Road Scholar | Transport Blog's

In 2023, the trucking industry faced unprecedented financial challenges, with the per-mile cost of operating a truck reaching an all-time high.   According to the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), the overall marginal cost of trucking hit $2.270 per mile, a historic peak despite the freight recession gripping the industry. Key Findings from the ATRI Report On June 25, the ATRI released its annual report detailing the operational costs of trucking over the past year.   While the record-high cost marked a significant milestone, it represented only a modest 0.8 percent increase over 2022’s total.   The most notable change was a reduction in fuel prices by 8.8 cents per mile.   However, this decrease was offset by rising costs in other areas, such as insurance premiums and payments for trucks and trailers. In 2023, driver wages averaged $0.779 per mile, with additional benefits bringing the total compensation to $0.967 per mile.   Despite ef...

  In a tragic incident on June 11th near Aspen Park, Colorado, 47-year-old truck driver Ignacio Cruz Mendoza lost control of his vehicle, causing it to overturn and spill a load of metal pipes.   This accident led to the death of 64-year-old motorist Scott Miller and inflicted serious injuries on another individual.   The investigation into this crash has revealed unsettling details about both the driver and the trucking company, Monique Trucking LLC, that employed him. Background and Incident Details Ignacio Cruz Mendoza, a previously deported driver, was operating the truck involved in the fatal wreck.   On the day of the accident, Cruz Mendoza departed from Cheyenne, Wyoming, around 10 a.m., though he was unsure of his exact destination, which was noted on his paperwork.   He told Colorado State Troopers that his brakes failed just before the crash, leading to the accident.   However, he admitted that he did not know when the truck was last inspect...

As Americans from Kansas to Maine brace for a grilling heat wave with temperatures expected to hit triple digits, the trucking and shipping industry face significant challenges.   Extreme heat can affect various aspects of transportation, from vehicle performance to the integrity of the goods being shipped.   Understanding these impacts and how to mitigate them is crucial for maintaining efficient and safe operations during hot weather. Heat Wave Predictions and Health Warnings The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued warnings about an "extreme" heat risk that will start in Iowa and Missouri and move east throughout the week.   This heat dome will cover Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio, with Detroit potentially reaching 100 degrees.   The extreme heat will also affect parts of upstate New York and cities on the Eastern Seaboard, including Philadelphia and Washington, by the weekend.   New England will experience the worst of the heat, with temperatures in...