Newsletter Archive

Dangers of inadequate truck parking

Plus: New immigration policies' effect on industry

Broker relationship on the fritz? Maybe it's not too late to repair it, or maybe it's time to find a new broker. Either way, Chris Burroughs, president and CEO of the Transportation Intermediaries Association, offers tips to find a trusted broker and build a solid relationship. Meanwhile, trucking faces another fraud threat—one that may have already hit your fleet.

We’re rolling out a new section today: Connected Fleet, covering the latest in fleet technology. Let us know what you think.

⬆️$3.697

AVG. COST OF DIESEL PER GALLON IN U.S. AS OF 2/24, UP 0.020¢

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

SPOTLIGHT

Broker transparency: help or harm?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently reopened the comment period on its broker transparency proposal. To date, the proposed rule has received more than 5,000 comments. Trucking groups representing small carriers have been outspoken about the need for better transparency between fleets and intermediaries.

Are regulations the way to go? Or are there best practices for brokers and carriers to work together more seamlessly? We spoke to Chris Burroughs, president and CEO of the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA), to get his take on the way forward. -Shefali Kapadia

Would the FMCSA's broker transparency proposal rule help or hurt brokers? What about small biz trucking firms?
TIA commissioned the renowned transportation economist Noel Perry to examine the issue of broker transparency and its impact on all parties in the supply chain. The findings were alarming. All four parties involved in the supply chain—motor carriers, brokers, shippers, and consumers—would be negatively impacted by broker transparency and increased regulations. Specifically, the report notes increased costs associated with regulations and more competition, which would lead to a leveling of margins.

What one thing do you hope the Trump administration will focus on that benefits fleets, brokers and other trucking industry players?
TIA would fully support the Trump Administration addressing the issue of strategic theft and fraud in the supply chain. We were told back in 2020 that there were over 80,000 complaints in the national consumer complaint database, and there has been no action to date to address this massive problem. Freight fraud affects all members of the supply chain. The FMCSA needs to get off the sideline and into the game to help the industry tackle this important issue.

What advice do you have for small fleets trying to build stronger relationships with brokers?
Relationships are everything in any business. We would recommend finding a broker that looks at small carriers as an integral part of their business. Both parties need to have mutual respect and work to create wins for each other. TIA members would be an ideal place to look, as we have stringent membership requirements and require our members to have the necessary experience in the industry and sufficient knowledge of how the industry works, which includes building strong relationships with motor carriers.

What technology do your members say they can't live without?
Technology that works to mitigate fraud. With the FMCSA using antiquated technology, including a registration system that is woefully inadequate, brokers and shippers are utilizing and making massive investments in technology to mitigate risks and protect their customers, both shippers and motor carriers. These would include carrier selection tools, AI, technology to track stolen freight and automated processes.

This interview was edited for brevity and clarity.

FAST LANE

WALL HAUL: Call for fleets, drivers to haul Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica

FATAL PILEUP: Truck driver charged in vehicle pileup that killed 53

NEW HOME: TFI International to relocate HQ to the U.S.

GREEN SHOOTS: Trucking execs see end of recession, rise in rates

ROAD REPORT

Trucking fights its next big battle: fuel-card skimming

As if fleet executives didn't have enough headaches keeping them up at night, another threat has started to plague trucking companies. Fuel-card skimming happens when scammers install a device on truck stop fuel pumps. When a trucker fills up and inserts their credit card, the device steals the card data, and bad actors make unauthorized purchases. The silver lining is that trucking has ramped up its efforts to combat the practice by adopting digital payments and using telematics to spot fraud-prone areas.

Why this matters: Fuel-card skimming poses a threat to fleets' financial security, making it necessary for executives to come up with savvy solutions that fight fraud.

Get more details at Transport Topics.

Hydrogen, electric truck maker Nikola to shutter operations

Nikola has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and will sell its assets. The company's CEO cited “various market and macroeconomic factors” that disrupted the business. While the company is winding down most of its operations, it will continue providing limited services to support existing trucks in the field, including certain HYLA fueling operations, through the end of March 2025.

Why this matters: Nikola has a troubled past—a founder jailed for fraud, a settlement with the SEC and over $1B in liabilities. Changing electric vehicle regulations only added uncertainty for the OEM. (Trucking Dive)

DOT kills approval for NY congestion pricing

The Department of Transportation withdrew support for New York City's congestion pricing. The agency will work with New York state officials to halt toll operations, marking a major setback for the initiative. New York's transit authority, meanwhile, is filing papers in court to keep the program going, arguing that it is essential for funding public transportation and improving air quality.

Why this matters: Congestion pricing was designed to reduce traffic in the busy city. The Trucking Association of New York, however, opposed the program, noting the "inequitable tolling structure that targets the trucking industry." (NBC)

Drayage truckers at Port of L.A. go on strike

Dozens of truck drivers who haul freight to and from the Port of Los Angeles went on strike last week. They demanded contract negotiations after increased health insurance costs and a change in pay from hourly to per load. The strike has already caused delays in cargo movement, raising concerns about potential disruptions in the supply chain.

Why this matters: Switching to per-load pay can put a significant dent in drivers' earnings, especially for drayage truckers who often spend long hours waiting for containers at the ports. (KTLA)

QUOTED

"Drivers have to maintain adequate rest. They cannot be fatigued. And if they can't find a place to get that rest, they can't do it.- Mark Savage, ATA's Law Enforcement Advisory Board

When drivers see the clock tick down to their mandated break time, they'll of course want to pull into a safe spot and rest. The problem: there simply aren't enough spots where they can do that. Mark Savage, chair of the American Trucking Associations' Law Enforcement Advisory Board, discussed the dangers of inadequate truck parking and how his organization worked with Congress to secure funding for more parking spots. Watch his interview here.

CONNECTED FLEET

Drivers support new tech that helps with performance

Almost 70% of drivers said they support new technologies that help reduce stress and improve driving performance. That's according to a survey by telematics provider Geotab, which suggested solutions such as lane departure warnings, adaptive cruise control and dashcams.

Why this matters: While some truckers are resistant to technology such as in-cab cameras, many are open to new tools and software that make operations safer and help them do their jobs. (Fleet Equipment Mag)

AGENDA

How Trump's immigration measures could affect trucking

The trucking industry is preparing for the possibility of immigration raids, status checks or additional scrutiny as Trump's government goes after undocumented immigrants. Cross-border truckers may face longer processing times or complications in renewing work permits, and drivers may need to start carrying documents proving their legal status.

Why this matters: Fleet executives will need to ensure workers and drivers have the information and tools they need to avoid possible delays to freight movement. (FreightWaves)