Cash-strapped Alberta rethinks approach to highways

BANFF, AB - A cash-strapped Alberta government is rethinking the way priorities are set for the province's highway network and related maintenance - both for the short term and decades into the future. Every proposed infrastructure project must now contribute to a "triple bottom line" that considers social, economic and environmental impacts, Alberta Transportation Assistant Deputy Minister Shaun Hammond said in a briefing during the Alberta Motor Transport Association's annual convention. Decisions to twin a highway will be based on more than traffic counts alone. And "you will see more and more (environmental issues) in the next few months." The department is already reaching out to the association in the search for ways to reduce emissions around Red Deer, where particulates from diesel engines have played a role in creating the worst air quality in Canada. And Alberta Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Brian Mason pledged earlier in the day to begin research into fuel-saving wide-base single tires "as soon as possible".

Mason highlights transportation projects in AMTA address

BANFF, AB - Alberta Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Brian Mason spoke to the Alberta Motor Transport Association's annual conference this afternoon, emphasizing investments being made in the province's road networks. "The global collapse in oil prices, our most vital commodity, is causing tremendous economic pain and anxiety," he said, adding that the province's infrastructure investments are designed to help spur economic growth. "Transportation is vital to building the Alberta economy."

ELDs, environmental focus among industry ‘game changers’

BANFF, AB - Mandated technologies like Electronic Logging Devices and an increasing focus on environmental standards will be among "game changers" for Canada's trucking industry, Canadian Trucking Alliance CEO David Bradley said in what will likely be his final address to the Alberta Motor Transport Association.

AMTA identifies key accomplishments of 2015/16

BANFF, AB - The Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA) has identified a series of key accomplishments achieved in the past year, at a time when the province's trucking industry continues to struggle against the backdrop of a weak economy.

Mack projects 250,000-truck market, bigger vocational share

AUSTIN, TX - Mack Trucks president Dennis Slagle admits that North America's truck makers are still living through a "hangover" when it comes to sales. "The over-exuberance at the end of 2014 introduced a lot of orders into the system," he says. "The retail shelves were full, and that affected the number of trucks moving around." But that is hardly dampening the company's spirits.

Mack boosts fuel economy under Earth Day backdrop

AUSTIN, TX - Mack Trucks' choice of the setting and day to unveil a series of powertrain upgrades was no coincidence. Austin, Texas is known for its music and barbecue, but is also recognized as one of the Top 10 greenest cities in the U.S. And April 22 marks Earth Day. Collectively, they offered a fitting backdrop for changes made in the name of fuel economy. The 2017 Mack MP engine lineup will see fuel economy jump between 2.1 and 8.8% compared to today's models, while a new Predictive Cruise will effectively memorize terrain and enhance shifts when routes are repeated. Engine upgrades include a common rail fuel system, and turbo compounding that tranforms waste heat into torque on the camshaft. Fuel-saving enhancements have certainly put the engines on a diet. The common rail fuel system, widely used in Europe, allows for an assembled camshaft that is 27 pounds lighter than its single-piece predecessor. The MP8's cylinder block is also 44 pounds lighter than today's models. Even when turbo compounding is introduced on the MP8, the engine is still 33 pounds lighter than existing models.

Adopt ELDs ahead of mandate: Wright

TORONTO, ON - Bill Wright, the recently named president of PeopleNet Canada, describes the plans to mandate electronic logs as "exciting times". In fact, he asks, why would anyone wait for a mandate?

Runaway and Repeat

I'm experiencing a new day and new job at Today's Trucking, but there is no escaping the sense of déjà vu. Yes, I still lean on my GPS to find the office, and I think it will be several months before I remember the phone number, but something feels oddly familiar. Too familiar.

Rabid raccoons may be hitching rides

HAMILTON, ON – The raccoons and skunks bringing raccoon rabies into southern Ontario could be hitching a ride on tractor-trailers. Hamilton-area officials have recorded 84 positive cases since December, and…

Gin-Cor acquires JC Trailers Design and Fabrication

MATTAWA, ON — Gin-Cor Group — known for building vocational severe-service vehicles — has acquired Keswick, Ontario-based JC Trailers Design and Fabrication, which specializes in customized heavy-haul trailers and other…

Celadon mourns death of founder

INDIANAPOLIS, IN -- Steve Russell, who founded Celadon in 1985, died on April 15. He was 76.

Reception honors Canadian women in trucking

Women are a rarity in Canada's trucking industry, representing just 3% of people who work behind the wheel. But on the same day that Newcom Business Media recognized the first women to be named HighwayStar of the Year, another Truck World gathering celebrated all the industry's female drivers. The Salute to Women Behind the Wheel - running for seven years in the U.S. -- came to Canada on Saturday afternoon.

Clean data, clear goals are secrets to success: Altrichter

Kirk Altrichter, vice president - maintenance for Nebraska-based Crete Carrier, says the ability to gather maintenance data in real time is nothing short of amazing. The secret, he said during a keynote address at the inaugural Canadian Fleet Maintenance Summit, is to decide where to focus your attention.

Equipment testing models meet different needs: Provencher

Yves Provencher, manager of PIT Group by FP Innovations, is a clear believer in testing new vehicle technologies. "Testing technology on your truck is not an option," he told delegates during the inaugural Canadian Fleet Maintenance Summit. "You need to invest with confidence ... instead of trying it for months and months."

Big data can guide big maintenance decisions: Panel

The electronic revolution is a reality in the trucking industry. Electronic Control Modules now feed data from engines and transmissions alike. Maintenance software can spit out reams of reports, measuring just about every imaginable operating parameter. As important as all the underlying data can be, however, the secret is to turn it into actionable information.