Road Scholar | Transport Blog's

When summer heatwaves hit, they don’t just affect the people walking the streets—they impact the trucks hauling freight across the country.   As temperatures soar, so do the challenges for carriers, drivers, and fleet managers.   From reduced fuel efficiency to dangerous tire blowouts and increased stress on both trucks and drivers, extreme heat can take a serious toll on freight operations.  Let’s explore how summer heat affects freight efficiency—and what carriers can do to stay safe and productive during the hottest months of the year. 🔥 1. Tire Blowouts: Hot Roads, High Pressure  Summer is peak season for tire blowouts, and it’s no coincidence.   As the pavement heats up, the air inside tires expands.   Combined with underinflated or worn tires, this thermal expansion creates a perfect storm for catastrophic failure. Key Risk : Blowouts can cause accidents, freight delays, and costly roadside repairs.  Prevention : Regular pr...

In a sweeping move aimed at reducing regulatory pressure on America’s truck drivers, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has officially scrapped a proposed rule mandating speed limiters on heavy-duty trucks.   The decision, announced on June 27 by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, is part of a larger package of initiatives designed to improve conditions for drivers and the broader trucking industry. The move stems from an Executive Order issued by President Donald Trump, which called for the rollback of burdensome regulations and emphasized empowering the essential trucking workforce.   The now-defunct proposal would have required speed-limiting devices on trucks, buses, and multipurpose passenger vehicles weighing over 26,000 pounds.   A joint effort between the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and FMCSA dating back to 2016 had suggested speed caps of 60, 65, or 68 mph.   When FMCSA revived the proposal in 2022, it received nearly 16,000 pub...

As summer temperatures climb, so do the risks associated with transporting temperature-sensitive goods.   From pharmaceuticals to produce, frozen foods to floral arrangements, many products rely on a tightly controlled cold chain to maintain safety, quality, and shelf life.   But what happens when this chain breaks in the scorching summer heat?  Spoiler alert: the damage isn’t just measured in dollars—it can lead to health hazards, product recalls, and strained customer relationships. When the Cold Chain Fails: Real-World Consequences  1. Spoiled Goods and Financial Losses A single reefer (refrigerated trailer) failure can lead to thousands—sometimes millions—of dollars in losses.   A major grocery chain once reported discarding an entire shipment of frozen meats after a temperature excursion of just a few degrees, lasting under two hours.   In the summer, trailers heat up fast, and the clock starts ticking the moment cooling fails. 2. Food Safety Haza...

The American trucking industry continues to navigate a challenging and rapidly evolving landscape, where rising costs and regulatory changes are squeezing profit margins from both ends.   Two recent developments—an upcoming Pennsylvania Turnpike toll increase and record-high operating costs in 2024—are raising new concerns for motor carriers already grappling with a tough freight market. Pennsylvania Turnpike Toll Hike: A Small Increase, Big Implications  Effective January 4, 2026, tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike will rise by 4%, marking the latest in a string of annual increases.   While Turnpike officials were quick to note that this is the lowest increase since 2014 , the costs still add up for long-haul carriers and regional fleets that rely on the route for efficient transit across the state. Per-mile rates will increase from $0.07 to $0.073. Segment fees will rise from $1.09 to $1.13. The toll hike is part of a broader funding mandate passed in 2007, ...

Each July, National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month serves as a powerful reminder of the thousands of children and adults affected by facial differences.   It’s a time to honor their strength, educate the public, and support organizations that provide critical resources and hope.   For Road Scholar Transport, this month holds special meaning—not only in raising awareness but in rolling it across America on wheels. A Chance Encounter  The story of Road Scholar’s involvement with craniofacial awareness began in the most unexpected of places: a quiet pizza restaurant. Jim Barrett, founder and former president of Road Scholar Transport, was meeting with a man who had a simple but powerful request—a trailer to raise awareness for the Children's Craniofacial Association.   As busy as Barrett was at the time, he suggested they reconvene in a month or two when things had settled.  But fate—or perhaps something more divine—had other plans. As ...

The trucking and supply chain industries are entering a dangerous digital age.   As logistics operations lean more heavily into technology, a sobering trend is emerging: cargo theft is on the rise—and it’s evolving fast.   According to recent data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), cargo theft losses spiked by 27% in 2024 and are projected to climb another 22% by the end of 2025.   That would mark a record-breaking year of cargo crime, fueled in large part by sophisticated digital tactics.  In a parallel warning, CargoNet has issued a red alert to shippers and carriers alike: the July 4th holiday week is primed to become a hotbed for theft.   With criminal tactics growing more deceptive and effective, industry players must rethink security protocols or risk becoming easy prey. Tech-Driven Theft: The Digital Tools Criminals Use  The very tools that help modernize supply chains—GPS tracking, VoIP communications, and digital document sharing—...