Operations

Your Jan. 20 Pre-Trip: Best and worst states for trucking

Jan. 20, 2016

Here are five things worth knowing today.

Here are five things worth knowing today: 1. The American Journal of Transportation (AJOT) has compiled a list of the best and worst states to own a trucking company or drive a truck in 2016. According to the report, Merchant Cash USA surveyed 3,287 individuals involved in the trucking industry through an email and social media campaign. Survey questions covered cost of parking overnight, fees/regulations in particular states, and how friendly states are to drivers. See the list at AJOT. 2. The driver of a Greyhound bus that overturned on a San Jose highway Tuesday, killing two and injuring at least six, admitted to fatigue, according to a San Jose Mercury News report. One passenger claimed the driver was dozing off in the moments leading up to the crash, Mercury News said. According to the report, the crash occurred around 6:40 a.m. amid heavy run and during the commuter rush. Mercury News has more.3. In an effort to retain drivers, Central Hauling in Little Rock, AR, has formed an advisory board of nine drivers to represent the concerns of all 256 people in the fleet, The Washington Post reports. The council has developed training modules to help drivers manage business aspects of being an independent contractor, and council members also field calls from colleagues having issues out in the field. The Post has more.4. Indiana is in the midst of a major road funding problem – how to create additional revenue to repair its roads – JConline reports. According to the report, although the state budget has been set, the closure of 37 miles of I-65 due to the instability of the Wildcat Creek Bridge put the issue at the forefront of priorities for the state. The state faces an estimate $1 billion shortfall in revenue needed to adequately maintain state and local roads, according to the report.5. Four Wheel Magazine has named the new 2016 Ram 1500 Rebel its Pickup Truck of the Year. The competition takes place over five days and 1,000 miles, in which a panel of judges test each vehicle’s performance, comfort and design. For the past 28 years, the magazine has chosen a truck to hold the title.

About the Author

Cristina Commendatore

Cristina Commendatore was previously the Editor-in-chief of FleetOwner magazine. She reported on the transportation industry since 2015, covering topics such as business operational challenges, driver and technician shortages, truck safety, and new vehicle technologies. She holds a master’s degree in journalism from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut.