Last Updated: April 26, 2012

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Roemer Report – September 2011

LAHOOD IN MEXICO.  U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood signed an agreement with his Mexican counterpart on July 6 resolving a long-standing dispute over long-haul cross-border trucking services.  Although there are many details, basically Mexico has agreed to drop retaliatory tariffs on U.S. manufactured goods in exchange for the U.S. allowing Mexican trucking companies to receive U.S. operating authority.  Mexican companies, in order to gain certification must abide by all U.S. rules including HOS rules, electronic monitoring, drug testing, etc.  The agreements also provide for reciprocal authority for U.S. companies to engage in long-haul operations into Mexico.  This is likely a better deal for Mexican companies than it is for U.S. truckers because it will keep pressure up on U.S. trucking jobs and add significant costs to existing U.S. regulatory processes, but the jury is out on how things will actually shake out.  Stay tuned to the Roemer Report for future developments.

HYBRIDS FOR THE ORGANIC CROWD.  Okay, we know that many of you are skeptical of hybrid trucks, but they are something we need to pay attention to as fuel prices continue on their one-way journey upward.  An organic food distributor in California, Veritable Vegetable, is one of the first companies to take advantage of the California Hybrid Vehicle Incentive Program for trucks, purchasing four new Kenworth hybrid vehicles.  The hybrid tractors are expected to reduce fuel consumption over 58 gallons per 1000 miles driven, nearly a 30% economy improvement.

TRUCK PARTS ON AMAZON.  As online retail continues to gain ground, PartSmart, a division of Navistar, will now make all of their inventory available via Amazon.com.  This may not be practical for the entire line, but it is an indicator of just how far online retailing is reaching into customer-focused business to business distribution.  For more information go to www.Amazon.com/PartSmart.

ECONOMIC SOFT PATCH.  According to the American Trucking Association, truck tonnage over the past few months has slipped slightly, indicating overall weakness in the economy.  The ATA’s seasonally  adjusted index indicated a drop of 2.3% in May, yet ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello remained optimistic that the causes were short term anomalies and not necessarily indicative of a slide back into recession.  Trucking accounts for 67.2% of tonnage carried by all modes of transportation in the U.S.

PUBLIC COMMENT WELCOME. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has invited the American public to comment on its draft strategic plan that will serve as a five-year guide to achieving its mission to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities involving large commercial trucks and interstate buses.  "At the Department of Transportation, safety is our number one priority," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "This strategic plan represents a fresh and bold new view on issues critical to bus and truck safety, and I encourage Americans across the country to provide feedback and help shape the final plan."  To review and comment on the plan go to www.IdeaScale.com.

JERKY FOR ME.  Next time you’re in a store check out the nutritional information on a beef jerky wrapper.  Compared to processed meats such as bologna or hot dogs, jerky is a surprisingly low fat alternatives.  If you’re on the road and stuck with only convenience store food – jerky is the way to go.

THE FIRST INTERSTATE.  On June 29th, 1956, President Eisenhower signed the Federal Highway Act of 1956 which authorized the construction of the federally funded Interstate System – but exactly what section of Interstate was the first is a touchy subject among the states.  Missouri, Kansas, and Pennsylvania all claim to have the first section of Interstate.  On August 2, 1956, Missouri started work on U.S. 40, which is now a section of I-70 – the first federally funded section of highway.  Kansas however, claims that their section of I-70 just west of Topeka was actually the first, because they poured concrete on September 26, before Missouri actually did any paving.  Pennsylvania on the other hand, claims they were the first, because parts of the Pennsylvania Turnpike were underway in the 1940s and were the first limited access roads incorporated into the Interstate System.  

Ninety eight percent of the adults in this country are decent, hardworking, honest Americans. It's the other lousy two percent that get all the publicity. But then, we elected them. - Lily Tomlin