Trucking News and Briefs for Tuesday, June 11 2024:
FMCSA announces dates of virtual carrier safety rating sessions
As reported by last week, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration plans to host both virtual and in-person listening sessions to discuss the agency’s efforts related to revamping its carrier safety rating system.
FMCSA announced on June 6 that they will be hosting an in-person event at the Texas Trucking Show, Saturday, June 29, from 12:30 to 2:30 pm Central. To attend FMCSA’s Listening Session, you must register with the Texas Trucking Show . Registration is free at.
The agency announced the dates of virtual listening sessions for the same topic on Monday, 10th June. These will take place on Tuesday, June 25 and Wednesday, July 31, respectively.
The meeting will be held on June 25 from 2 to 3:30 pm Eastern. You can register for this meeting here.
Registration is available here for the July 31 virtual meeting.
[ Related to FMCSA’s carrier safety rating redesign — time for options]
The two virtual events and the one in-person event will cover topics such as:
- Continue the current three-tiered system (Satisfactory, Unsatisfactory, Conditional), versus changing to a single rating that is only issued when a carrier has been found unfit
- Using inspection data with FMCSA’s Safety Measurement System
- Safety Fitness Determination Ratings: Driver behavior is included
- The list of safety violations that are used to calculate the rating will be revised and the weights assigned to specific violations may be adjusted, including the weighting for unsafe driving violations.
Anyone who is unable to attend either the virtual or physical sessions can still submit comments about the agency’s safety-fitness efforts until August 7 at [email protected].
[Related to: Fit or Unfit] FMCSA focuses on the problems with ‘Conditional safety ratings’
Diesel prices continue to fall
According to the latest weekly report from the Energy Information Administration, the national average diesel price is now down for nine consecutive week, and has fallen to its lowest mark since the last week ending January 10, 2022.
During the nine-week decline in the U.S., the average price of a gallon on-highway diesel fell by 40 cents. It went from $4.06 for the week ending April 8, to $3.66 for the most recent week ending the 10th.
Fuel prices in the U.S. fell during the week ending on June 10. The Midwest saw the largest drop of 8 cents.
The Gulf Coast still has the nation’s lowest diesel price at $3.38 a gallon. This is followed by the Midwest at $3.51 a gallon.
California has the most expensive fuel at $4.91 a gallon. New England is next at $4.09 a gallon.
FTR and Truckstop reported on the spot market that the total broker-posted rates in the Truckstop System barely changed during the second consecutive week. The flatbed spot rate increased for the fourth consecutive week, the first time since January. However, dry van and refrigerator spot rates decreased from the previous weeks. Load postings increased sharply following a decline during Memorial Day Week. The weekly changes in rates and volumes were in line with the seasonal expectations for each type of equipment.
According to FTR and truckstop the total broker-posted rates ticked up by two-tenths a cent. This reversed a similar decline that occurred during the previous weeks. Rates were 4.5% lower than the same week in 2023 and nearly 8% lower than the five-year average. The total market rate was slightly closer to the level of the prior year than it was over the last four week, but the comparison with five-year average was most negative since the start of this year.
Prices in other regions according to EIA
- Central Atlantic — $4.03
- Lower Atlantic — $3.67
- Rocky Mountain — $3.64
- West Coast less California – $3.91
ProMiles’ diesel prices fell 4.1 cents a gallon to $3.75 during the same period.
According to the ProMiles fuel surcharge index, diesel is most expensive in California, at $5.06 a gallon. The cheapest is found on the Gulf Coast at $3.43 a gallon.
Kenworth announces new model availability for the new CARB-compliant Paccar MX-13
Kenworth announced this week that it was following Peterbilt in announcing the availability of the new Paccar MX-13 truck, which is compliant to the California Air Resources Board’s low nitrogen dioxide (NOx) regulation.
Customers can now order the new CARB compliant MX-13 for Kenworth in the T680 T880 W990. The new engines will be produced in the fourth quarter this year.
The Paccar MX-13 CARB compliant engine features a new aftertreatment hardware including a twin canister selective catalytic (SCR) reduction aftertreatment along with more optimized emission controls systems, according to the company. It also continues to provide excellent reliability and performance.
Kevin Haygood, Kenworth’s assistant general manager of sales and marketing, said: “Our customers are seeking better options to navigate the complexity of the evolving regulatory environment. Kenworth models equipped PACCAR MX-13 CARB compliant engines achieve compliance with strict emissions regulations, while also delivering an enhanced solution that drives engine efficiency and fuel economy.”
The MX-13 comes in two versions: 510 horsepower with 1,850 lb.ft. of torque, and 455 horsepower with 1,650 lb.ft. of torque.
[ Related: New Paccar MX-13 Available for Order]