Here are five things worth knowing today:
1. Arizona’s Department of Transportation installed cameras on I-10 near the Sacaton Rest Area to catch commercial trucks that are non-compliant with regulations, Casa Grande Dispatch reports. According to the report, the cameras have nothing to do with speed enforcement, but are “part of a larger system that when fully operational will make conducting safety inspections on commercial vehicles more efficient.” An ADOT spokesperson said trucks will drive over sensors embedded in the pavement that will depict whether they are compliant or not. “At the same time, the camera will capture information on the truck and run it through a database to see if the driver has proper documentation,” according to the report. “Those that are found to not have proper documentation on file will be informed through electronic signs following the cameras to pull into rest areas for a secondary inspection.”
2. The trucking industry is urging lawmakers to allow longer trailers, which it says would increase efficiency and move more goods with fewer trucks, Roll Call reports. The provision awaiting consideration by the Senate would allow 33’ trailers instead of the current 28’ trailers, according to the report. The House passed a bill that includes this provision, Roll Call said. Highway safety advocates believe safety questions are still unanswered, according to the report.
3. The Missouri Department of transportation says it doesn’t have enough money for new construction projects to expand roads or build new interchanges, according to Connect Mid Missouri. According to the report, this is the first time in history that MoDOT has encountered this problem. Missouri isn’t the only state facing this problem. According to the report, bordering states have raised taxes to address the problem. Uncertainty over federal funding, which runs out at the end of this month, is impacting many states across the country.
4. A truck driver was injured after his tractor-trailer collided with a freight train in Queens early this morning, according to NBC New York. According to the report, the driver was able to get out of his vehicle and was transported to Elmhurst Hospital. According to police reports, the truck was crossing when it was hit by the train. It was then dragged down the train tracks, causing the cab to catch fire.
5. Truckers will gather at the Branson, MO, Events Center next month for the American Truckers Festival, according to Branson Tri-Lakes News. According to the report, the motto for the event is “If you bought it, a truck brought it.” The Branson Tri-Lakes News has more.
