Keeping track of state idiling laws

Anti-idling laws are designed to reduce truck engine emissions and increase fuel efficiency. While they might be intended to do good, they sure can frustrate truckers who must figure out what the laws are state to state.

The Automating Fleet Management blog features a link to a handy PDF document from the American Transport Research Institute, listing idiling laws in different states.

If you need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to read the document, download it here.

Source: Automating Fleet Management and ATRI

Truckers want change in patchwork of anti-idling laws

With the arrival of 2008 came changes California laws cracking down on how long trucks can idle and how long truckers can run APUs without special filters.

New laws take effect in California, but other states have different regulations. This is confusing and frustrating for truckers who often cross several different states as part of their job.

USA Today reports that some truckers are frustrated with the confusion over the new laws. More problems come from federal regulations that mandate a trucker must stop for rest after a certain number of hours, and that anti-idling laws will force truckers to sleep in uncomfortable conditions without power from their trucks.

Source: USA Today

California limits on truck idling go into effect

Land line features a story on new limits on idling trucks going into effect in California.

According to Land Line, there has been a five-minute limit on truck idling, with an exception for drivers who are idling during sleep time.

That changed January 1st along with a raise in fines and number of enforcement officers.

Another new rule covers the use of APUs on trucks. 2007 or later model year trucks must use a special filter on diesel APUs.

According to the California Air Resouces Board site...

The new engine requirements require 2008 and newer model year heavy-duty diesel engines to be equipped with a non-programmable engine shutdown system that automatically shuts down the engine after five minutes of idling or optionally meet a stringent oxides of nitrogen idling emission standard. The in-use truck requirements require operators of both in-state and out-of-state registered sleeper berth equipped trucks to manually shut down their engine when idling more than five minutes at any location within California beginning in 2008.

Emission producing alternative technologies such as diesel-fueled auxiliary power systems (APS) and fuel-fired heaters are also required to meet emission performance requirements that ensure emissions are not exceeding the emissions of a truck engine operating at idle. Specifically, the regulation requires diesel APSs installed on trucks with 2007 and newer engines to control particulate matter (PM) emissions by either routing the APS exhaust through the PM trap of the truck engine or by retrofitting the diesel APS with a verified level 3 PM control device that reduces PM emissions by at least 85 percent. Fuel fired heaters installed on trucks with 2007 and newer engines are also required to meet the Ultra Low Emission Vehicle requirements specified in the Low Emission Vehicle regulations. These requirements are effective beginning in 2008.

You can read more on the California Air Resources Board web site.

Source: Land Line and California Air Resources Board

Want to drive a truck? Get in the drivers seat for 44 hours first

Could you qualify to drive a big truck just by pushing a pencil instead of a gearshift?

Land Line magazine reports on a proposed rule from Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), requiring truck driving students to fulfill a requirement of 44 hours training behind the wheel, along with 76 hours of classroom time, before taking the test.

The demand for behind the wheel training has been the subject of legal rulings, lawsuits and legislation since 1991.

The full text of the rule can be found here on the Federal Register database.

Paper or electronic logbooks? How should truckers track their driving time?

Ohio.com reports on the debate over trucker logbooks. Despite recent advances in technology, many truckers use paper logbooks to record their work schedules.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires logbooks to make sure truckers are complying with laws regulating their driving hours to insure they get time to rest.

Electronic logs have been suggested before, but lack of funding or a plan to implement a system have stood in the way.

Other view electronic logs as vulnerable as paper logs to altering or fear the system would put truckers under the thumb of a big-brother surveillance system.

Kansas state troopers drive big rigs to catch unsafe drivers

The Kansan.com features an Associated Press story about Kansas Highway Patrol troopers driving big rigs. The truck driving troopers are out to report dangerous drivers who endanger truckers.

The troopers are not driving ordinary big rigs. The trucks are equipped with video cameras and radar guns, catching speeders and other unsafe drivers in the act. The troopers contact other officers who pull over the drivers.

What do you think? Do you think that trucking cops will reduce the number of dangerous drivers that give truckers headaches? Leave a comment and tell us your story.

Controversy over Mexican truck program goes to court

A plan by U.S. Department of Transportation to grant Mexican truckers greater access to American roads is praised a big win for free trade, but critics of the plan want to know more about it, and are prepared to go to court to get answers.

The Land Line website reports that the group Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety have filed a lawsuit against the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The lawsuit demands that documents about the program be released under the Freedom of Information Act.

U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor, D-AR has also sent a letter with Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters, stating that he plans to start an inquiry about the program.

What do you think of the proposed program? Leave a comment and tell us your story.

US-Mexican border soon open for trucking under new program

Etrucker.com reports on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s pilot cross-border trucking program, allowing Mexican truck drivers to travel beyond border areas.

The program goes into effect in about 60 days. Trucks will be able to cross from Mexico provided safety checks are completed and proof of insurance is verified. Trucks must also be insured by a US licensed firm and meet United States safety standards.

Congressional transportation leaders are concerned about the new program, expressing concern over resources needed to enforce driving hours restrictions and drug and alcohol testing.

What do you think of the new program? Leave a comment and tell us you story.