RSI’s Transportation Insights

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RSI’s Gas Saving Tip of the Day: A future solution for big rigs?  Mercedes Benz introduced AdBlue, a fluid that when combined with the exhaust gases results in a dramatic decrease in emissions and greater gas efficiency (improvements up to 30%!).  AdBlue is currently only seen in Mercdes passenger vehicles, but could be the all-encompassing diesel of the future. 

County:  San Bernardino

Date: September 12, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address: 26526 Barton Road and California Steet, Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel $3.85
 

Date: September 12, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address: Haven Avenue and Philadelphia Street
Price of Diesel Fuel $3.89

Date: September 12, 2008
Station: Mohsen Vegas Truck Stop
Address: 35680 Daggett Yermo Road and Chost Town, Yermo/Barstow 
Price of Diesel Fuel $3.99

(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)

County: Los Angeles

Date: September 12, 2008
Station: Chevron
Address: 150 South Diamond Blvd. and Palomino Drive, Diamond Bar  
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.75
 

Date: September 12, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address: 1154 Balboa Blvd. and Rinaldi Street, Granada Hills
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.85

Date: September 12, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 5601 Toganga Canyon Blvd. and Burbank Blvd., Woodland Hills  
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.89
 
 
 
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)

County: Riverside

Date: September 12, 2008

Station: Spirit
Address: 636 West Florida Ave. and Tahquitz Avenue, Hemet
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.85

Date: September 12, 2008
Station: Beacon
Address: 202 North State and E Latham Avenue, Hemet 
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.91
Date: September 8, 2008

Station: Spirit
Address: 25760 New Chicago Ave. and Florida Ave., Hemet
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.93
 
 (Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)

RSI’s Gas Saving Tip of the Day:  Use more productive truck combinations.   Research shows that increased volumes of freight can be moved with less fuel and fewer emissions by using a smaller number of large trucks rather than a larger number of small trucks. A reduction of 294.7 million tons of CO2 could be achieved with these changes. (Trucksdeliver.org)

County:  San Bernardino
Date: September 11, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address: 26526 Barton Road and California Steet, Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel $3.85
 

Date: September 11, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address: Haven Avenue and Philadelphia Street, Ontario
Price of Diesel Fuel $3.95

Date: September 11, 2008
Station: Valero
Address: 2649 South Waterman Avenue, San Bernardino
Price of Diesel Fuel $3.95

(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)

County: Los Angeles

Date: September 11, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 5601 Toganga Canyon Blvd. and Burbank Blvd., Woodland Hills  
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.89
 

Date: September 11, 2008
Station: Valero
Address: 934 South Grand Avenue near Baseline Road, Glendora
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.95

Date: September 11, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address: Slauson and 605, Whittier
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.99
 
 
 
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)

County: Riverside

Date: September 11, 2008

Station: Beacon
Address: 202 North Street and East Latham Avenue, Hemet
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.89

Date: September 11, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address: 19930 Collier Avenue and Nichols Road, Lake Elsinore 
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.95
Date: September 8, 2008

Station: ARCO
Address: 23261 Cajalco Expressway and Harvill Ave., Perris
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.95
 
 (Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)

RSI’s Gas Saving Tip of the Day:  All three of our Southern California cities (San Bernardino, Los Angeles, and Riverside) can boast at least three gas stations a piece that offer diesel for less than $4.00 a gallon.

County:  San Bernardino

Date: September 8, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address: 26526 Barton Road and California Steet, Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel $3.95
 

Date: September 8, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 24913 Redlands Blvd. and Anderson Street, Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel $3.97

Date: September 8, 2008
Station: ARco
Address: 9888 Foothill Blvd. and Ramona Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga
Price of Diesel Fuel $3.99

(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)

County: Los Angeles

Date: September 8, 2008

Station: 76
Address: 5601 Toganga Canyon Blvd. and Burbank Blvd., Woodland Hills  
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.97
 

Date: September 8, 2008
Station: Speedy Fuel
Address: 710 East “D” Street and Eubank Avenue, Wilmington
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.99

Date: September 8, 2008
Station: Speedy Fuel
Address: 2432 South Indiana Street and Sheila Street, Commerce
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.99
 
 
 
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)

County: Riverside

Date: September 8, 2008

Station: Fastrip
Address: 23991 Sunnymead Blvd. and Heacock Street, Moreno Valley
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.97

Date: September 8, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address: 24991 Sunnymead Blvd. and Perris Blvd., Moreno Valley 
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.97
Date: September 8, 2008

Station: Thrifty
Address: 2600 Hamner Ave. and Lampton Street, Norco
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.99
 
 (Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)

What’s your stance on the GOP’s Natural Disaster Policy?  Insurance professionals take note! 

A number of political, social, economic - and even hair – topics were broached during both the Democratic National Convention (DNC) and Republican National Convention (RNC) these past two weeks.  However, the topic of this blog is not about each party’s respective agenda on the items that grab front page headlines, but rather the insurance initiatives designated for disaster insurance, a timely and important issue discussed at both conventions. 

While the DNC did not specifically discuss insurance-related legislature that has been on the books these past few years as a result of economic  influential catastrophes including Hurricane Katrina.  It did address though, the nation’s need to see improvements in the our physical and financial preparation.  It was at the RNC, however, where insurance programs were laid out.  
According to a report in the Insurance Journal, “The RNC’s platform was adopted on Monday, Sept. 2. In the section titled, “Domestic Disaster Response,” (pg. 18), the GOP platform says:
“Americans hit by disaster must never again feel abandoned by their government. The Katrina disaster taught a painful lesson: The federal government’s system for responding to a natural calamity needs a radical overhaul. We recognize the need for a natural disaster insurance policy.
“State and local cooperation is crucial, as are private relief efforts, but Washington must take the lead in forging a partnership with America’s best run businesses to ensure that FEMA’s Emergency Operations Centers run as well as any Fortune 500 company. We must make it easier for both businesses and non-profits to act as force-multipliers in relief situations. We believe it is critical to support those impacted by natural disasters and to complete the rebuilding of devastated areas, including the Gulf Coast.” (site source)

A National Catastrophic Insurance Fund was presented and essentially available to augment existing state and private insurance policies and would go into effect should damages stemming from hurricanes to earthquakes reach a certain dollar amount.   The GOP believes that by allowing states the ability to deal with the brunt of the economic impact of a single natural distaster, insurance rates would  be controlled as companies would know what their potential losses are.   

RSI’s Gas Saving Tip of the Day:   Sometimes it’s not about saving, but what you get back.  For example - several gas cards offer 5% cash back, point programs, and balance tranfsers.  Research card review sites for the offers that best suit your company’s needs.
County:  San Bernardino
Date: September 6, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address: 26526 Barton Road and California Steet, Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel $3.95

Date: September 6, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address: 1945 South Tippecanoe Ave. and East Rosewood Drive, San Bernardino
Price of Diesel Fuel $3.95

Date: September 6, 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: September 6, 2008
Station: Thrify
Address: 11454 Balboa Blvd. and Rinaldi Street, Granada Hills   
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.95
 

Date: September 6, 2008
Station: Arco
Address: 5158 Laurel Canyon Blvd. and Magnolia Blvd., Valley Village
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.99

Date: September 6, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address: Nordhoff and Wilbur, Northridge
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.00
 
 
 
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)

County: Riverside

Date: September 6, 2008

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

Date: September 6, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address: 24991 Sunnymead Blvd. and Perris Blvd., Moreno Valley 
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.99

Date: September 6, 2008

Station: Spirit
Address: 25760 New Chicago Ave. and Florida Ave., Hemet
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.99
 
 (Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)

RSI’s Gas Saving Tip of the Day:   This time we’ll pose a question: How do you feel about the federal government’s offer of $213 million to  has offered Los Angeles County to convert carpool lanes to special, congestion-pricing toll lanes on three major freeways?  Feel free to comment in the “Comments” section at the end of this blog.

County:  San Bernardino

Date: September 5, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address: 1945 South Tippecanoe Ave. and East Rosewood Drive, San Bernardino
Price of Diesel Fuel $3.95
Date: September 5, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address: 26526 Barton Road and California Steet, Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel $3.95
 
Date: September 5, 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: September 5, 2008
Station: Thrify
Address: 11454 Balboa Blvd. and Rinaldi, Granada Hills
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.95
 

Date: September 5, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address: 5158 Laurel Canyon Blvd. and Magnolia Blvd., Valley Village
Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.99

Date: September 5, 2008
Station: 76
Address: Toganga Canyon Blvd. and Burbank, Woodland Hills
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.01
 
 
 
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)

County: Riverside

Date: September 5, 2008
Station: Valero 
Address: 395 West Stetson and Sapphire, Hemet
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.05

Date: September 5, 2008
Station: Spirit
Address: 25760 New Chicago Ave. and Florida Ave., Hemet
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.06

Date: September 5, 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)

Nobody likes traffic.  Except for maybe a motorcyclist or two who like the thrill of cutting in and out of lanes while passenger cars sit, idling away gas and patience.  Similar to cities such as New York (as the most visible – and costly)  where regular toll fares increase as congestion mushrooms, Los Angeles is considering the addition of a toll lane on three major freeways that would charge drivers based on the amount of congestion on the road. 
Steve Hymon of the Los Angeles Times reported, “Officials here are seeking federal money to put toll lanes initially on three freeways, including the 210 and 10 in the San Gabriel Valley and the 110 south of downtown. The 60 Freeway is next on the list.
The tolls would vary by time of day and be highest during rush hour. Single-occupant cars would probably pay the most to use the lanes,”  (http://articles.latimes.com/2008/apr/14/local/me-roadsage14). 
Economic and environmental concerns top the list of reasons to convert the lanes with advocates arguing that the measure would improve current conditions.  The amount of traffic on the road would inevitably lessen (just like it did when gas prices went up – suggesting that people really don’t want to – or can’t – pay even more to drive.)  Meanwhile, opponents of the measure believe such a toll would tax an already financially burdened lower and middle class.  (More on that topic in a yet-to-be published blog.) 
Similar plans were proposed in San Francisco as well, but were quickly vetoed on August 8th by the San Francisco Transportation.  According to a report in the San Francisco Chronicle, the Authority voted down the plan and will instead  As an alternative, the Authority agreed to take money from the federal gas tax to buy new parking meters that will be used to charge significantly higher rates for parking based on the time of day.

Currently - $213 million dollars from the Federal Government sits on the laps of local and state lofficials. 

RSI’s Gas Saving Tip of the Day:  Time management.  Letting an engine “warm-up” is helpful, but letting the engine run too long is wasteful and results in less gas and money.  Determine exactly how much time your rig’s engine needs to warm-up (taking temperatures into account) and do not exceed. 
County:  San Bernardino
Date: September 4, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address: 26526 Barton Road and California Steet, Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel $3.99
 

Date: September 4, 2008

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

Date: September 4, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 24913 Redlands Blvd. and Anderson Street, Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel $4.03

(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)

County: Los Angeles

Date: September 4, 2008
Station: Thrify
Address: 5601 Toganga Canyon Blvd. and Burbank Blvd., Woodland Hills
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.07
 

Date: September 4, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address: 5038 El Segundo and Ocean Gate Ave., Hawthorne
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09

Date: September 4, 2008
Station: Valero
Address: 1234 West Cowles Street and Fashion Ave., Long Beach
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09
 
 
 
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)

County: Riverside

Date: September 4, 2008
Station: Spirit
Address: 25760 New Chicago Ave. and Florida Ave., Hemet
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.06

Date: September 4, 2008
Station: Fastrip
Address: 10306 Arlington Ave. and Tyler Ave., Riverside
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09

Date: September 4, 2008
Station: Shell
Address: 1213 Calimesa Blvd. and Sandalwood Dr., Calimesa  
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09
 
 (Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)

A seaport the size of Long Beach and Los Angeles on the West Coast?  Our Southern California ports have become increasingly exposed and strained due to environmental initiatives and urban development,  which Mexico is aiming to both relieve and rival as it plans the construction of its new port.  

Considered to be the country’s largest infrastructure project in history, Mexican government officials including President Felipe Calderon intend to snare Asian cargo traffic and freight it off to the U.S.  The new port would be located in Punto Colonet, which is located roughly 150 miles south Tijuana. 
The Los Angeles Times reported that, “Punta Colonet is expected to have a capacity of 2 million shipping containers annually when it opens in 2014, Mexico’s transportation secretariat told The Times But officials envision it ultimately handling five times that amount. Last year, the ports of L.A. and Long Beach handled 15.7 million containers combined.” (www.latimes.com)
A tiny village, Punto Colonet is currently home to about 2,500 residents who will be visited by President Calderon in coming days.  Calderon, other government officials, and businessmen and women see potential in the location which is not a high traffic area and relatively close to Southern California. While 30 million shipping containers traversed the Pacific ocean last year to West Coast ports (15.7 million to Long Beach and Los Angeles ports combined), Calderon expects Punto Colonet to handle about 2 million containers its first year in action. 
Money to fund the colossal project will be privately funded.  And while overall economic tribulations have hit the logistics industry, it is expected to rebound in the next year or two. Should Calderon’s vision go as planned the port would be open for business in 2014.