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      Will SHIP IT Revitalize Trucking? Better Truck Parking, Tax Credits

      The Ship It Act is a proposed bill that can have a fundamental impact across the trucking industry. The Future of Trucking Rev up your engines truckers, a game-changing piece of legislation is rolling into the House of Representatives! The Safer Highways and Increased Performance for Interstate Trucking (SHIP IT) Act is set to take the nation’s trucking industry to new heights with nearly $800 million in funding for essential upgrades. Co-sponsored by Reps. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Jim Costa (D-Calif.), this bill promises to tackle one of truckers’ biggest headaches – finding a safe and secure place to park. Get ready for expanded truck parking access across the country and a much needed boost for the trucking industry. Put Up A Parking Lot The implementation of the SHIP IT Act makes funding for trucking projects, such as paving and parking, more accessible. The significance of parking is often underestimated outside the industry. With a shortage of 1 parking spot per every 11 semis in the US, drivers are forced to work unfavorable hours, causing longer delivery times. This can greatly impact commercial drivers and have a ripple effect on daily life. The funding will also enhance rest stops with better and safer restrooms, addressing the issue of gender-related safety concerns and encouraging diversity in the truck driving profession. Widespread Benefits Across the board industry leaders have been backing and showing support for the bill. The parking made available to our nation’s transportation experts has been an issue for a long time. According to Rep. Johnson, a member of the transportation panel, there are several economic benefits associated with a vibrant supply chain. “The SHIP IT Act will bridge gaps, keep costs down for consumers, and make it easier for shippers to move products across the U.S,” Johnson said. This bill would provide tax incentives, streamline the commercial driver’s license process, and provide economic benefits for individuals planning to join the trucking workforce. A Difference in Opinion Although many are in agreement that the trucking industry needs an upgrade, some argue that the SHIP IT Act falls short in addressing the root causes of the driver retention problem. Lewie Pugh, Executive Vice President of OOIDA, states that the bill fails to provide adequate compensation for truckers and does not address the lack of respect for truckers’ time from carriers and shippers. Pugh looks forward to working with Reps. Johnson and Costa to create policies that truly benefit truckers and improve the overall supply chain. Other Impacts The SHIP IT Act promises to revolutionize the trucking industry by providing a range of incentives for truck drivers. Not only will the bill streamline the CDL process to make testing and licensing easier, it will also make the industry more accessible than ever. Existing truck drivers with at least 1,900 hours on the road in a year can enjoy tax credits worth up to $7,500, based on their income, and new truckers can be eligible for a $10,000 tax credit. In times of crisis, states will have the ability to issue special permits for overweight vehicles and loads. The SHIP IT Act is a comprehensive solution to the trucking industry’s challenges and will provide a boost to truck drivers and businesses alike. Endorsement from Stakeholders The proposed legislation has received widespread support from the trucking industry. Sean Joyce, the executive director of the Shippers Coalition, declared: ‘Our supply chain is at a breaking point, and the introduction of the SHIP IT Act is a critical step in building a stronger transportation network.’ Chris Jahn, President and CEO of American Chemistry Council, added: ‘This bill removes numerous regulatory barriers that will make it easier for truckers to do their job — delivering critical products across the country.” Conclusion The act truly represents a pivotal moment for the trucking industry, offering vital funding for parking projects, incentivizing truck drivers, and enhancing access to crucial parking and rest areas. This transformative legislation has received widespread endorsement from key stakeholders, and is poised to fortify the nation’s supply chain and boost the U.S. economy. Thanks for taking the time to read this article! We hope you found the information interesting and helpful. If you’re in the market for a new career opportunity or looking to fill a position, we’re here to help. Our team at Optimum Logistics specializes in both CDL and warehouse jobs, and we’re dedicated to connecting you with the right opportunity. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance. Stay Safe Out There! – The Optimum Logistic Team

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      Eyes On The Road! Know Signs of Human Trafficking

      Human trafficking is more than just a buzzword in media – it’s a modern-day form of slavery that occurs right under our noses. As professional drivers, you play a crucial role in the fight against trafficking by being the eyes and ears of the nation’s highways. Learn about the red flags to look out for, and how you can make a difference by reporting suspicious activity and educating yourself on the issue. Don’t let preconceived notions cloud your judgement – anyone, regardless of gender, race, or socioeconomic status, can fall victim to trafficking. Join the fight against this heinous crime by visiting the Truckers Against Trafficking website and contacting the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Together, we can put an end to human trafficking.

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      Truckers Take on A New Kind of Traffic

      Human trafficking is happening right in front of us, but did you know that truckers can play a crucial role in bringing these crimes to light? The Kansas City Police Department (KCPD), the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) have joined forces with the trucking industry to raise awareness and educate on the signs of human trafficking. Perpetrators often use commercial vehicles to transport their victims, making truckers a vital “force multiplier” in reporting suspicious activity. This week, KCPD and MoDOT will be meeting with commercial truckers to distribute information provided by the group Truckers Against Trafficking. Don’t miss this important story on how everyday heroes on the road are making a difference in the fight against human trafficking in Missouri and beyond.

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      Hit the Road Safely: How to Protect Your Cargo from Theft

      Transporting precious goods across the country comes with its own set of challenges, and cargo theft is one of them. Learn how to keep yourself and your freight safe on the road with our five tips. Stay in touch with dispatch, keep your truck moving, stay alert, park in safe areas and get some extra eyes with cameras. With cargo theft on the rise, it’s important to take extra precautions to protect yourself and your freight. Be sure to follow these tips to ensure a safe journey for yourself and your cargo.

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      Cargo Crime Wave: $223 Million in Goods Stolen in 2022

      Cargo theft is a growing concern in the US and Canada, with an estimated $223 million in cargo stolen during 2022. Learn about the latest trends in cargo theft, hot spots for theft, common goods targeted, and tips for preventing cargo thefts in this comprehensive article. Don’t let your cargo fall prey to thieves, stay informed and take action with our expert insights. Don’t miss out on our latest publication on how to protect your cargo and stay ahead of the thieves.

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      Meijer Takes the Wheel: Leading the Way to a Greener Future

      Meijer, a Michigan-based retailer, is revolutionizing the industry by deploying the first all-electric semi-trucks outside of California in partnership with Freightliner. Meijer is testing the performance of these trucks in a cold weather environment as part of a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, leading the way in sustainable transportation. This is a major milestone for the retail industry and for Meijer’s commitment to reducing carbon footprint. Be sure to read our article for more on Meijer’s innovative approach to transportation and the impact on the environment.

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      FMCSA Increased Penalties Violations in 2023 – Are You Prepared?

      FMCSA Increased Penalties Violations in 2023 – Are You Prepared? FMCSA follows DOT Ruling The Department of Transportation (DOT) just made a big announcement that’s gonna shake things up for the trucking industry. They passed the new rule for 2023 that updates the penalties for breaking certain regulations, including those related to trucking company audits. 1.07745 Is A Magic Number You might be wondering why the DOT is doing this. Well, it’s because they’re required by federal law to adjust the fines every year to keep up with inflation. The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 says that agencies like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) have to make an initial “catch-up” adjustment, as well as annual adjustments for inflation. To figure out the new penalty amounts for 2023, the DOT used the October 2022 Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) and compared it to the October 2021 CPI-U. This gave them a multiplier of 1.07745, which they used to increase all the previous penalty amounts. No Sneaky Penalties It’s important to keep in mind that these new penalties will only apply to violations that happen after the rule takes effect. If you broke any regulations before the rule was released, you’ll still be subject to the previous penalty amounts. And, the DOT made it clear that the rule doesn’t change any penalties that the agency is currently collecting or has already collected. Big Changes So, what does this mean for you as a trucker? Well, if you’ve done some looking into this already, you’ve probably seen some rather large numbers being thrown around. It’s important to note here is that while these larger numbers are not the fees for individuals, if you get caught breaking any FMCSA regulations in 2023 it’s certainly gonna cost you and your employer more than it would have before. The Bottom Line The DOT is certainly taking a harder stance on breaking regulations, and it’s going to cost more if you get caught. The easiest thing you can do is, make sure you’re following the rules and staying safe on the road. Stay informed and vigilant to avoid penalties and keep your trucking business moving. For a complete list of all the changes check out the official list of FMCSA Fines.

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      Optimum Wishes You A Happy Holiday and a Very Merry Christmas!

      With the Holiday only a few days away, we wanted to take some time to thank you for all your hard work. Whether you’ve been with us for years, or this is your first season, we know the toll this time of year can take on drivers and their loved ones. As you begin to celebrate, do so knowing that your efforts have not gone. So, from all your friends at Optimum, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We hope that you’ll take some well deserved time to relax with your families and friends and enjoy this beautiful season that could not have happened without you. We know you’re busy this time of year, so we’ve kept this short and sweet but we can’t emphasize enough how much your hard work and dedication as a part of our team has meant and we’re so excited for the future ahead in 2023.

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      Is Tesla’s Semi for the Birds?

      Before you start scrolling, this is not just another story about Elon, promise. The most shocking part, it has ALMOST nothing to do with Twitter. Unbelievable? Think again. Whether you’ve got a fresh CDL or are an established member of the trucking industry, you’ll definitely want to read this. In the seemingly ancient year of 2017, Tesla mentioned venturing into the trucking industry. Now, 5 years later, they’ve actually done it… or so it seems. Tesla has finally brought their technology to the trucking industry with an all electric semi-truck cleverly dubbed: The Tesla Semi. Now the real question, can it take on a market that has been absolutely dominated by diesel-power for decades? Semi-Sweet Beginnings The Tesla Semi The Semi was first mentioned all the way back in 2016 in the ‘Tesla Master Plan’ with an actual concept vehicle being unveiled in November of 2017. They quickly caught the attention of the media, touting things such as a consistent savings of around 20 ¢/mi to operate when compared to that of a traditional diesel truck, when charged at a ‘Megacharger’ that is. A dream of the company which they claimed could guarantee a price of 7¢/kWh. With the original production being slotted to begin in 2019, Tesla aimed to supply 100,000 trucks per year by 2022. Clearly, that’s not quite how it worked out. The start of production ended up being delayed until October 2022 and finally, the delivery date of December 1st arrived. Today, we now have the best opportunity to take a look at what exactly Tesla is bringing to market. A Bit of a Weight Problem When Elon Musk made the announcement back in 2017, a lot of feathers were rustled. The majority of engineers at the time agreed, with where Tesla’s and battery tech in general was in 2017, the weight would need to be nearly double for the semi to remotely stack up against the diesel competition. This was even backed up by theoretical analysis by researchers at the Carnegie Mellon College of Engineering, concluding that while feasible for short or medium range hauling, long distance would take up more than the weight allotted by current U.S. Law. One estimate for the battery weight was a shocking 26,000 lbs, a whopping third of the payload, increasing the capital cost to nearly double the equivalent diesel rig. Where There’s A Will, There’s A Weigh? That was 2017, fast forward through the ups, downs, and shortages of the past 5 years and finally in October 2022, Elon announced on Twitter the start of production of the 500-mile (800 km) range model would be delivered to PepsiCo on December 1, 2022. Tesla team just completed a 500 mile drive with a Tesla Semi weighing in at 81,000 lbs! — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 27, 2022 In light of that news and without further ado, I give you Tesla’s idea of the future of trucking: According to Tesla, fully loaded at 82,000 lbs the vehicle reaches 60 MPH in a remarkable 20 seconds all while utilizing less than 2kWh per mile of energy consumption allowing for an estimated range of 500 miles. These outstanding feats are accomplished through three independent rear-axle motors which provide instant torque and unrivaled power at any speed allowing for the safety we’ve come to expect from a professional driver even when climbing steeper grades. Some online math wizards actually took this information the extra mile concluding that the projected weight of the truck itself. Our best clue to date for the weight of the 500 mile Tesla Semi. The load, 11 jersey barriers at 4K lbs each, is ~44K lbs. A 53 ft flatbed weighs about 10K lbs empty. Assuming this was the 500 mile test, total weight was 81K lbs so tractor is 27k lbs, 2000 lbs lighter than Tre. https://t.co/yKOTWtASai — Nikola Insider (@InsiderNikola) November 30, 2022 Safe Travels Capabilities are great, but what about safety? You’re probably aware that Tesla is no stranger to safety-related criticisms and they certainly have had their hands full these past couple years. It seems that, with semi, they’ve definitely attempted to place themselves on a firm foundation with this latest release. Semi claims it comes with active safety features that pair with both the advanced motor and brakes to allow traction and stability regardless of weather conditions. The most unique feature is found in the cab. A cab which looks like something out of Star Wars, uniquely sits the driver in a centralized seating position allowing the driver premiere visibility. The all electric architecture of the vehicle also aids in decreasing rollover risk and cabin intrusion in cases of accidents. At What Cost? Charging with electricity is approximately 2.5 times cheaper per mile than refueling with diesel. Tesla claims that this estimate is based on California’s diesel prices between February and July of 2022. If true, operators will see savings of up to $200,000 within their first three years of ownership. This paired alongside remote diagnostics, over-the-air software updates and fewer moving parts to maintain, operators will find themselves spending less time at service centers and more time on the road, doing what they love, and taking advantage of their investment in every sense of the word. Will The Tables Turn? With these new trucks finally reaching the open road and in turn the true beginning of their journey, we can only wait to see how PepsiCo and the others who preordered, go on to utilize this exciting new technology. The future of trucking could very well be at hand. However, only time will tell if they truly are able to stack up against their established, diesel competition. As always with stories like these, we’re all bound to have differing thoughts and ideas. We would love to know yours in the comments below and thank you as always for reading. Does Tesla Deliver? Today there will be a live event to mark the delivery of the first Tesla Semis. You can tune into the live stream below…

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      5 Winter Safety Driving Tips For Truck Drivers

      Winter is Coming Even though it’s hard to believe, it has, quite literally, already arrived for some of us. Winter driving is not only more challenging, but it’s significantly more dangerous for truck drivers. Snow, slush, ice on the ground. These things may seem trivial, but when you look a the numbers it’s anything but. One in every four accidents in the U.S. are related to weather. Weather-related accidents result in nearly 8,000 deaths per year and 700,000 injuries. When we saw these numbers we were stunned. With all of this in mind, we wanted to take the opportunity to share some safety tips associated with driving a truck on snowy, icy roads. Now, for many of you these will be obvious refreshers. However, it never hurts to freshen up and make sure we all make it through these chilly months. 1. Mind the Gap As you surely know, when it snows or freezing rain meets the road, every vehicle is prone to slipping and sliding. Make sure you’re lowering your speed and increasing your following distance. That slight adjustment can be just enough to avoid hazards like out-of-control vehicles, ice slicks, snow pileups, and other road hazards. 2. Pump the Brakes If you’re reading this, chances are you’re a professional driver. But, are you a professional braker? Your anti-lock brakes can cause your truck to slide, so be sure to lightly pump your brakes when slowing down or stopping. This will help keep you in control and avoid skidding out on icy roads! 3. Keep Your Eyes on the Gas Winter weather is a headache for transportation. It can cause lots of hold ups, shut downs, close gas stations and even compromise fuel supply. Make sure you’re keeping an eye on your fuel gauge so that you’re not caught running on fumes in winter weather emergency. Similarly, keep an eye on your phone’s battery to ensure you’re able to keep in touch if necessary. 4. Grab Your Gear You’ve got to make sure that you’ve got the right gear—extra clothes, food, and safety equipment are a must. We want to make sure you’re as prepared as possible which is why we’ve put together a list of all the essentials you’ll need to keep you warm, safe, and comfortable in the event of a wintery weather hold up. Check back soon for an entire article dedicated to this topic. 5. Spot Black Ice Like A Pro What do we all know about, but barely ever see? Black ice. It’s an obvious winter danger on the road, and rarely easy to spot… That is unless you know what to look for! If you’re driving and it looks like the road may be wet, but you’re not seeing much spray coming up from the tires—you might be on black ice. If this happens, don’t panic! Just slow down, stay alert and proceed with caution. Remember: While you know these roads better than most people, still be sure to keep an eye out for other drivers who aren’t as experienced with these conditions. Defensive driving is your secret weapon and winter is no different. Keep On Truckin’! Well, there you have it. Whether you’ve had decades of experience on the road or are fresh out of school, winter weather is one of the biggest hurdles truckers face every single year. With these 5 simple tips in your back pocket, you’re sure to cruise smoothly onward protecting your life and the lives of everyone on the road during these wintery months. Thank you once again for all the hard work you put in on the roads as a part of Optimum and if you’re not a part of our team yet you can learn more about driving with us here.

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