Things may finally be turning around. Bob Costello, chief economist of the American Trucking Association even went as far as to say that, "It looks like motor carriers are finally enjoying some better days, after more than two years of extremely tough times."
In an article on Truckinginfo.com, the ATA revealed figures that show both manufacturing activity and the business-to-inventory sales have risen. While not phenomenal, (up 1.7 percent from last quarter, and 2.4 percent this year respectively,) this is a welcome sign for those in the trucking industry. These increases have led to a similar rise in freight volume, which gained 1.8 percent in the last quarter.
All that glitters, however, is not golden. In an article on eTrucker.com, Noel Perry, a senior consultant for FTR Associates (a transportation research firm) forecasted not only below-average economic growth for the next three to four quarters, but the continuance and worsening of the current driver shortage. He pointed to the fact that the recession caused not only the downsizing of several fleets but caused many to retire or drop out of the business as well.
Tom Kretsinger Jr., chief operating officer of American Central Transport went one step further in a webinar presented by Overdrive and Truckers News. "[The federal government] has already increased the budget of the IRS to start auditing and challenging people, and that's a frightening thing on the owner-operator side.,"
Increases in sleep apnea problems, hours requirements, tougher medical exams, and CSA 2010 have all contributed to make it more difficult to rebuild the ranks of drivers necessary to continue the industry's growth. Under CSA 2010, both CMV carrier and driver safety performance records will have more impact than before, and it won't only be OOS violations that count against drivers during roadside inspections.
It follows, then, that with the increased hurdles one needs to jump regarding driver safety, that equipment safety should be handled by those accredited for such work. Hiring a kingpin repair service, for example can ensure that your fleet of trucks not only falls within accepted safety standards, but can also save money and time by identifying worn kingpins and refurbishing them at less cost. This would also leave the trailer upper coupler with better metallurgical strength than if you chose to replace the kingpin entirely, and save even more money in the long run.
