The Fleet AdvantEDGE

The annual CVSA (Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance) International Roadcheck will take place this year on June 6 – 8, 2017.  This is the 30^th year for this event, known to be the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world.  The organization has on record that that nearly 15 trucks or buses are inspected every minute across North America during this 72-hour period! Here is some helpful fleet safety information to start educating your drivers about this event and its importance in assuring safe commercial vehicle operations, along with information in regards to the roadside inspection program. 

There have been literally hundreds of articles and commentaries written on the environmental effects on the transportation industry of the latest GHG Regulations that were finalized on August 16, 2016.  While we all understand that the regulations will reduce millions of metric tons of CO2 into the atmosphere, few understand the long-term impacts on their operating budgets and their bottom line. 

With the high cost of the emissions regulations of the 2000’s still reeling in the minds of many transportation executives, these new regulations may trigger ‘Particular Matter’ anxiety.  However, this time is different, it delivers enormous cost saving opportunity that will last through the next decade—but only to those willing to change the status quo.

GHG Phase 2 Mandate - Affects on Heavy Duty Truck Fleets

A competitive advantage goes to the business visionaries that act faster than the competition to changes in the market providing a greater value at a lower cost.  The initial Greenhouse Gas mandates have already saved Class 8 transportation fleets millions of dollars in operating costs by reducing fuel consumption. On August 16, 2016 the federal government passed the proposed regulation, GHG Phase 2, to further tighten emissions and improve fuel economy for heavy duty trucks by up to 25% from 2017 through 2027 model years. 

The GHG Phase 2 final rule, issued by the US EPA and the NHTSA also contains the first-ever federal efficiency standards for new trailers. 

What do you think the most important operating component of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is?  Although there are many components, the most important one is the part that makes the equipment stop - the brakes!!!!! It is critical that brakes operate properly at all times to ensure safety.  The braking system on CMV’s is designed for tough conditions, but like anything, it must be inspected and maintained carefully and consistently.  By doing this, the brake system will operate properly throughout the life of the truck.

Brake Fleet Safety Week was established in 1998 as an annual outreach and enforcement campaign with the goal of improving CMV brake safety and awareness throughout North America.  More than 3.4 million brakes have been inspected since the program’s inception. 

The annual CVSA (Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance) International Roadcheck is approaching again and will take place on June 7 – 9, 2016.  This is the 29^th year for this event, which is known to be the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world.  Would you believe that they have on record that nearly 17 trucks or buses are inspected every minute across North America during this 72-hour period? 

For heavy duty truck fleets, the winter months are more than just that risky season when they have to be extra careful in driving. As fleets prepare for the harshest season for trucks, the question of MPG performance, disruptive breakdowns, fuel supply and how to effectively treat fuel that can be used in cold temperatures emerge. Download this whitepaper today to learn about winter’s effect on MPG and how to prevent delays due to winter fuel problems without compromising your MPG performance.

A week of intensified traffic safety enforcement  - Operation Safety Week - is approaching!  

This program launched in 2007 by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) in partnership with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and with the support from industry and transportation organizations, was established to help reduce the number of crashes, deaths and injuries resulting from crashes involving all type of motor vehicles, including commercial trucks, buses and cars.  

What do you think the most important operating component of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is?  Although there are many components, the most important one is the part that makes the equipment stop - the brakes!!!!! It is critical that brakes operate properly at all times to ensure safety.  The braking system on CMV’s is designed for tough conditions, but like anything, it must be inspected and maintained carefully and consistently.  By doing this, the brake system will operate properly throughout the life of the truck.

Brake Fleet Safety Week was established in 1998 as an annual outreach and enforcement campaign with the goal of improving CMV brake safety and awareness throughout North America.  More than 3.4 million brakes have been inspected since the program’s inception. 

The CVSA (Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance) is an international organization that is comprised of motor carrier safety officials at local, state and Federal levels as well as trucking industry representatives in Canada, Mexico and the United States. 

Check out our quick and concise guide to all of the CVSA inspection levels to ensure your fleet safety. The most common inspections that drivers need to make themselves aware of are Level I, Level II, Level III, and Level IV inspections.

The impact of a preventive maintenance inspection today compared to the same inspection 10 years ago is monumental.  Today, there are many components on the powertrain that are costly to replace; including Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), Turbo, EGR coolers, etc.  These components can have catastrophic failures and affect other components downstream.  If an internal coolant leak in the engine occurs, it results in the coolant being burned through the exhaust.  This will have a definite impact on the DPF - causing it to have premature failure.  This is just one example of additional repair expenses that could have potentially been prevented with Great Preventive Maintenance (PM).