Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, June 11, 2024:
FMCSA announces dates for virtual carrier safety rating sessions
As reported last week, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is planning to host both in-person and virtual listening sessions related to the agency’s efforts to revamp its carrier safety rating system.
FMCSA announced June 6 that it will host an in-person meeting at the Texas Trucking Show on Saturday, June 29 from 1-2:30 p.m. Central. Registration with the Texas Trucking Show, which is free here, is required to attend FMCSA’s listening session.
The agency also announced on Monday, June 10, the dates for virtual listening sessions on the same topic. Those will be held Tuesday, June 25, and Wednesday, July 31.
The June 25 meeting will take place from 2-3:30 p.m. Eastern. Registration for this meeting is available here.
The July 31 virtual meeting will be held 2-3:30 p.m. Eastern with registration available here.
[Related: FMCSA's carrier safety rating revamp -- time to weigh options]
Topics covered during the two virtual and one in-person events will include:
- Continuing the current three-tiered rating system (Satisfactory, Unsatisfactory, Conditional) versus changing to a proposed single rating, issued only when a carrier is found to be Unfit
- Using inspection data and FMCSA’s Safety Measurement System (SMS)
- Incorporating driver behavior into Safety Fitness Determination ratings
- Revising the list of safety violations used to calculate the rating and adjusting the weights allocated to particular violations, including increasing the weight for unsafe driving violations
Anyone unable to attend the virtual or in-person sessions can also submit comments on the agency’s safety fitness efforts through Aug. 7 at [email protected].
[Related: Fit or Unfit? FMCSA keying in on problems with 'Conditional' safety rating limbo]
Diesel prices continue to tumble
The national average diesel price has now fallen for nine consecutive weeks, falling to the lowest mark since the week ending Jan. 10, 2022, according to the latest weekly update from the Energy Information Administration.
During the recent nine-week decline, the U.S.’ average for a gallon of on-highway diesel has fallen 40 cents from $4.06 during the week ending April 8 to $3.66 during the most recent week ending June 10.
Fuel prices across the U.S. dropped during the week ending June 10, with the Midwest seeing the biggest decrease of 8 cents.
The Gulf Coast continues to boast the nation’s cheapest diesel at $3.38 per gallon, followed by the Midwest region at $3.51 per gallon.
The most expensive fuel is in California at $4.91 per gallon, followed by New England at $4.09 per gallon.
On the spot market during the week ending June 7, FTR and Truckstop reported that total broker-posted spot rates in the Truckstop system barely changed for a second straight week. Flatbed spot rates increased for the fourth straight week -- the first such streak since January -- but dry van and refrigerated spot rates were down from the previous week. Load postings rose sharply after a drop during Memorial Day week. The week-over-week moves in rates and volume were roughly in line with seasonal expectations for each equipment type.
The total broker-posted rate ticked up two-tenths of a cent, according to FTR and Truckstop, reversing a decline of the same scope during the previous week. Rates were about 4.5% below the same 2023 week and nearly 8% below the five-year average for the week. The total market rate was marginally closer to the prior-year level than it has been over the last four weeks, but the comparison with the five-year average was the most negative since the beginning 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 averages during the same week showed prices fall 4.1 cents to $3.75 a gallon.
According to the ProMiles Fuel Surcharge Index, the most expensive diesel can be found in California at $5.06 per gallon, and the cheapest can be found in the Gulf Coast region at $3.43 per gallon.
Kenworth announces model availability for new CARB-compliant Paccar MX-13
Following Peterbilt’s announcement last week that the new Paccar MX-13, which is compliant with the California Air Resources Board’s low nitrogen oxide (NOx) regulations, is available to order in three of its truck models, Kenworth followed up this week with an of it's own.
For Kenworth, customers can now order the new CARB-compliant MX-13 in the T680, T880 and W990. Production on the new engines will begin in the fourth quarter of this year.
The Paccar MX-13 CARB-compliant engine features new aftertreatment hardware, including a twin-canister selective catalytic reduction (SCR) aftertreatment, along with more optimized emissions controls systems while continuing to provide excellent reliability, performance, and efficiency, the company said.
“Our customers are looking for better options to successfully navigate the complexities of the evolving regulatory landscape, and Kenworth models equipped with PACCAR’s MX-13 CARB-compliant engine achieve compliance with stringent emissions regulations while also delivering a solution that drives increased engine efficiency and enhanced fuel economy,” said Kevin Haygood, Kenworth assistant general manager for sales and marketing.
The MX-13 is available in two options: a 510-horsepower rating with 1,850 lb.-ft of torque and a 455-horsepower rating with 1,650 lb.-ft of torque.
[Related: New Paccar MX-13 available for order]
