Road Scholar | Transport Blog's

Over 16,500 student volunteers will come together this weekend in what is known as the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, to participate in THON , Penn State IFC’s 46-hour dance marathon.   The event, which takes place every February, marking its 53rd year, is a year-long fundraising effort that goes towards the fight against pediatric cancer through Four Diamonds Fund at Hershey Medical Center.   THON has raised over $236 million in its efforts with a record breaking $15 million last year. One such fundraising effort is DC Diamonds annual event, occurring Friday, March 7 th at St. Francis Hall in Washington, DC, in which all proceeds are donated to Penn State’s THON.   Purchase tickets at DC Diamonds online store . This year’s THON event will be held from 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21 through 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23 at the Bryce Jordan Center. Road Scholar Transport had the pleasure of creating an awareness truck for THON back in 2017 when Jenn Friel, ...

As industries continue to evolve and global supply chains become increasingly complex, new regulations are on the horizon to improve safety, transparency, and efficiency across various sectors.   Here’s a quick recap of the key upcoming regulatory changes affecting the food, alcohol, pharmaceutical, and chemical supply chains: Food Supply Chain Food Traceability Requirements (FSMA 204): Effective January 20, 2026, FSMA 204 will require more detailed traceability records for high-risk foods.   Companies must track Key Data Elements (KDEs) at every stage of the supply chain, ensuring that potentially contaminated products can be quickly identified and removed from the market. Enhanced Sanitary Transportation Rules: Updates are being considered to bolster the sanitary handling and transport of food products.   These changes aim to minimize contamination risks, ensuring that food remains safe from production to deli...

The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) announced back in November a major update to the less-than-truckload (LTL) freight classification system, set to launch on July 19, 2025.   Supported by the new ClassIT+ digital platform, which replaces the current online ClassIT system, these transformative changes aim to simplify freight classification and enhance transparency for shippers, carriers, and third-party logistics providers. Why the Update Matters Freight classification is a critical component of LTL shipping.   The NMFC (National Motor Freight Classification) assigns classes based on factors like density, stowability, handling, and liability.   Incorrect classification can lead to significant cost discrepancies, causing shippers to pay more than necessary or carriers to suffer from revenue losses.   NMFTA’s revamped system is designed to address these issues head-on: Simplified Process: By introducing a more intuitive classificat...

The trucking industry is grappling with a severe driver shortage that is costing the freight sector nearly $95.5 million every week.   According to a recent report by altLine Freight Factoring, approximately 24,000 truck drivers are missing from the labor pool, leading to countless trucks sitting idle and massive lost revenue opportunities.   This blog delves into the report’s key findings, the economic potential of a fully staffed industry, and regional differences that highlight the unique challenges and opportunities across the country. The Economic Impact of an Unfilled Fleet The report analyzed data from November 22 to December 5, 2024, and revealed startling figures: Missed Revenue Opportunity: If all registered trucks were operational, the freight industry could generate an estimated $47.4 billion in annual revenue. Weekly Cost per Truck: Each idle truck costs approximately $3,971 per week in lost revenue. Total Shortfall: With a...