RSI’s Transportation Insights

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RSI’s Gas Saving Tip of the day:    Southern Californians (specifically the city of Chula Vista) are using a blend of biodiesel and ester that combined - will reduce fuel emissions from garbage trucks. Trash for thought?  Garbage trucks will use the biodiesel/ester concoction, which is made from 80 percent diesel and a 20 percent mix of biodiesel and Ethos Fuel Reformulator named B20 Ethos.

County: San Bernardino
Date: November 11th, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address: 26526 Barton Road and California Street, Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel $2.69

Date: November 11th, 2008
Station: Circle K
Address: 3260 Chino Ave. and 71 Freeway, Chino Hills        
Price of Diesel Fuel $2.69
Date: November 10th, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 24913 Redlands Blvd. and Anderson Street, Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel $2.71
 
 

(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)
County: Los Angeles

Date: November 11th, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 5601 Topanga Canyon Blvd. and Burbank Blvd., Woodland Hills
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.61
Date: November 11th, 2008
Station: 76
Address: Topanga Canyon Blvd. and Burbank, Woodland Hills
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.61
Station: Chevron
Address: 1700 West Wardlow and Santa Fe Ave., Long Beach
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.69

Station: Chevron
Address: 918 South San Gabriel Blvd. and Mission Dr., San Gabriel
Price of Diesel: $2.69
 
 
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)

County: Riverside
Date: November 11th, 2008
Station: Thrifty 
Address: 24991 Sunnymead Blvd. and Perris Blvd.
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.69
Date: November 11th, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address: 41240 Kalmia St. and Madison Ave., Murrieta
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.69

Date: November 11th, 2008
Station: Shell
Address:  6100 Clay St. and Limonite Ave., Riverside
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.72
 
 (Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com) 

RSI’s Gas Saving Tip of the day:    Feeling Thrifty?  If you’re traveling at all through the Los Angeles area, scope out a Thrify gas station based purely on the stations’ low gas prices (we marked three at $2.69 a gallon).  We vote Yes!
County:  San Bernardino
Date: November 3rd, 2008
Station: ARco
Address: 26526 Barton Road and California Street, Loma Linda        
Price of Diesel Fuel $2.67

Date: November 3rd, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address: 1945 South Tippecanoe Ave. and East Rosewood Drive, San Bernardino
Price of Diesel Fuel $2.69

Date: November 3rd, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 24913 Redlands Blvd. and Anderson Street, Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel $2.69
 
 

(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)

County: Los Angeles
Date:  November 3rd, 2008

Station: Thrifty  
Address: 1025 West Anaheim Street and King Ave., Wilmington
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.69

Date:  November 3rd, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address: 5038 El Segundo Blvd. and Ocean Gate Ave., Hawthorne
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.69
Date:  November 3rd, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address: 11454 Balboa Blvd. and Rinaldi Street, Granada Hills
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.69
 
 
 
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)

County: Riverside
Date:  November 3rd, 2008
Station: RAJ Service
Address: 401 East 6th Street and Howard, Corona
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.73
Date:  November 3rd, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 29955 Haun Road and Newport Road, Menifee 
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.78

Date:  November 3rd, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address:  29955 Newport Road and Bradley Road, Menifee
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.78
 
 (Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com) 

Drivers operating commercial vehicles between state lines must adhere to a number of federally mandated laws.  Most wouldn’t think not having 20/40 vision would hold them back in the workplace, however drivers must not only have good vision, but go through physical examinations every two years - something most employees don’t experinece once.  The government also mandates that employers ”periodically” test their drivers for a drug and alcohol use.     

Federal regulations also require employers to test their drivers for alcohol and drug use as a condition of employment and require periodic random tests of the drivers while they are on duty. Drivers may not use any controlled substances, unless prescribed by a licensed physician. A driver must not have been convicted of a felony involving the use of a motor vehicle or a crime involving drugs, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

In the state of California, the  law Office of Drug & Alcohol Policy & Compliance sets the regs for driver drug testing.  According to the The Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991 requires drug and alcohol testing of safety-sensitive transportation employees in aviation, trucking, railroads, mass transit, pipelines and other transportation industries.  The office utilizes Department of Transportation controlled rules on how to conduct the drug tests.   

These drug tests though - both on a state and federal level - have een under attack as reports from the GAO revealed that these drug tests were easy to cheat on.  Specifically, the GAO reported that three-quarters of testing sites don’t provide secure conditions.   MSNBC.com investigated the story further, reporting, “ undercover investigators with the GAO used bogus truck driver’s licenses to gain access to 24 drug-testing sites. They found that 75 percent “failed to restrict access to items that could be used to adulterate or dilute the [urine] specimen, meaning that running water, soap, or air freshener was available in the bathroom during the test.” (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21568973/ .)

 However, these tests are not always fail-proof, as the Government Accountability Office discovered.  “Undercover investigators with the GAO used bogus truck driver’s licenses to gain access to 24 drug-testing sites. They found that 75 percent “failed to restrict access to items that could be used to adulterate or dilute the [urine] specimen, meaning that running water, soap, or air freshener was available in the bathroom during the test.” (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21568973/).

The Department of Transportation requires employers develop and implement successful workplace drug and alcohol programs that include drug and alcohol testing, plus referring additional treatment if necessary.  One way employers can counteract cheating on drug and alcohol tests is through basic quality and assurance reviews.  Thousands of testing products are available online, making it easier to make a hasty, perhaps less effective decision.  The DOT also recommends quarterly random tests (at the minimum) and accurate record keeping. 

RSI’s Gas Saving Tip of the Day: There’s always air to spare. Safety and even comfort should always be taken into consideration when driving those long hauls. However, reducing air conditioning usage can decrease the amount of energy required from your truck’s engine and ultimately save fuel. According to FuelSaverChips.com, “Using your air conditioner in stop-and-go traffic can increase fuel consumption by as much as 20%.” Instead, unroll those windows, keep a cool bottle of water handy and reduce emissions and fuel costs in one shot.

County: San Bernardino

Date: August 11, 2008
Station: Arco
Address: 5280 Fairfield Road, Chino Hills
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.07

Date: August 11, 2008
Station: Arco
Address: Haven Ave. and Philadelphia Street, Ontario
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09

Date: August 11, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address: 1945 South Tippecanoe Ave. and E. Rosewood, San Bernardino
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09

(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)

County: Los Angeles

Date: August 11, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address: 11454 Balboa Blvd. and Rinaldi Street, Granada Hills
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09

Date: August 11, 2008
Station: Valero
Address: 934 South Grand (near) Baseline, Glendora
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.19

Date: August 11, 2008
Station: 76
Address: Topanga Canyon Blvd. and Burbank (off the 101), Woodland Hills
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.25

(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)

County: Riverside

Date: August 11, 2008
Station: RAJ Service
Address: 6th and Howard, Hemet
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.12

Date: August 11, 2008
Station: Gas N’ Go
Address: 8790 Mission Blvd. and Pedley, Pedley
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.17

Date: August 11, 2008
Station: Shell
Address: 2718 Iowa, Riverside
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.19

(Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)

RSI’s Gas Saving Tip of the Day: The Environmental Protection Agency suggests looking into a clean truck, trailer, and technology loan that can help with the initial costs of retrofitting a cleaner, more fuel-efficient rig. If you are interested in obtaining a loan for a SmartWay Certified Tractor, SmartWay Certified Trailer or SmartWay approved fuel savings and emissions reducing technologies, you can submit a loan application at the www.SmartwayFinanceCenter.com website. This website allows you to submit one, simple, free application which is distributed to participating lenders for their consideration.

County: San Bernardino

Date: August 11, 2008
Station: Arco
Address: Haven Ave. and Philadelphia Street, Ontario
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.07

Date: August 11, 2008
Station: Arco
Address: 5280 Fairfield Ranch Road, Chino Hills
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.07

Date: August 11, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address: 1945 South Tippecanoe Ave. and East Rosewood Drive, San Bernardino
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.09

(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)

County: Los Angeles

Date: August 11, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 5601 Topanga Canyon Blvd. and Burbank (off the 101), Woodland Hills
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.27

Date: August 11, 2008
Station: Chevron
Address: 5703 Gage Avenue and Eastern Avenue, Bell Gardens
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.39

Date: August 11, 2008
Station: Speedy Fuel
Address: Eastern and Randolph, Commerce
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.39

(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)

County: Riverside

Date: August 11, 2008
Station: Arco
Address: Barton Road and California, Riverside
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.17

Date: August 11, 2008
Station: RAJ Service
Address: 6th and Howard, Corona
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.17

Date: August 11, 2008
Station: Gas N Go
Address: 8790 Mission Blvd. and Pedley Road, Pedley
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.19

(Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)

RSI’s Gas Saving Tip of the Day: According to Truckertotrucker.com, slowing down from 65 miles per hour to 62 miles per hour can save almost a mile a gallon.  That number may seem paltry at first, but consider many semi trucks barely get 10 miles per gallon.  Multiply the savings by several trucks in a fleet and the savings are tantamount.

County:  San Bernardino
Date: August 2, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 24913 Redlands Blvd & Anderson St., Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.49

Date: August 2, 2008
Station: Arco
Address: Haven Ave & Philadelphia St , Ontario
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.49

Date: August 2, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address:  9888 Foothill Blvd. and Ramona Ave., Rancho Cucamonga
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.49

(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)

County: Los Angeles

Date: August 2, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address: 1025 West Anaheim Street and King Ave., Wilmington
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.49
 

Date: August 2, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address: 11454 Balboa Blvd. and Rinaldi Street, Granada Hills
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.55
 

Date: August 2, 2008
Station: Chevron
Address: 1780 Grove, Ontario
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.57
 
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)

County:  Riverside

Date: August 2, 2008
Station: Shell
Address: 41735 Florida Ave & Stanford St., Riverside
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.66

Date: August 2, 2008
Station: Shell
Address: 2718 South Iowa, Riverside
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.67

Date: August 2, 2008
Station: Spirit
Address: 26925 Newport Rd & Bradley Rd ., Menifee
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.67
 
 (Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)

Brake safety is a concern of anyone behind the wheel.  The ability to stop on a dime though does not extend to big rigs that weigh well above tens of thousands of pounds.  The Department of Transportation (DOT) is well aware of the potential dangers that arise when a semi truck traveling at any speed is not equipped with a proper braking system.  With that in mind, the DOT have proposed a brake testing program that would inspect big rigs, in addition to buses to ensure they’re operating with safe brakes. 

The proposal would enable DOT inspectors to utilize performance-based-brake-testers (PBBT) that would determine whether or not the vehicles were in compliance with federal safety standards.  If not – drivers would be levied a substantial fine.  Whether or not PBBTs were the best measurement is under debate. 

In addition to federal safety regulations, the transportation industry provides a bevy of safety products specifically designed to improve   brake safety for large trucks.  One such product is the Jacobs Engine Brake™, or more commonly known as the Jake Brake.  The manufacturer describes it as a system, “When activated, the Jacobs Engine Brake opens the exhaust valves near the top of the compression stroke, releasing the highly compressed air through the exhaust system.

Little energy is returned to the piston, and as the cycle repeats, the energy of the truck’s forward motion is dissipated, and the truck to slow down,” (www.jakebrake.com).  The compression release produces a familiar noise to many who have driven in or next to a semi on a downgrade and heard a repetitive rolling of the tongue sound (amplified several times over).    In addition to product, several advocacy groups promoting road safety have pushed for lower speed limits, truck only lanes, and reduced driving hours to name a few.

The good news – safety is always front and center throughout the transportation industry – a position that will lead to innovative products and effective policy with positive impacts for all on the road.

The Airman Inc. patent pending Airwedge is a fuel saving device that’s fitted just in front of a semi truck’s rear wheels and can reduce fuel costs by as much as 5%.  The contraption reduces drag, keeps brakes and tires cool - and saves major bucks at the pump.  The Airwedge can fit standard 53′ trailer designs.
 

County:  San Bernardino
Date: July 26, 2008
Station: 76
Address:  4350 Mills Circle and Mall Drive, Ontario
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.65

Date: July 26, 2008
Station: Arco
Address: 26526 Barton Road and California Street , Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.67

Date: July 26, 2008
Station: Arco
Address: 905 S Grove Avenue and East Mission Blvd. , Ontario
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.79

(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)
County: Los Angeles

Date: July 26, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address: 11454 Balboa Avenue and Rinaldi Street, Granada Hills
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.63
 

Date: July 26, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 5601 Toganga Canyon Blvd. and Burbank Blvd. , Woodland Hills 
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.75
 

Date: July 26, 2008
Station: Arco
Address:  15700 Valley View Avenue and Alondra Blvd.., La Mirada
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.75
 
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)

County:  Riverside
Date: July 26, 2008
Station: Shell
Address: 2718 South Iowa., Riverside
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.77
Date: July 26, 2008
Station: Arco
Address: 26925 Newport Road and Bradley Road, Menifee
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.78

Date: July 26, 2008
Station: Mobil
Address: 26825 Newport Road and Winter Hawk, Menifee
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.79
(Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)

RSI Insurance Brokers Gas Saving Tip of the Day:  Proper tire inflation results in immediate fuel savings.  A tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) can do the work for you, sending an alert if tire pressure has dipped.   Also, consider lower rolling resistance tires which can improve fuel efficiency 1% for each 3% in improved rolling resistance.   
 
Gas Prices for the 17th of July, 2008
County:  San Bernardino
Date: July 17, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address:  26526 Barton Road & California Street., Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.95
Date: July 17, 2008
Station: Flying J
Address: 2611 Fisher Blvd. & High Point Parkway ,  Barstow
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.98
Date: July 17, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address: 3368 S Riverside Ave & Agua Mansa Road , Bloomington
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.99
(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)
County: Los Angeles
Date: July 17, 2008
Station: Shell
Address: 4660 W Slauson Ave & La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.65
County:  Los Angeles
Date: July 17, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 4856 West Slauson Avenue & Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles 
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.67
County:  Los Angeles
Date: July 14, 2008
Station: USC Fuel
Address:  35th & Grand Ave, Los Angeles
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.79 

County: Los Angeles
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)
County:  Riverside
Date: July 17, 2008
Station: Circle K
Address: 78364 Highway 111, La Quinta
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.91
 
County:  Riverside
Date: July 17, 2008
Station: Royal Truck Stop
Address: 10306 Arlington Ave & Tyler Ave, Riverside-West

County:  Riverside
Date: July 17, 2008
Station: GasMart
Address: 1005 West Florida Ave & S Western Avenue, Hemet
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.95
(Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)

RSI Insurance Brokers Gas Saving Tip of the Day:  Consider an electronic stability program system such as Volvo’s that will automatically interpret the driver’s maneuvers and adjust in an appropriate way that is safe (it’s Volvo after all) and conserve fuel.

Gas Prices for the 14th of July, 2008 

County:  San Bernardino
Date: July 14, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 2413  Redlands Blvd & Anderson Street., Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.93

Date: July 14, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address:  3368 South Riverside Avenue and Agua,  Bloomington
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.99

Date: July 14, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address: 581 Mission Blvd. & Central, Montclair
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.99

(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)

County:  Los Angeles
Date: July 14, 2008
Station: Shell
Address: 4660 W. Slauson Ave. and La Brea, Los Angeles
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.69

County:  Los Angeles
Date: July 14, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 4856 West Slauson Avenue & Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles  
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.71

County:  Los Angeles
Date: July 14, 2008
Station: Auto USA
Address:   621 West Slauson Avenue and Fairfax, Los Angeles
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.95

County:  Riverside
Date: July 14, 2008
Station: Shell
Address: 4660 W. Slauson Ave. and La Brea, Los Angeles
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.73

(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)

County:  Riverside
Date: July 14, 2008
Station: Royal Truck Stop
Address: Steel Road and Hunts Lane, Colton
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.85

County:  Riverside
Date: July 14, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 39460 Murrieta Hot Springs Road, Murrieta
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.89

County:  Riverside
Date: July 14, 2008
Station: Gas n Go
Address: Mission and Pedley, Glen Avon
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.89
(Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)