Agency research shows the technology could prevent up to 56 percent of rollover crashes each year—the deadliest among all crash types—and another 14 percent of loss-of-control crashes.

“The Department and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have long recognized the potential impact of stability control technology in reducing deaths and serious injuries that result from rollover crashes,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Today’s proposal is a major step forward to improving the safety of large commercial trucks, motorcoaches, and other large buses.”

An extensive NHTSA research program to determine how available stability control technologies affect crashes involving commercial vehicles found ESC systems to be the most effective tool for reducing the propensity for heavy vehicles to rollover or lose control.

With sensors that monitor vehicle movement and steering, ESC can help mitigate rollover incidents by using automatic computer-controlled braking, and also aid the driver in addressing severe understeer or oversteer conditions that can lead to loss of control. NHTSA estimates that a standard requiring ESC on the nation’s large trucks and large buses would prevent up to 2,329 crashes, eliminate an estimated 649 to 858 injuries and prevent between 49 and 60 fatalities a year.

While many truck-tractors and large buses can currently be ordered with this technology, the proposed standard would require ESC systems as standard equipment on these types of vehicles. As proposed, the rule would take effect between two and four years after the standard is finalized, depending on the type of vehicle.

The agency’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is being published in the Federal Register and members of the public will have the opportunity to comment on the proposal for 90 days. NHTSA will also hold a public hearing on the proposed safety standard to solicit further public comment—the date and location of that hearing will be published in the coming weeks.

http://cdlapps.com/

The free app, for iPhone and Android devices, provides a look at Freightliner’s legacy of innovation with videos and a detailed timeline that celebrates the company’s products and technological milestones.

“Not only are we celebrating our history in a technologically advanced way, but we continue to support our customers by offering a thorough and easy-to-use reference tool that helps drivers while they’re on the road,” said David Marx, manager brand development for Freightliner Trucks. “We’ve spent 70 years developing products to help simplify our customers’ lives, and this app is yet another innovative solution from Freightliner Trucks.”

* Dealer locator: This intuitive tool provides a complete listing of Freightliner Trucks dealerships based on the driver’s current location or by entering a city, state or zip code. The interactive locator features a map, contact information, services, hours of operation and real-time, dealer-specific special offers.
* Event listing: App users can access Freightliner’s schedule of trade shows and special events. Show hours, special guest appearances and booth events are included with each listing.
* Product information: For quick reference, Freightliner’s truck models and base specs are featured on the app, as well as a gallery of truck images.

http://cdlapps.com/

Forty-seven conference members met for the first time May 8 to begin the compromise process between House and Senate proposals for multi-year surface transportation funding. Funding currently is provided through a three-month extension that ends June 30represents the ninth extension since the last omnibus funding bill expired in 2009.

Conference Chairwoman Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., noted the Senate had approved transportation funding legislation, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century, by a 74-22 vote in March.

The American Trucking Association has urged conferees to retain language in the Senate bill that would mandate electronic onboard recorders to be used in trucks. The Truckload Carriers Association and the Teamsters also support the mandate, which the Owner-Operator Independent Driver Association is against.

Boxer said the two-year funding bill would protect and create three million jobs, including one million jobs through the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act program, which would receive significantly more funding. The bill also would whittle 90 highway programs to fewer than 30, eliminate earmarks and establishes a new freight program, she said.

The House omnibus bill did not fare as well, but also contained a major funding hike for TIFIA, which OOIDA has criticized as providing credit for too many public-private toll projects.

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Truck Driver Recruiting Service

Owning and operating a successful business entails delegating jobs to others when you might not have an expertise in that field. One of those fields is hiring truck drivers to move your supply chain. A truck driver recruiting service operates like a head hunter. It will supply the business with truck drivers who have been pre-screened and deemed qualified. The truck driver recruiting service will ensure that the drivers have the proper license, will check into their criminal background, and validate their previous job experience. Truck driver recruiting services can provide both temporary and long-term truck drivers for your business.

Signing Bonus

Professional truck drivers are in high demand. This is due to the massive amount of goods that need to be transported among too few drivers in the marketplace. One way to entice those drivers is to provide a signing bonus on their salary. Structure the signing bonus so that they get a little money up front, with some more six months down the line and the final installment at the one year mark. This will guard against drivers looking for other signing bonuses and jumping ship a few months into working.

Truck Driver Schools

Driving a truck or large vehicle does takes skill. Because of this, there are schools that specialize in teaching the art of trucking driving. Contact those schools and speak with the placement department. You can interview recent graduates and get recommendations about who to hire for your business. Before hiring, be sure to perform your own checks into their license and qualifications. Unlike a recruiting service, the school will have not performed those operations.

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Cut the square tubing using the chop saw into two 4-foot-long sections, and four at 92 inches long.

Lay the steel out in a square shape, so that the 4-foot pieces are on top, and two 92-inch-long pieces are on the inside. The overall dimensions of this square shape that you’re making is 4 feet by 8 feet.

Weld the panel using the MIG welder, frequently double-checking for square with the tape measure. Make sure to weld all connecting surfaces on the steel.

Place the other two 92-inch long sections into the middle of the square shape, and using the tape measure, space them equally throughout the square shape.

Weld the middle bars to the frame using the MIG welder.

Place the flatbed on the rear frame of the truck with the help of an assistant and square the flatbed to the truck frame using the tape measure.

Fabricate mounts to connect the flatbed to the frame using 3-inch flat stock steel, bolts and nuts. You’ll have to use the drill to drill holes for the bolts to go through in the process. These should be simple, flat mounts.

Weld the mounts to the flatbed using the MIG welder.

Place the 4-by-8 sheet metal panel onto the ground, close to the flatbed. Make sure you have enough room around it to maneuver the welder.

Remove the flatbed from the vehicle with the help of an assistant and flip it over onto the sheet metal so that the frame is covering by the sheet-metal tubing. Use the tape measure to ensure that the flatbed is square to the sheet metal so there is no overlap.

Weld the sheet metal to the flatbed with the MIG welder. You want to do short welds, no longer than 1/2 inch long, but be sure to skip around the panel so you don’t build up heat and warp the metal. You should have at least a few dozen welds on the panel by the time it’s done.

Paint the flatbed, top and bottom, with the spray paint.

Flip the flatbed assembly onto the truck and secure it to the frame using the 3/8-inch ratchet and sockets.

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Heavy Duty Lift Truck

Select the proper equipment to offload the pipes. Determine the approximate weight of the pipes and the conditions under which they are to be offloaded. Pipes come in all sizes and lengths and these dimensions need to be taken into consideration when selecting a machine. If the unloading is to take place on a smooth concrete/asphalt surface a standard forklift may be fine. If the offloading is to be done on a rough area or on dirt, it may be necessary to use a heavy duty or rough terrain forklift for the offloading process.

Flatbed Truck

Determine the proper location to offload the cargo. The load will be delivered on a flatbed truck and will be offloaded from either or both sides of the truck. Be certain to have the truck located in an area that is as level as possible and as firm as possible. The truck should also be located well away from any overhead power lines. For safety purposes, the offloading should take place in an open area away from other workers and equipment. If the soil is soft or uneven extreme care must be taken while the load is elevated and during any turns or maneuvers.

Pipes

Approach the truck and raise the forks to the proper height to line up with the first pipe(s) to be offloaded. Depending on the size and weight of the pipes you may be required to offload them one at a time, or several at once. Tilt the forks back slightly and gently slide the tip of the forks under the pipe(s). If possible, pull the forklift forward and under the pipes as much as possible. Slowly raise the forks until the weight of the pipe(s) is on the lift. The pipes should roll slowly across the forks until they rest against the back-brace. When the pipe(s) are resting against the back-brace tilt the fork back as far as possible.

Slowly back away from the truck until you have room to maneuver the forklift. As soon as possible lower the load as close to the ground as possible. If the pipe(s) are very long, use one or more spotters to help guide you from the truck to the storage location. The spotter(s) should be at either end of the pipe watching for obstructions but should remain at a safe distance from the load should a mishap take place. Keep the forks tilted back and transport the pipe(s) to the intended storage location. Slowly tilt the forks forward in order to allow the pipes to gently roll into the storage area. Repeat this process until all pipes have been offloaded.

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CDs and Audiobooks

Truck drivers spend many hours alone on the road. Although the radio can provide a source of entertainment, the play lists can often be repetitive after several hours. Purchase a CD of classic rock driving songs that will liven up his journey. If he already owns a vast collection of music, an audiobook may be a suitable alternative. From a sci-fi fantasy story, classic tale or lighthearted comedy, audiobooks come in a vast range of genres to suit all tastes and personalities.

Advanced Bluetooth Device

Although the truck driver in your life may already possess a standard Bluetooth so that he can make and receive calls hands-free and legally, there are many newer advanced models on the market that feature a range of practical, improved features. Select a model that allows him to send SMS messages via voice activation to save the hassle of pulling over his truck when he needs to send to a text message.

Novelty Themed Gifts

If you would prefer to select a light-hearted gag gift, many joke stores and online sites offer a vast selection. A trucker-themed t-shirt that features a slogan such as “Born to Roam” or a “Mother Truckers” hat are humorous gifts that he will appreciate. Alternatively, a novelty beverage holder, key ring or bumper sticker are inexpensive options that can be compiled together into a themed gift basket.

12v Accessories

There are many gadgets available that can be plugged into the cigarette lighter of a truck. For truckers who are trying to adopt a healthier diet, a 12v cooker will allow him to heat up leftover meals or warm up healthy soups. For female truckers who still like to look glam, select 12v hair straighteners so she can refresh her style at the service station. For winter months, a 12v heater will keep the truck warm during breaks or long waits at the borders.

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Register a business name with the secretary of state in the state that you intend to operate your dump truck business. You will want to set up a corporation (see Resources below).

Choose the type of corporation that you will need. There is no need to purchase the most expensive package, which will run you around $350, because all that you are paying extra for is for them to rush-deliver the paperwor

Open a bank account once you get paperwork in the mail for your corporation. Choose a bank that works well with small business owners, and bring in the paperwork for your company and your personal identification.

Do some advertising. A good way to start is to get some business cards made up. Choose a design that fits the name of the business that you started. Also make up some flyers and put them in people’s mailboxes to gain some local clientele.

Make sure that you get some advertising for your rig. A moving advertisement can generate a lot of revenue. Make sure that people can clearly read the logo and phone number on your truck. Also it is recommended that you purchase a trailer and a Bobcat to help with your business. More equipment will increase the amount of money that you can make with your business.

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Adjust your own expectations. When you’re new to truck driving, you need to be willing to take what you can get-don’t be too picky.

Turn in your (carefully edited and professionally presented) truck driving resume everywhere. The more applications you turn in, the sooner you snag a CDL job.

Take a long haul CDL job. Veterans of truck driving are typically given preference for regional CDL jobs; it usually takes a few years of experience to be considered for these openings. Long haul driving jobs are where many newbies get their start.

Offer truck driving companies’ a trial period of your employment; if they don’t approve of your trial then they can cut you loose, no questions asked.

Accept part time CDL job offers. It might not be ideal but it counts as driving experience and can help you get a better CDL job in the near future.

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Basic Requirements

Go through the checklist of requirements for commercial drivers before applying for any grants. Some states allow high school graduates over 18 a commercial driver’s license, but federal law sets a minimum age of 21. According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, physical fitness is also important for qualifying for a truck driving education grant. The vision requirement is 20/40, hearing needs to be at least average and overall health has to be tested via a documented physical.

State Grants

Federal Grants

The Workforce Investment Act Grant also offers truck-driving grant programs, which you can find from a local WIA representative in the local state office. The FAFSA program (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is another possibility for getting a truck-driving grant. You have to meet the financial-need requirements, and research the schools for quality. The competition can be much higher on the national level. If grants are available for truck driving, find out the deadline to submit the application and send it in advance.

http://dacoff.com/