As we entered the first full week of January, I think I speak for all of us when I say that we were hoping for something more. More peace, more joy, more anything other than what we’ve all experienced this week. Despite everything that’s going on, the trucking industry has still found its way toward positivity, giving, and kindness. With that in mind, here are five good things that happened in trucking this week.
USDOT awards over $41M improve transportation access to persons with disabilities
The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) awarded more than $41 million on Jan. 6 to 15 teams in 15 states through two DOT design challenges to improve transportation access to persons with disabilities and individuals with mobility challenges.
“These exciting projects support the development of new innovative, inclusive, and affordable transportation technologies that address mobility and access challenges,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao.
The department awarded over $38 million to five awardees through its Complete Trip - ITS4US Deployment Program. The projects will enable communities to showcase innovative business partnerships, technologies, and practices that promote independent mobility for all. The three-phased effort brings together public-sponsored and private-sponsored research. It also will create large-scale, replicable deployments that generate increased mobility options across multiple modes of transportation to address the challenges of planning and executing complete trips.
The department also awarded $3 million to 10 semifinalists through its Inclusive Design Challenge. The multi-stage competition seeks design solutions to make autonomous vehicles (AVs) more accessible to persons with disabilities through hardware or software solutions that enable independent use of AVs by persons with disabilities or mobility issues. The 10 projects, each receiving $300,000, will have 18 months to develop their proposed ideas into prototypes. The Department will later select three final winners that will receive the remaining $2 million of the $5 million total prize in 2022.
Check out the full list of award recipients here.
Tennessee trucking community helps member who lost his possessions on Christmas Day bombing
Folks are rallying around a member of the Tennessee trucking community who lost all of his belongings in the Christmas Day bomb blast that damaged 41 buildings in downtown Nashville.
Patrick Mendenhall, founder and chairman of the Tennessee Trucking Association’s Young Professional Council, created a fundraising page for Joe Fischer, a representative of the Eaton Corporation for most of Tennessee and active member of the Council. Mendenhall, who is director of fleet sales for the Summit Truck Group, wrote on the page:
“Our friend, Joe, was in his apartment with Kitty [Fischer's cat] when the bomb went off. Joe escaped and thankfully later found Kitty more than 24 hours later. However, Joe’s belongings are destroyed and even if they were salvageable, he is unable to get back into this apartment.”
Mendenhall said Fischer was asleep in bed Christmas morning when the blast occurred. While he was able to escape unharmed, he was unable to find his cat, Kitty, to take her with him. Kitty was later found by police authorities and reunited with Fischer and was seen by a veterinarian as a precaution. Fischer is still not allowed back in his apartment as it is an active FBI crime scene.
“Joe is a great friend and would do whatever he possibly could to help us, let’s return the favor!” Mendenhall said.
As of Jan. 8, more than $10,000 has been raised since Mendenhall created the fundraiser on Dec. 28.
Women In Trucking continues gold level partnership with Amazon
On Jan. 6, the Women In Trucking Association (WIT) revealed that Amazon has renewed its Gold Level Partnership in support of the organization and its efforts to encourage women around the world to see transportation as a viable career opportunity.
Since becoming a gold partner in 2019, the company actively participates in the association. Chris Heine, director of Transportation at Amazon, serves on the WIT board of directors.
“Amazon is excited to be a partner of such an amazing organization like Women In Trucking,” said Heine. “Amazon Transportation Services (ATS) is always seeking to bring awareness to, foster meaningful dialogue around, and to educate on the importance of Diversity and Inclusion.”
Since 2007, WIT has made great strides toward elevating the issue of gender diversity in transportation and logistics. A few recent accomplishments include the first virtual Accelerate! Conference and Exhibition, unveiling its Driver Ambassador Trailer, and providing driver members with free health support programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with an influential business leader like Amazon,” said Ellen Voie, president and CEO of WIT. “Their commitment and support will help us continue to drive positive change around dialogue and action for more women in the industry.”
Three truck drivers earn Highway Angel Wings for courageous acts
This week, the Truckload Carriers Association has named William "Bill" McNamee, Stan Clayton and Christina Castillo all Highway Angels for their courageous acts on the road.
McNamee, from Christopher, Ill., drives for Carbon Express Inc. of Wharton, N.J. He was named a Highway Angel for stopping to help a young girl after her family’s vehicle was involved in a head-on collision. This is the second time Bill has been recognized as a Highway Angel. Read more about his heroism on the road here.
Clayton, from Cherryville, N.C. and a professional truck driver with ABF Freight System Inc. of Fort Smith, Ark., was named a Highway Angel for stopping to help a fellow truck driver after his truck rolled over on a highway exit ramp. Read his full story here.
Castillo, from Union City, Calif., drives for TForce Logistics of Dallas, Texas. She was named a Highway Angel for coming to the aid of an elderly woman who collapsed into the street during a health emergency. Read more about Castillo’s story here.
CFI raises $40,000 for Truckloads of Treasures Holiday Giving Campaign
Associates of CFI, an operating company of TFI International Inc., supported 20 charities with more than $40,000 across the U.S., Canada and Mexico in CFI’s 27th annual Truckloads of Treasures holiday giving campaign.
The annual tradition, established in 1993, reflects CFI’s unique family-friendly culture, engaging associates across the company’s terminals, and more than 2,100 professional drivers traveling North America’s highways delivering essential goods.
“We extended Truckloads of Treasures to a ten-week raffle ticket fundraiser and silent auctions,” noted Greg Orr, CFI’s president.
Funds are raised entirely through associate donations. Due to the pandemic, CFI pivoted away from its typical in person bake sales, chili cook offs and pie competitions in favor of a virtual donation platform.
“I could not be prouder of our associates and their spirit of giving back to support important community charitable efforts, and in particular, direct support for those who are less fortunate,” Orr said. “If there were ever a year in which we needed to come together over the holidays and bring a little joy, this is the year.”
Check out the full list of supported charities here.
