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) 

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Commuters, truck drivers, passengers and anything alive and being transported from point A to point B – we all deal with it.  Traffic.  And traffic is only getting worse.  Highways remain clogged no matter how tricky drivers try and time the moment they hit the road.  City streets are even worse as the number of drivers increase while city and state funds don’t always provide for the necessary urban enhancements.  The University of California, Berkeley, however, has taken a transportation altering gadget and made it highly accessible to California drivers. 

Coordination that reduces travel time and increases fuel efficiency. 

According to TheTrucker.com “Starting today, the University of California, Berkeley, will offer free downloads of a software program for phones equipped with a global positioning system as part of a pilot project called Mobile Millennium. Researchers say the technology will provide live traffic conditions, tell people how long their commute will take and help them avoid traffic by steering them to less congested roads.” (http://www.thetrucker.com/News/Stories/2008/11/10/Californiaprogramusescellphonestounjamtraffic.aspx). 
 

Cell phone and GPS technology have synergized to enhance the driving experience of all.  Never be late again – that’s the intention behind the downloads so long as drivers remember one thing – their cell phone. 

Decades of work and observation have gone into UC Berkeley’s software.  It started with transportation professionals have observed the flow of freeway traffic, planted sensors in the asphalt that then transfer information including average freeway speeds to computers with coded maps.   Reporting gaps made the information inconsistent, whereas GPS technology can determine the location and speed of a person’s cell phone as it travels in a moving car. “The data go to a computer server, which processes the information, compares it to other traffic data and sends the current traffic conditions back to the phone.” (http://www.thetrucker.com/News/Stories/2008/11/10/Californiaprogramusescellphonestounjamtraffic.aspx).  
 

While we may not see a drop in the actual number of vehicles on the road, engineers and transportation professionals are hitting the pavement running with new technologies that will ease the commuter crunch.

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RSI’s Gas Saving Tip of the day:  Where in the world are you?  Now - UC Berkeley can help.  The bay area university is now offering free downloads of a software program that work on phones equipped with a global positioning system.  The project has been coined the Mobile Millennium. What does it do?  It provides real time traffic updates, commute times, and alternate routes.
County:  San Bernardino
Date: November 10th, 2008
Station: Circle K
Address: 3260 Chino Ave. and 71 Freeway, Chino Hills        
Price of Diesel Fuel $2.69

Date: November 10th, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address: 26526 Barton Road and California Street, Loma Linda
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 10th, 2008

Date: November 10th, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 5601 Topanga Canyon Blvd. and Burbank Blvd., Woodland Hills
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.63
Date: November 10th, 2008
Station: 76
Address: Topanga Canyon Blvd. and Burbank, Woodland Hills
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.63

Station: Thrifty  
Address: 5038 El Segundo Blvd. and Ocean Gate Ave., Hawthorne
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.69
 
 
 
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)

County: Riverside
Date: November 10th, 2008
Station: Gas Mart 
Address: 1005 West Florida Ave. and South Western Ave.
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.75
Date: November 10th, 2008
Station: Spirit
Address: 636 West Florida Ave. and Tahquitz Ave.
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.75

Date: November 10th, 2008
Station: Fastrip
Address:  10306 Arlington Ave. and Tyler Ave.
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.75
 
 (Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com) 

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RSI’s Gas Saving Tip of the day:  The new era of ethanol?  The votes are in and President Obama is officially ethanol friendly.  His campaign advocates a move towards greener fuels both for passenger and commercial vehicles. 

County:  San Bernardino
Date: November 5th, 2008
Station: ARco
Address: 2098 West Redlands Blvd. and California Street, Redlands        
Price of Diesel Fuel $2.69

Date: November 5th, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 24913 Redlands Blvd. and Anderson Street, Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel $2.69

Date: November 5th, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address: 1945 South Tippecanoe Ave. and East Rosewood Drive, San Bernardino
Price of Diesel Fuel $2.73
 
 (Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)

County: Los Angeles

Date: November 5th, 2008

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

Date: November 5th, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 5601 Topanga Canyon Blvd. and Burbank Blvd., Woodland Hills
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.75
Date: November 5th, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 16051 East Gale Ave. and Stimson Ave., Industry
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.77
 
 
 (Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)

County: Riverside
Date: November 5th, 2008
Station: Royal Truck Stop
Address: Steel Road and Hunts Lane, Colton
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.69
Date: November 5th, 2008
Station: 7-11 
Address: 44260 Apis Road, Temecula
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.74

Date: November 5th, 2008
Station: ARco
Address:  4040 Perris Blvd. and Ramona, Perris
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.75
 
 (Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com) 

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A few seasonal tweaks to your truck can save money - and time spent trying to fix the problem in the snow or other sever weather.  While truck drivers especially must rely on experience, skill, and well-timed reaction in stormy conditions, it’s equally important to make sure the rig is fit for a wintery road.  
Preparedness is key considering a truck driver can encounter a bevy of weather conditions - sunny skies at the one end of I-5 and sleet and snow at the other.  

A weather-worthy preparation kit should include at the minimum, the following items:
1. A comprehensive first aid kit
2. New ice scraper
3. Tools
4. Windshield washer fluid
5. Jumper cables
6. A bag of salt
7. Chains
 

An internal look at your truck is essential as well.  Even though the AC is usually off this time of year, it’s important make the necessary adjustments.  ETrucker.com’s Max Kvidera wrote, “Some fuel heaters are electric and some are water-to-fuel heaters. Make sure water is turned on to the latter. They use coolant from the engine to heat the fuel. If you have an engine with a 12-volt heater to aid in heating, check for a blown fuse or loose wire,” (http://www.etrucker.com/apps/news/article.asp?id=73136.)

In addition, the AC is also part of the truck’s heating and ventilation system.  Double check to make sure the defroster works and repair any air leaks if they’re found.   Also, check the truck’s cooling system and check the wear and tear on hoses, tubes, and the water pump. 

An fleet owner, truck driver, and transportation profressional knows that the job doesn’t stop just because the weather’s bad.  Safety is the most important factor when navigating wintery roads and starts with proper maintenance. 
 

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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) 

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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. 

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RSI’s Gas Saving Tip of the day:    Map it out!  Not only map your route, but include the most cost-effective stations along the way. Use a trip calculator to assess costs and check the forecast in advance.

County:  San Bernardino
Date: November 1st, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address: 1945 South Tippecanoe and East Rosewood Drive, San Bernardino        
Price of Diesel Fuel $2.69

Date: November 1st, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 12077 Central Ave. and Philadelphia Street, Chino
Price of Diesel Fuel $2.79

County:  San Bernardino

Date: November 1st, 2008
Station: Chevron
Address: 12110 Central Ave. and Philadelphia Street, Chino  
Price of Diesel Fuel $2.79
 
 

(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)

County: Los Angeles
Date:  November 1st, 2008

Station: Thrifty
Address: 5038 El Segundo Blvd. and Ocean Gate Ave., Hawthorne
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.69
 

Date:  November 1st, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 5601 Topanga Canyon Blvd. and Burbank Blvd., Woodland Hills
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.69

Date:  November 1st, 2008
Station: Thrifty  
Address: 1025 West Anaheim Street and King Ave., Wilmington
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.69
 
 
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)

County: Riverside

Date:  November 1st, 2008
Station: Royal Truck Stop
Address: Steel Road and Hunts, Colton
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.69

Date:  November 1st, 2008
Station: 7-11
Address: 44260 Apis Road, Temecula
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.74

Date:  November 1st, 2008
Station: 76
Address:  4350 Mills Circle, Ontario
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.77
 
 (Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com) 

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RSI’s Gas Saving Tip of the day:   Tires are alive!  Well - not really, but their shape is designed to be flexible.   When driven at higher speeds, tires flex more leading to more friction, higher tire temperatures, and a reduction in fuel economy.
County:  San Bernardino
Date: October 27th, 2008
Station: 7-Eleven
Address: 202 North Mount Vernon Ave. and Valley Blvd., Colton       
Price of Diesel Fuel $2.27

Date: October 27th, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address: 26526 Barton Road and California Street, Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel $2.83

County:  San Bernardino
Date: October 27th, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 24913 Redlands Blvd. and Anderson Street, Loma Linda  
Price of Diesel Fuel $2.85
 
 

(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)

County: Los Angeles
Date: October 27th, 2008

Station: Thrifty
Address: 5038 El Segundo Blvd. and Ocean Gate Ave., Hawthorne
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.69
Date: October 27th, 2008
Station: Valero
Address: 1234 West Cowles Street and Fashion Ave., Long Beach
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.60

Date: October 27th, 2008
Station: Thrifty  
Address: 1025 West Anaheim Street and King Ave., Wilmington
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.69
 
 
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)

County: Riverside

Date: October 27th, 2008
Station: Royal Truck Stop
Address: Steel Road and Hunts, Colton
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.79

Date: October 27th, 2008
Station: GasMart
Address: 1005 West Florida Ave. and South Western Ave., Hemet
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.83

Date: October 27th, 2008
Station: Spirit
Address:  636 West Florida Ave. and Tahquitz Ave., Hemet
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.83
 
 (Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com) 

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RSI’s Gas Saving Tip of the day:  According to the United States Department of Energy tracked by the U.S. Department of Energy. New England remains the most expensive region with an average price of $3.892 per gallon, while the West Coast has the lowest average at $3.62. 
County:  San Bernardino

Date: October 27th, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address: 26526 Barton Road and California Street, Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel $2.83

County:  San Bernardino
Date: October 27th, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 24913 Redlands Blvd. and Anderson Street, Loma Linda  
Price of Diesel Fuel $2.85

Date: October 27th, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address: 1945 South Tippecanoe Ave. and Eat Rosewood Drive, San Bernardino        
Price of Diesel Fuel $2.99
 
 

(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)

County: Los Angeles
Date: October 27th, 2008

Station: 76
Address: 5601 Toganga Canyon Blvd. and Burbank Blvd., Woodland Hills
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.85
Date: October 27th, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address: Lanark and Van Nuys, Van Nuys
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.99

Date: October 27th, 2008
Station: Shell  
Address: 18802 Via Princess and Sierra Highway
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.99
 
 
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)

County: Riverside

Date: October 27th, 2008
Station: Royal Truck Stop
Address: Steel Road and Hunts, Colton
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.79

Date: October 27th, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address: 23261 Cajalco Expressway and Harvill Ave., Perris   
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.95

Date: October 27th, 2008
Station: GasMart
Address: 1005 West Florida Ave. and South Western Ave., Hemet
Price of Diesel Fuel: $2.97
 
 (Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com) 

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