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The Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) kicked off its annual exhibition this past Monday, Feb. 16. The exhibition features new trucking technology from 400 different vendors, with their items spread across a vast 370,000 square foot room. 

The TMC strives to provide new equipment and technology for trucking services. Products at the event include advancements in subdivisions of truck loading, municipal operations, private operations, and more. Furthermore, the exhibit features an Alternative Fuels Pavilion to educate attendees on resourceful, new ways to fuel trucks. 

While the TMC promotes new parts and technology, it also emphasizes the proper maintenance of them. Included in their purpose is a goal to foster proper management of new items. They support the ATA technology and Engineering Policy Committee research. This reciprocal relationship enables the Council to work with and be up to date on new policies and trucking advancements. 

While the exhibit and other efforts of the ATA are all beneficial, they can be expensive. If a company is not receiving payment on their invoices on time, finances that could be directed towards new technology may not be available. Fortunately, in such situations, the freight factoring services provided by TBS Factoring Service could be of significant assistance. To learn more, call us at (800) 207-7661 today.

A number of different trucking companies are calling on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to no longer make Compliance, Safety, and Accountability scores, along with other safety data, available to the public. Those petitioning the FMCSA claim that the information presented in this data contains statistical flaws that the FMCSA has done nothing to address, although it has been brought to their attention numerous times.

The groups and companies involved in this petition sent a joint letter to the FMCSA just weeks after both the American Trucking Associations and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association also requested that CSA data be removed from the FMCSA's website.

This is not the first time that groups within the trucking industry have petitioned to have such information removed. Earlier this year, a legal case was dismissed in which the Alliance for Safe, Efficient and Competitive Truck Transportation (ASECTT) brought a case against the FMCSA to have this safety data removed from public view, claiming that the FMCSA presented this information without addressing some of the flaws with the data, which could have significant effects on drivers' and companies' business.

Trucking companies and independent drivers face a number of substantial challenges in the course of doing business, but one of the most significant is cash flow problems caused by clients failing to pay their invoices on time, if ever. Fortunately, the team at TBS Factoring Service is here to help. Our truck factoring services can help you make ends meet even when your clients fail to make timely payments. Call us today at (800) 207-7661 to learn more about how we can help you.

A recent analysis conducted by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has found flaws in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) study concerning the efficacy of the federal agency’s new 34-hour restart rule.

The rule, which is designed to help reduce fatigue among truck drivers in order to prevent accidents, has been controversial since its announcement, particularly in light of the considerable number of new regulations the agency has announced in the past two years, a total of 29 new rules governing how truckers have to operate. The FMCSA had used the study in order to show that the 34-hour restart rule significantly decreased reported fatigue and led to better lane positioning.

However, ATRI has documented a considerable number of design flaws in the study, including problems such as failing to differentiate between drivers who had taken a 34-hour restart and those who had been off duty for longer periods of time; findings that the average lane deviation was only 1/10^th of a centimeter greater for drivers in the non-34-hour restart group; and a sample size which may have been too small to offer meaningful insight. Though the FMCSA has disputed these findings, controversy over the rule is likely to continue.

At TBS Factoring, we understand the challenges that truckers may face on the road, and we work to provide freight factoring and other services to independent trucking operators. Contact us today at (800) 207-7661 today to speak with a member of our support staff and learn more about what we can do for you.

The abundance of shale fields in the United States has prompted companies to practice hydraulic fracturing as a means to extract and use natural gas. The price of natural gas is cheaper than diesel fuel, which has made natural gas an affordable fuel source for trucking companies. The Energy Information Administration projects that the trucking industry's usage of natural gas will grow at a rate of 11.9% annually for the next 30 years.

Power Solutions International and General Motors have teamed up to provide natural gas engines for trucking companies. The natural gas engines help freight and trucking companies save money while emitting less carbon into the atmosphere.

Despite the growing demand for natural gas in the trucking industry, general car-makers have not yet negotiated a way to use and sell natural gas engines to non-commercial drivers.

The popularization of natural gas within the trucking industry will continue to save companies money, and TBS Factoring Service provides trucking companies with additional financial assistance when needed. To learn more about the services that we provide, contact us at (800) 207-7661. 

Due to cold weather conditions and gas shortages, earlier this month the New Hampshire governor extended the waiver of certain Federal trucking regulations, with the extended deadline being January 11. The original waiver was supposed to last until the end of December.

Several states, including Colorado, Maine, Mississippi, New Jersey, and more, also extended temporary waivers. These waivers allowed certain Federal regulations, such as hours of service restrictions, to be temporarily suspended for drivers involved in emergency relief efforts. While the waivers issued typically only applied to 49 CFR Parts 390-399, the waivers could be extended to other carriers and regulations by a Governor’s Declaration.

Especially during busy months and times, such as this, when emergency transportation services are needed, keeping your trucking company operating and financially viable is critical. When you are in need of cash due to unpaid service bills, our factoring team at TBS Factoring can help. Call 800-207-7661 to discuss your financial needs with us and find out how we can help.  

Transportation Secretary Anthony Fox recently proposed a change to the current rules relating to inspection report requirements that has the potential to save the trucking industry millions of hours of work and billions of dollars each year. Under the new requirements, it would only be necessary for truckers to file reports regarding inspections that actually turn up defects.

According to estimates from the Department of Transportation, the current reporting requirements cause trucking companies to lose more than 47 million hours of working time each year, and the proposed requirements would cut out an unnecessary and burdensome regulation on trucking operations.

At TBS Factoring Service, we are dedicated to helping truckers work as effectively and efficiently as possible, including helping with any financing concerns that may arise. To learn more about our freight factoring services and what we can do to help keep you on the road, contact us today by calling 800-207-7661.

TBS Factoring Service has extended the days in which its fuel advance program will be available to drivers. The program, which will now operate Monday through Saturday, advances funds to drivers who cannot afford the fuel for any load that TBS is factoring. By advancing up to 50% of the total, TBS wants to ensure that drivers will no longer have to worry about being able to operate on schedule.

In order to be able to participate in the program, there are a number of steps that drivers must first complete. An advance program agreement has to be signed with TBS and drivers must then fax a request for an advance, along with a copy of the rate sheet and bill of lading. After approval of the request, TBS will provide the driver with the necessary funds on a TBS Fuel Card. For Saturday advances, drivers should make their request between 8 a.m. and noon. You can read more about this program here.

At TBS Factoring Service, we have always made it our goal to provide the support and assistance that independent trucking operators need to stay in business and on the road. If you would like to learn more about our fuel advance or freight factoring services, please contact us at 800-207-7661.