Blog Archives




 

  • What is your definition of an underinflated tire?
    By David A. Kolman - Monday September 24, 2012
      The Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program for commercial trucks and buses from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has created a lot of confusion for the trucking industry when it comes to tires. This bewilderment is resulting in truck fleets being “dinged” with CSA points for trucks found with undertinflated tires. Drivers of trucks with underinflated tires are receiving CSA points as well. The problem is that while there are set definitions for a flat tire within the trucking industry, there is no universal definition of what exactly is an underinflated tire. In its North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria manual, the CVSA (Commercial Vehicle Safety...

  • Are you joining in the celebration?
    By David A. Kolman - Sunday September 16, 2012
      This is National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (September 16 to 22). Created in 1995, it is an annual designated time which brings public attention to the difficult job truckers do - professionally and safely, while managing to balance the variety of demands and duties of family life. Motor carriers, shippers, trucking industry manufacturers and suppliers, industry associations and local communities host special events and promotions in honor of professional truck drivers. There are free lunches and giveaways, like pens, rulers and hats. At some companies, dispatchers and fleet managers cook burgers and hot dogs for drivers. At some travel plazas provide free windshield cleaning services and coffee. Governors and local...

  • The main event for commercial vehicle technicians
    By David A. Kolman - Monday September 10, 2012
      I’ll be in Pittsburgh, PA, this week, attending the Technology & Maintenance Council’s TMCSuperTech - the National Technician Skills Competition. The annual event is specifically designed as a venue for commercial vehicle technicians to exhibit their knowledge, skills and aptitude with medium and heavy duty commercial vehicles. The competition involves a series of written and hands-on diagnostic and problem-solving tests and challenges to test both theory and practical application. Any actively employed commercial vehicle technician may participate in the competition. The technicians that perform the best win tops honors and numerous prizes. The TMCSuperTech has been likened to an Olympic competition because while...

  • Stop the mobile madness
    By David A. Kolman - Wednesday September 5, 2012
      I read somewhere recently that some 91 percent of Americans use mobile phones. That’s astounding but understandable, as mobile phones help us connected and safe. What concerns me is that with all the functionality of these easy-to-use phones, many users are losing awareness of themselves, others and where they are. How many times has a meeting been interrupted by the sounding of a mobile phone? Do you enjoying listening to someone talking loudly on a mobile phone while you’re waiting in the doctor’s office waiting room? Does anyone really need to carry on a conversation on a mobile phone while in the bathroom? I’m starting a movement to address mobile phone manners. I ask that you adopt my Kolman’s Mobile Phone...

  • How deep a commitment to climate change?
    By David A. Kolman - Monday August 27, 2012
      The debate over climate change is one rattlesnake I don’t like to step in front of. However, I feel compelled to quick step across this rattlesnake’s path after sitting in on the Corporate Climate Summit 2012, held recently in Miami, FL. The summit is a dialogue and information exchange among companies about addressing climate protection and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from corporate value chain activities. What I found surprising is that at the summit, attendees were offered bottled water and hard copies of handout materials. Don’t both of these products produce GHG emissions during their production? Just an observation.

  • Ever gone above 100 mph is a road tractor?
    By David A. Kolman - Monday August 20, 2012
    It is very rare to get to get a chance to go as fast as possible in a big rig and not have to worry about other traffic or Johnny Law pulling you over and writing you up for speeding. Well, I got that atypical opportunity at a recent Meritor Wabco Vehicle Control Systems hands-on technology event. The event, which took place last week at the Ford Michigan Proving Grounds in Romeo, MI, showcased the company’s integrated safety and efficiency technology. Highlights from the event included: - The launch of Meritor Wabco’s next generation OnGuard collision safety system that features major industry advancements in radar-based technology, integrating collision warning, adaptive cruise control with active braking and collision...

  • Behind the wheel of the 2014 Cascadia Revolution
    By David A. Kolman - Monday August 13, 2012
      I was among a very select group of CDL truck journalists who had the opportunity last week to put Freightliner Trucks’ new 2014 Cascadia Evolution through its fuel-efficient paces. In the recently completed Evolution of Efficiency Tour - a cross-country, side-by-side comparison with an EPA 2010-compliant, similarly spec’d Freightliner Cascadia, the new 2014 model delivered up to 7 percent in fuel savings. The 2014 tractor features some of the most advanced aerodynamic enhancements in the industry, I was told by Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) officials. (Freightliner is part of the DTNA’s family of brands.) The 2014 Cascadia Evolution, which goes into limited production early next year, is powered by a newly designed...

  • How does a fleet get the most life out of its tires?
    By David A. Kolman - Monday August 6, 2012
      Tires are the number one maintenance cost for truck fleets. It is well known that maintaining proper tire pressure, observing tire and vehicle load limits, avoiding road hazards and inspecting tires for cuts, slashes and other irregularities are the most important measures to take to avoid tire failure. Drivers play an important part in proper tire maintenance, yet all too often they do keep attention to it. Do you know why? In a presentation to this year’s Annual Fleet Technologies Event, hosted by Meritor and Pressure Systems International (PSI), PSI executive vice president Frank Sonzala noted these reasons: - Lack of driver attention 58 percent. - Drivers don’t think it’s their job 52 percent. - Lack of driver...

  • Top 10 federal safety violations
    By David A. Kolman - Monday July 30, 2012
      Every year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Safety Council partner to reveal OSHA's top 10 most commonly cited violations. This latest list, for Fiscal Year 2011, did not deviate significantly from the top 10 violations from previous years. A violation is where there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and that the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard The most cited violations for FY 2011 were: 1. Fall protection, 7,139 violations (U.S. Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] 1926.501). 2. Scaffolding, 7,069 violations (CFR 1926.451). 3. Hazard communications, 6,538 violations (CFR 1910.1200). 4. Respiratory protection, 3,944...

  • Navistar’s emissions strategy shift
    By David A. Kolman - Saturday July 28, 2012
      You may have heard that truck and engine maker Navistar International has said it will change its decade-long approach to pollution control in its diesel engines, mixing its practices with that of its competitors to meet 2010 federal emission standards. Navistar will use urea with its new technology, In-Cylinder Technology Plus, to further reduce smog-causing nitrogen oxide from its heavy duty diesel engines. The new engines, which Navistar said are also expected to meet 2014 and 2017 greenhouse gas standards, are expected to reach the market in early 2013. Veteran truck journalist, and my good friend, Steve Sturgess in a recent blog wrote a thought-provoking piece on this matter. It’s well worth your time to give it a...

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