Last Updated: April 26, 2012

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Roemer Report – August 2011

TRUCKERS, FLEET OWNERS, AND SOCIAL NETWORKING.  With the continued buzz over social networking dominating the dialog of technology, a new evaluation of social networking as a platform in the trucking industry reveals continued and diverse usage.  A simple Web search reveals social networking being used among drivers for everything from dating to rig sales, and fleet managers are utilizing the technology for load matching.  With the usage of social networking platforms such as Facebook during the recent Egyptian uprising and other social upheavals, it comes as no surprise to see truckers using social networks to organize protests against rising diesel prices and new HOS rules.  Whether you’re an independent or a fleet owner, a consideration of how you can use social networking to your advantage is an important aspect as the industry continues to leverage current technologies.

NATURAL GAS.  Fueling our trucks with natural gas is not a new idea, the technology is available and has been discussed on and off for the last decade.  Last month, the idea caught renewed momentum when Dallas energy mogul T. Boone Pickens addressed the Shipper Symposium in Frisco, TX.  Pickens is a big fan of natural gas as a replacement for the 35 billion gallons of diesel that the nation’s trucks burn through every year.  Even though natural gas would cost the equivalent of about $1.50 per gallon, the start up costs—with natural gas trucks costing $40-50,000 more than diesels is quite a hurdle.  Fueling stations are another issue, but to some industry insiders, doable.  This is not a change that would happen overnight, if at all, but Pickens is lobbying Congress for subsidies on the technology.  Stay tuned.

HOW DO YOU MAKE A MILLION DOLLARS IN TRUCKING?  You Start With Two Million!

THE MOST DANGEROUS INTERSTATES.  The National Highway Safety Administration compiles highway safety statistics each year with many interstates being measured in the grim “Fatal accidents per mile.”  The top five, or worst five are  I-95 in Florida, I-76 in New Jersey, I-4 in Florida, I-15 in California, and I-10 in California.  From experience, we all know that these are heavily travelled commuter roads, but the numbers are astounding.  In a four-year period, there have been 765 fatalities on I-95 in Florida alone.  Safe driving is a must on all roads, but on the interstates listed above, be extra cautious!

CHINA’S WEAK LINK?  Although China’s factories have been known to be highly efficient at producing products for export, and are usually financed by multi-nationals or government subsidies, that is not the case with their trucking industry.  Surprisingly, according to a New York Times story, most of the trucking companies are independent family owned businesses.  Brutally competitive, truckers regularly haul overweight to make more money, pay bribes to inspectors, and do whatever they can to get an edge.

DRIVIN’ MUSIC.  Okay, not all truckers are country or bluegrass fans, but it is great driving music.  Not to endorse any one artists, one of the most drivable collections I’ve come by is Rhapsody’s Best of Country Music and Trucking Songs.  Between Brooks & Dunn, Dave Dudley, and Tom T. Hall, it’s a collection you can really get down the road with.

NO RELIEF FOR DIESEL.  Checking out the U.S. Energy Information Administration Web site reveals no let up in the high prices of diesel.  As summer gets into high swing, don’t hold your breath for any relief at the pump—we’re still averaging about a buck higher than last year.

“Eat well, drink in moderation, and sleep sound, in these three good health abound” -Proverb