Truck News editors received nine writing awards from the Truck Writers of North America (TWNA) during the recent TWNA Communications Awards.

The peer-judged awards were presented during a banquet at the Mid-America Trucking Show.

Steven Macleod, assistant editor with Truck News and Truck West won a bronze award in the Business category for his feature in Truck West called ‘Meltdown – The hidden costs of a mild winter.’ The article explored the impact the unseasonably warm weather last winter was having on remote communities dependent on winter roads and the trucking companies that service those communities.

Macleod also received a bronze award in the Company Profile category for a feature he wrote about CPX – a B.C. fleet that has adopted some forward-thinking driver retention strategies.

Assistant editor Adam Ledlow received a bronze award in the Technical General category for his piece on reefers called ‘The Big Chill.’ Ledlow also received a silver award in the Feature category for his piece ‘Atlantica: The Forgotten Region’ which explored the concept of Atlantica and how Canada’s East Coast could benefit from a strategic transportation partnership with the Northeastern US.

James Menzies received a silver award in the Column or Series category for his five-piece series on the 2007 emissions standards, ‘Countdown to 07.’ Also winning an award in this category was Truck News columnist Joanne Ritchie, who pens a monthly column called ‘Voice of the owner/operator.’

In the News category, Menzies received a silver award for his feature ‘Speed Limited’ which examined the controversial Ontario Trucking Association policy calling for the mandatory use of speed limiters. He also took home a gold award in the Product Applications category for his article entitled ‘On Thin Ice: Can you afford to be without ESP?’ exploring the Bendix electronic stability system.

Finally, Truck News and Motortruck Fleet Executive received a gold award for the supplement ‘Are You Secure? – Volume 2.’ The supplement detailed Canada’s latest cargo securement regulations.

In other news, Menzies recently presented on the topic of the current and impending EPA emissions standards at Erb Transportation ‘s Driver Appreciation banquet in Misissauga. Menzies said the industry has accomplished a remarkable feat in reducing its NOx and particulate matter emissions, but there are more changes in store in the years ahead.

Trucks of the World, a book authored by Truck News regulatory affairs columnist Ingrid Phaneuf and Menzies is now available at book stores. The historical look at more than 240 trucks from around the world is available through Coles book store, among others. It was published by UK-based Parragon Publishing.

Editorial director Lou Smyrlis will serve as co- Lecturer at the 2nd Annual Transportation Logistics Course, to be held in Mississauga later this month. Smyrlis will comment on the trends and issues identified through our annual research on freight volumes, inventory levels, capacity, rates and surcharges. He will also moderate a discussion of industry experts on today’s transportation issues.

Sister publication Canadian Transportation & Logistics has once again partnered with the Canadian Industrial Transportation Association and CITT to publish the sixth annual Shipper’s Choice Awards Survey. The survey, to be published in August, examines the importance Canadian buyers of transportation services place on seven key performance indicators when selecting carriers in all modes. It also identifies the carriers that surpass the survey’s benchmark of performance excellence.