- and subcontracting for the ice road According to BCMEA, the main issue has been the cost of the gram, Kicking Horse Canyon, the industry. His company, Weatherby contract. Okanagan Corridor and the Trucking, normally specializes in However, labour peace has not yet been fully realized at Vancouver Cariboo Connector will continue. transporting construction equip- ports. Unionized truckers who haul freight at the Port of Vancouver Including federal contributions, ment and supplies or acting in a have been without a contract since Dec. 31, 2008, and negotiations almost $3.3 billion will be spent vehicle recovery capacity for break- have not been smooth. on key projects over the next downs or other vehicle mishaps in Members of the Vancouver Container Truckers Association/Canadian three years.” the Yellowknife area. Auto Workers 2006 (VCTA/CAW 2006) voted unanimously on While the BCTA would have This year, Weatherby has a total Dec. 21, 2008 to hold a strike vote in late January, but that action has preferred that the controversial of three trucks hauling on the never occurred. carbon tax be frozen at 2008 lev- winter road, to supply the local Negotiations from that point have been ongoing, but unsuccessful els, it endorses new provincial diamond mines. One is a winch according to union representatives. sales tax exemptions for idle truck, which is currently hauling The union has recently announced that mediation is now being reduction devices, such as auxil- shacks on the ice road with a trom- considered, but no further details have been offered. iary power units and cab heaters, bone trailer, and the other two The 750 truckers, which are predominantly owner/operators as well as for a broader range of are hauling various construction employed by 22 different companies, want stricter enforcement of aerodynamic devices. supplies along the same winter established pay rates, as well as a moratorium on new port passes Landry added that “significant transport route. which allow drivers to enter the port. progress is being made on plans to “Mostly cement – bags of The union has previously had issues with what it refers to as:“under- develop a comprehensive program cement,” said Weatherby. “They cutting, wait times, and lack of work available as the result of the port designed to reduce commercial use it for backfilling (the mine) issuing too many licences.” ■ vehicle fuel consumption and underground.” ■ greenhouse gases.” ■

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Page 8 TRUCK WEST April 2009 Cover Story B.C. border crossings targeted by drug importers: Report

Continued from page 1 at the “Pacific Highway District CBSA notes that this increase has originated in Vancouver. Five indi- to Canada and the US now travels Ports,” was staged either in South- accelerated since Dec. 1, 2005. For viduals arrested were either resi- through South America, Mexico ern California or Washington State. the time period analyzed by the dents or former residents of British and the US, according to the report. The two most significant national study, CBSA in the Pacific Region Columbia,” says the report. It is estimated by CBSA that 72% trends in cocaine trafficking, had seized 1,672 kgs of cocaine. The report further reveals that the of the cocaine shipped to the US observed by the CBSA, involve “Of this total,four ports of entry in significant increase in the amount of moves through a Central America- a change in where the seizures are the Pacific Highway District have cocaine seized in the Pacific Region Mexico corridor, and then travels occurring, as well as the mode of been responsible for 86% of this has been due to a large increase in into the US through southwest bor- transport. total. Combine these interdictions the size of each individual shipment. der crossings. Once the cocaine en- “The increase has been almost with seizures done by US law en- While the total number of cocaine ters the US, the report states that entirely due to an increase in the av- forcement agencies (cocaine destined seizures has remained relatively Mexican-based drug cartels operat- erage size of seizures, which itself, is for Canada but seized in the US) and constant, the size of each shipment ing in southern California distribute directly attributable to the mode the increasing scope of the problem has been increasing, and more than the cocaine to various points in the of transport (actual number of is even further accentuated.” doubling, since 2004. US and Canada. seizures dropped in the same In contrast, cocaine seizures at “US law enforcement seizures A major west coast trucking period).Whereas most cocaine used marine ports of entry decreased sig- have also had an increase in cocaine route, Interstate 5, connects south- to be imported through Toronto nificantly during the same study pe- seizures during this same time ern California to the Pacific Region airport, there has been an increase riod, with only two seizures totaling period, and to highlight the signifi- and this provides what CBSA de- in land-based imports using com- less than 10 kgs at the Vancouver cance of these averages, since 2001 scribes as a “simple and direct link mercial tractor-trailer units,” reads cruise ship facility, and no Halifax the six largest cocaine seizures in to Vancouver and Western Cana- the report. marine seizures since 2004. the Pacific Region have all occurred da.” Intelligence reports and seizure While the amount of cocaine “Seizures in the air mode (Pearson in the last 19 months, and all six data accessed by the CBSA indicate seized in the Pacific region has been International Airport in Toronto), seizures have been at highway ports that almost all of the cocaine seized steadily increasing since 2001, the are still at a high level, but the per- of entry (on both sides of the centage of cocaine seized at airports Canadian/US border).” in Canada has decreased from 70% Hidden and fabricated compart- of the Canadian total in 2002, to less ments are not necessarily a new than 25% in the first six months trend in cocaine smuggling, accord- of 2007. Land-based cocaine ing to the CBSA. We take seizures have increased substantial- However, what has becoming ly during this same time period,” apparent to CBSA inspectors is says the report. the high level of organization and care of you Furthermore, the CBSA analysts sophistication that has increased all the way! state that the rapid rise in highway with concealment methods which seizures in the Pacific Region since involve either fabricated false 2006, and the Windsor/St. Clair, Ont. compartments, or the utilization of NEW! region in 2007 “are directly connect- natural compartments inside the ve- Sign up now for our ed in a number of ways.” hicle. Some smugglers are even TruckPro Roadside Assistance* The report notes that demand for more brazen. program at www.truckpro.ca. cocaine in B.C. has remained “rela- “On occasion, the drugs are not Take advantage of our free tively stable,” even as cocaine concealed at all, and are simply sit- emergency phone service seizures have increased. Production ting inside a cardboard box in the and enjoy peace of of cocaine was also considered to be back of a truck,” states the report. “relatively stable,” which indicates The majority of concealment mind driving. to the CBSA that this increase in methods encountered by the CBSA cocaine coming into B.C. is likely since 2005 involve either fabricated headed for destinations beyond B.C. false compartments or the utiliza- “Organized crime groups import- tion of natural compartments inside ing cocaine into B.C. are not only the vehicle. “These compartments TruckPro. exporting cocaine to other areas in are the concealment of choice in western Canada, but are including more than 56% of all cocaine Always the right way to go. central and eastern Canada, as well seizures done by CBSA in the high- as Australia, Asia and Europe. A way mode, and the fabricated com- seizure in Australia in September partments signify a growing level of 2006 of 135 kgs of cocaine was the sophistication in the smugglers and largest in Australian history, and traffickers.” ■ Trust your work to TruckPro and get a chance to win a Garmin GPS Cattleliner bust is stinky business navigation SUMAS, Wash. – Drug runners will go to great lengths to hide a load of system. contraband. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Sumas port Awinneratevery of entry seized 1,746 lbs of high grade marijuana concealed within the service centre!** manure-crusted floors of a cattle trailer on Feb. 17, and subsequently arrested a Langley, B.C. man. (See cover for photo). The truck driver had arrived at the port with a load of beef cattle destined for Stanwood, Wash., when he was selected for an “intensive Find you nearest TruckPro inspection,” according to the CBP.The cattle were off-loaded and the service centre at: trailer was examined, using a gamma X-ray imaging device, which www.truckpro.ca discovered “inconsistencies” in the lower and upper decks of the trailer. When entering the trailer, CBP officers state that they noticed a space The largest independent discrepancy in the interior, indicating the possibility of a built-up service centre network compartment in the floor.The CBP officers then scraped off the “natural across the country by-product” left by the cows, and unbolted false panels which concealed hundreds of plastic bags of marijuana beneath. It was a stinky investigation, according to the CBP “We will continue to be vigilant in our mission of protecting the homeland from terrorists and the criminal elements that would harm our * TruckPro Roadside Assistance is exclusively available to Canadian residents and companies based in Canada. society,” said area port director Pat Hinchey. “And while it is not every day we discover drugs hidden under cow flop, it does have its own ** Contest open March 15 to April 30, 2009. Drawing on May 4, 2009. Get contest details and entry forms at your participating TruckPro unique sweet smell of success.” service centre. Eventually all the marijuana was packaged into 69 large boxes which had to be placed back into the cow trailer for transportation to a secured TruckPro is a network associated with UAP Inc. – Heavy Vehicle Parts Division. repository vault. The cattle were sent back to the rancher that hired the livestock hauler, or what the CBP calls a “direct export.” ■

6417 TruckPro - Promo AR-GPS - TruckNews.indd 1 06/03/09 11:01:08 pg 09-11 tw apr v2 3/11/09 1:05 PM Page 9

April 2009 TRUCK WEST Page 9 SafetySafety Beware the UFOs (Unrestrained Flying Objects) Spec’ cabs for safety, and tie down the loose gear

By John G. Smith fuse). If fuses with excessive am- ORLANDO, Fla. – Mike Jeffress perages are used, the wiring could knew that he was staring at a safe- catch on fire. ty problem when he discovered a Cables also need to be sized TV mounted on the floor behind a accordingly.A Number 2 wire, for passenger seat. The driver of the example, should be used if the in- truck in question was obviously verter is six feet from the battery. trying to watch TV while sitting There is no size that fits every behind the wheel, suggests the application, and any unnecessary past chairman of the Technology cable will lead to a voltage drop. KEEP IT CLEAN: A clean bunk is a safe bunk. A bunk with floor-to-ceiling and Maintenance Council. When routing the inverter’s wires, cabinets, padded surfaces and secured appliances is even safer. The urge to watch Too Fast,Too it is also best to use a mounting Furious in the middle of a high- plate with strain relief and the “Drivers don’t realize how They should be forgiven. Some way can obviously be dangerous grommets that will protect against much power they take out of the of the related numbers can be to a driver’s well-being, but a chafing. And the inverter itself batteries.They have to know what confusing, after all. A microwave quick look inside many cabs can should be connected to a clean they can use and what’s safe to that offers 800 watts of cooking identify a variety of other safety- chassis ground. use,” Purkey adds. Continued on page 10 related threats as well. The secret to a secure environ- ment will begin by securing the gear that can become a projectile Notice to Truckers – 2009 Spring Load Restrictions at the time of an accident. The nets, doors and tie-down Under the Highway Traffic Act, the province enforces reduced load restrictions on trucks to protect rings fixed to the cabinets in today’s Ontario’s highways during spring thaw, when road damage is most likely to occur. sleepers offer an important meas- REDUCED LOAD LIMITS PERIOD RESTRICTION ON PERMITS ISSUED UNDER ure of security when they are prop- SCHEDULE 1 HIGHWAYS THE HIGHWAY TRAFFIC ACT: erly used, agrees Tom Palencher, Pursuant to the Highway Traffic Act, the ministry will impose reduced load limits for those designated parts of All annual and project permits for moving of heavy vehicle loads, objects or structures, in excess of limits the King’s Highways listed in Schedule 1, when appropriate, between March 1, 2009 to April 30, 2009. set out in the Act, unless otherwise specified are not valid on any highways during the months of March and marketing product manager with April, in the southern portion of Ontario, and March, April and May in the northern portion. SCHEDULE 2 HIGHWAYS Volvo Trucks North America. Pursuant to the Highway Traffic Act, the ministry will impose reduced load limits for those designated parts of For purposes of this division, the province is divided, west to east, by a line formed by the Severn River to the King’s Highways listed in Schedule 2, when appropriate, between March 1, 2009 to May 31, 2009. Regional Rd. 169; Regional Rd. 169 from Washago to Hwy. 12; Hwy. 12, from Regional Rd. 169 to Hwy. 7, “But if you get something heavy north of Sunderland; Hwy. 7, from Hwy. 12 to Regional Rd. 7B at Carleton Place; Regional Rd. 7B to and are only using little tie-down SCHEDULE 3 HIGHWAYS/ROADS Hwy 15; and Regional Rd. 29 to Arnprior. Pursuant to the Highway Traffic Act, the ministry will impose reduced load limits for those designated parts of Single trip permits, for moving of overloads on highways not designated in Schedules 1, 2 and 3, may be the King’s Highways/Roads listed in Schedule 3, when appropriate, between March 1, 2009 to June 30, 2009. straps, that won’t hold up in an ac- issued, but are subject to axle controls established by the Ministry of Transportation. cident.You’re going to need some- NOTE: Reduced load limits will be in effect where and when signs are posted depending on road and thing more than bungee cords.” weather conditions. SCHEDULE 1 - MARCH 1ST TO APRIL 30TH, 2009 It is a matter of physics. A 50-lb THERE ARE NO HIGHWAYS IN THIS SCHEDULE HAVING A REDUCED LOAD PERIOD. refrigerator in the sleeper will SCHEDULE 2 - MARCH 1ST TO MAY 31ST, 2009 produce up to 750 lbs of intertial WHEN SIGNS ARE POSTED, THE FOLLOWING HIGHWAYS WILL HAVE A REDUCED LOAD LIMIT FOR THEIR ENTIRE LENGTH: 510 522 524 525 528 528A 529 529A 538 539A 540A 542A 553 554 558 559 560A 563 564 567 569 570 571 572 force in a 15 mph crash. At 30 573 574 577 579 580 582 585 586 587 591 592 593 595 597 602 603 605 607 607A 609 611 613 615 617 mph, the same refrigerator has 619 621 624 630 636 639 641 645 647 650 651 652 665 667 668 670 671 672 673 801 802 804 805 810 811 7036 7037 7041 7042 7044 7048 7057 7059 7069 7072D 7102 7104 7110D 7125 7140 7182 Nungesser Rd. four times the potential energy. WHEN SIGNS ARE POSTED, THE FOLLOWING HIGHWAYS WILL HAVE A REDUCED LOAD LIMIT FOR THESE LISTED LOCATIONS: “We know that hard braking HWY.# LOCATION 556 Hwy. 532 to Hwy. 129 632 Muskoka/Parry Sound District boundary, north to events occur on a regular basis,” 129 16.2 km north of Jct. Hwy. 554 to 48 km south of the 557 2.7 km north of Jct. Hwy. 17 (Jct. of Granary Lake Rd.) Hwy. 141 at Rosseau south Jct. of Hwy. 101 north to end of Hwy. 557 634 Cloutierville Road at 3.4 km north of Hwy. 11 to its end says Kevin Tribett, manager of 516 30.2 km north of Jct. 642 north to Hwy. 599 566 2.0 km west of the Montreal River at Matachewan to 638 2.5 km north of east Jct. Hwy. 17 north to 1.3 km east of highway safety for LifeGuard 518 Hwy. 400/69 east to west limits of Sprucedale, and east of its end west Jct. Hwy. 17 Kearney to the Twp. of Perry/Town of Kearney boundary 575 Hwy. 17 to 1 km south of Jct. Hwy. 64 642 Jct. 516 east to Jct. 599 Technologies. “Safe drivers pre- 520 Hwy. 124, north to the Hamlet of Ardbeg 581 Jct. 7181 north for 6 km to Remi Lake Provincial Park 643 700 m west of Hwy. 584 to end of Hwy. 643 pare for the possibility.” 523 Jct. Hwy. 60 at Madawaska south to Hasting/Nipissing 583N Town limits, 3.6 km north of Hwy. 11 to its end 657 0.8 km east of Hwy. 105 east to its end County boundary 583S Town limits, 4.1 km south of Hwy. 11 to its end 7045 Havilland Shores Drive, west side Hwy. 17, 0.3 km from Objects sitting on bunks and 527 98 km north of Hwy. 11/17 north to end of Hwy. 527 588 1.6 km south of Hwy. 11/17, west to end of Hwy. 588 Hwy. 17 west 1.3 km 532 6.4 km north of Jct. Hwy. 556 to end of Hwy. 532 589 9.6 km north of Jct. Hwy. 591, north to end of Hwy. 589 7045 Havilland Shores Drive, east side Hwy. 17, from Hwy. 17 cabinets are also the most danger- 533 Hwy. 656, northwest to Hwy. 63 594 Hwy. 502, west to Hwy. 17 east 0.6 km ous because they will have an 534 Jct. Hwy. 524 north to the Restoule Provincial Park 596 1 km north of Hwy. 17A, north to its end 7045 Macintyre Road, from Hwy. 17 north 1.5 km to Jct. of 535 1.6 km north of Hwy. 17 north to end 599 62 km north of Hwy. 17, northeast to end of Hwy. 599 Trout Lake Road unobstructed path to the driver’s 539 0.5 km north of Warren, north of Jct. Hwy. 64 600 0.5 km north of Hwy. 11, to Jct. of Hwy. 71 7082 Jct. of Hwy. 17 to the Regional Municipality of Walden limits (4.6 km) 540 Hwy. 540B (west entrance), west to Meldrum Bay 601 1.6 km north of Hwy. 17 (west leg) to 5.0 km north of head or torso. And loose objects Lac La Croix Rd. (Flanders Rd. South) 542 Hwy. 6, west to Jct. of Hwys. 540 and 540B Hwy. 17 (east leg) (Dryden Airport) 45 km south of Hwy. 11 to its end on the floor could easily wedge 546 0.6 km north of Jct. Hwy. 17 north to end of Hwy. 546 608 1 km west of Hwy. 61 west to Hwy. 595 themselves under the pedals. 548 Maple St. (Hilton Beach) south to southwest limits of 612 Muskoka/Parry Sound District boundary, north to Hwy. 69 Richard’s Landing 625 0.5 km south of Jct. Hwy. 11, south to end of Hwy. 625 Granted, the threats are not 551 West Jct. of Hwy. 542 south to Providence Bay limited to UFOs (Unrestrained SCHEDULE 3 - MARCH 1ST TO JUNE 30TH, 2009 Flying Objects). WHEN SIGNS ARE POSTED, THE HIGHWAYS/ROADS WITHIN THE FOLLOWING TERRITORIES WILL HAVE A REDUCED LOAD LIMIT: NORTH BAY AREA Lost Channel Savard Havilland S.L.B. Strange Miscampbell Truck buyers should look at the Ballantyne & Laurier Ministic Lake Sheraton Hawk Junction Sunset Lake Mutrie material around the bunk itself, Bidwell Lake Onaping Falls Star Lake Horseshoe Bay Upsala Nanicost Centre Eldee Red Deer Village Watabeag Northland Lake Ware Nelles Palencher notes. Ellsmere Robinson COCHRANE AREA Patton & Montgomery White Sand Lake Nickel Lake Shores Rock Lake Peace Tree Pearson Landing Laurier Brower KENORA AREA “Is the stuff around there soft Lount Trout Lake N. Red Rock Pellatt 2 Wallbridge S. Casgrain Sultan Aubrey East Pickerel Lake enough that it’s not going to cause Marten Lake Coppell/Kendall/Way Bears Passage Memesagamesing Whiskey Lake Tilley Pratt Willisville Departure Lake Vankoughnet & Aweres Big Stone Bay Red Pine Ridge head injuries?” Cabinets made of Mills & Hardy Driftwood Blindfold Lake Patterson NEW LISKEARD AREA Vixen Lake Redditt soft composite materials will help Dunning Wabos Britton Reef Point Phelps Anima Nipissing Fournier Clearwater Lake Pringle Wharncliffe Rowell to limit injuries in the event any- Bayly Marter Frederickhouse Colenso, Redvers E. & Rugby Tilden Lake Beauchamp Hallebourg THUNDER BAY AREA Wabigoon E. one comes into contact with them. Thorne Rush Bay- Bourkes Hanlan Armstrong Cygnet Lake Rd. Woodchuck Bay Wilson & McConkey Bryce Hunta Dawson Rd. - Goldie Dance The proper choice and use of White Pine Sherwood Lake Cane Indian-Sand Lake Devon Ena Lake Southshore Wyse & Poitras Cairo & Alma Twp. Kitigan Firehill Engineer Lake Rd. inverters can also help to protect Yellowstone Southwatten Crystal Lake Nellie Lake (Aurora) Forbes Eton Southworth SUDBURY AREA against cab fires, adds Bruce Eby Norembega Fowler Ghost Lake Spohn Purkey of Purkey’s Electrical Armstrong Lake Foleyet Tunis Gorham Gordon Lake Spruce Lake Road Britt Gogama West Riverside Hardwick Inglis Lake Storm Bay Consulting. Burwash-Hendrie Henwood SAULT STE. MARIE AREA Hicks Lake Ingolf Sutherland Cartier Horwood Inwood Kendall Inlet Tannis Lake Ingram Aberdeen & McMahon Jacques Kenricia “These units will pull a lot of Chiniguchi R. Aweres 1 S.L.B. (Gundy Lake) Dawson Lebel (Harvey) Kirkland Lybster Kingsford Van Horne current. You must use the circuit Lebel (King) Kirkland Aweres 2 S.L.B. Lyon Laclu Dill Second Devil’s Lake Wabigoon Redvers West Downes Lake Lorraine Twp. Marks Manitou Rapids FN Wabigoon South East very close to the battery,” he says, Marquis Devon Landing Mountain Bay McCallum Point Foster Truman Esher-Como-Healy Wainwright noting how the related fuse Fourteen Mile Island Marter Northern Light Lake McConnell Lake War Eagle Mattagami Twp. Fenwick, Pennefather Obonga Lake McIntosh Harris Lake & Vankoughnet West Longbow Lake should also be located within 10 Hess Ossian Perch Lake McKenzie Portage Zealand No. 1 Otto Galbraith-Morin Polly Lake Melgund Kukagami Garden Lake Zealand No. 3 inches of the power source. Lang Lake Pacaud & Catharine Sibley Minaki Robillard Gaudette & Hodgins Stirling Mine Centre The required amperage for that Long Lake Goulais Mission fuse can usually be determined by dividing the inverter’s wattage by 10. (A 1,500-watt inverter, for ex- www.mto.gov.on.ca ample, should have a 150-amp pg 09-11 tw apr v2 3/11/09 1:06 PM Page 10

Page 10 TRUCK WEST April 2009 SafetySafety Unintentional accupuncture could result from dash-mounted toggle switches

Continued from page 9 the power source has a higher driver and any loose objects in the tioned those who spec’ toggle power may actually draw as much rating and the cigarette lighter is sleeper. switches on the dash. as 1,600 watts at high power. designed for intermittent use. Any dashboard should also “If a driver hits that, it’s going Users of this equipment will need Many other safety-related en- mount controls within easy reach, to sort of be like acupuncture,” he to remember to cook their supper hancements can be made when but fleets should also be careful says. at a lower setting. the truck is first purchased. about choosing designs that are The impact may even be guar- Drivers will also need to Visibility, for example, can be im- simply too overwhelming to anteed. While those who wear remember to limit themselves to proved with the addition of a watch, Palencher adds. seat belts are twice as likely to one device per outlet on the down-view mirror to protect Even when wearing restraints, a survive an accident, a mere 65% inverter. against blind spots. Controls driver is also going to come in of truck drivers use the restraints, In addition to that, they also mounted on a steering wheel will contact with the dashboard during Tribett says. This compares to the need to realize that there is a dis- help to ensure that eyes remain a full frontal accident. 85% of car drivers who buckle up. tinct difference between a ciga- on the road.And cabinets that run That means instrument panels It proves that a commitment to rette lighter and a power source. from floor to ceiling will offer a should offer some protection for safety involves everything from ve- While the openings look the same, welcome barrier between the the knees. Palencher also ques- hicle spec’s to driver attitudes. ■ Safe tech, safe trips New technologies promise to have big impact on commercial vehicle safety

By John G. Smith undeniable impact on the safety ORLANDO, Fla. – We were obvi- of trucks that travel North ously turning the corner too fast, America’s highways. The addition but that was the point. Meritor of emerging systems such as Wabco’s test driver headed into the Meritor Wabco’s Roll Stability “ramp” at 33 mph and cranked the Support, for example, offer added wheel. The downrigger attached to stability for loads with a high cen- the side of the trailer began to tilt tre of gravity. Lane Departure SECOND CHANCE: There are no training wheels in real life. The Meritor Wabco towards the pavement like the Warning Systems sound their RSS stability system is turned off in the top picture and is activated in the bottom. training wheels on a bike. warnings as drivers stray over the Once the wheels touched the sur- painted line. And various sensors face of the runway-turned-test- can be used to measure following Departure Warning System re- are proving that. But researchers track, the trailer had obviously distances. turns between $1.37 and $6.55 on are now trying to determine if passed the point of no return. It The equipment can also offer a every dollar invested into the they can build a safer truck by in- was a rollover. relatively quick payback to the equipment, according to research tegrating several of the equip- The second trip into the curve fleets that install it. by the American Transportation ment options. offered a different experience “There’s very promising data – Research Institute. The major field test of these when the roll stability system was particularly return on investment Roll Stability Control offers a Integrated Vehicle Based Safety engaged.The equipment automati- data,” says Dan Murray, the payback of $1.66 to $9.36. And a Systems (IVBSS) began this cally measured wheel speeds, later- American Transportation Forward Collision Warning February under the watch of the al acceleration and pressure in the Research Institute’s vice-presi- System offers a return on invest- University of Michigan Transport air suspension, and then applied dent, research. Using some con- ment between $1.33 and $7.22. Research Institute. It is looking at the brakes to bring the trailer un- servative figures, researchers have (All figures are US dollars). the combination of a Lane der control. shown that buyers can certainly These figures consider every- Change/Merge System, Forward The downrigger never made recover their costs. thing from crash costs to insur- Crash Warning System and Lane contact with the ground. Granted, the returns can vary ance rates and pending changes to Departure Warning System. widely depending on the exposure safety ratings. It is part of a 54-month, $32.2- • to heavy traffic and the value of There is no question that this million evaluation that is consid- Technology promises to have an insurance deductibles. But a Lane equipment can work. Field tests ering systems for light and heavy

THIS MONTH’S CROSSWORD PUZZLE A

Across Down n s 1. Boston, MA, a.k.a. ____ Town w

1. Police station, slangily (4,4) e r

5. Unwanted particles in engine oil 2. Certain city thoroughfares s

o

9. Monster Truck competition venue 3. Snowmobile shipping container n

p

10. Freight-terminal activity 4. Truck-stereo control a g

6. Mississauga bus-building company e

11. Historic-vehicle display venue 2

12. A Shell truck-transmission oil 6. It’s pictured on Saskatchewan plates 9 14. Tire’s basic structure 7. Certain drive-train components (3,5) 16. The ____ State, NY plate slogan 8. Axle adjective, sometimes 19. The St. Lawrence, for example 13. Winter-driving hazard (3,5) 21. Forklift-truck brand 15. Comforting used-truck-ad words (2,4) 24. A transmission name 17. Seasonal arctic highway (3,4)

25. Leaf spring and axle connector (1,4) 18. Canadian songstress Twain ©

20. Truckmaker headquartered in Sweden 2

26. Vehicle-related urban-air issue 0 0

27. Took on a load of diesel (6,2) 22. Remarkably redolent roadkill 8

23. Octagonal-sign order M .

J a c k s o TRY IT ONLINE AT WWW.TRUCKNEWS.COM n pg 09-11 tw apr v2 3/11/09 1:07 PM Page 11

April 2009 TRUCK WEST Page 11

vehicles alike, with Eaton, International Trucks, Conway and Battelle included in the truck research. The latest step is a 10-month Field Operational Test that will gather enough data from 10 trucks to simulate eight years on the road. “We’re familiar with these technologies independent of each other. We never tested them together,” says Bob Petrancosta, vice-president, safety at ConWay Freight, which is involved in STANDING ON-GUARD: Meritor Wabco’s OnGuard system has the capability of determining when a tractor-trailer is the tests. “One of the reasons following a vehicle too closely and then intervening by applying the engine and foundation brakes to avoid a collision. we’ve never tested all three together is, quite frankly, it’s requiring Roll Stability Systems incentives to offset the cost of If a driver heads into a 30 mph cost-prohibitive.” on passenger cars by 2010. such equipment. curve at twice that speed, the vehicle In the test vehicles, the Lane There are other signs that the With 23 authors, it is expected will roll over. Change/Merge Systems flash a US federal government may offer to have some traction in the year But imagine a system that iden- yellow light if there is an obstacle further financial support for those to come. tifies the curve before it emerges in the truck’s blind spot, show a who want to install the new safety Now picture a system that ties and begins to slow the vehicle red light if the driver activates the systems on trucks. stability controls into a Global before it even faces the threat. turn signal in that direction, and The real push may come with Positioning System (GPS) unit, “It seems far-fetched,” he says of sound an alarm if a turn begins. the introduction of a Bill in the muses Alan Korn of Meritor the future possibilities, “but when A Forward Crash Warning US Congress, which suggested Wabco. you think about it, it’s not.” ■ System, meanwhile, displays a warning if the truck is within two seconds of an object, and sounds G E an alarm if it anticipates a T collision. The Lane Departure P A Y Warning System sounds the alarm P O E U if the vehicle strays over the R R painted line. Petrancosta saw the value of a Lane Departure Warning System when he watched the videotape of one of Conway’s drivers who was Western Canada’s Trucking Newspaper and Equipment Buyer’s Guide nodding off behind the wheel. The alarm sounded, the driver corrected the steering and there was no other event during the remainder of the trip. A “lot of effort” has gone into eliminating false alarms, adds Dr. Zhijun (Zwick) Tang, an Eaton SUBSCRIBESUBSCRIBE engineer involved in the product. That’s why there is no audible MOVING? alarm when a turn signal is acti- READING SOMEONE vated before a turn actually be- ELSE’S COPY? REQUALIFY! gins. Meanwhile, Lane Departure Send us your new address Warning Systems are accounting Have your own! in writing on this form. for various lane markings in con- NOW!NOW! struction zones. Company ______• Name ______Title______Some jobs seem like they are Address ______earned by drawing a short straw. City ______Consider the Meritor Wabco em- Province ______Postal Code______ployee who stood on the brakes of his rental car in front of a moving Telephone: ( ) ______Fax: ( )______tractor-trailer. E-Mail ______As the distance between the vehi- cles began to close, the warnings in CHANGE OF ADDRESS ONLY 1 1 4 the cab began to sound. Serial # from code line on mailing label Then the prototype Autonomous Canada USA Foreign Charge Card Cheque Enclosed Emergency Braking System auto- $ $ $ matically began to apply the engine Visa No brake and foundation brakes. 41.28 99.95 99.95 1 Year Mastercard No The tractor-trailer came to a safe (38.95 + 2.33 GST) stop without any intervention by Amex No 65.66 the driver. 2 Years (61.95 + 3.71 GST) Expiry Date Signature Date • NB, NS & NF Add 14% HST to Price / Quebec Residents Add QST (7.5%) To Total The systems also continue to be CLIP and MAIL refined. The combination of a DO YOU WISH PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS video camera and radar on a TO RECEIVE OR 1) How many vehicles are based at or controlled from 5) Indicate your PRIMARY type of business by checking this location? Please indicate quantities by type: ONLY ONE of the following: With a) ■ For Hire/Contract Trucking (hauling for others) Forward Crash Warning System, (CONTINUE TO — No. of Straight Trucks _____ No. of Trailers ■ for example, will detect parked _____ No. of Buses b) Lease/Rental RECEIVE) — No. of Truck-Tractors _____ No. of Off-Road Vehicles c) ■ Food Production / Distribution / Beverages Payment to d) ■ Farming vehicles as well as those that 2) Does this location operate, control or administer one or more vehicles in any of the following Gross Vehicle e) ■ Government (Fed., Prov., Local) change speeds. Weight (GVW) categories? Please check YES or NO: f) ■ Public Utility (electric, gas, telephone) Don’t expect traditional mirrors 14,969 kg. & over (33,001 lbs. & over)... ■ YES ■ NO g) ■ Construction / Mining / Sand & Gravel 11,794-14,968 kg. (26.001-33,000 lbs.). ■ YES ■ NO h) ■ Petroleum / Dry Bulk / Chemicals / Tank to disappear any time soon, says 8,846-11,793 kg. (19,501-26,000 lbs.)... ■ YES ■ NO i) ■ Manufacturing / Processing 12 Concorde Place, ■ YES ■ NO ■ ■ 4,536-8,845 kg. (10,000-19,500 lbs.)..... YES NO ji) ■ Retail Chris Flanigan of the FMCSA’s Under 4,536 kg. (10,000 lbs.)...... ■ YES ■ NO Suite 800, jii) ■ Wholesale office of analysis, research and 3) This location operates, controls or administers: k) ■ Logging / Lumber ■ ■ Toronto, Ontario Diesel powered vehicles...... YES NO b) ■ Bus Transportation technology. Signature Refrigerated vehicles...... ■ YES ■ NO m) ■ Other (Please specify) ______But some of the new technology Pickups or Utility Vans...... ■ YES ■ NO M3C 4J2 Propane powered vehicles...... ■ YES ■ NO 6) Are you involved in the purchase of equipment or replacement parts? ...... ■ YES ■ NO could still be mandated as well. 4) Do you operate maintenance facilities The National Highway Traffic at this location? ...... ■ YES ■ NO 7) Are you responsible either directly or indirectly Date IF YES, do you employ mechanics?...... ■ YES ■ NO for equipment maintenance? . . . . ■ YES ■ NO TODAY! Safety Administration is already pg 12 tw apr v2 3/11/09 3:38 PM Page 12

Page 12 TRUCK WEST April 2009 OpinionOpinion wedding party in Abbotsford, B.C. a story.Trucks are actually involved in couple of summers ago, headlines a small percentage of all on-road Shock value? from one end of Canada to the other collisions. In Ontario for example, screamed: “Six dead after truck hits the most recent road safety numbers It’s time to fight back over misleading headlines wedding parade,” and “Truck mows show that trucks were involved in down B.C. wedding party guests.” less than one half of one per cent of And this is not just me feeling put all personal injury and property Nothing gets me more wound up out by media coverage of trucking. damage collisions, and in less than than a shocking headline that mis- Voice of Last year, a study by Transport 10% of all fatal collisions. represents our industry. We’re al- the O/O Canada revealed that the media sen- If you compare these numbers to ready fighting mistaken public per- sationalizes truck collision reporting the Transport Canada research on ception and negative stereotypes, Joanne regularly. accident reporting, the mainstream but when the media sacrifices truth Ritchie The report, which focused prima- media over-reports collisions involv- for a punchy headline, it’s time to rily on advertising in the automotive ing trucks by a margin of at least fight back. industry,also contained a section an- three to one. Here’s an example of the crap I’m ing a big rig.” Investigators believe alyzing motor vehicle collision re- For headline readers, as roughly talking about. The headline from a that the 19-year-old victim “allowed porting in Canadian media. six out of 10 people are, the “killer recent story in the Newark Star- his vehicle to drift into oncoming Findings showed that close to truck” caption alone can do the Ledger reads:“Shirtless man is killed traffic and hit another car, causing 60% of reported collisions involved damage. by truck on turnpike.” the trailing big rig to swerve to avoid fatalities, and over 80% of reports Details that exonerate the truck, if The opening sentence states that the collision before running into a included either deaths or serious in- they’re present at all, often get “a 28-year-old man wandering shirt- ditch and blocking the road.” juries.The research also showed that buried deep within the story, where less on the New Jersey Turnpike in After describing the dead and in- “larger sized vehicles being involved two-thirds of readers never go. So South Brunswick was killed after he jured, the reporter quotes a high- in a collision also appears to be public angst is fueled, motorists re- was struck by a bus and tractor-trail- way patrol spokesperson as saying linked to increased likelihood of fa- main terrified of big trucks, and er Friday night…” “the uninjured driver of the big rig tality and newsworthiness; this be- you’re the loser. The victim, it turns out, was first was able to pull (the victim) from comes particularly apparent when Help expose this kind of reporting hit by a bus. Furthermore, according his car just as the vehicle burst into smaller vehicles collide with large by writing to editors and publishers to authorities, he may have already flames…” transport trucks.” of media outlets that exploit truck- been dead when he was struck again That story could easily have been Big trucks are involved in a dis- ers, or pass the information on to by a tractor-trailer. about a heroic driver who ditched proportionate number of stories OBAC and we’ll do it for you So, why the “killer truck” headline his truck to avoid complicating an al- that make the news because they’re through Truck Writers of North when the guy was clearly first struck ready tragic situation, and then re- more likely to be travelling on high- American (TWNA). by a bus? It’s inaccurate, it’s mislead- turned to the burning wreck to save ways, and about half the accidents Most of the truck writers you ing, and it makes me sick. the life of the wretch who – allegedly reported in the media occur on high- know are part of TWNA, and one of And here’s another example of a – caused the crash. ways. our goals is to ensure that the indus- headline that sacrifices truth for sen- The truck driver’s name isn’t even Bigger roads, more traffic, and try is portrayed in a balanced, accu- sationalism, this time from a televi- mentioned – but it’s duly noted that higher speeds mean increased likeli- rate manner in the mass media. sion news report on TV10 News in he’s blocking the road with his hood of fatality,which in turn means We’ve got a long way to go. ■ Sacramento, Calif. “One dead in ditched truck. a higher level of newsworthiness. In Highway 12 big rig crash.” And our own media do a pretty other words, if it bleeds, it leads. – Joanne Ritchie is executive director The story reports that one person good job of twisting the facts as well. But while the involvement of of OBAC. Ready to make headlines? was killed and three others injured When the driver of a pickup truck trucks in crashes appears to be ram- E-mail her at [email protected] or call in a three-vehicle accident “involv- struck and killed six members of a pant, statistics tell a much different toll free 888-794-9990. Industry When the going gets tough, the tough get good advice

The best fleet managers are always Strategies for recessionary times date with commentary on labour looking for opportunities to discuss Private Part 2 - What fleet managers and transportation law. new ideas or get advice for their Links are doing And in Recession Strategies Part fleet operations, but in difficult times We’ve assembled a panel of fleet 2, our panel of fleet managers and it becomes even more critical to find Bruce managers who have implemented safety experts will describe actual out what successful fleets are doing. Richards some interesting and innovative cost-control initiatives and safety The agenda for the annual confer- ideas for containing costs. You’ll management strategies that have ence of the Private Motor Truck hear from your peers about real worked for them. Council of Canada has been de- nology and operators of hybrid strategies that work. And of course we’ll mix in a little signed to answer one topical ques- fleets will describe their practical ex- social time at the Chairman’s tion: How can fleet managers con- perience. Let me preview a little of what you Reception and Dinner Evening trol or reduce costs in recessionary can expect to learn: We’ve all heard where we will experience an evening times? It is a question that every Empowering for productivity something about hybrid technology of great food and entertainment fea- fleet manager has or will face, be- Roy Craigen of Transcom Fleet but few of us know enough to deter- turing stand-up comedy. cause companies are looking for an Services and past chair of the mine whether it would have an ap- A highlight of the conference is al- edge, a way to keep costs in line, and Canadian Trucking Human plication in our particular business. ways the Annual Awards Luncheon. private fleets are not immune from Resources Council will lead this This seminar will explain the tech- It is during this event that we cele- the pressures of cost control. seminar on getting the most from nology and then we’ll hear from brate some of the best that trucking The dates are June 18-19, and we your drivers – a proven source of users of hybrid vehicles about their has to offer.The Private Fleet Safety are returning to Queen’s Landing in savings. actual experience. Awards, sponsored by Zurich, recog- the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Roy Craigen is an expert commu- nize some of the safest private fleets Ont. This beautiful hotel with the Strategies for recessionary nicator and trainer. He is a sought- in Canada. We continue celebrating feel of a southern mansion has re- times Part 1 - Conserving fuel after speaker and consultant for excellence with the induction of pro- ceived rave reviews from past con- A panel of industry professionals, fleets that are seeking ways to im- fessionals into the Hall of Fame for ference attendees. Combine such an fleet managers and suppliers will prove productivity and team-build- Professional Drivers, sponsored by informative conference in a venue discuss specific steps they have tak- ing within the fleet. Roy will be de- Huron Services Group. The Hall of with access to many of wine coun- en, along with products and strate- scribing how you can get your Fame resides on the PMTC Web site try’s attractions and you have a great gies they have implemented to re- drivers to want to contribute to im- (www.pmtc.ca). get-away. This conference has be- duce fuel consumption and proving productivity, and turn them And of course the Vehicle come the best opportunity for those emissions. into even more valuable resources Graphics Design Awards, sponsored involved with private trucking to for your fleet. by 3M Canada are always a crowd join their peers and industry suppli- Annual legal update Think you know all the ways to favourite. Conference registration ers in a relaxing forum where they Christopher Andree, who special- improve fuel economy? Our panel information is available on our Web can participate in educational and izes in labour law and Dean Saul a will be discussing some innovative site (www.pmtc.ca) or by calling the instructive seminars on current is- well-respected transportation ways that work. Fleet operators and office (905-827-0587). ■ sues. The seminars cover a wide lawyer, both of Gowling Lafleur suppliers join this panel to offer range of topics, such as: Henderson will update and review ideas and actual results from steps – The PMTC is the only national as- changes in labour and transporta- they’ve taken. sociation dedicated to the private Hybrid technology tion law that affect the way our During our Friday morning trucking community. Your com- Manufacturers will explain the tech- fleets operate. breakfast we’ll receive a legal up- ments can be sent to [email protected]. pg 13 tw apr v2 3/11/09 1:09 PM Page 13

April 2009 TRUCK WEST Page 13 TaxTax Talk job-hunting trips before you move. Of course, once people get start- Tips for filing your tax return ed with deductions, they think they can write off all kinds of things – Filing a tax return in Canada is a kms closer to your new place of funeral expenses, loans to family job most people dread, and I Tax work than your previous home. members, a loss on the sale of a can see why. First, it’s up to each Talk Amounts are deductible against home – and the red flags at CRA individual taxpayer to accurately employment or self-employment start to fly. report his annual income and calcu- Scott income earned at the new location Talk to your accountant about late whether he owes tax or should Taylor (which usually must be in Canada). the types of expenses you can receive a refund. Second, the tax If you have a student in your deduct, what you need in order to codes are incredibly complex.What family who moves to take full-time validate those expenses and any we have is an honesty policy – with receipts for all amounts you con- courses at the post-secondary level, important changes to federal and potentially serious consequences tributed from March 1, 2008 to his moving expenses may be provincial tax rules. If you find for a mistake. March 1, 2009, including those deductible from his income. yourself crossing your fingers as Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) you’re not deducting on your Expenses must be the result of you file your return, working with a knows that the vast majority of tax- return for 2008. moving at least 40 kms closer to the professional can take some of the payers want to comply with the Union, professional, or other educational institution than your uncertainty out of the filing rules but at least need better in- dues: Your employer may have previous home. process. ■ structions. With April upon us, I shown the dues withheld from your • want to take some of the mystery annual pay on your T4 slip. The – Scott Taylor is vice-president of out of how CRA handles tax returns association or organization also Examples of costs which are not de- TFS Group, a Waterloo, Ont., and point out some things to think may have issued you a receipt for ductible as moving expenses: company that provides accounting, about as you prepare to file next the same dues they received for the Canada Post mail-forwarding costs; fuel tax reporting, and other busi- year (or this year, if you’re still same year. Don’t claim the same expenses for work done to make ness services for truck fleets and getting organized). amount twice. your old home more saleable; any owner/operators. For information, Moving expenses: Expenses must loss from the sale of your old home; visit www.tfsgroup.com or call Compliance reviews be the result of moving at least 40 or expenses for house-hunting or 800-461-5970. Most of the 25 million returns filed each year are processed within two to six weeks. The CRA processes most returns without reviewing the information filed so it can send out Notices of Assessment (NOA) as quickly as possible. However, all returns are screened by the agency’s computer system when the returns are filed and may be subject to review at a later date. The selection process for reviewing returns is the same whether the re- turn is filed on paper or electroni- cally. This means any tax return may be selected for review. There are three basic types: Pre-assessment reviews happen before your NOA is issued. CRA randomly selects tax returns and reviews various deductions and credits. The peak period for this type of review is February to July. Processing reviews take place af- ter your NOA has been issued. Once again certain types of deduc- tions or tax credits are targeted each year. The peak period for this type of review is June to November. Matching reviews also happen af- ter the NOA has been sent. This is where CRA compares the infor- mation you supplied on your tax return to information provided by third parties – income shown on T4 slips that your employer filed, or investment income shown on T5s. The peak period for this type of review is September to March. Five mistakes to avoid CRA tends to see the same types of errors each year. Here are some of the most common: No reply: If CRA doesn’t receive a response to a request for infor- mation within the time specified, it will deny your deduction and issue a Notice of Re-assessment, which means you will probably owe them money. It will take a long time for CRA to accept your re-submission of the deduction so don’t miss this deadline. Late filing: Missing T4s or other slips is no reason to miss a dead- line. If you can’t get the missing slip by the due date, use any stubs you have to estimate your income and related deductions and credits. RRSP deduction: If you’re filing a paper return, include your official pg 14 tw apr v2 3/11/09 1:13 PM Page 14

Page 14 TRUCK WEST April 2009 SafetySafety some collision-related repairs to reflect that reality. such as a damaged trailer panel Industry experience shows us Understanding the math may be absorbed by an overall that when direct costs are under maintenance budget. $3,000, the indirect costs can be A quick glance at a fleet’s finan- It will need to be identified by estimated by multiplying the figure cial statement can illustrate why Ask the maintenance departments as a by 4.5. some managers consider safety Expert collision-related expense. When direct costs are between programs to be an “expense.” Direct costs such as the price to $3,000 and $5,000, the figures There are certainly fees associat- Rick repair damaged equipment can should be multiplied by 1.6. ed with training programs. Geller then be applied to a simple From $5,000 to $10,000, the Equipment upgrades such as ad- calculation that determines indi- multiplier is 1.2. ditional mirrors have price tags of rect costs like loss of productivity, And when direct costs are their own. ing the impact of high-cost crashes the need to train replacement above $10,000, the indirect costs But safety initiatives should be (such as rollovers, jackknife workers, and damage to a fleet’s can be calculated by multiplying recognized as investments that offer situations and intersection colli- reputation. the figures by 1.1. a measurable financial return. sions) to the lower-cost crashes We know that some of the Then it is a matter of comparing It is an important mindset. By that take place at slow speeds and indirect costs do not change regard- the different types of crashes, looking at safety programs in the involve stationary objects or less of the size of the collision. generating the figures that can be context of an investment, safety backing situations. A replacement worker that is used as the foundation of a cost- departments will be able to iden- Even though the “high-cost” paid $25 per hour, for example, benefit analysis. tify the initiatives that make the crashes account for a higher initial will need to be paid the same Consider a fleet that discovers most business sense. price, they may account for a amount whether they were filling it is facing a high frequency of Managers may even be surprised small fraction of the fleet’s overall in for someone who is off work sideswipe collisions which cost an to learn they are overlooking the collision costs. because of a major collision or a average of $5,500 each. types of crashes that cause the The first step in an analysis like minor incident. Problems such as this can most financial pain. this is to ensure that every direct This means that we need to usually be addressed with a minor A lot can be learned by compar- cost is measured. For example, incorporate a series of “multipliers” equipment upgrade such as the addition of fender mirrors. If a fleet of 40 trucks is losing $32,000 a year because of this type of incident, it is reasonable to ex- pect that half of the cost could be eliminated by introducing a new form of corrective action. The $1,200 invested into the mirrors could produce savings of $16,000. Once the initial cost of the equipment is factored into the 'LVSDWFK  equation, safety managers will be able to point to a 1,233% return 6DWHOOLWH 2SHUDWLRQV on the investment. 7UDFNLQJ 0DQDJHPHQW The same approach could be used to justify the investments to address high-cost collisions. If crashes such as rollovers cost the same fleet $24,000 a year, it is reasonable to believe that half of these costs could be eliminated by introducing a defensive driving )UHLJKW course. 7UDLOHU If the selected course is deliv- 0DWFKLQJ ered at a fee of $250 per driver, 7UDFNLQJ the overall investment of $10,000 would still pay for itself within the first year. As long as there is a measurable return on the investment, the safety department is actually making the fleet money. The approach does not have to be limited to the costs of equipment 0RUH/RDGVWR damage, either. )UHLJKW0DWFK Workers’ compensation boards FKRRVHIURP offer a wealth of information concerning the cost of personal $%62/87(/< 'LVSDWFK6RIWZDUH injuries. ,QFUHDVHG In addition to offering details 5HYHQXH about injuries within your own 7UDLOHU7UDFNLQJ fleet, they can often provide infor- &(57$,1/< mation about the experience in other workplaces. $&( And before you dismiss $5,000 ,PSURYHG(IILFLHQF\ in damage or indirect expenses, remember what that really costs. 3URILWDELOLW\ 0LOHDJH6RIWZDUH A fleet that makes a profit of 3% would need to collect another '(),1,7(/< $167,000 in revenue to recover &RPSOLDQFH6HUYLFHV that $5,000 that was lost. It shows that a well-constructed safety program makes financial 9LVLWXVDW([SR&DP )LQDQFLDO6HUYLFHV sense. It is simply a matter of do- ing the math. ■

%RRWK ,Q&DE&RPPXQLFDWLRQV – This month’s expert is Rick Geller, director of safety and training services for Markel )RUPRUHLQIRUPDWLRQ Insurance Company of Canada. Send your questions, feedback and &DOO ZZZVL[W\FD comments about this column to [email protected]. pg 15 tw apr 3/11/09 1:31 PM Page 1

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Page 16 TRUCK WEST April 2009 IndustryIndustry It became increasingly clear over EOBRs, we believe our efforts the past years that the FMCSA was would be more productively spent EOBRs are coming coming under increasing pressure trying to make an EOBR mandate from groups like the National for North America work. Transportation Safety Board We also believe that it would be a Get over it and get on with it (NTSB) and the Commercial useful measure to level the compli- Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) to ance playing field and that the cur- In case you missed it, there’s a new introduce a universal mandate. At a rent paper-based system is archaic sheriff in town in Washington, DC. Industry December 2008 EOBR conference and outdated. CTA first called upon Barack Obama was elected on the Issues in Minneapolis, FMCSA’s then chief the Canadian federal and provincial promise of change. On a recent fact- administrator (a political appointee) governments to work with us to finding trip to the US capital, CTA said that the final rule would expand develop an EOBR mandate in 2004. David got a first-hand glimpse of how revo- the scope of the NPRM and that it After two years wherein virtually Bradley lutionary that change will be for the would likely be a precursor to a uni- no progress was made, Transport transportation sector, and trucking versal mandate. In January 2009, Canada engaged a consultant to pre- in particular. With a Democratic with the installation of the Obama pare a discussion paper (issued in majority in both the Senate and in Board Recorders (EOBRs). You administration, the FMCSA with- August 2006) to assist governments the House of Representatives, the will recall that the Federal Motor drew its rule for further review. in deciding how to handle this issue. Obama administration should face Carrier Safety Administration During our recent Washington That paper concluded there were few roadblocks in terms of getting its (FMCSA) tabled a notice of pro- foray, we were fortunate to obtain no insurmountable challenges to way. While it is early days yet, have posed rule-making on EOBRs in meetings with some high-ranking introducing an EOBR mandate in no doubt that when it comes to January 2007. For the most part, the Democratic officials who will be Canada. It said: An array of EOBR tackling climate change, highway rule was considered somewhat responsible for setting the direction technology was readily available, financing and safety regulation, weak insofar as it would have for the new FMCSA administrator. evolving rapidly and becoming less these guys intend to make change. required only a relatively small To be honest, we did not expect to costly; a relatively high percentage Nowhere is this more apparent number of habitually bad actors to learn much, given the secrecy that of drivers do tend to falsify their than with respect to Electronic On- install EOBR technology. surrounds the US rulemaking logs; EOBRs can contribute to road process. We expected more political safety improvements; an effective chat than anything else. But, what EOBR program would improve we got – and in the strongest, compliance with the hours-of-serv- bluntest way possible – was the clear ice regulations and represent an message that the new administration improvement over a paper log FASTER, EASIER fully intends to introduce a universal system; privacy concerns are a EOBR mandate. non-issue; and, EOBRs will help %25'(5 &5266,1* We were told that the previous level the playing field. NPRM was a “sham” and the level No one, least of all CTA,discounts *HW*HW& &73$773$7FHUW FHUWLÀHGLÀHGZ ZLWKLQLWKLQGD\V  GD\V of non-compliance with the hours- the amount of consultation and of-service regulations (which they work that would be required to %HQHILWVRI&HUWLILFDWLRQLQFOXGH GET 3 MONTHS characterized as a downside of establish a national EOBR mandate • Expedited clearance times ACE E-MANIFEST SERVICE deregulation) that has been tolerated in Canada, but rather than com- • Automatic access to Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program ABSOLUTELY FREE for so long is “outrageous.” mence work, the Canadian govern- WHEN YOU APPLY FOR C-TPAT We were told that government ments, wrongly in our view, decided • Significantly reduced likelihood of random inspection WITH AVAAL • Significantly reduced enforcement and compliance inspections will never have enough enforcement to put off having to deal with this people to police things and will have matter – despite all of the arguments • Shipments for inspection directed to front of the line to use technology and that an in favour of an EOBR mandate – by during random inspection AVAAL ALSO OFFERS: EOBR mandate is the only mean- waiting to see what the Americans C-TPATC-TPAT SHIPPERSSHIPPERS CANCAN USEUSE ONLYONLY •ACEe-Manifest ingful way to enforce the hours-of- were going to do. C-TPATC-TPAT TRUCKINGTRUCKING COMPANIESCOMPANIES Transmission service rules. This will take some It was suggested that Canada 'RQ W ORVH FXVWRPHUV *HW FHUWLÀHG WRGD\ • Customs Clearance time, but once the Democrats have a should wait six months to see how • Dispatch and Logistics new FMCSA administrator in place, things evolved in the US. CTA Training they will get to work. And, since the agrees entirely that we should seek • Authorities and Permits Democrats have a majority in the consistent and compatible regula- selection process for the new admin- tion between Canada and the US •Co-PilotTruckGPS& Cyber Trucker istrator, they will install someone wherever possible. However, we who will make this happen. disagreed then and continue to Contact Dara Nagra 1-877-995-1313 • Corporation Registration For some time now, it has been disagree with the notion that the Email: [email protected] KU CTA’s view that a universal EOBR best approach for Canada is to wait 2 Automatic Rd. Unit #110, Brampton, ON L6S 6K8 live support mandate was inevitable and rather and simply follow whatever it is the www.avaal.com than fighting change by opposing Americans are doing. Regardless, almost three years have passed since the decision to wait. In light of what we learned in Washington, the issue should not be if there will be a mandate in Canada, but when and how. The key is a smooth, orderly transition and im- plementation that allows industry and government the time to adjust BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY and puts in place mechanisms and OPPORTUNITY policies to deal effectively with e are a Canadian Management Consulting firm. Our Client, a major petroleum company, legitimate concerns over costs, enforcement policy, etc. Wis searching for the right individual or organization to open and operate a Truckstop facility We do not underestimate the sig- in several markets in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. nificant challenges this presents to industry and to government. But This opportunity will be of interest to existing owners/operators of convenience stores or pushing the work and the tough restaurants or gas stations with an investment capacity in excess of $1Million and additional decisions off to another day or let- ting another country decide what is space available to install a truckstop with a strong Brand as a complementary business. The best for Canada is not an acceptable additional generated traffic to the site plus the income from the operation of the incremental response.We believe that an EOBR business will generate a very attractive return on equity. Additionally, strategically well located policy in Canada should be a stan- owners of land in excess of 2 acres, interested in developing their property will be interested in dard under the National Safety Code and should be regulated by the contacting us for further information. Government of Canada in order to achieve national harmonization, at the same time as we pursue North American harmonization. ■ Please call us at (866) 970 9697 at no cost or – David Bradley is chief executive email inquiries at [email protected] officer of the Canadian Trucking Alliance. pg 17 tw apr 3/11/09 1:56 PM Page 17

April 2009 TRUCK WEST Page 17 RigRig Review sized drink holders are mounted by the floor, the head liner has been re- inforced to support a CB, and the basic gauge cluster is well filled. The controls and gauges have also been well designed for easy access. BIG dog The only real exception here seems to be the HVAC controls, which re- quire drivers to reach around the gearshift. Mack’s Titan delivers A larger driver information dis- play may also be available, but the standard screen that is viewed through the spokes of the steering the finishing touches wheel offers a clear view of all the information that the engine can pro- ORLANDO, Fla. – Mack was obvi- vide. ously trying to make a point when it Technical The simple controls offer a quick decided to call its latest truck the Correspondent look at everything from pending Titan. This is a name that evokes maintenance needs to fuel economy. thoughts of power. And in a line of John G. One of the smartest additions has FINE STYLING: The air intakes trucks identified by a bulldog, it will Smith been a simple “pizza slice” panel (growlers) mounted to the outside of need to prove itself as one of the that sits on top of the dashboard, the engine compartment contribute strongest members of the pack. ready to be pulled off by loosening to the Titan’s bold look. This is the tractor that will pull has been able to refine the shape no more than three fasteners with lowboys with GCVWs approaching enough to offer a clear look at the hex heads. That will offer service done a good job at ensuring easy ac- 140,000 lbs, and be put to work in se- road below.The visor over the wind- teams some welcome access when cess to the vital fluids. vere service applications such as shield offers some welcome protec- installing controls for auxiliary The air cleaner mounted under “light mining,” logging and the rub- tion from the Florida sun without equipment. the cab can also be easily accessed, ber railroads that are Michigan being so big that it is a distraction. Since this is a work truck, storage while cooling is supported by every- trains. And the windows in the doors is obviously important, and there is thing from the multi-speed Borg The truck hardly disappoints. The also drop down far enough to offer plenty of it in the header and the Warner fan right to the clear passage TD 713 that was recently made an unobstructed view of the Bulldog back of the cab. for air under the cab. available for a test ride in central stylized, powered and lighted mir- Even the space behind the cup The appearance of reinforcement Florida highlights the aggressive rors. holder has been left open to serve in brackets, thick flange and a substan- look that will attract many buyers, One of the few criticisms is that the role of a tall storage compart- tial web help to reinforce the idea complete with the finishing touches some drivers may find this cab to be ment, although it will likely be too that the Titan is designed for severe that will enhance strength and serv- a little high, even for an ink-stained shallow to hold much more than a service, complete with a single ele- iceability. wretch like this writer who measures pair of work gloves. ment frame that is lined with huck The state’s terrain limited the op- in at 6’5”. Heading outside the truck, the bolts. portunity to truly push this truck to Then again, the interior is worth well-balanced hood can be easily This bulldog is obviously ready for its limits. the climb.The test vehicle may have opened with one hand, and the lay- duty. Severe-duty.It should serve The biggest hill in Florida is no been equipped with the entry-level out of the engine compartment has Mack owners well. ■ higher than a landfill site, after all, interior rather than the upscale and the Gross Combination Weight Rawhide options, but there was still reached a mere 71,340 lbs with the plenty of attention to detail. Rather payload of a politically-correct than using fasteners with traditional Volvo bulldozer. Phillips heads, there are hex heads, But it is easy to tell that there was and gauges are framed in a brushed plenty of power in reserve as the metal. By including a floor mat with 605-hp Maxicruise engine (offering deep shoulders, Mack has even de- 2,060 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,200 RPM) veloped an interior that should be cruised along at 55 mph without easy to wash, keeping the embossed breaking much of a sweat. dog prints free of any dirt. This is not all about power, how- The upgraded bumper and driving ever. The Titan has also maintained lights certainly offer some attractive a comfortable ride for those who finishing touches for those who want will call the truck their workplace. to enhance the appearance of the The bark of the Mack engine truck. brake was reduced to little more The air intakes mounted outside than a whimper inside the well-insu- the engine compartment – officially lated air ride cab. known as “growlers” – add to the There has been a lot of attention distinctive appearance, with an ag- to the visibility from the driver’s seat gressive squared design that is quite as well. different than the round cylinders While Mack has maintained an found on Paccar models. aggressive-looking hood profile, it Back inside, a couple of Big Gulp-

HEAVY HAULER: The Mack Titan is built for severe service and will be right at home at construction sites. pg 18 tw apr 3/11/09 1:57 PM Page 18

Page 18 TRUCK WEST April 2009 CanadaCanada Taking it to the Park: Truckers protest Bill 41 By James Menzies TORONTO, Ont. – It could hard- ly be described as a convoy, but if the goal was to expose the main- stream media to truckers’ con- cerns about Ontario’s speed lim- iter law, then a March 2 gathering at Queen’s Park could be dubbed a success. Fewer than 10 trucks travelled from starting points in Cambridge and Bowmanville, converging at Queen’s Park where they were greeted by a full throng of media. A couple dozen professional driv- ers, many arriving in their passen- ger vehicles, were also on-hand to lend support and sign a petition which will be hand-delivered to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by Conservative MPP John O’Toole of Durham Region. The grassroots protest was or- ganized by professional driver Scott Mooney of Cambridge, Ont. and supported by more than 700 members of a Facebook group.As many as 200 trucks were expected to participate in the rolling protest, but the support failed to materialize on the day of the con- TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE?: A protest at Queen’s Park March 2 attracted a small but vocal group of drivers that are opposed voy. Despite the poor turnout, to Ontario’s Bill 41. Photo by Adam Ledlow Mooney told Truck West he felt the event was worthwhile. at a competitive disadvantage said. Back online after the event, nicating their concerns to the “I think it was a very successful when operating in the US and that participants and observers shared public. day,” he said after speeches con- the split speeds would lead to mixed emotions on the Facebook While the province hasn’t indi- cluded. “The numbers weren’t more accidents. site, which can also be found at cated it will budge from its July 1 there, but the message came He said he favours increased www.nospeedlimiter.ca. full enforcement date, Mooney through very strong.” enforcement of existing laws on Some felt the media focused on said he’s still hopeful enforcement He said the ultimate goal is for the province’s roads. the poor turnout rather than the will be suspended until lawmakers “the legislature to suspend en- “One, we don’t have the re- issues at hand, while others felt have time to explore truckers’ forcement of this law, take a look sources on our highways to en- protesters succeeded in commu- concerns in greater detail. ■ at it and take a close look at just force current legislation, so why how dangerous this law is to are we doing this?” he asked. Ontario motorists.” “And two, our trucking industry is Teamsters, western provinces not keen on limiters Speakers at the event included: going to be put at competitive dis- Mooney; NDP MPP Gilles Bisson; advantage when it comes to other TORONTO, Ont. – The Teamsters Canada union, which represents Owner-Operators’ Business jurisdictions outside Ontario.” thousands of Canadian truckers, says it is not a fan of Ontario’s speed Association (OBAC) executive OBAC’s Ritchie reiterated her limiter law. The union says Bill 41, which mechanically caps truck speeds director Joanne Ritchie and tech- group’s concerns about the law at 105 km/h, will only burden drivers with costly adjustments to their rigs. nical advisor Jim Park; Bud and appealed to the media to un- The Teamsters issued a release recently opposing the law, and pointing McAulay of Teamsters Canada; derstand that “if a truck engine is out it costs between $75 and $150 to have the speed limiter set or adjust- Conservative MPP O’Toole; and governed at 105 km/h, it does not ed at a dealership or shop. professional driver Jack Logan, make it a safer truck and it does “I applaud the efforts made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said who led the Bowmanville contin- not make its driver more respon- Robert (Bud) McAulay, national freight and tank haul director for gent. sible.” Teamsters Canada. Truck West caught up with “We need you people to take “But other considerations need to be made on environmental issues Logan at the Fifth Wheel Truck this message to the people of that don’t affect highway safety for motorists. How do you expect to have Stop in Bowmanville hours before Ontario,” Ritchie told the large a safe highway when the Ministry of Transportation is allowing two dif- the gathering at Queen’s Park, gathering of mainstream media ferent speed limits? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what where he was still expecting some types. She then turned the mic the result of trucks being regulated at 105 km/h and cars travelling at 120 25-50 trucks to show up. over to Park, OBAC’s advisor of km/h and higher will create; a lot of angry tailgating motorists waiting for The self-described ‘professional compliance and regulatory affairs. their chance to pass, which will result in aggressive driving not to men- freight relocation specialist’ said Park spoke of several studies that tion the increase in lane changes.” “the ultimate goal is to bring have been commissioned on be- The union also complained that Transport Minister Jim Bradley “chose awareness to the public that this half of Transport Canada which not to hear what the truckers, represented by Teamsters Canada, had to law is detrimental to the travelling he said failed to quantify the say on this very important issue.” public.” province’s claims that speed lim- (The Teamsters were not present at the public hearings on Bill 41 at The company driver says his iters will improve highway safety. Queen’s Park last June). Peterbilt Model 389 will not be “The reports are there, the stud- Meanwhile, officials in Alberta and Manitoba have recently assured governed to 105 km/h and that ies are there, all the background’s the trucking industry they are in no rush to implement speed limiter re- his company has a lawyer on been done – by Transport Canada quirements of their own. retainer and is awaiting its day no less, a very respectable organi- “Most of the traffic already goes well above 110…to limit trucks to in court, should he be charged zation,” he told the media. “They even less than that and to impede traffic more would probably be a safe- under Bill 41. couldn’t come up with anything ty problem,” Jerry Bellikka, spokesman for the Alberta Ministry of “We’re ready to go to court,” he that really quantified the safety Transportation was recently quoted as saying by the Canadian Press. “If said. benefits of speed limiters.” truckers feel that it’s going to save them gas or fuel, then by all means go At Queen’s Park, the theatrical The Teamsters’ McAulay also ahead and put (speed limiters) in. But the government is not about to tell Logan tossed several pairs of claimed Bill 41 creates hazards for people or companies they have to do it.” white gloves at the feet of the me- road users. Manitoba was more receptive to the idea of mandating the use of speed dia and declared “The white “We feel that having two differ- limiters, however it said it’s unlikely to move unless all other provinces do gloves are off. I’ve had enough – ent speed limits on the one high- so first. I’m not going to listen to this po- way is going to cause aggressive “Most of the provinces, as a far as I know, have said ‘no,’ other than litical gargle anymore.” lane changes, irate drivers, tailgat- Ontario and Quebec,” John Spacek, assistant deputy minister with NDP Transport Critic Bisson, ing and several other infractions Manitoba’s Department of Infrastructure and Transportation told the said he was concerned that from the motorists and it’s going Canadian Press. ■ Ontario-based truckers would be to put everybody in jeopardy,” he Bridgestone 3/9/09 3:54 PM Page 1

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Page 20 TRUCK WEST April 2009 ManagementManagement ronment, Goodwill said manage- ment needs to step up and take a leadership role, while communi- Survival of the fittest cating a positive message. “You can’t be invisible to your team, that sends a bad message,” How to steer your fleet through the recession, and be ready to he advised. “You have to project positive energy.” If job cuts are necessary, take advantage of opportunities when it turns back around. Goodwill suggested acting quick- ly and decisively. Staggering lay- offs over an extended period will lead to poor morale in the work- place, with everyone looking over their shoulder. “Don’t acupuncture your com- pany to death with 2,000 little cuts,” he said. “Do what you have to do; be bold, smart and aggres- sive.” In working with fleets as they cope with recessionary challenges, Goodwill has noticed three man- agement philosophies that tend to emerge.

The Ostrich Approach: “We’re in a recession but we’ve been there before and it’s going to pass and we’ll be okay, so we’ve just got to tough it out and keep the status quo,” was how Goodwill summed up this approach. “It sounds pretty good – there’s no disruption and everybody’s happy, but there’s something fun- damentally wrong with that reac- tion,” he explained.“Your compa- ny services customers that are going through changes. You need to know where they’re at in order to fine-tune where your compa- ny’s going.”

The Bull in the China Shop: With this approach, management KNOW WHEN TO PARK’EM: Sometimes, it may make sense to park trucks. But don’t do it just because the fleet down the begins to “slash and burn” to reel road is parking power units, Goodwill advises. in costs.They may announce a 5% workforce reduction right across By James Menzies recession may be at its worst this next few months, big and small.As the board. CAMBRIDGE, Ont. – The 2009 quarter, and a slow recovery will we come out of this recession, However, Goodwill warned Driving for Profit seminar series begin next quarter or in late 2009 there’ll be good news.The compa- management should be more kicked off Feb. 3, with a refresh- as consumer confidence is re- nies left will be much stronger, strategic and look for creative al- ingly optimistic overview of the stored. better managed, more solid finan- ternatives to arbitrarily cutting recession’s impact on the trucking “The bottom line is that freight cially and positioned for growth. positions. industry as seen by Dan Goodwill, volumes are going to return when It’s very likely that rates will start “There are various ways to skin president of transportation con- confidence returns, but until peo- to increase and we should get a cat,” he pointed out, suggesting sulting firm Dan Goodwill and ple feel confident they can go out back to running much more prof- alternatives such as shorter work Associates. and buy a car or a new house or a itable trucking businesses.” weeks and salary rollbacks as an While Goodwill didn’t sugar- refrigerator, it’s going to be slow,” In the meantime, Goodwill ad- alternative to permanent job cuts. coat the severe economic crisis he admitted. mitted just getting to that bright He also warned against dropping facing motor carriers, he did say it “As we turn around later this spot on the horizon will remain a customers without considering could be a lot worse. year, which I suspect will be slow challenge for fleets. the impact that may have down- He noted the ‘Misery Index’ with more upturn next year, de- He offered some tips on how to stream. (the combined unemployment mand for Canadian goods will get through the current downturn, and inflation rates) may reach as start to increase in line with the beginning with remaining true to The Methodical Approach: Not high as 10% shortly, but that’s economic recovery.” your company’s core values. surprisingly, this is the approach well below the 20-25% range ex- Those fleets that can weather “Look at the core values of favoured by Goodwill. perienced in the last big recession the storm, noted Goodwill, will be your company; what do you stand He said it involves: thinking of in the early-80s. well-positioned to capitalize on for? What is your commitment to what you’re doing; looking at the “If there’s any consolation, it’s tightening capacity. service? What do you teach your entire picture; carefully crafting a bad the way things are right now “There is significant truck ca- people? If a customer needs you plan that will lead your company but it’s not as bad as it could be pacity leaving the North to drop trailers in their yard or do out of crisis; and executing that and it’s not as serious as some American market,” Goodwill a Saturday delivery, will you do game plan. (See story on the fol- folks suggest,” Goodwill told the pointed out.“There are numerous that? It’s that core set of values lowing page for details on how to gathering of fleet managers. In companies that have gone. I sus- that drives your actions,” develop a plan). fact, Goodwill said the current en- pect we’ll see several other (bank- Goodwill explained. vironment has also created some ruptcy) announcements over the During a tough operating envi- The Feb. 3 seminar was the first in opportunities for carriers. this year’s Driving for Profit series. “The key issue is, we need to The seminars are hosted by KRTS survive – we need to ride out this Transportation Specialists and recession. But it’s not just about ‘Think offensively as well as NAL Insurance and sponsored by cost-cutting or staying low to the SelecTrucks. For more info, visit ground, because in these times, defensively, because opportunities www.drivingforprofit.com. opportunities are presenting themselves,” he explained. are presenting themselves that you – For more on this topic, see pages “Think offensively as well as de- 30-31 and watch for segments of fensively, because opportunities may never see again.’ this presentation in an upcoming are presenting themselves that episode of our WebTV show, you may never see again.” Dan Goodwill Transportation Matters, airing on Goodwill suggested the current Trucknews.com. pg 20-21 tw apr v3 3/11/09 1:59 PM Page 21

April 2009 TRUCK WEST Page 21

By James Menzies what you did last year will in- CAMBRIDGE, Ont. – Citing the evitably cause you to be chasing age-old expression “If you’re fail- Steps to up and down.” ing to plan, you’re planning to The return on investment for fail,” Dan Goodwill, president of any capital purchases should be transportation consulting firm carefully measured and suppliers Dan Goodwill and Associates, should be consolidated when pos- laid out the steps to surviving the creating a sible, he advised. recession at a recent Driving for “Consolidate suppliers and look Profit seminar. for cost concessions,” he said. “If The seminar, hosted by NAL you’re buying fuel from one sup- Insurance and KRTS Trans- survival plan plier and grease from another portation Specialists and spon- 7 supplier, it makes sense to talk to sored by SelecTrucks, focused on the fuel supplier and see if you how to survive the recession and can strike a better arrangement if emerge ready to capitalize on the you buy all fuel and lubes from recovery. Goodwill and fellow the one supplier.” transportation consultant Barry ‘Cause if you’re failing to McKee urged fleet managers to McKee described how to put to- keep on top of receivables and gether a seven-step plan to ensure improve collections. success. plan, you’re planning to fail’ “If accounts receivables are moving over to the 45- or 60-day Customers fer them realistic goals so they can column, be on top of it right “The first thing I suggest during be successful, he added. have that operating authority?” away,” he said. McKee said fleets recessionary times is that you’ve If job cuts are necessary, Dropping an authority to run should minimize their exposure got to stay more connected to Goodwill warned against making litigious states such as California by closely monitoring their cus- your customers than ever before,” decisions based on seniority or or New York can also result in in- tomers and following up with advised Goodwill. “Many of your loyalty rather than performance. surance savings, McKee added. them promptly if a payment is customers are going through very “It’s not just about seniority, it’s When evaluating capacity dur- missed. tough times – you want to know about running your company,” he ing a recession, McKee also said “Stay on top of them,” he said. where they’re at and how that’s said. Goodwill also advised it’s important to weigh the pros “If they make a commitment to going to impact your business.” against cutting incentive pay. and cons of parking vehicles. pay on a certain day and they do Goodwill said a recession cre- “Some people are very motivated “Every operator goes through not, follow up.” ates opportunities to become a by that, they base their livelihood this dilemma at least once a year,” Measurement core carrier for shippers that may on that,” he said. “Why take that he said. “Should I park some currently rely on your company as away and bring them to the same equipment because it costs money Use dashboards to measure a fringe provider. level as your poor performers? to run it? If I do park it, does it progress and focus on the critical “Here’s an opportunity to Keep your top performers happy make sense to take the registra- few key performance indicators maybe move in for the kill,” he and motivated.” tion and insurance off? Maybe. (KPIs) that mean the most to the pointed out. “Your competitor But, if that happens and an oppor- business, suggested Goodwill. In Capacity may be making cutbacks and tunity presents itself because a his blog on Trucknews.com, now’s an opportunity for you to McKee said that a recession competitor let somebody down, Goodwill said “the short list prob- pick up business you didn’t have makes it necessary to re-evaluate can you get there on time to seize ably includes employee produc- before.” the size of your fleet and the that opportunity and get the busi- tivity, sales performance, contri- Goodwill has a unique perspec- equipment it’s comprised of. If ness?” bution management, capacity tive on the industry, splitting his you have 10 tractors and 15 trail- utilization and cash flow manage- Costs time between consulting with car- ers, do you have the flexibility to ment.” riers and working with shippers in drop a trailer at a customer’s yard Review your PNL statements Accountability soliciting freight bids. When he’s and still meet the rest of your ob- carefully and look for fixed costs sitting on the shipper’s side of the ligations? that can be combined or eliminat- Everybody in the company should table, he said the carriers that act McKee suggested reconsidering ed, advised McKee. Can an ac- have clear objectives and KPIs, decisively are the ones that usual- the tractor to trailer ratio and en- countant help with dispatch? Can according to Goodwill. ly win the freight. Salespeople suring it is ideal for current de- the office manager take care of “To stay on track, you have to who need time to think about mand as well as future growth. purchasing rather than having a monitor your results,” he said. every decision are often dis- He also said carriers should dedicated purchasing agent? Weekly conference calls with all missed, he admitted. consider dropping unnecessary McKee pointed out the federal staff involved in operations “In the year 2009, I don’t think operating authorities in a reces- budget each year is constructed should be conducted and every- that works anymore,” he said of sion, if they aren’t being well- from scratch through a process one should be held accountable salespeople who request more used. known as “zero-based budgeting.” for meeting their KPIs. time to decide if they can meet a “Those operating authorities Many companies simply take the Results shipper’s requirements. “I think cost money,” he pointed out. “If previous year’s budget and alter we’re living in a different era.You you’re not there often enough, do the numbers slightly, but Mckee Finally, make sure the plan is de- have to know what you’re able to you really have to be there and warned that “going strictly on livering the results it was intended do and you’ve got to be able to to achieve, noted Goodwill. If the close deals and get the business.” results are lacking, determine if In many cases, Goodwill said it’s the plan that’s flawed or the shippers are willing to pay a pre- people behind it. mium for a quality, reliable carri- “If the plan is not achieving the er, so he urged fleet managers to results you want, is it the people resist the temptation to cut rates. or the plan? Figure out what the “The shippers know who their problem is and then deal with it,” good carriers are,” he said. he suggested. “If the plan is not In a recession, Goodwill said it right, go back and fix it.And if it’s may be worth taking a look at us- the people side of it, you’ve got to ing commissioned sales agents to deal with those people issues develop new business and to build quickly and effectively.” partnerships with companies that Eliminate the “whiners,” ad- can fill holes in your own service vised Goodwill, and send the mes- offerings. sage that as a leader you’re totally committed to the plan. ■ Employees During a recession, it’s critical to – Goodwill and McKee will be know who your top-performing presenting on this and other employees are and to ensure topics on surviving in difficult they’re taken care of, said times during a transportation Goodwill. workshop sponsored by “Make sure you think very Motortruck Fleet Executive in carefully about how to keep key Toronto on Apr. 15. To view the employees,” he said. complete agenda and to register, When hiring, target the best visit: www.trucknews.com/work- people for every position and of- shop/default.asp. pg 22-23 tw apr 3/11/09 1:59 PM Page 22

Page 22 TRUCK WEST April 2009 OEM/DealerOEM/Dealer News

Honest mistake proves costly for fleet February truck sales reach six-year low Bendix warns about dangers of counterfeits NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Industry forecaster FTR Associates has released its preliminary February truck sales figures, which show the lowest num- ELYRIA, Ohio – Bendix is reiter- tridge – a component that couldn’t bers in more than six years. ating the importance of using only be seen without taking apart the Net orders for all North American OEMs fell to 6,167 units in genuine parts, after a US-based air dryer. February, according to the company. That includes orders in the US, fleet experienced $10,000 in dam- “While the customer initially Canada and Mexico as well as exports. ages from using an air dryer con- saved about $30 by purchasing a The February figures show a 21% decline from January and a 60% de- taining a counterfeit cartridge. non-genuine Bendix product, he cline since February of 2008. The company says the fleet own- ended up spending almost $10,000 “We have been anticipating this slowdown in order activity for some er believed he was purchasing a in repairs to just one truck. The time now and expect orders to drop to 5,000 units or below over the next genuine remanufactured Bendix cartridge clearly wasn’t made to several months,” said Eric Starks, president of FTR Associates. air dryer last March. Bendix spec’s, compromising the The low February truck sales figures reflect “weak fundamentals” in However, the Bendix AD-9 air safety of the driver and others on the market, according to the forecaster. dryer contained a counterfeit dry- the road.” For more info, visit www.ftrassociates.net. ■ er cartridge that wasn’t up to stan- Bendix has led the charge to dards. crack down on the rampant distri- Within three months, the car- bution of counterfeit and knock- Yokohama promotes eco-friendly tires tridge failed, the desiccant inside off components. turned to powder causing it to leak The company warns that many LANGLEY, B.C. – A cross-Canada customers will provide savings on from the cartridge, clogging and knock-offs look identical to gen- program for Yokohama heavy truck the premium line.While the cost sav- contaminating brake system com- uine Bendix parts, to the untrained tire dealers and fleet customers is in- ings are appealing to buyers, the en- ponents and automatic transmis- eye. tended to showcase the eco-benefits vironmental benefits inherent in the sion valves, according to Bendix. Often, counterfeits are reverse- available to truckers. new line provide a selling advantage The truck’s owner had to replace engineered to look like Bendix The Yokohama Zen Road Show is that operators can use with their cus- a variety of components to get the parts, but are not subjected to the a combined trade show and infor- tomers, according to Jonathon truck back on the road. When the testing standards faced by genuine mation session that is being promot- Karelse, manager of marketing for owner submitted a warranty claim parts. ed to highlight the company’s new Yokohama Tire. with Bendix, the company’s engi- “When you purchase remanu- Zenvironment tire manufacturing “Many companies are looking neers discovered the cartridge was factured products, you don’t al- process, and its contribution to fuel through their entire supply chain to counterfeit. ways know what you are getting,” economy,improved tire life, and oth- ensure they are meeting high stan- “Counterfeit, knock-off, and Cifranic said. er environmental benefits, the com- dards of environmental perform- poorly rebuilt parts threaten the “This customer wanted a Bendix pany has announced. ance, and that includes transporta- safety of everyone on the highway product…but what he received The meetings and displays are be- tion,” Karelse says. since these products are not held was not what he asked for.This led ing staged for dealers and fleet cus- The theme of environmental re- to the same stringent standards as to issues with the reliability and tomers in 11 locations from sponsibility pervades the entire road genuine Bendix new and remanu- durability of the component. Vancouver to Quebec City, begin- show,Karelse adds. factured parts,” said Andy When purchasing remanufactured ning March 3, and illustrate the new “Even the ballpoint pens are Cifranic, Bendix brand manager. product, who remanufactures the Zenvironment manufacturing tech- made of a corn-derivative product. “It’s unfortunate that the cus- product is just as important as who nology,states the company. Put them in your potted plant and tomer received a counterfeit car- originally produced it.” ■ Special offers for dealers and fleet they dissolve.” ■ pg 22-23 tw apr 3/11/09 2:00 PM Page 23

April 2009 TRUCK WEST Page 23

Detroit Diesel unveils SCR equipment, projects improved fuel economy By John G. Smith The average regeneration inter- ORLANDO, Fla. – Detroit Diesel val for a Diesel Particulate Filter, has unveiled equipment that will introduced during the last round of leverage Diesel Exhaust Fluid emission standards, will extend to (DEF) to meet the next round of more than 2,000 miles, using about exhaust emission standards – com- two gallons of the fluid each time. plete with a claim that it will im- The systems will be offered in a prove fuel economy in the process. single-box design, which will be The new BlueTec system, based used by most customers, or will be on technology that is already being included in two boxes that split the used in Europe, will comply with SCR aftertreatment equipment the US Environmental Protection from the Diesel Oxidation Catalyst Agency’s 2010 emission standards and the Diesel Particulate Filter. and introduce truckers to a new The latter designs will be needed to tank that needs to be filled with a accommodate applications such as pre-mixed solution of two-thirds twin-steer equipment. water and one-third urea. The single-box designs are ex- In addition to the 23-gallon tank, pected to offer the best fuel econo- the 382 lbs of equipment includes a my because they produce lower doser, a catalyst, and an back pressures than their two-box Aftertreatment Control Module to counterparts. help limit the output of smog-form- SNEAK PEAK: Trucking journalists got their first look at this Detroit Diesel Related changes to the timing of ing nitrogen oxide (NOx). Drivers EPA2010-compliant SCR system at a recent press event. the fuel injection is also expected will be able to monitor the fluid to lower heat rejection and the re- levels with a simple series of lights coolant or windshield washer fluid. have stated publicly that you can’t lated stress on the cooling system, at the bottom of the fuel gauge. “Based on what we’ve seen trust a truck driver to fill Diesel since the exhaust treatment will oc- Before the red warning light ap- among truck drivers running SCR Exhaust Fluid tanks. This seems cur outside of the engine compart- pears, they will need to top off the trucks in Europe, and what we hear odd, because we clearly trust driv- ment. tank that is identified by a bright from our customer fleets, no-one ers to put fuel in tanks and Diesel BlueTec will be included on the blue cap. expects topping off with Diesel Exhaust Fluid will become just as DD13, the big bore DD15 and the Otherwise, the engine’s power Exhaust Fluid to be a problem – es- routine,” he added. upcoming DD16, in the will be automatically “de-rated” by pecially when you only have to do An unexpected key to the an- Freightliner Cascadia and a soon- about 25%, says Rakesh Aneja, it every 5,000 to 7,000 miles,” said nouncement is that Detroit Diesel to-be launched new generation of EPA 2010 program manager. Michael Jackson, general manager, expects the technology to improve classic and vocational trucks. A restrictor has also been intro- marketing, Daimler Trucks North fuel economy by up to 5%, with net Western Star trucks will also be duced at the mouth of the tank to America. savings reaching up to 3% once the equipped with the system. prevent drivers from mistakenly in- “In some longhaul applications new fluid is included in the calcula- By 2010, the company expects it serting the nozzle from a diesel fuel with BlueTec SCR, a customer tions. In a linehaul application, that will have recorded 25 million miles island. And the related labels are could travel up to four tankloads of could save about 800 US gallons of of testing. BlueTec has already expected to discourage people diesel fuel before having to refill a fuel per year, while consuming been used in Europe since 2005, from mistakenly adding jugs of 23-gallon DEF tank.” about 300 gallons of the new mix- while EGR has been used by other common fluids such as “Some non-SCR proponents ture of urea and water. Detroit Diesel since 2000. ■ Truck writers give nod to Detroit Diesel as winner of Technical Achievement Award

ORLANDO, Fla. – Detroit Diesel’s use of turbo compound- ing on its DD15 engine has earned it the 2008 Truck Writers of North America (TWNA) Technical Achievement Award. The award presentation was made at the annual Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) meetings. David Siler, director of market- ing for Detroit Diesel, accepted the award on behalf of the compa- ny. TWNA is a professional organi- ously-wasted energy and converts zation whose membership is com- it into productive power, improv- posed of writers, editors, public re- ing fuel efficiency and perform- BIGGER AND BETTER: Thunder Bay Truck Centre’s service shop was razed by fire (inset) just over a year ago. But the replacement is better than the original. lations specialists, marketing ance. With diesel prices reaching personnel and others involved in unprecedented heights in 2008, the business of creating or pro- we felt it was a technological ad- ducing information related to the vancement worthy of the award,” Back in business world of trucking. said committee chair, James The organization has been pre- Menzies of Truck News. THUNDER BAY, Ont. – Good rary shop was set up and service senting its Technical Achievement Press members of TWNA nomi- news stories have been in short sup- work continued,” recalled Dave Award since 1991. Complete vehi- nated products introduced in 2008 ply lately, but the re-opening of Mack, general manager of Thunder cles are not eligible, but systems and a list of eight finalists was Thunder Bay Truck Centre’s service Bay Truck Centre. and components are. short-listed. centre would certainly qualify. Almost a year to the day,the deal- Detroit Diesel’s turbo com- Finalists included: Bendix’s On Feb. 21, 2008 in the early ership re-opened its service depart- pounding system employs a sec- Adaptive Cruise Control; morning hours, the service depart- ment, which is now bigger and better ond exhaust turbine downstream Cummins Westport’s ISL G ment of the Peterbilt dealership was than before, said Mack. The recon- of the standard turbo. Natural Gas Engine; Detroit completely gutted by fire. As a full- structed service centre is located at In addition to providing a more Diesel’s DD15 Engine with Turbo service location specializing in en- 1145 Commerce St. in Thunder Bay. efficient source of exhaust back- Compounding; Eaton’s Hybrid- gine, powertrain and accident re- It has been expanded to include an pressure for the engine’s EGR Electric System and Hydraulic pairs, the dealership scrambled to extra 1,800 sq.-ft. of shop floor, 1,900 system, the secondary turbine’s Launch Assist System; find a new temporary location so it sq.-ft. of warehouse and storage output is hydronamically coupled Goodyear’s DuraSeal Trailer Tire; could continue serving its customers. space, 920 sq.-ft. of office space as to the engine’s drive gears. Great Dane’s CorroGuard “Through the efforts of our em- well as a 330 sq.-ft. customer lounge “The committee was impressed Undercoating; and Meritor ployees, a rental location was found with shower area. In total, the facili- by the DD15’s use of turbo com- Wabco’s OnGuard Collision and within seven days the tempo- ty now encompasses 21,000 sq.-ft. ■ pounding, which captures previ- Avoidance System. ■ pg 24 tw apr 3/11/09 2:01 PM Page 24

Page 24 TRUCK WEST April 2009 OEM/DealerOEM/Dealer News Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) facts unveiled at TMC

By John G. Smith hazardous material. How much fluid will a truck need and the engine will de-rate, setting ORLANDO, Fla. – Members of a to carry? the top speed at 55 mph (88.5 km/h) Technology and Maintenance How long will a supply of DEF The fluid will last about 330 miles in the process.And once the de-rat- Council task force studying Diesel last? per US Gallon (.78 litres per 100 ed truck comes to a stop, the top Exhaust Fluid (DEF) have un- Since DEF has a shelf life of kilometres), and the US speed will drop to 5 mph (8 km/h). veiled answers to some key ques- about 18 months, every jug will Environmental Protection Agency The de-rated engines and 55 mph tions concerning the storage and come with a date stamp and an API mandates that each truck will need speeds will last a maximum of 1,000 use of the trucking industry’s symbol to ensure that it meets the to carry enough fluid for two fill- miles (1,600 km) or 20 hours. newest fluid. required standards. Those who ups of diesel fuel. So far, manufac- Ironically, the SCR-equipped The material is key to the store bulk supplies will be able to turers seem to be leaning toward trucks used in Europe do not have technology that most engine manu- monitor the condition of the fluid one of three sizes of tanks on their this de-rating feature. facturers plan to adopt to meet the with nothing more than a refrac- vehicles – six gallons (22.7 litres) to US Environmental Protection tometer. last about 2,900 km; 13 gallons (49 What if the tank is filled with Agency’s tighter standards on litres) to last 6,275 km; and 23 gal- something other than DEF, such as truck exhaust, to be introduced on At what temperatures should it be lons (87 litres) to last 11,000 km. water? new vehicles beginning in 2010. stored? Levels of NOx will be measured The DEF will be introduced into Under ideal situations, it will How much does it weigh? as gases enter and exit the system, the exhaust stream just above a be stored at temperatures be- Each US gallon (3.785 litres) of so the equipment will be able to de- catalyst in a process known tween -11.5 and 30 Celsius. At the fluid will weigh 9.2 lbs (4.17 termine if the tank was filled with a as Selective Catalytic Reduction colder temperatures, it tends to kilograms). bad fluid or water. If the levels of (SCR), converting NOx into harm- turn into a slushy mixture, but it is NOx are not dropping, the de-rat- less gases. not supposed to degrade once it What will happen if a truck runs ing will occur. thaws. It would need to be stored out of urea? What is Diesel Exhaust Fluid for extended periods of time New warning lights attached to How much will it cost? made from? above 30 Celsius before the shelf the fuel gauge will help drivers to Purchase prices have not been Diesel Exhaust Fluid, also life would be affected. Suppliers monitor the levels of fluid in their set, but suppliers at the Technology known as Diesel Emission Fluid, is such as Terra Environmental tanks. Once the tanks drop to the fi- and Maintenance Council’s trade largely a pure form of agricultural Technologies in Courtright, Ont. nal 5-10% of their volume, a yellow show suggest that the cost will fertilizer, consisting of 2/3 water have also unveiled special storage warning lamp will appear. Below probably be around $5 or $6 per and 1/3 urea. It is not listed as a sheds for bulk containers. 5%, a flashing red lamp will appear US gallon. ■ Detroit Diesel attacks SCR ‘myths’

By John G. Smith senior vice-president, sales for ORLANDO, Fla. – Officials with Daimler Trucks North America. Detroit Diesel have openly at- “(But) DEF prices will not be the tacked critics of SCR technology problem that one competitor will – and the use of Diesel Exhaust have you believe.” Fluid to treat vehicle exhaust – He also questioned claims that suggesting that the claims are lit- SCR forces fleets to bear the cost tle more than “myths.” of compliance when it comes to Presentations made here during the new emission standards. New the spring meeting of the in-cylinder technology and the Technology and Maintenance higher fuel consumption that Council were hardly a veiled at- comes with it will also carry a cost, tack on Navistar, which is insisting he said. that the next round of emission Detroit Diesel also made a standards should be met by refin- point of stressing that it will meet ing the combustion process. the coming emission standards While claims have been with “no credits, no compromis- circulating that the new Diesel es,” in an obvious attack on manu- Exhaust Fluid becomes toxic facturers that will need to rely on at temperatures above 118 so-called “emission credits” for FACTS AND FICTION: Detroit Diesel officials addressed what they claim are the Fahrenheit, Detroit Diesel coun- specific engines that do not meet many ‘myths’ surrounding SCR and DEF at a recent press briefing. tered that this argument was “ex- the standards as of January. tremely exaggerated,” and quoted “While sanctioned by the EPA a report by James Spooner of the as a bridging step toward 2010 tanks will be warmed by immer- options that integrate truck and Colonial Chemical Company to compliance, they actually result in sion heaters, while the EPA will engine together. prove its point. unnecessary levels of higher emis- allow a truck to operate while the “Ten years ago, the choice “Urea is a non-hazardous mate- sions during the interim – espe- Diesel Exhaust Fluid is thawing. of engines was wide open. rial that does not become toxic at cially when more desirable near- Questions about whether the flu- Integration with the chassis was any temperature,” he said. zero emissions levels can be id was flammable were discount- not complex, you could get any Claims of steep prices for the achieved with the use of SCR ed, along with a note that it only engine with virtually any truck, fluid were also countered. technology,” said Lampert. tended to evaporate when stored there was much less vertical inte- “We can’t predict what prices Worries that the new fluid will in desert conditions beyond its gration across the industry,” said will be for DEF or even diesel freeze at 11 Fahrenheit were also 18-month shelf life. Dr. Elmar Boeckenhoff, senior fuel,” admitted Mark Lampert, countered with the fact that the The company also seemed to vice-president, engineering and stress the growing importance of technology. ■ Volvo announces SCR pricing Colonial claims its DEF first to be certified GREENSBORO, N.C. – For the first time an official price has been at- tached to EPA2010-compliant trucks with selective catalytic reduction TABERNACLE, N.J. – Colonial It’s expected that diesel engine (SCR). Volvo Trucks North America has announced it will be adding a Chemical Company says it’s the manufacturers using selective cat- US$9,600 emissions surcharge to heavy-duty trucks, beginning Jan. 1, 2010. first Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) alytic reduction (SCR) will rec- “Our emissions reduction technology for 2010 will bring immediate ben- producer to gain American ommend API-certified DEF be efits for the air we breathe without using emissions credits, while at the same Petroleum Institute (API) certifi- used. time significantly improving fuel economy for our customers,” said Scott cation. The API certification program Kress, senior vice-president, sales and marketing. The API licence certifies the is still in its infancy. Colonial “Volvo Trucks will achieve near-zero emissions of NOx with selective cat- materials used and fluid produced Chemical Company has been pro- alytic reduction (SCR). We have made substantial investments in research and marketed by Colonial meet ducing urea solutions for station- and development to accomplish these extraordinary goals.” international standards for auto- ary SCR systems for more than 10 The surcharge will apply to all heavy-duty Volvo trucks, which will be motive-grade urea, the company years, the company claims. available with Volvo’s D11, D13 and D16 engines as well as the Cummins announced. DEF will be required It has been offering DEF since ISX. ■ by most heavy-duty truck engines 2006 and it’s currently available in in 2010. bulk and packaged forms. ■ pg 25 tw apr 3/11/09 2:02 PM Page 25

April 2009 TRUCK WEST Page 25 NewNew Products its ClearSky diesel particulate filter The wall chart can be obtained by scribe to Shaw Tracking’s in-cab (DPF) for its ComfortPro APU is calling 800-633-3256 or visiting tracking and communications plat- now CARB-certified for use in www.webbwheel.com/aftermar- form. Participating carriers are able California. Now companies that run ket/orderliterature.html. to view the available fleet of other into California can comply with the • members in real-time, so they can state’s stringent emissions restric- Meritor Wabco has expanded its air coordinate to meet customers’ de- tions when using 2007 or newer en- disc brake family with the introduc- mands.When participating carriers gines coupled with Carrier APUs tion of the PAN 22 single-piston air broker loads to each other, Shaw’s with the ClearSky DPF. Carrier disc brake designed for North tracking system allows both part- Transicold says its new DPF reduces American commercial trailers with ners to track the delivery in real- particulate emissions by at least 22.5-inch wheels and axles rated to time.Already, Shaw says its new al- 85%. For more info, visit 22,000 lbs. The new disc brake is liance has over 2,500 units of www.trucktrailer.carrier.com. available as a trailer OEM option capacity including cargo vans, and boasts a compact design and straight trucks and semis. Only sub- low weight, according to the compa- scribers that meet specific fleet ny. Meritor Wabco says its PAN 22 standards, including ethical and ArvinMeritor has unveiled a line of offers excellent braking torque out- quality standards are allowed to remanufactured brake shoes with a put coupled with low weight and participate in the program, accord- coating designed to prevent rust long pad life. It’s touting the new ing to the company. For details, vis- jacking – a process that occurs brake family as one of the most it www.shawtracking.ca. when rust forms on the bare shoe, cost-effective air disc brake ranges causing the lining to lift and crack. available. For more info, contact The remanufactured shoes covered your ArvinMeritor dealer or visit in a PlatinumShield coating will www.arvinmeritor.com. come with a three-year, 300,000- mile warranty against the issue.The coating was developed to resist the Shaw Tracking has announced the “micro-abrasion” caused by the availability of in-cab scanning movement of the brake lining through its OmniVision against the shoe table during regu- Transportation suite of services. lar use, the company says. TransCore has launched a new The new service allows drivers to Beginning this May, the remanu- Web site especially for operators scan and transmit documents such factured shoes with Toyo Tire has introduced two new of commercial trucks. The compa- as trip and mileage reports, bills of PlatinumShield coating will be sizes of its M154 regional highway ny says the site provides industry- lading, timesheets, receipts and oth- standard on all of the company’s tire. It’s now available in specific market and product infor- er information from their cab. Shaw remanufactured production shoes 265/75R22.5 and 245/75R22.5 sizes, mation. It’s located at Tracking says the new service helps with a MA or R prefix; Meritor both in load range G, according to www.transcoretracking.com. increase the pace of the business cy- MG1, MG2L, MG2, CG and MET the company. The tire features • cle for carriers, who will be able to OEM aftermarket shoes; and Fras- Toyo’s ‘e-balance’ design technolo- Shaw Tracking has launched a pro- receive payment earlier. It also Le F550, F555, F577, F560, F587, gy which the company says con- gram that allows its fleet customers leads to improved driver productiv- F787T and Combo shoes. tributes to endurance and resist- to pool their resources to better ity,since drivers will no longer need • ance to irregular wear. It’s serve customers. Shaw Alliance is a to seek out and stop at truck stops Detroit Diesel and ESOC intended for steer applications but new offering that’s comprised of with fax capabilities. For more info, Commercial Truck have developed can also be used in other positions, Canadian-based carriers that sub- visit www.shawtracking.ca. ■ an environmentally-friendly fuel and Toyo says the tire is optimized filter change system for the DD15 for fuel economy. For info, go to and DD13 engines. The ESOC 350 www.toyotires.ca. is able to prime the fuel system af- • ter a high-pressure pump replace- Webb Wheel is offering a new wheel ment occurs, the companies say. It torque specification wall chart which can also be used to prime the fuel shows the proper torque require- system after a fuel filter change, us- ments of truck and trailer wheel ing fuel from the engine. Since fuel ends. The recommended torque does not have to be added, there’s spec’s are shown for 6-stud and 10- less risk of spills and it’s safer for stud ball seat-mounted and 8-stud technicians and the environment, and 10-stud pilot-mounted disc according to the companies. wheel hubs; 3-spoke, 5-spoke and 6- • spoke wheels; and brake drum and Carrier Transicold has announced rotor assemblies, the company says. MISSING JUSTIN POLLARI 5536-V D.O.B.: Jan. 31, 1987 Missing since: December 07, 2001 Missing from: Hilton Beach, Ontario Height: 5' 9" Weight: 140 lbs. Eye Colour: Blue Hair Colour: Blonde Age Enhanced to 20 years. Justin was last seen talking to a trucker on Highway 11, just outside of Sault Ste. Marie, near his hometown. http://www.childfind.ca/missing.php

Anyone with information please contact: All Calls Confidential – No Name Required CHILD FIND 1-800-387-7962 pg 26-27 tw apr 3/11/09 2:03 PM Page 26

Page 26 TRUCK WEST April 2009 NewNew Products New aero package offers double-digit fuel economy gains: Peterbilt

By James Menzies through Paccar Parts for retrofit on DENTON, Texas – Peterbilt has in- each of those models. troduced a new aero package it says The aerodynamic kit includes: a can improve the fuel efficiency of its roof fairing and trim tabs to help Models 386 and 384 by up to 12%. direct the air over the cab and trail- Already a fuel-efficient truck in its er; a new sleeper roof transition to own right, the EPA SmartWay-certi- improve air flow between the cab fied Model 386 is 24% more aerody- and sleeper roof lines; re-contoured namic when dressed up with chassis fairings with a kicked-out Peterbilt’s new aerodynamic pack- flair design that directs air around age, the company announced during the rear tires and wheels; an aerody- an unveiling at its plant. namic battery box/toolbox; a “We would say that this is the composite sun visor that provides number one aerodynamic product less aerodynamic drag; a 3-inch rub- in the marketplace,” Landon ber sleeper extender to direct air Sproull, Peterbilt’s chief engineer, over and around the trailer; and new said of the Model 386 with the new aerodynamic mirrors. aerodynamic package.“We’re confi- In addition to being more aerody- dent in our numbers; we’ve done our namic, the new mirrors now feature third-party testing.” four-way adjustability allowing for Five-hundred of the super-aero both horizontal and vertical adjust- Model 386s have been in real- ments, improving visibility. world service with Wal-Mart since Peterbilt has retained its two- AERO KING?: Peterbilt says its Model 386 is tops in fuel efficiency when equipped late last year, and Sproull said piece windshield on the Model 386, with a new aero package it claims will improve fuel mileage by up to 12%. on-track, wind-tunnel and compu- making it easier and less expensive tational fluid dynamics (CFD) test- to replace broken panes. To compliment the new dash, ing have validated the company’s It doesn’t look as aerodynamic as Peterbilt has redesigned its seats fuel efficiency claims. the curved, one-piece windshield with coordinated colours and new found on the Model 387, but surpris- fabric patterns. The new seats are Aero savings ingly when it comes to aerodynam- optional on Platinum, Prestige and Sproull pointed out that the aero ics the windshield is a “dead spot” ProBilt interiors, the company package can save a typical operator according to Sproull. The new com- announced. US$5,600 per truck each year based posite sun visor with a subtle gurney Better cooling on today’s fuel prices. The aero strip helps pass the air away from package is also available for the the windshield and over the cab and Also new to Peterbilt is an upgraded Model 384 (which is still awaiting sleeper. HVAC system the company says EPA SmartWay certification) and All this is combined with the NEW DASH: Peterbilt unveils a new provides 20% better air-condition- also as a ‘Fuel Efficiency’ package Model 386’s lightweight aluminum dash with molded-in colour that’s ing as well as enhanced defrosting for the traditional-styled Models 388 cab and Peterbilt’s proprietary light- resistant to scrapes and chips. capabilities. and 389. Similar fuel savings will be weight front air leaf suspension, the The new HVAC system fea- achieved with each of those vehicles company points out. degradation. tures: a smaller, lighter aluminum when fitted with the new compo- The surface is resistant to fading, evaporator; a molded door design New interior nents, Peterbilt claims. peeling and chipping, the company to provide better sealing; the addi- “For fleets and owner/operators The Peterbilt Model 386 boasts points out. tion of a third door to the HVAC who prefer classic styling, the fuel some interior enhancements as well, The new charcoal dash has a con- unit to isolate the heater core efficiency package offers fuel sav- which it shares with the Models 384, temporary look and is now standard from the chilled air; a new fresh air ings and uncompromised style and 388, 389, 387 and 365. Most notable on all interior packages. intake drain design to provide bet- performance,” said Bill Jackson, is a new dash, which features an If you’re partial to the old-school ter condensate drainage on steep Peterbilt general manager and “in-mold” process that embeds the wood-style finish, Paccar Parts offers grades; and a redesigned large air Paccar vice-president. colour directly into the dash an aftermarket panel that can be af- filter for easier access, removal The aero kit is also available material, protecting it from colour fixed to the dash. and installation. ■ Fontaine offers ‘Revolution’ in flatbed trailer design

ORLANDO, Fla. – Fontaine Moveable chain ties can be Trailers has unveiled a new alu- repositioned in a series of chan- minum flatbed trailer that promis- nels, and later stored into an inte- es lighter weights, higher grated toolbox. strengths and a stiffer construc- Even Grote’s integrated light- tion than competing models. And ing system is radically different. the multi-axle designs that are Traditional stop and turn lamps more popular in Canada are ex- have been replaced by a series of pected in the near future, says three LED strips that are set into Buck Buchanan, vice-president, an aluminum channel. The num- marketing. ber of parts and connections has The secret to the new trailer been reduced by 60%. Everything known as the Revolution is found comes together with just four con- in the floor. The unitized design nections that are located at the fuses together a series of alu- LIGHTER, STRONGER: Fontaine Trailers says its new flatbed design offers more centre of the trailer, inboard of minum channels using a process strength and less weight. the tires. known as “friction stir” welding.A In addition to protecting the spinning tool simply softens the as trailer wracking which can But the trailer’s design also of- lights from damage, the extruded aluminum and mixes the material cause tires to scrub away prema- fers a number of enhanced load aluminum also acts like a reflector together. There are never any turely. While a traditional flatbed securement tools. and brightens the appearance of breaks in the weld. would weigh 10,200 lbs, the alu- The side rail and rub rail are the lights, says Buchanan. There has been an undeniable minum Revolution will weigh made with a single piece of ex- All the air and electrical lines reduction in parts in the process. 8,000 lbs. The Revolution Hybrid truded aluminum. There are no are also fed down a centre chan- A traditional flatbed trailer in- that incorporates some steel will welded pipe spools or rub rails to nel that is simply bolted into cludes 3,700 parts, including 1,400 weigh 9,000 lbs. be found. Stake pockets are sim- place. screws, 44 I-beams, eight wing As tractor weights increase with ply cut out of the rail, and increase The aerodynamic enhance- braces and the wood flooring. The the introduction of new exhaust their related strength by a factor ments that come with the reduc- Revolution, currently offered in a treating equipment, the trailer of 12.A simple hook found under- tion in cross members and wing spread tandem configuration, will weights will become important for neath the rail will also hold the braces are expected to improve be made with 1,500 parts. And the those who need to haul loads of flat hook from a DoT strap in fuel economy.And a yet-to-be-un- stiffer design is also expected to coiled steel weighing 48,000 to place while drivers secure their veiled toolbox will serve double reduce the lateral bending known 50,000 lbs. loads. duty as a fairing. ■ pg 26-27 tw apr 3/11/09 2:06 PM Page 27

April 2009 TRUCK WEST Page 27 Nissan rolls into Canadian commercial vehicle market Truck maker hints at future offerings in North American commercial vehicle market By James Menzies workstation at job sites, Ahmed TORONTO, Ont. – Nissan has explained. leapt into the Canadian commer- The NV2500 on display at the cial vehicle market, with a full- auto show was designed as a sized van it says will inject life workstation for Habitat for into the traditionally “boring” Humanity. segment. It was a concept vehicle, with The NV2500 concept van, avail- many upgrades you won’t find in a able in GVWRs up to Class 5, was traditional commercial vehicle, in- introduced to Truck West in cluding a laser beam that projects advance of the Canadian a keyboard onto a wood panel so International Auto Show where it a worker with dirty hands can en- was unveiled to the public for the ter data without gunking up a MOBILE OFFICE: The Nissan NV2500 can serve as a mobile office at job sites. first time. computer keyboard. Once he’s “We’re trying to show that com- done, the wooden panel can sim- mercial vehicles need not be bor- ply be wiped clean. enter the market in 2010 things cial vehicles as well. Once we feel ing boxes on wheels, they can be Solar panels on the roof of the will have rebounded, business we have established ourselves enhanced considerably in design vehicle power interior equipment confidence will have improved with the light commercial vehicle and functionality with a lot of aes- such as lights and accessories. considerably and we feel we’ll be segment, maybe we will look at thetics to give it emotional as well The NV2500’s large doors swing in the market at the right time new segments in the future.” as rational appeal,” Syed Ahmed, open to reveal a spacious interior with the right product to leverage The NV2500 is built on the corporate manager, light commer- that allows for excellent visibility the huge opportunities offered by Nissan Titan frame and has a cial vehicles with Nissan Canada of a job site and easy access to the commercial vehicle segment,” 147.6-inch wheelbase and meas- told Truck West. cargo and tools while also serving Ahmed said. ures 19.5-ft. bumper-to-bumper. “We want to take the boring as a mobile office. He also hinted Nissan will be Objects up to 10.5-ft. long can be concept of a box on wheels com- North America’s commercial pursuing other segments of the transported and the raised roof mercial vehicle to the next level vehicle market represents the North American commercial can accommodate taller items and allow professionals – which “final frontier” for Nissan, which vehicle market in the future. such as an upright refrigerator. It may include building site opera- is already a player in 73% of glob- “The commercial vehicle mar- will be powered by a V8 engine tors and small business owners – a al markets, according to Ahmed. ket is huge and it has a lot of seg- with a five-speed automatic new level of versatility.” But one must ask: why enter the ments in it. At the outset, we’ll be transmission. The NV2500 features three North American market in the entering up to Class 5 GVWR rat- To see the vehicle up close, zones: the driver/passenger zone; midst of a deep recession that has ings with vans, trucks and cab and check out our WebTV show the workspace; and the cargo brought commercial vehicle sales chassis,” explained Ahmed. Transportation Matters in the zone. An ideal application for the screeching to a halt? “Nissan has experience in medi- Multimedia Centre on new vehicle is to serve as a mobile “We hope that by the time we um-duty and heavy-duty commer- Trucknews.com. ■

FCC introduces hydraulic hybrid Book Review: Peterbilt: Long-Haul Legend By James Menzies CHICAGO, Ill. – Freightliner plained.The energy stored in the ac- TORONTO, Ont. – Whether you need some new reading material to tide Custom Chassis (FCC) has a hy- cumulator is then used to accelerate you over until truck show season or you’re just a fan of hard-working draulic hybrid walk-in van chassis at the vehicle during the next launch. Peterbilt trucks, the new coffee the National Truck Equipment Upon re-acceleration, the vehicle table book Peterbilt: Long-Haul Association (NTEA) Work Truck utilizes the energy stored in the ac- Legend may be of interest. Show. Boasting improved fuel econ- cumulator and once depleted, the Written by trucking journalist omy and less brake wear thanks to engine is restarted. James Beach, the book pays trib- regenerative braking, FCC an- “The hydraulic hybrid is able to ute to the rich history of Peterbilt. nounced the hydraulic hybrid chas- recover and re-use about 70% of the Its pages describe all models sis is designed and engineered in energy that otherwise would have ranging from the very first Pete partnership with Parker Hannifin to been wasted during the braking built by lumber man T.A. address environmental and cost-sav- process,” said Rich Kimpel, engi- Peterman in 1939 right up to to- ings concerns. neering manager for the Parker day’s sleek aerodynamic designs. “The hydraulic hybrid chassis not Hydraulic Group Technology and Even the most devout Peterbilt only offers a reduction in operating Commercialization Support Team. fan will learn a thing or two about costs, it also decreases exhaust emis- “On the other hand, typical electric their favourite brand in this book, sions, providing a substantial envi- hybrids can only recapture about and the pictures will appeal to ronmental benefit,” said Jonathan 25% of the brake energy.” truck lovers of all stripes. (There Randall, director of sales and mar- Another feature of the hydraulic are 150 colour photos and 50 black keting for FCC. “As the first chassis system is that the engine is not con- and white pictures packed into the manufacturer to launch hybrids into nected to the rear wheels of the ve- book’s 160 pages). the walk-in van market, we are very hicle, allowing it to run more effi- Special sections of the book are proud to continue that tradition by ciently as it doesn’t need to track dedicated to subjects such as the introducing our hydraulic hybrid as road speed, adds the chassis manu- wide range of modified Peterbilt logos you’ll find on show trucks and the art another option for customers.” facturer. FCC adds the advanced en- of restoring old trucks. The new hydraulic hybrid can im- gine-off feature is designed to allow Truck restorers will be especially interested in the section on truck prove fuel economy 50-70%, over the engine to turn off while idling at restoration, which focuses on Courtland TruckWorks. traditional diesel-powered vehicles a stop.The engine only restarts when You may want to look them up next time you need to find that elusive with automatic transmissions in the energy stored in the accumulator part. stop-and-go applications, according is not enough to meet demands. Some of the show trucks featured in the book are simply stunning, no- to the company. The hydraulic hy- “The hydraulic hybrid differs tably the 1949 Peterbilt 350 with an oversized custom sleeper (pg. 29) and brid is designed to improve fuel from a hybrid-electric vehicle be- the lime green Pete 379 with extra tall double stacks attached to an equally economy in three ways: by recover- cause the accumulators recharge distinctive trailer (pg. 74). ing braking energy; improving en- much faster than batteries while the If you prefer pictures of working trucks in their natural environment, gine efficiency; and by powering off overall hydraulic system offers near- there are plenty of those as well. the engine when stopped. ly 10 times the power density of elec- Whether you’re a Peterbilt aficionado or simply have an appreciation for Built on the FCCC MT-55 chassis, tric hybrids,” Kimpel said.“This fac- trucks in general, you’ll likely enjoy Peterbilt: Long-Haul Legend. the hydraulic hybrid system stores tor also contributes to improved fuel Published by Motorbooks, the book can be ordered online at www.mo- energy during the braking process in economy by allowing the capture of torbooks.com or through retailers such as Amazon and Chapters/Indigo. ■ an accumulator, the company ex- more brake energy.” ■ pg 28 tw apr 3/11/09 2:11 PM Page 28

Mark Dalton

FICTION Part 4

By Edo van Belkom forth across the road...” new ski lodge in Ste. Veronique.” parking lot. The story so far... More people entered the store. “Ah, so you’re making two deliveries “What’s your name?” Mark is driving a load of roof trusses to a new ski resort in No one left until Mark was done. on this trip, eh?” ‘How good were these reporters?’ Northern Quebec when he sees the car in front of him • There, thought Mark. She’s boiled it Mark wondered. swerve across the road. Thinking the driver’s drunk, or Mark was back on the road 45 minutes down to a single sentence that made the “What’s it feel like to be a hero?” he’s having a fight with his passenger, Mark prepares to later when his cell phone rang. whole episode seem cute and cliched. There was that question again. call the police, but the car suddenly stops on the side of ”Hello?“ This interview was going nowhere and “Do you have any kids of your own?” the road. The man driving jumps out and flags Mark ”May I speak to Dr. Dalton, please?“ Mark couldn’t wait for it to be over. “Yes, Now that was a good one. down. His wife in the back seat is about to have a baby. It was Bud calling. Mark wondered that's exactly right.” But before he could answer a man Mark makes a 911 call and learns that emergency per- how he’d already heard about what had The interview lasted another minute, grabbed his arm and introduced himself. sonnel won’t be on the scene for another half-hour or happened. “How do you know?” and then mercifully it ended. Mark “I’m the public relations manager for the more. In no time at all Mark is assisting with the baby's “Mark,” Bud said. "Or should I say, turned off his phone for a while so he hospital, we’ve set up a press confer- birth, relaying information from the operator to the Dr. Dalton, you don’t run over a nail could drive in peace. When he finally ence in the mother’s room. This way mother, and back again. Before Mark knows it, the baby without me knowing about it.” reached the building site at Ste. please.” is ready to enter the world. “It was amazing Bud,” Mark began. Veronique, there was a crowd of work- Mark was whisked away. The baby’s delivery continues and Mark grows more “I didn't think about what was happen- ers gathered to greet him. Then, after The media followed. comfortable and confident with each passing minute. ing – I mean, really think about it – until it he'd backed his trailer into position and ‘This is it,’ thought Mark. ‘My 15 min- Finally, the newborn arrives – a big baby boy – and the was over. And even then it seemed like a shut down Mother Load, he climbed out utes of fame.’ ordeal is over. The parents are joyful, Mark is relieved. dream. Like it had happened to some- of the cab to a round of applause. When he reached the hospital room, Mother and child are taken away in the ambulance. The body else.” Mark waved to the crowd wondering things happened fast. They put the baby firemen congratulate Mark then leave too, leaving Mark “These things only happen to you, if he could get used to all this attention. in his arms and snapped some pictures. by the side of the road...alone. Mark.” The free coffee “Yeah, I guess they do.” and donuts the • Bud was silent a moment, then said, workers gave Mark continued on his way north toward “Now I know you’re a hot shot superstar him were a Ste. Veronique. The smile on his face truck driver who delivers babies on the definite plus, was ear-to-ear and his entire body felt side of the road in his spare time, but I but having the light and happy, as if his day was want to make sure you’re still on track to receiver treat charmed and he could do no wrong. deliver my load, you know what I him like he And so, he pulled into the first truck stop mean?” was more than he saw, filled up with fuel and bought six “I’ll be there with plenty of time to just another Lotto quick-picks and another half-dozen spare.” truck driver felt “Scratch and win” tickets. “That’s what I like to hear,” Bud said. wrong, some- When he reached the counter, Mark “Because I have a feeling there are go- how. had trouble getting the clerk’s attention ing to be a lot of people wanting a piece Mark told the because the man was intent on listening of your time over the next couple of story of the de- to the radio which was reporting some days.” livery three late breaking news...in French. • times before the “What's that about?” Mark asked. Bud was right. trusses had The man smiled. “They're saying Before he even reached Ste. been unloaded some guy just helped deliver a baby on Veronique, Mark had been contacted by and he could the side of the highway about 10 kilome- two newspapers and a radio station, be on his way. tres down the road from here. It was a each one wanting to do an interview Back on the boy.” with him. How these people had gotten road, Mark Mark looked around the shop to see if his number, Mark had no idea, but he was happy to anyone else had been listening in. “That had a sneaking suspicion that Bud had be headed was me,” he said. had something to do with it. south again and planned to drive Then they gave the baby back to the “What was you?” asked the clerk. “So, what does it feel like to be a straight through to Ottawa to return the mother and pictures were taken of all “That was me,” Mark repeated. “I'm hero?” the woman from the radio station trailer. He turned on his phone again to four of them together. the guy who delivered the baby.” asked him. ask Bud about a load out west, but In all the confusion Mark snuck a peek “Non.” “What?” was all Mark could say. He before he could dial Bud's number the at the baby and was happy to see he “Yeah.” Mark wondered what proof felt good, not heroic. phone rang. was beautiful and healthy. And the moth- he had that he was in fact the one, but it He hadn't stopped by the roadside This time it was a local television sta- er, Elise, was smiling and happy, a nice turned out he didn't need any. The clerk thinking someone in peril needed his tion wondering if he could stop by the change from the last time he'd seen her. believed him just by looking at him. help, he’d just stopped to see what was hospital in Mont Tremblant to see the Even the father looked good, proud that “Hey Marcel,” the clerk called out. going on and was suddenly sucked into baby and have his picture taken with the his first-born son had caused such a stir. “The guy who delivered the baby...he's a situation that demanded he become in- mother and father. Mark wasn't crazy “And now it’s time for the big sur- here in the shop.” volved before he could even think about about the picture part, but he did want to prise,” said the public relations man. A man – Marcel – appeared from the turning his back. And so, despite his de- see the baby. It would also be nice to see Mark looked around wondering what back room and shook Mark’s hand. “Let sire to sound fresh and different in his the parents again, but this time in some- it could be? me get you a coffee,” Marcel said. “You radio interview, he said what everyone what calmer circumstances. “Georges and Elise have decided to can tell me all about it.” else who finds themselves in similar “I’d like that,” he said. name their son in your honour.” Mark checked his watch. There was circumstances says... “Good,” said the woman on the A din rose up from those gathered in plenty of time to get to Ste. Veronique “I'm not a hero,” he said, being hon- phone. “They have a surprise for you.” the room, and then applause. and besides that, he‘d been dying to tell est rather than humble. “I was just doing She gave him directions to the hospital. Mark nodded and waved apprecia- someone – anyone – about what had what I could to help.” Mark was intrigued. What kind of sur- tively thinking Mark was a fine name for happened and if they turned out to be “What did you do after the baby was prise, he wondered. Twins, maybe. Or a son. Even Dalton had a nice ring to it. the store clerk, Marcel, and three other born?” perhaps a “Thank You” card. That’d be Georges looked at Mark and cleared people who‘d already gathered round, That was an easy one. “I got back in nice. his throat. “We have decided to name then so be it. my truck and started driving again.” When Mark arrived at the hospital in him…Peterbilt.” “Well,” he began. “I was following “To make another delivery?” Sainte-Agathe-Des-Monts, a scrum of Mark’s grin was ear-to-ear.He was this car and it started swerving back and “Yeah, I guess so. Roof trusses for a reporters was waiting for him in the never so glad he didn’t drive a Volvo. ■

The continuing adventures of Mark Dalton: Owner/Operator brought to you by MICHELIN NORTH AMERICA (CANADA) INC. pg 29 tw apr 3/12/09 3:47 PM Page 29

April 2009 TRUCK WEST Page 29 OpinionOpinion (it was indeed a long rant) he the norm back then. Family fi- Putting things in perspective stopped me abruptly. nances came first. “Robert John (I knew he meant I wonder how many kids these What a difference a year makes. business when he used my second days would be willing (without a For many, retirement plans have Publisher’s name) this is not the depression granddaddy of a fight) to forfeit been put on hold. Anyone invest- Comment that I lived through (I was waiting their part-time wages to help pay ed in the stock market has wit- for the “I used to walk four miles for their family’s food and rent? nessed their net worth decrease Rob to school, every day, uphill, both I’m curious. by 40% or more, company retire- Wilkins ways, in raging snowstorms”) so We will work our way out of this ment plans are experiencing burn don’t let me hear you whine. They mess and the economy will recov- rates at an alarming pace and for were bad times and we were on er. Whatever you are doing to many, just paying the mortgage is aged a local manufacturing plant our own. There were no govern- minimize the effect this downturn a monthly challenge. employing just over 200 people. ment bail-out packages being is having on your business, do so For sure, it’s hard to keep a pos- It was an established business handed out.” with this in mind. itive attitude. that consumed his entire working Fair enough, he had been No doubt, one day we’ll be the Things will turn around but just career. through the worst of the worst. He ones talking about the four-mile try telling that to someone with a In fact, it was the first job he ap- was one of four brothers. walks to school, every day, uphill, family of five who has just been plied for after returning from the In order for his family to make both ways, during raging snow- laid off. war) so I like to bounce business ends meet, all of them had to find storms. And around she goes… ■ I was moaning about the market problems and scenarios off him, part-time jobs and donated their conditions to my dad the other hoping for feedback. earnings to the common good of – Rob Wilkins is the publisher of day. He has a business back- After rambling on about the the family. Truck West and he can be reached at ground (prior to retiring, he man- current state of trucking affairs From what I understand, it was 416-510-5123. Fleet News Canada’s publicly-traded fleets weathering storm Vitran suffered a US$3.2 million loss prisingly, net earnings slid in the acquisition of the transport services drove Clarke Inc. to a $124.1 mil- in the fourth quarter but finished the fourth quarter to $3 million com- of Essential Energy Services Trust, lion loss in 2008, but its freight 2008 fiscal year in the black with a pared to $7.5 million in the fourth R.E. Line Trucking, and Pro North transportation business remained net income of US$4.6 million.That’s quarter of 2007, the company re- Oilfield Services; the strong per- profitable. down, however, from a net income ported. Despite the solid perform- formance of the trucking/logistics Clarke’s freight transportation of $13.7 million in 2007. Revenue in- ance in 08, the company admitted it segment; strong demand for the segment earned $14.8 million be- creased 8.3% in 2008, including a has been impacted by the recession. transportation of fluids; and efforts fore taxes in 2008, up $5.5 million 4.5% increase in LTL. Freight shipments in Contrans’ van to control costs. over 2007, the company reported. Fourth quarter revenue was down operations were down, with the seg- In the fourth quarter, Mullen For the fourth quarter of 2008, 11.5% compared the same quarter ment generating $21.6 million less generated revenue of $354.8 mil- Clarke’s freight transportation seg- in 07, the company reported. revenue in 2008 than in 07. lion and a profit of $7.1 million. ment earned $2.5 million in income “Although we are disappointed Part of the decline was due to the • before taxes which was on par with with the financial results, the fourth closure of a major customer, the Global financial market woes Q4 2007 earnings. ■ quarter of 2008 marked another pe- company reported. riod of significant achievements for “The current recession is global in Vitran in the face of an unmistak- scale and is affecting every aspect of able retraction in the entire North the North American economy,” American economy and transporta- added Dunford. “In spite of tion industry,” said Vitran president Contrans’ diverse customer base, and CEO, Rick Gaetz.“We are very service offerings and geographic Comprehensive coverage pleased to have completed the final spheres of operations, it is not im- steps of our US LTL operating inte- mune to the effects of this recession. gration with the amalgamation of re- Management’s top priority will be a for the road ahead. dundant workforces and facilities in continued focus on maintaining the the overlap legacy PJAX and Vitran financial strength of Contrans par- Express operating regions.” ticularly if the current recession be- • comes even more severe or pro- Contrans Income Fund has wrapped longed.” up what its chairman and CEO Stan • Complete coverage. Dunford referred to as “its best fi- Key acquisitions helped pave the Unparalleled value. nancial performance ever, given the way to a more profitable 2008 and bleak and deteriorating business en- fourth quarter for Mullen Group • Transportation Risks vironment in which it operated Income Fund. The company gener- • Property Insurance throughout the year.” ated record consolidated revenues The company concluded 2008 of $1.3 billion last year – a 17.4% in- • Manufacturing/Processing Risks with net earnings of $29.5 million, up crease over 2007 revenues.The com- • Cargo Insurance from $26.2 million in 2007. Not sur- pany attributed the growth to: the • Commercial Liability

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Page 30 TRUCK WEST April 2009 TSQTSQ BOWMANVILLE, Ont. – Truck never heard of EOBRs before, drivers across the country may Truck Stop Should EOBRs but he likes the idea. have yet another universal man- Question “I agree in principle, but I’d date coming on the heels of the have to find out more of the de- Jan. 1 speed limiter law – that is if be mandatory on tails. But ultimately if it ends up the Obama Administration’s in- Adam Ledlow saving lives and making drivers fluence finds its way north. Managing Editor all trucks? more accountable for what The young US president has they’re doing, then I agree 100% moved swiftly to produce the with it.” “change” that his history-making • campaign was built upon, and it looks as though the trucking in- dustry will be feeling the effects of predictions are correct, it won’t • this change sooner than later. be long until the Canadian truck- What may be on its way? ing industry follows suit (see his Electronic On-Board Recorders, column on the subject on pg. 16). devices which gather and process So what do drivers think of the data much like black boxes in air- looming possibility of EOBRs? planes. Truck West went to the Fifth Laurie EOBRs could be used for safety Wheel Truck Stop in Arsenault purposes to monitor things like Bowmanville, Ont. to find out. speed, hard braking and hours- • Rob of-service, and if the new Steve Murphy’s response to the O’Neil Administration has its way, they’ll question was short and sweet. Laurie Arsenault, a 50-year veter- be mandatory on heavy-duty “I don’t agree with the black an of the road, says he doesn’t trucks in the future. box. It is an invasion of privacy,” think EOBRs would make a dif- And if Canadian Trucking said the driver for Guelph, Ont.- Rob O’Neil, a part-time driver ference in safety or decrease the TruckNews Guide Ad gm2011.qxd 11/26/08 4:51 PM Page 1 Alliance CEO David Bradley’s based Fortress Trucking. from Colborne, Ont., says he’s number of accidents. “I think they’re gone crazy with this trucking industry. Fifty years ago when I started, there were truck accidents on the road.There always were truck accidents; there will al- ways be truck accidents. Lady driv- ers, young drivers, old drivers…they all get in truck accidents one time or another. The box is not going to make one bit of difference one way or another,” said the driver for Warren Transport in Rexton,N.B. “If they come, I retired five years ago…I’m retiring again in another month and I’ll leave all the trucks to the younger drivers and hopefully they can keep it between the lines.” •

Mike Lobreau

Mike Lobreau, a driver for Titan Transport based in Saskatoon, Sask., thinks there are too many regulations for truck drivers al- ready and the government should turn its attention to car drivers in- stead. When the going gets tough, “There’s people pulling amazing things out there and they’re not even on the map of being checked. the tough get smarter I can understand the safety factor (for introducing EOBRs), there If there was ever a time to find ways to run your business more efficiently, now is the time. are some people who push the lim- its, but I think part of the rules So, where do you find accurate for shipment volumes, rates, surcharges If you’d like to reserve your copy right now are pushing the drivers information about industry trends and and capacity concerns based on detailed of the “Inside the Numbers” report, send to push those limits,” he says. future estimates for shipment volumes, research of shippers operating in several an email to [email protected]. “There’s probably a couple of rates and surcharges, so that you can plan industries. things that are good (about EOBRs) but right now we have to your operation accordingly? • What can your trucking operation expect survive on this regulated 105 Where can you find stats that allow you to in 2009? km/h thing, so what is next?” ■ compare your trucking operation to others, • What are the business trends that are so that you can identify potential problems changing your industry? and opportunities for your business? • What are the strategies shippers will be Have your say Look no further, Truck News and using to stay the course in 2009? AVAILABLE Do you have a suggestion for a Truck West are about to publish a compre- This timely report will provide NOW! future Truck Stop Question? hensive guide for trucking and transporta- you with a wealth of knowledge that you We’d love to hear it! E-mail your tion professionals, called “Inside the can use to guide you through the difficult suggestions to Adam Ledlow at Numbers” – a snapshot of expectations year ahead. Coming Soon! [email protected]. www.trucknews.com/inside We just may use your question in a future issue. ■ Cummins 3/11/09 2:28 PM Page 1

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