There is a difference between “certified” and “compliant”

I would like to take exception to the article “Engineering Change” that ran in the May/June 2002 issue of Motortruck. The statement under Caterpillar that”the company anticipates the engines will be fully certified by the EPA” is misleading.

The article should have clarified the difference between being certified and compliant. An engine manufacturer can receive EPA certification without meeting the new standards by paying NCPs (Non Compliance Penalties), which CAT has stated publicly is their intent until the new ACERT engines have been appropriately tested (I understand the final production design has changed several times since their announcement of this breakthrough technology.)

As I write this letter, the only engine that is certified and compliant is the Cummins ISX engine.

Your article nowhere states either of my points, leaving the impression that CAT will meet the new standards on time, yet they have yet to state publicly that they will meet the new standards and be compliant by October 01/02. The rules are clear!

Bill. R. Waugh

Cummins

Four-laning the TransCanada is not such a bad idea

In regards to your Web news story “Ottawa may twin Trans-Canada Highway”, we here in Newfoundland don’t see road safety as overkill. There are places on this island where the only highway is two lanes, with gravel shoulders. This can stretch for kilometres with many hills and curves as those are characteristic to our beautiful island. We need to keep moving as safely as the rest of Canada. Come visit us sometime for a warm welcome and great vacation, but don’t expect to cross the island quickly.

M. Whelan

The TransCanada should be a 4-lane highway from coast to coast. Safety on the highway will improve in all the provinces which curently have only a 2-lane highway. From North Bay to Kenora, Ontario, you have a 2-lane highway and this is a dangerous mix. Transports, cars, winding roads and the weather make the driving conditions very dangerous.

Put the 4 lanes in, designate lanes for truck use through towns and save lives and at the same time the tourism industry will thrive. With the money the government has collected from fuel taxes we can pay for the 4-lane highway no problem.

Giovanni Manca