RSI’s Transportation Insights

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RSI’s Gas Saving Tip of the Day:  Tax breaks for blenders.  The Alternative Fuel Excise Tax Credit is available for alternative fuel that is sold for use or used as a fuel to operate a motor vehicle.  The details of the credit are as follows: The credit is $0.50 per gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE) of compressed natural gas and $0.50 per liquid gallon of liquefied petroleum gas, liquefied natural gas, and liquefied hydrogen.   Who’s  eligible for the eco-friendly and economically friendly measure?  For one, eligible parites are required to be registered with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  Also, parties must register with the IRS and be classified as an “Alternative Fueler.”   In order to be classified it’s essential to to complete the IRS Form 637 titled “Application for Registration for Certain Excise Tax Activities.”
County:  San Bernardino
Date: August 31, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address: 26526 Barton Road and California Steet, Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel $3.99

Date: August 31, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 24913 Redlands Blvd. and Anderson Street, Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel $4.03

Date: August 31, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address:  1945 South Tippecanoe Ave. and East Rosewood Drive, San Bernardino
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.03

(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)

County: Los Angeles

Date: August 31, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address: 8050 Van Nuys Blvd. and Lanark Street, Panorama City
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09
 

Date: August 31, 2008
Station: Valdero
Address: 1234 West Cowles Street and Fashion Ave., Long Beach
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09

Date: August 31, 2008
Station: Speedy Fuel
Address:  Alameda Street and Eubank Ave., Wilmington
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09
 
 
 
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)

County: Riverside

Date: August 31, 2008
Station: 5 Star
Address: Barton Road and Vivienda, Colton
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.97

Date: August 31, 2008
Station: Gas and Go
Address: 8790 Mission Blvd. and Pedley Road, Mira Loma
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09

Date: August 31, 2008
Station: Shell
Address: 1213 Calimesa Blvd. and Sandalwood Dr., Calimesa 
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09
 
 (Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)

RSI’s Gas Saving Tip of the Day:  From the Federal Government’s Environmental Information Administration (EIA): Diesel fuel fell from $4.76 per gallon on July 14 to $4.35 on August 11, a drop of 41 cents.  Annual average gasoline prices are projected to be $3.65 and $3.82 per gallon, respectively, for 2008 and 2009, compared with $2.81 in 2007.  Diesel prices are projected to average $4.18 and $4.27 per gallon, respectively, in 2008 and 2009, compared with $2.88 in 2007.

County:  San Bernardino
Date: August 28, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 24913 Redlands Blvd. and Anderson Street, Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel $4.03

Date: August 28, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address: 26526 Barton Road and California Steet, Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel $4.03

Date: August 28, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address:  1945 South Tippecanoe Ave. and East Rosewood Drive, San Bernardino
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.03

(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)

County: Los Angeles

Date: August 28, 2008
Station: Thrify
Address: 11454 Balboa Blvd. and Rinaldi Street, Granada Hills
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09
 

Date: August 28, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address: El Segundo and Ocean Gate Ave., Hawthorne
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09

Date: August 28, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address: 8050 Van Nuys Blvd.
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09
 
 
 
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)

County: Riverside

Date: August 28, 2008
Station: Chevron
Address: 290 Highland Springs and I-10, Banning
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.73

Date: August 28, 2008
Station: Gas and Go
Address: 8790 Mission Blvd. and Pedley Road, Mira Loma
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09

Date: August 28, 2008
Station: Shell
Address: 1213 Calimesa Blvd. and Sandalwood Dr., Calimesa  
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09
 
 (Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)

For a long time, putting a dollar value on the cost of car insurance in California has been dependent on zip code, prior claims, and a few qualitative characteristics including gender and age.    Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner may change these pricing tenets and base premiums primarily on the distance we drive. 
From a risk perspective, it’s statistically proven and logically true that the more one drives, the higher the chances he or she will be involved in an accident.  Aside from the safety benefits though, this provision would have positive economic and environmental impacts as well. 

In a Business Week article, the Associated Press reported, “Two out of three households in the state could save an average of $276 per vehicle, and lower-income people, who generally use their cars less than the middle class or the wealthy, might save even more, said a July study by the Brookings Institution in Washington. However, some high-mileage drivers might see their rates increase by opting for pay as you drive, the Brookings report said.”  (www.businessweek.com)
And the savings continues.  According to the same article, the Environmental Defense Fund estimates that California drivers would save $40 billion in car-related expenses from 2009 to 2020 if only about 8.5 million drivers sign up for pay-as-you-drive policies.  Where’s the pen?   
 
Less cars on the road also means less greenhouse gas emissions – music to environmentalists ears.  It was reported such a move would be equivalent to taking 10 million cars off the road.  Considering there are nearly 5 million cars that travel through Los Angeles a day alone, the improvements in air quality would be significant. 
This means less fuel, smog and ultimately more motivation to really look at alternative modes of transportation.  For the transportation industry – this move would mean less congestion, ultimately leading to greater fuel efficiency (if there’s a reduction in stop and go traffic) and quicker transporting of goods and services.  
A public hearing is set for October 20th – enough time to start reconsidering our driving habits and re-navigating our routes. 

RSI’s Gas Saving Tip of the Day:      Traffic’s a killer - both to our patience levels and the fuel tank. Preplanning trips to account for high traffic areas will help fuel efficiency - that is if planned correctly.  GPS, online maps, traffic alerts, and proper communication from homebase can all help.  So does an experienced driver who knows the routes backwards an forwards.  Traffic patterns are predictable and fortunately, a driver’s ability to time and navigate through congenstion can save substantially. 
County:  San Bernardino

Date: August 27, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address: 26526 Barton Road and California Street, Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.95

Date: August 27, 2008

Station: 76

Address: 24913 Redlands Blvd. and Anderson Street, Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel $4.03

Date: August 27, 2008
Station: Valero
Address:  2649 South Waterman Ave. near Barton Road, San Bernardino
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09

(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)

County: Los Angeles

Date: August 27, 2008
Station: Thrify
Address: 8050 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09
 

Date: August 27, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address: 11454 Balboa Blvd. and Rinaldi Street, Granada Hills
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09

Date: August 27, 2008
Station: Chevron
Address: 5703 Gage Ave. and Eastern Ave., Bell Gardens
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09
 
 
 
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)

County: Riverside

Date: August 27, 2008
Station: Fastrip
Address: 10306 Arlington Ave. and Tyler Ave., Riverside-West
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09

Date: August 27, 2008
Station: Gas and Go
Address: 8790 Mission Blvd. and Pedley Road, Mira Loma
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09

Date: August 27, 2008
Station: Shell
Address: 1213 Calimesa Blvd. and Sandalwood Dr., Calimesa  
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09
 
 (Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)

RSI’s Gas Saving Tip of the Day:     Service!  This is not a tennis reference nor waiter/waitress order.  It’s something extremely important to your wallet.  Regular semi servicings are critical to fuel efficiency and overall cost savings.  Ensuring your rig’ is properly maintained whether it’s cleaning dirty air filters or replacing old spark plugs will save substantially at the end of the day.  

County:  San Bernardino

Date: August 25, 2008

Station: ARCO
Address: 26526 Barton Road and California Street, Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.95

Date: August 25, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 24913 Redlands Blvd. and Anderson Street, Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel $3.97

Date: August 25, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address:  3368 South Riverside Ave. and Agua Mansa Road, Bloomington
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.99

(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)

County: Los Angeles

Date: August 25, 2008
Station: Chevron
Address: 1700 West Wardlow and Santa Fe Ave., Long Beach
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.05
 

Date: August 25, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 5601 Topanga Canyon Blvd. and Burbank Blvd., Woodland Hills
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.07

Date: August 25, 2008
Station: Blue
Address: 1430 East Pacific Coast Highway and Blinn Ave., Wilmington
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09
 
 
 
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)

County: Riverside

Date: August 25, 2008
Station: Fastrip
Address: 10306 Arlington Ave. and Tyler Ave., Riverside-West
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09

Date: August 25, 2008
Station: Shell
Address: 1213 Calimesa Blvd. and Sandalwood Drive, Calimesa
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09

Date: August 25, 2008
Station: Gas Mart
Address: 1005 West Florida Ave. and South Western Ave., Hemet  
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09
 
 (Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)

RSI’s Gas Saving Tip of the Day:    The days of below four dollar diesel (across the Southern California board) were short lived.  A  few locations still sell diesel for just under four dollars a gallon, but a majority are back in the four-plus dollar range.  That doesn’t mean the gas saving tips will stop though!  Today - consider easing up on the brakes.  This of course is not in reference to any situation that demands an immediate stop, however, drivers who are constantly aware of their surroundings and the flow of traffic can anticipate when he’ll need to slow down and gradually reduce the trucks speed.  Accurately anticipating slowing traffic in advance can increase fuel economy by as much as 20%. 

County:  San Bernardino

Date: August 24, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address: 26526 Barton Road and California Street, Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.97

Date: August 24, 2008
Station: Valero
Address: 2649 South Waterman Avenue (near Barton Road), Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel $4.09

Date: August 24, 2008

Station: ARCO
Address:  905 South Grove Avenue and East Mission Blvd., Ontario 
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.19

(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)

County: Los Angeles

Date: August 24, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 5601 Topanga Canyon Blvd. and Burbank Blvd., Woodland Hills
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.07
 

Date: August 24, 2008
Station: Speedy Fuel
Address: Alameda Street and Eubank Ave., Wilmington
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09

Date: August 24, 2008
Station: Speedy Fuel
Address: Anaheim Street and Watson Avenue, Wilmington
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09
 
 
 
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)

County:  Riverside

Date: August 24, 2008
Station: 7-11
Address: 23021 Sunnymead Blvd. and Frederick Street, Moreno Valley
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.99

Date: August 24, 2008
Station: Spirit
Address: 703 East 6th Street and East Grand Blvd., Moreno Valley
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.05

Date: August 24, 2008
Station: Gas Mart
Address: 1005 West Florida Ave. and South Western Ave., Hemet  
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.07
 
 (Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)

It’s loud, attention getting, sometimes jarring but entirely effective.  The air horn has become synonymous with semi trucks and essential for road safety.  There’s no tuning out the blare of an air horn, even if you’re miles from the source.  Air horn options are abundant and while they’re main purpose is all the same – to alert other drivers/people, the aesthetic features are abound. We’ll take a closer look at the loud and illustrious air horn. 

The Department of Transportation and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association mandate the following:

§393.81 Horn.
Every bus, truck, truck tractor, and every driven motor vehicle in driveaway towaway operations shall be equipped with a horn and actuating elements which shall be in such condition as to give an adequate and reliable warning signal.

This is the only existing federal regulation surrounding a truck’s horn.  In essence, the law is that a truck must be fitted with one, and that’s it (any vehicle for that matter). 

So now that the rules are taken care of, what about the cosmetics?  Well, there’s everything from the Bad Boy to the Cannonball Express.  You’ll find air horns range in price anywhere from $50 to a cool $300.  According to StylinTrucks.com, the Bad Boy boasts a blast twice as loud as factory horns while being a diminutive 2 ½”  x 4 ½” in size. 
The Cannonball is, “constructed of all metal with three triple chrome plated trumpets. The horn’s base is plated steel. Comes with all required mounting hardware and 10 foot length of 1/4″ nylon high pressure hose.” (www.stylintrucks.com) 

Air horns can be purchased online, through auctions including eBay, specialty retail stores and more.  You won’t have a problem finding a wide selection of products, but you may have a difficult time deciding whether you want to grab the attention of the road or small city. 

RSI’s Gas Saving Tip of the Day:  Here’s an air conditioning fix just in time for the remaining days of summer.  An electric air conditioner runs on a seperate battery pack or is charged apart from the truck.  The Sun Power Eco-Air 12-volt system is one example of a self-contained unit.  It powers the A/C and doesn’t use a drop of fuel - keeping the cabin cool for up to 12 hours.  One drawback is the cost of one of these units, which can run upwards of 10k.  The cost of idling and relying on your rig to stay cool
 

 County:  San Bernardino

Date: August 23, 2008
Station: 76
Address:  24913 Redlands Blvd. and Anderson Street, Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.97

Date: August 23, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address: 1945 South Tippecanoe Ave and East Rosewood Dr., Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel $3.97

Date: August 23, 2008
Station: 76
Address:  4350 Mills Cirle & Mall Drive, Ontario
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.07

(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)

County: Los Angeles

Date: August 23, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address: 1025 W. Anaheim St.& King Ave., Wilmington
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09
 

Date: August 23, 2008
Station: Mobil
Address: 6423 Topanga Canyon Blvd. and Victory Blvd., Woodland Hills
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.13

Date: August 23, 2008
Station: Mobil
Address: 6423 Topanga Canyon Blvd. and Victory Blvd., Canoga Park
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.19
 
 
 
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)

County:  Riverside

Date: August 23, 2008
Station: 7-Eleven
Address: 23021 Sunnymead Blvd. and Frederick Street, Moreno Valley
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.99

Date: August 23, 2008
Station: Spirit
Address: 703 E. 6th and East Grand
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.05

Date: August 23, 2008
Station: Gas Mart
Address: 1005 West Florida Ave. and South Western Ave., Hemet  
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.07
 
 (Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)

RSI’s Gas Saving Tip of the Day:   Our tip today would be to visit the ARCO station located at 26526 Barton Road and California Street, Loma Linda.  The price of diesel fuel per gallon is at $3.93 - one of the lowest prices we’ve seen in months.  The gas savings (of course if you’re in the area) are significant and hopefully a positive and continuing forecast of prices to come.

County:  San Bernardino
Date: August 21, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address: 26526 Barton Road and California Street, Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.93

Date: August 21, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address: 1945 South Tippecanoe Ave and East Rosewood Dr., Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel $3.97

Date: August 21, 2008
Station: 76
Address:  24913 Redlands Blvd. and Anderson Street, Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.97

(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)

County: Los Angeles

Date: August 21, 2008
Station: Chevron
Address: 3396 Atlantic Avenue and Wardlow Road, Long Beach
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.49
 

Date: August 21, 2008
Station: Mobil
Address: 6423 Topanga Canyon Blvd. and Victory Blvd., Woodland Hills
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.99

Date: August 21, 2008
Station: Mobil
Address: 6423 Topanga Canyon Blvd. and Victory Blvd., Canoga Park
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.99
 
 
 
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)

County:  Riverside

Date: August 21, 2008
Station: Fastrip
Address: 23991 Sunnymead Blvd. and Heacock Street, Moreno Valley
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.99

Date: August 21, 2008
Station: 7-Eleven
Address: 23021 Sunnymead Blvd. and Frederick Street, Moreno Valley
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.99

Date: August 21, 2008
Station: Gas Mart
Address: 1005 West Florida Ave. and South Western Ave., Hemet  
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.07
 
 (Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)

RSI’s Gas Saving Tip of the Day:  As you know, the customer always has the power.  But , did you know that within that purchasing power lies the ability to lower fuel usage.  For example, purchasers can request trucks with fuel efficient strategies or request special financing that enables the purchase of a more fuel-friendly vehicle.    
 
County:  San Bernardino
Date: August 19, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address: 26526 Barton Road and California Street, Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.95

Date: August 19, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address: 1945 South Tippecanoe Ave and East Rosewood Dr., Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel $3.97

Date: August 19, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address:  305 Redlands Blvd. and Waterman Ave., San Bernardino
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.99

(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)

County: Los Angeles

Date: August 19, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address: 5038 El Segundo Blvd. and Ocean Gate Ave., Hawthorne
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.99
 

Date: August 19, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address: 11454 Balboa Blvd. and Rinaldi St., Granada Hills
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.99

Date: August 19, 2008
Station: Mobil
Address: 101 E. HOlt Avenue and Garey Avenue, Pomona
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.99
 
 
 
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)

County:  Riverside

Date: August 19, 2008
Station: 7-Eleven
Address: 23021 Sunnymead Blvd. and Frederick Street, Moreno Valley
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.99

Date: August 19, 2008
Station: Fastrip
Address: 230021 Sunnymead Blvd. and Heacock Street
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.99

Date: August 19, 2008
Station: Spirit
Address: 25760 New Chicago Ave. and Florida Avenue, Hemet  
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.19
 
 (Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)