View as Webpage | October 20, 2023

MaineDOT One of Top 12 Finalists for National Award – YOUR VOTE IS NEEDED

9/19/23 – MaineDOT’s “Veranda Plan” project is one of the top 12 finalists competing for two national 2023 America’s Transportation Awards. AASHTO announced the finalists yesterday. The Grand Prize will be determined by a panel of judges, while the People’s Choice Award will be determined by online votes from the general public. This is where you come in. Voting is open now and will remain open through November 14th. Each person can vote once a day between now and then. Maine is one of the smallest states in the competition, but the votes are weighted by state, so we don’t need to worry about bigger places muscling us out of the running. Vote early, and vote often!

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SAVE THE DATE - MMTA SAFETY MANAGEMENT COUNCIL MEETING

November 16, 2023 at 8:00am - MMTA Office, Augusta

Agenda link here

Truckers to See Higher Tolls on New York Thruway in January

Transport Topics

For the first time in 14 years, travelers will pay more on the New York State Thruway system starting in January followed by another rate hike in 2027 due to revenue needs for aging infrastructure.

The two-phase rate increase was recently approved by the New York State Thruway Authority, which relies on revenue from user fees since the roadway receives no dedicated federal, state or local tax dollars.

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Funding to build EV charging infrastructure will shift from federal to states, report says

DC Velocity

The push to develop a national electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is currently being jump-started by $7.5 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, but in the long run, individual U.S. states will have to seize the lead, according to a report from S&P Global Ratings.

While the federal funding is helping to develop the early EV industry and encourage consumer adoption, it is merely a down payment for potential future needs, the organization said in its report, "U.S. States Jump Start Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure."

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FMCSA Issues Clarification to the Applicability of Emergency Exemptions

FMCSA

FMCSA revises the emergency exemption rules to narrow the scope of safety regulations from which relief is automatically provided for motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance when an emergency has been declared. This rule ensures that the relief granted through emergency declarations is appropriate and tailored to the specifics of the circumstances and emergencies being addressed. This rule also revises the process for extending automatic emergency regulatory relief where circumstances warrant and allows for potential reporting requirements when FMCSA issues an extension or modification.

Click here to read the Final Rule...

The Economy Tops the List of Trucking Industry Issues

American Transportation Research Institute

Austin, TX – Today, the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), the trucking industry’s not-for-profit research organization, released its 19th annual Top Industry Issues report, identifying the leading industry concerns. This year’s list includes the Economy, Truck Parking, Fuel Prices, the Driver Shortage, Driver Compensation and for the first time, Zero-Emission Vehicles.

“ATRI’s list thoroughly and accurately reflects the challenges we’ve faced this year,” said ATA Chairman Dan Van Alstine, Ruan Transportation Management Systems President and COO. “Costs were up and demand was down, all while we worked to navigate a number of workforce and regulatory issues. Thankfully, ATRI’s analysis doesn’t just tell us what the issues are, it spells out a number of data-driven strategies that the industry can pursue to address them.”

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Freight Industry Confronts Climate Change

Transport Topics

The North American Council for Freight Efficiency coined the term “Messy Middle.” It refers to the fact that there is more than one way to attack the problem of climate change in an environment in which there is a wide range of solutions.

Jeff Seger, owner of InProTech Solutions and a member of NACFE, is an independent consultant who has industry experience with major players leading turnaround businesses and taking new technology to market. His firm helps many types of companies transition to clean energy reliably and profitably. He says the Messy Middle is a period when decarbonization and other solutions are being offered. Seger explains that the Messy Middle runs from A to Z.

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7 Roadblocks to the Widespread Adoption of Autonomous Trucking

Transport Topics

We live in an era of drone deliveries and self-driving robotaxis, but is America ready to embrace autonomous trucks on the freeway?

Even as Congress champions the benefits of self-driving technology, the trucking industry has lagged behind passenger vehicles. Manufacturing challenges, high costs, and regulatory hurdles — not to mention the enormous logistics involved in conducting road tests across all possible terrains and environments — have left many wondering if autonomous trucking will come to fruition in the next few decades.

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Speeding tops list of infractions by truck drivers during Operation Safe Driver Week

CCJ

While the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Alliance’s Operation Safe Driver week traffic-enforcement and safe-driving awareness and education initiative is aimed at drivers of both cars and trucks, commercial vehicle drivers received the majority of warnings and tickets/citations during the week.

Law enforcement officers in Canada and the U.S. initiated 11,448 traffic stops of commercial motor vehicle drivers and passenger vehicle drivers who were engaging in unsafe driving behaviors during Operation Safe Driver Week, held July 10-16.

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California Trucking Association Sues to Block CARB Rule

Transport Topics

The California Trucking Association has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block enforcement of the California Air Resources Board’s Advanced Clean Fleets regulation that would require motor carriers operating in the state to transition their trucks to zero-emission vehicles beginning as soon as next year.

The lawsuit asks the federal court to grant a preliminary and permanent injunction barring CARB from implementing or enforcing the regulation “in any way.”

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Hydrogen or Electric Batteries? There's No Clear Answer

Transport Topics

AUSTIN, Texas — Transportation experts agree that there is no single answer for which alternative power source is best to carry the trucking industry to a zero-emission future, especially as questions remain about fueling and power infrastructure, and access to raw materials.

In particular, there are serious questions about the volume of critical minerals needed for battery-electric vehicles, and whether the needed recharging or refueling infrastructure will be ready for prime time.

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Supply chains face difficulties in accessing reliable emissions data from suppliers

Logistics Management

Continued regulatory pressure to maintain and report the impact of your supply chain on the environment is not slowing any time soon. And with that comes both challenges and opportunities for companies that integrate ESG goals into their business strategy.

California recently introduced legislation that would require large companies doing business in the state to disclose the number of emissions they create. It would be the first mandate of its kind in the U.S. and is in line with the SEC’s recent proposal to shift from a voluntary to mandate-based emissions reporting system for many businesses.

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FMCSR Training

October 27, 2023

8:30am

MMTA Office, Augusta

FMI and Registration

Surviving a Compliance Review

November 3, 2023

8:30am

MMTA Office, Augusta

FMI and Registration

Hiring A Qualified Driver

November 17, 2023

9:00am

MMTA Office, Augusta

FMI and Registration