Federal Reserve Report Paints Rosy Picture of Transportation Demand

Several regions across the U.S. are seeing a pickup in demand for freight transportation services, according to the Federal Reserve.

In its latest Beige Book report released Wednesday, the Federal Reserve said the freight transportation industry has reported gains in the Cleveland, Atlanta, Kansas City, Dallas, and Philadelphia districts. Boston, Minneapolis, and Dallas reported a pickup in demand for some consulting firms.

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Trailer Trends: Recession Doesn't Stop Advances in Trailer Technology

Even through the Great Recession, many trailer and body makers spent time and money developing advanced products that promise to improve operating efficiencies and save money for their customers. They're betting their investments will pay off soon, as trailer orders are picking up in response to increased amounts of freight being shipped. Many orders will be for new, improved equipment.

Some manufacturers displayed their latest designs at truck shows earlier this year, including the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky., and The Work Truck Show in St. Louis. Some companies held press conferences to call attention to their new products, while others bought booth space and waited to be discovered. Still others issued announcements by e-mail. Here are some we've found in recent months - and this doesn't even include advancements from suppliers in areas such as suspensions, tires and lighting.

Check out the list from the July 2010 issue of Heavy Duty Trucking Magazine>

UPS Chairman Appointed to President’s Export Council

Washington, Scott Davis, the chairman and CEO of UPS (NYSE:UPS), today was named by President Barack Obama to the President’s Export Council.

"Boosting America’s exports strengthens our economic growth and supports millions of good, high-paying American jobs" Obama told a White House gathering. "That’s why I set a goal during my State of the Union address to double our exports over the next five years. Since then, my administration has worked to improve advocacy for our exporters, remove trade barriers and enforce trade rules in an effort to ensure that the benefits of global trade are broadly shared"

"UPS strongly supports the removal of international trade barriers and has pledged to do all it can to help the United States realize the President’s vision of doubling U.S. exports over the next five years" said Davis. "I am honored to be part of an initiative that will work to foster engagement in the global economy for both small and large businesses". 

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Price of Diesel Fuel Climbs for First Time in Six Weeks

The average price of a gallon of diesel fuel nationwide rose for the first time in six weeks, gaining 3.3 cents to $2.961 a gallon, according to US Department of Energy information.

This increase left trucking’s main fuel 34.5 cents higher than the same week in 2009. Diesel is at its highest level in three weeks, when it registered $2.98 a gallon. The previous week’s average diesel price was the lowest since March 15, capping a five-week decline of almost 20 cents.

All regions reported higher prices except the Rocky Mountain area, where the average price fell 0.9 cent to $2.98. The biggest increase of 5.7 cents to $3.125 was in California, the most expensive region. The cheapest diesel remained along the Gulf Coast at $2.908 after a gain of 3.4 cents.

--via Bulk Tranpsporter Magazine

Guinness by the Gallon: World Record in Trucking

Daimler Trucks has announced that a Mercedes Actros tractor-trailer has won a place in the Guinness World Records “The most fuel-efficient 40-ton truck.”

Hauling over 25 tons of payload at an average speed of 80 km/h, the Mercedes-Benz truck attained exactly 19.44 liters per 100 km, or about 12 mpg over a seven-day round-the-clock test drive covering just over one million kilometers.

The testing took place under ideal conditions at a site in the southeastern Italian town of Nardo.

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