RSI’s Transportation Insights

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Espresso, massage therapy, fluffy pillows…sounds like a day at the spa.  Actually, you’ll find these things traveling along the nation’s asphalt arteries.  In continuing with pop culture trends, truck stops have gotten their makeover, and in several cases, they look quite pretty. 

Truck stops used to not include much more than a bathroom, fuel pump, and maybe a diner.  Iowa 80 Truckstop opened in 1964 when it was no more than “a small, white enamel building with  two diesel pumps, one lube bay and a tiny restaurant,  located  in the middle of Iowa cornfields,” (iowa80truckstop.com).  
 
These days truck stops aren’t necessarily the lap of luxury, but they’re much improved.  Take for example Highlands Petro Truck Stop in Racine, Wisconsin.  It was voted one of the Discovery Channels “Best Truck Stops”.  What makes a truck stop one of the “best”?   Discovery reports Highlands provide grounds where drivers can park safely, eat dinner, shower, and then walk to the chiropractor to get their mandatory Department of Transportation physical for just $25.  Greater Chicago I-55 was one of original 76 truck stops and still going strong.  It’s improvements over the years include parking space for 350 plus trucks, high Speed Master Satelite Pumps - can fuel 7 trucks both tanks with an 8th truck fueling 1 tank , Smartfuel cardreaders on all pumps, truck repair, oil lube central, a 24 hour restaurant , and free showers with fuel (DiscoveryChannel.com).  Other stops offer driver rewards, appreciation days, and additional incentives. 
 

 
So where are these stops?   A search on NationalTruckStopsOnline.com offers information and reviews regarding some of the most frequented stops.  In addition, sites such as TruckStopGuide.com provide current and consistent on truck stops nationwide.  The site’s search function enables people to find stops based on mileage, state, chain, interstate, route, while also providing the stops’ gas prices as well.  
For short  and long haul truck driver, stopping’s never looked so good! 

Neutral is so passé - at least in some states.  In an effort to reduce emissions, idling big rigs are banned in states such as California and the trend is growing.  It’s stop or go, on or off, restraint or - well, you get the picture.  And idling truck could be a thing of the past before you know it!
 
It’s spreading.
 
Take Georgia for example.  According to a report on Macon.com, diesel engines throughout the state of Georgia will be limited to a five minute idle.   In a time of heightened environmental consciousness, the city of Macon has dealt with smog levels that finally caught the attention of activists looking for change.  Reporter Heather Duncan states, “The rule is still in the development stages, but the draft proposal would allow the state to hold drivers, trucking or construction companies and even landowners accountable for excessive diesel idling.”
The rule, which would be effective after May 1, 2009, would apply to all kinds of construction equipment, tractors, combines, trucks and other vehicles with large diesel engines. Trains are excluded, but EPD officials say this is because they are working on a separate rule for train engines,”  (http://www.macon.com/198/story/372673.html .)
 
What does no idling mean for the long-haulers?
 
Long-haul truck drivers have relied on an idling engine or several reasons.  Heat at night while asleep in the cabin.  Sufficient power supplied to batteries and other systems throughout the vehicle.  Idling even cancels out noise, allowing truck drivers to get a restful night’s sleep. 
 
 
Idlings Inefficienies…
 
Studies show an idling truck does have environmental repercussions.  Diesel and Turbine Publications reports that, “Produces emissions that contribute to cancer, premature death, and other serious health problems (while) wastes fuel and contributes to global warming.”  And the penalty?  In California, violating idling laws can result in fines as much as one thousand dollars per day. 
 

It’s up to state legislature to decide how trucks should travel (within the state), amongst other things.  Current trends show however, that removing keys from  a rig’s ignition can significantly reduce emissions, save gas, and send a positive public message. 

Carpoolers get them.  Hybrids are allowed in.  Even bicyclists have em’.  We’re talking lanes all to themselves - and big rigs don’t get them. 
 
Congested traffic, air pollution, wasted fuel  - these are all impediments to truck drivers and fleet owners alike.  Add the fact the prevalence of passenger cars that zip in an out of lanes, dangerously cutting off semi trucks that lack the ability to stop on a dime and a truck only lane sounds like a good idea.    Freight movement and the billions of dollars involved in the transport of goods is of interest as well as our reliance on trucks will only increase in coming years. 
 The overriding argument for truck-only lanes however, is safety. 
 
 
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that, “In 2005, 442,000 large trucks were involved in crashes _ 309,000 of them with other vehicles and 4,932 of them fatal, the most since 2000. However, the number of people killed in large-truck crashes is expected to be down 3.7 percent in 2006.” 
 
While still in proposal stage in many states, truck only lanes have garnered consistent attention over the past few years. 
 
What constitutes a truck only lane?  The Insurance Journal reported the following ideas:
 
1.      Add two lanes (one on either direction) that separates trucks from passenger cars with a barrier.  No passenger cars would be allowed to enter this lane.  
2.      An extra lane in each direction that would be allow for heavier trucks while also serving as the designated breakdown lane, and passing lane every few miles to heavy trucks, a breakdown lane, and an additional passing lane for trucks every few miles.   
Considering 30% of trucks make up regular traffic on highways across our nation, it’s arguable that safety and business will benefit from a truck only lane.  However, like with children, one also wants what the other has.  Passenger vehicle traffic increases year after year to the point where states are revaluating their carpool lane laws.  One lane for all and all for one lane?  Time - and traffic issues - will tell.

Memorial Day’s a memory.  Summer’s just around the corner.  And you know what that means - HOT TEMPS!  However, as the mercury rises, so does the stress on your semi truck’s engine.  There’s still a cool spring breeze however and time to make the necessary maintainence checks that can keep your big rig cool in even the smoldering climates. 

Sometimes a little elbow grease goes a long way.  Etrucker.com says the first step in ensuring your truck (and you!) stay cool is to check the cleanliness and mechanical condition of the rig’s radiator and air cooler.   Think of the air cooler s the nostrils of the engine.  It breaths in bugs, dust, debris - anything channeled through the air en route.  Just as a person couldn’t function properly with serious sinuses - an air cooler won’t function properly when it’s literally stuffed with debris (thes.).  It is recommended that hoses, piping and connections are checked every 15,000 miles. 

Unsure whether or not the air cooler is operating properly?  Etrucker.com states, ” a worn clutch would be indicated by an obvious reduction in noise due to slower-than-normal fan speed during fan operation. This would be accompanied by engine overheating on steep hills during long climbs, or in traffic in warm weather. Also, a fan clutch that is extremely hot to the touch right after shutdown would indicate slippage.” 

Radiator backed up?  Just like an air cooler, radiators experience build up over time and cannot release heat as efficienly as it would if it experienced a sufficient cleaning as well.   A degreaser fluid will do the trick along with a garden hose (remember only to use low pressure), and wipe away. 
How else does one ensure overheating doesn’t happen to a rig’s engine?  (insert name) offers the following tips:

1) Check all hoses and fittings for AC leaks.

2) Replace air filters

3) Ensure a servo arm of the coolant water valve is free to move

4) Change engine coolant at least once a year

It’s cool to be cool.  Or - it’s hot to be cool?  Either way - it’s important a semi-truck’s engine stays cool, as both owner and operator will experience the icing on the…cake.