Health/Safety
Final mile introducing new maintenance demands
ATLANTA, Ga. – Evolving delivery models are leading to a new generation of vehicles as fleets look for new ways to serve the all-important final mile of e-commerce orders. Against the backdrop of dense urban centers that are demanding an end to emissions, the trucks and vans are also more likely than ever to be electric. “The economics of those are starting to become positive in some applications,” said Thomas Dollmeyer, Cummins’ director of electrification technology, during a panel at the annual meeting of the Technology and Maintenance Council. Electric urban buses are already economically viable, while the same could be said about electric Class 4-7 distribution vehicles as early as 2020, he said. But changes like that will lead to new challenges on the shop floor.
UPS executive challenges fleets to ‘define excellence’
ATLANTA, Ga. -- Carlton Rose, president, global fleet maintenance and engineering at UPS, is challenging the trucking industry to define the excellence needed to realize cleaner cities, safer vehicles, and underlying technical knowledge. “If you’re the one who defines excellence, then you’re the one who shapes expertise to achieve it,” Rose said.
Canadian hotline to help end trafficking to launch Fall 2018
Come Fall 2018 drivers traveling Canadian highways will have another tool to help in the fight against human trafficking. The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking is launching a national hotline to connect callers with resources in an effort to end forced labor and sex work in throughout the country. Barbara Gosse, CEO of the center, says the primary responsibility of the line will be to connect those who are being exploited to resources to help them escape their current situation. Call-takers will be equipped with information not only for local police departments, but shelters, abuse centers and other places where those being sold can go to be safe.
Ryder preaches safety. The Canadians lead the way.
MISSISSAUGA, Ont. -- The safety messages are found at every turn, usually in a bold red and black. There are reminders not to smoke, and the need to wear safety glasses and safety shoes. Lockout tags and keys hang from door handles to ensure vehicles are not unexpectedly started while someone is working underneath. They’re the not-so-subtle signs of Ryder’s commitment to safety in this Mississauga, Ont., shop and beyond.
Electric vehicles are sparking more training for first responders
TORONTO, Ont. -- When engineers at Kenworth brought their hydrogen-electric hybrid Zero Emission Cargo Transport (ZECT) to Mount Vernon, Wash., they were sure to let first responders know the truck was on site, and trained them on how to respond should an emergency arise.
