Commerce Express Weekly Road Map:
June 27th, 2023
Keeping you informed on the latest news/insights in our industry.
Commerce Express Blog
Have you ever made a turn down a poorly paved road?
Typically, the decision is regretted about 30-seconds into the ride. While bouncing up and down, you’ll curse at your GPS, the device that you led astray to this pothole-ridden rabbit hole, while keeping your head on a swivel for a premature exit—hoping that anything can be better than what you just put your vehicle through.
Those blasted poorly paved roads!
Trucking Update
Rule on Automatic Emergency Braking Systems Proposed by FMCSA and NHTSA
The proposed rule – issued jointly by the FMCSA and NHTSA last Thursday – would require all trucks over 10,000 pounds to be equipped with an automatic emergency braking (AEB) system and an electronic stability control system, which works simultaneously with AEBs.
Additionally, it would impact most new Class 7 and 8 trucks (any with a weight rating of over 26,000 pounds) within three years of the final rule. As well as most new Class 3-6 trucks (over 10,000 pounds) expected to meet the requirements within four years.
Many in the trucking industry view is as a “game-changer” that’s capable of reducing truck crashes, injuries and facilities “significantly.”
The yearly cost of this proposed rule is estimated at $353 million but could generate a net benefit of $1.8 billion to $2.6 billion.
Diesel Average Rose Last Week – First Time in 10 Weeks
For the week of June 19th, the U.S. average for diesel rose 2.1 cents, to $3.815 per gallon.
This is the first increase since a 1.8 cent rise the week of April 17th – per FleetOwner.
But still good news as fuel nationally is still almost $2 per gallon below what it was last year, data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows.
Did You Know: The Collapsed Section of I-95 in Philadelphia Has Reopened
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announced the reopening last Friday at noon Eastern time.
If you remember, on Sunday the 18th, Shapiro said the reopening could happen in two weeks, so around the weekend of July 1st-2nd.
Then on Tuesday the 20th, Shapiro said the reopening would happen the weekend of the 23rd.
Rail Update
NTSB Hearing Regarding February 3rd Train Derailment Takes Place
During the hearing, witnesses said they wanted there to be more information so that there could be a way to improve the response to future train derailments, while also making sure that information is easier to break down.
The hearing focused on four main things:
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- Hazard communications and emergency responder preparedness for the initial emergency response
- Circumstances that led to the decision to vent and burn and five vinyl chloride tank cars
- Freight car bearing failure modes and wayside detection systems
- Tank car derailment damage, crashworthiness and hazardous materials package information
You can view the hearing agenda here.
CPKC and Americold Working Together on Refrigerated Rail Services
In an effort to expand intermodal transportation options and cold storage offerings, Americold has partnered with Canadian Pacific Kansas City to put warehouse facilities along the rail network between the Midwest and Mexico.
Additionally, CPKC recently doubled their 53’ refrigerated container fleet by adding 1,000 new containers.
Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending June 17th, 2023
- Total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 477,126 carloads and intermodal units, which was down 3 percent compared to the same time last year – per the AAR.
- U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 248,402 containers and trailers, down 6.5 percent compared to last year.
- Motor vehicles and parts, nonmetallic minerals, and metallic ores and metals all posted increases compared to the same time last year. While grain, chemicals, and forest products all posted decreases.
- Total North American rail volume for the first 24 weeks of the year was 15,500,857 carloads and intermodal units, down 4.1 percent from last year.
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