Road Scholar | Transport Blog's

November is dedicated to increasing awareness for Lung Cancer, Epilepsy, and Pancreatic Cancer—three critical causes that Road Scholar Transport proudly highlights with dedicated awareness trucks.   These 53’ trailers aren’t just about logistics; they’re powerful symbols for advocacy and education across communities nationwide. Lung Cancer: A Preventable Tragedy Lung cancer, the second most prevalent cancer in the U.S., will impact an estimated 234,580 new diagnoses this year, with approximately 125,070 lives lost.   Road Scholar's lung cancer awareness truck, inspired by the Lung Cancer Alliance, features advocates and survivors who are testaments to the importance of early diagnosis and support networks. The idea to create an awareness truck for Lung Cancer Alliance got started when Linda Sacco, a volunteer at the organization, and her husband, ran into Road Scholar’s former President Jim Barrett at an antique car show.   Linda’s husband was a former driver f...

Selecting the right carrier is critical for shippers and manufacturers aiming to protect their goods, reputation, and bottom line.   This process involves conducting due diligence, a systematic evaluation to ensure a carrier meets safety, compliance, and reliability standards.   By thoroughly researching carriers’ safety records, financial stability, regulatory compliance, and service quality, companies can minimize risks associated with transport. What is Due Diligence? In logistics, due diligence refers to assessing a carrier’s qualifications and operational practices to confirm they align with specific needs and safety standards.   It’s an ongoing effort to verify that chosen carriers are capable, reputable, and compliant.   Proper due diligence might include reviewing safety and inspection records, financial stability, insurance coverage, and customer reviews, alongside verifying compliance with regulations, especially for hazardous or temperature-sensiti...

The FDA’s latest regulations for pharmaceutical transportation play a critical role in ensuring the safety and integrity of sensitive medical products throughout the supply chain.   These regulations emphasize stringent guidelines on Good Distribution Practices (GDP), temperature control, packaging, documentation, and risk management to protect pharmaceuticals from contamination, degradation, and theft. Key Components of the Regulations: Good Distribution Practices (GDP): The cornerstone of pharmaceutical logistics, GDP ensures that products are handled and stored appropriately during transit.   Compliance with GDP mitigates risks like contamination or degradation, requiring facilities and carriers to follow strict handling, storage, and cleanliness protocols. Temperature Control: Maintaining precise temperature conditions is vital for many pharmaceuticals, such as vaccines, biologics, and insulin, which are particularly...

The 2024 ATRI Top Industry Issues Report highlights significant challenges facing the trucking industry, with the state of the economy and truck parking topping the list of concerns.   The economic downturn, freight recession, and rising operating costs have placed intense pressure on carriers, while a shortage of parking spaces continues to affect drivers’ safety and efficiency.   Other major concerns include lawsuit abuse reform, insurance costs, and driver compensation.   The push for battery-electric vehicles also ranked as a top issue, reflecting the industry's focus on transitioning to zero-emission fleets. The Economy and Its Impact on Trucking The No. 1 concern in the report is the state of the economy, which continues to exert significant pressure on the trucking industry.   With costs of operations reaching an all-time high and freight demand remaining weak, carriers are feeling the squeeze.   The industry has been in a nearly two-year freight rece...

Protect from freeze season, which most identify as the end of October through April, is here.   Industries reliant on temperature-sensitive products must prioritize protect-from-freeze shipping to prevent costly damages.   This season is particularly crucial for sectors such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and chemicals, where exposure to freezing temperatures can compromise product integrity. 1. Pharmaceuticals Medications, vaccines, and biologics are particularly vulnerable to temperature fluctuations.   Freezing can destroy the molecular structure of vaccines, alter the composition of liquid medications, and degrade the efficacy of biologic treatments.   For example, insulin and other injectable drugs must be kept within a strict temperature range to remain effective. Freezing temperatures can cause these products to crystallize or lose potency, leading to ineffective treatments and potential health risks for patients. 2. Food and Beverage Fro...

  Cargo theft is an evolving threat, and one growing trend is Motor Carrier (MC) Number Manipulation.   This method involves cargo thieves purchasing MC numbers from legitimate trucking companies and using them to steal freight, often with devastating consequences.   Trusted by brokers, these criminals impersonate the original carriers to steal loads before abandoning the MC number. Scott Cornell of Travelers explains that these schemes have surged, particularly post-COVID, as many truckers sold their MC numbers after spot rates peaked.   Thieves are exploiting this market, luring unsuspecting brokers into fraudulent deals and pilfering high-value goods.   Cornell notes, “They’re real in the sense that they have trucks and an MC number, but their intent is nefarious.” Why MC Number Manipulation is on the Rise MC numbers are essential for conducting business in the trucking industry, and older numbers carry more credibility, especially among brokers. ...

As the peak shipping season intensifies, cargo theft is seeing a noticeable surge.   Keith Lewis, vice president of operations at CargoNet, shared that just a few weeks ago, 75 thefts were reported in a single week, suggesting the possibility of nearly 4,000 thefts annually if this trend holds.   This year has seen an overall rise in thefts, with the industry anticipating more criminal activity during the holiday season. This spike underscores the critical need for businesses to bolster their security efforts as organized criminal groups exploit the fast-moving supply chain. Peak Season: A Breeding Ground for Theft The fourth quarter is notorious for increased cargo theft, with security often being sacrificed for speed as companies rush to meet the holiday demand.   Danny Ramon of Overhaul noted that this trend is not just about opportunistic crimes but increasingly strategic, organized thefts.   The rapid pace of shipping leaves room for security lapses, and...

  The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) agreed to suspend a strike on Thursday, marking a significant development in labor relations at major East and Gulf Coast ports.   Sparked by the union’s demands for a wage increase and concerns over port automation, the strike threatened the U.S. economy just weeks before national elections.   Negotiations between the ILA and the United States Maritime Alliance led to a breakthrough—a 62% wage increase over six years, a substantial jump from the employer’s initial offer.   This victory for the dockworkers, who are among the most powerful in blue-collar industries, highlighted the critical role ports play in global trade.   The strike garnered high-level attention, with the Biden administration working behind the scenes to mediate an agreement, avoiding prolonged disruptions.   Had the strike continued, it could have compounded the nation’s economic challenges, especially after natural disasters...