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OOIDA to House Approps: Don't mandate speed limiters Greg Grisolano, Land Line (OOIDA) / October 18, 2016 After making a similar request of the Senate, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is asking the House Appropriations committee to ditch language from an upcoming bill that would force a final rule mandating speed limiters. The Association issued a letter on Oct. 17 to the committee’s chair, Rep. Hal Rogers, R-Ky., and ranking member Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y. The letter also went to chairman of the subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., and ranking subcommittee member Rep. David Price, D-N.C. A provision is included in Section 142 of the Senate Amendment to the FY 2017 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, that requires the Secretary of Transportation to issue a final rule mandating speed limiters. OOIDA’s full letter can be viewed here. The Association issued a similar letter to the Senate Appropriations committee on Sept. 21. “Professional drivers have long opposed efforts to mandate the installation of speed limiters on heavy vehicles because research indicates the technology actually reduces safety for all highway users,” OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer wrote in the letter. “Truckers across the country encourage members of Congress to oppose the inclusion of Section 142 of the Senate amendment in any final appropriations measure funding the Department of Transportation through the remainder of the fiscal year.” OOIDA opposes a government mandate on this issue, pointing to research that contradicts the fed’s claimed “safety benefits” of speed limiters, as it would force a speed differential between heavy trucks and other vehicles using the highways. That would lead to more vehicle interactions, unsafe maneuvering and crashes, a study of speed differentials shows. On Sept. 7, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published a notice of proposed rulemaking on the speed limiter issue. The proposal has drawn criticism from OOIDA and other groups for failing to state how the proposal would decrease crashes overall. Additionally, by the agencies’ own admission, the proposed rule would have an overwhelmingly negative benefit on small-business truckers and owner-operators. Spencer noted that approximately 93 percent of all trucks on the road are operated by small businesses, which maintain 20 or fewer vehicles. “Forcing the agencies’ hand in issuing a mandate without fully considering these consequences would disregard the very serious threat this rule poses to the livelihood and survival of countless small-businesses, which comprise an overwhelmingly large portion of the trucking industry,” he wrote. The proposed rulemaking that would require speed limiters be installed in every new vehicle weighing 26,000 pounds or more. A 60-day comment period on the proposal began Sept. 7. Various industry groups have raised alarm at the proposal, with OOIDA filing a formal request for an additional 60-day comment period. The American Trucking Associations is also calling for a 30-day extension on the comment period. In the letter, Spencer notes that mandating the installation of speed limiters, as prescribed by the bill, “ignores important regulatory reform provisions” in the latest highway bill, the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, or FAST Act. The proposed rule argues that speed limiters will reduce the severity of large truck crashes, leading to fewer fatalities and serious injuries. However, OOIDA argues that the number of crashes would actually increase as the speed differential between large trucks and other motorists would lead to more vehicle interactions and unsafe maneuvering. Spencer wrote that in addition to their concerns about implementing a mandate via legislation instead of through the regulatory process, independent drivers are “equally concerned about the lack of understanding surrounding this proposal and its true impact on our nation.” “We believe enhanced congressional oversight of this issue would help elected officials and the American public better understand the real dangers associated with speed limiters, including increasedcrash rates, greater highway congestion, and the loss of vital small businesses,” he wrote. OOIDA’s website, FightingForTruckers.com, has more information about the Association’s opposition to the mandate, as well as ways for truckers to contact their lawmakers and oppose a mandate. You can also file comments on the proposal here and here.

RAM Trucks: Big is better Downunder Driven New Zealand / October 19, 2016 The core vehicle was interrupted as less as possible When Ateco decided to import the famous RAM large pickup trucks into Australasia it decided it was better to go big, so, rather than convert the utes, it has set up a factory to remanufacture the products. Ateco approached parent company Fiat Chrysler USA in 2013 with the idea of importing the left-hand-drive RAM trucks Downunder. Ateco set up American Special Vehicles (ASV) in collaboration with Melbourne company Walkinshaw, which has been involved with HSV manufacturing for 30 years. Two truck models, the 2500 and 3500, are imported directly from RAM’s Mexico factory to the ASV plant, with Australia the first country outside North America where the trucks are officially exported to. The new right-hand-drive trucks must meet the Australian full volume compliance rules, that all car manufacturers have to meet to sell volume cars in Australia. The versions are powered by a 6.7-litre turbo-diesel engine, boasting 1084Nm of torque, and are equipped with the Laramie trim and equipment package. The RAM 2500 has a towing capacity of up to 6989kg and a payload of 913kg; the RAM 3500 has a towing capacity of 6170kg and a payload of 1713kg. The RAM 2500 Laramie is priced from $163,000 plus on-road costs and the RAM 3500 Laramie from $169,500. RAM trucks are backed by a three-year/100,000km warranty with roadside assistance. The RAMs have six-speed automatic transmission, which includes driver-adaptive shifting and three multiple clutch packs, dual filters on a dual stage pump and an independent lubrication cooler that delivers pressures under all loads and driving conditions. RAM trucks are also big on safety and security and have advanced, multi-stage front airbags, front and rear seat curtain airbags, electronic stability control, rear park assist and rear view camera, an eye-level brake light with cargo camera, a tyre pressure monitoring system and remote keyless entry. Standard equipment in the cabin includes heated and ventilated front leather seats, a 12V power outlet, a 240V 100 amp mains power socket, adjustable foot pedals, a sunroof, and nine-speaker audio system with a subwoofer. The dash has the same infotainment system as the Jeep Grand Cherokee and there are two rear cameras, one for the cargo area and another for reversing. The RAM trucks went on sale in Australia in November and officially launched in New Zealand at Fieldays, with 13 dealers from Whangarei to Dunedin. So far 15 RAM trucks have sold in New Zealand and 200 in Australia. Ninety per cent of the products registered are the 2500. With Australian car manufacturing in decline — Ford’s factory has just shut and Holden and Toyota are to follow — ASV is now that country’s third largest vehicle manufacturer. While the decline of Australian manufacturing is detrimental, ASV was able to use former staff, suppliers and equipment from subsidiaries. Situated in an old Nissan car factory next door to the HSV plant, the 6,000 square meter area has been re-engineered to cope with more than 1200 RAMs a year, but works on two a day at present. ASV’s joint chief operating officer, John DiBerardino, said the core vehicle was “interrupted as less as possible”. “Where it’s visually important, we have spent the money — but where it’s not, then it’s not worth the investment.” There are three production lines, two working on the chassis. Once the trucks arrive, the cabs are separated from the rolling chassis, fluids are drained, the firewall is changed over, and components are either flipped or re-fitted. The 2500 and 3500 RAMs have 400 unique parts, from ties to steering boxes, headlights and mirrors. The company had to create a new dash, costing A$1.3 million to design, and used the Socobell group that produced the Camry dash for Toyota Australia. While two lines work on the chassis, the third line assembles the cabin, including that new Australia-made dash, and swapping over the two front seats. A noticeable change to the cabin is the driver footwell that was too small in the left-hand-drive passenger mode because of the rounded design of the firewall, rather than a narrow middle console, that intruded into the space. So ASV streamlined the area, creating enough space for the pedals. Another ASV special was having the steering arms tested through 100,000 cycles with three-tonnes of force (equivalent to 20 years driving, says the company). The cabin and chassis are then reunited and taken for a test around the grounds of the factory, checking especially for any electronic faults. DiBerardino said so far no major faults have been found during the test. “We’ve just had to tweak wheel alignment, it’s important that from the start the electronics are correct so we don’t have to pull the dash apart.” In Australia the 3500 is recognised as a truck, so must stop at every weigh station and has a 90km/h speed limit on freeways. But Ateco has already found a market for this model, with the New South Wales police force replacing six utes with two 3500s, that have room for six passengers in the cabin and can tow an eight-horse trailer. Queensland emergency services has purchased six to tow trailers with equipment while the 2500 has found favour with Australia’s “grey nomad” customers who tour around the country with large caravans. Horse owners are also expected to favour the 2500, in Australia and New Zealand. What will be interesting is the prospective market for RAM’s right-hand-drive vehicles. There’s the potential to sell in India, South Africa, the UK and even Afghanistan. There will also be interest from RAM USA on the RHD project; not just how well its products are re-manufactured but also how a couple of touches, such as the front passenger footwell, have improved the products. .

Transport Engineer / October 18, 2016 Consett, County Durham-based Elddis Transport has acquired another five new Mercedes-Benz Actros tractor units, stating that experience shows it can depend on long-term reliability. Elddis managing director Nigel Cook says some of the firm’s first 62-registered trucks from the latest Actros range have already covered well over a million kilometres. “You simply cannot argue with the unstoppable and very cost-effective performance these vehicles have given us over the years,” states Cook. “In a high-mileage application like ours, long-term reliability is a crucial attribute, and one that our Actros trucks have in abundance.” In fact, Cook confirms that his Mercedes tractors hardly ever need anything apart from basic routine maintenance. “As an example, one of our 62-plate trucks covered over 800,000 km before we replaced the clutch.” Elddis Transport’s latest arrivals are Actros 2545 models with BigSpace cabs. They an identical batch of five units that entered service earlier this year, and a further five are due for delivery this December. All use second-generation, 12.8-litre, six-cylinder 449bhp OM471 engines, with the updated turbochargers and revised injection systems, driving through Mercedes PowerShift 3 automated transmissions. “We’ve also developed an extremely strong working relationship with Mercedes-Benz and Bell Truck and Van,” continues Cook. “The Dealer has had staff based in our workshop in Consett since 1998 and plays an important role in keeping our business moving forward.” .

Transport Engineer / October 18, 2016 Pinden of Longfield has taken delivery of 12 Volvo FE skip trucks and four FMX 8x4 tippers from dealership MC Group, Maidstone, citing fuel efficiency, reliability, build quality, performance and dealer support as the drivers. The latest additions – all of which operate under the Pinbins skip hire brand – mean Pinden now runs a fleet totalling 38 skip trucks, 99% of which are either Volvo FEs or Volvo FLs. “We are expanding, and delivering on environmental and efficiency goals. Volvo Trucks play a vital role in helping us to realise our aspirations,” says Pinden managing director Terry Bishop. The new Volvo FE 4x2 rigid trucks were specified with Day cabs with rear windows, and are powered by Volvo’s six cylinder 7.7 litre 250bhp Volvo D8K engines driving through 12-speed I-Shift automated transmissions. Bodywork is by Boughton Engineering, of Wolverhampton, and comes in the shape of the Power-Reach 18 tonne (PR18) skiploader system, with independent telescopic lift arms, pneumatically-operated tip hooks and heavy-duty cab guards, as well as the company’s Intacova sheeting system. Meanwhile, the new Volvo FMX tippers are high B-ride 8x4 models with 21-tonne rear bogies and straight front axles for enhanced ground clearance. Each was specified with Day cabs and Volvo’s420bhp driveline, and bodied by Thompsons, of Croydon. All of the new trucks are equipped with Brigade all-round camera and sensor systems. While the newest additions to the fleet take Volvo’s three-year warranty, Pinden operates its own four-bay repair and maintenance centre. .

Transport Engineer / October 18, 2016 Urban double-deck trailers semi-trailer manufacturer Transdek UK (http://www.transdek.com/) claims that its approach to urban fgreight distribution is capable of saving up to 520 million road-miles a year. The company – which will be showing its DUET urban double-decks at the Freight in the City Expo (Alexandra Palace, 2 November 2016), says it is focussing development on increasing volumes carried per vehicle and minimising noise for overnight distribution. That should strike a chord, given DfT (Department for Transport), FTA (Freight Transport Association) and CILT (Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport) moves towards greater integration of out-of-hours deliveries to retail outlets to reduce congestion. Transdek managing director Mark Adams insists that an ability to transport twice as much load per delivery is a key driver in reducing the volume of HGV traffic in cities across the UK. Citing work at the Centre for Sustainable Road Freight (SRF), he says: “Based on DfT statistics, we’ve calculated that if just 10% of the UK’s 18 tonne rigids were changed for urban double deckers, this would save 104 million road miles a year, mainly in urban centres. “Converting half of the trucks would see a reduction of 520 million miles.” Transdek is also working with the Noise Abatement Society (NAS) to set what Adams describes as new standards for quiet road freight in UK. At Alexandra Palace, the company intends to introduce a low-height, multi-temperature version of its DUET urban trailer, which features new quiet technology designed specifically for town and city deliveries at night. “By using a range of double-deck trailer types and sizes, logistics operators could achieve 100% extra load on most of their conventional HGV fleets used for retail deliveries,” continues Adams. “Transdek’s urban Wedge double-deck trailer, for example, carries exactly twice as much as standard urban artic of the same length.” .

At the former Mack Trucks, we produced "custom-built" trucks. We never built "standard" trucks. The "standard" wheelbase in the order book, for example, of a RW603 and RW703 was 163 inches. But 99.9% of the dealers/customers ordered longer.r The RW603 was available in wheelbases up to 240 inches, and the RW703 up to 299 inches. .

Dagens Industri / October 18, 2016 AB Volvo is about to sell off a property portfolio worth three billion kronor in Gothenburg, Sweden. It would be one of the largest property deals ever in Gothenburg. The three properties, totaling 250.00 square meters in size, are located in the Torslanda, Save and Arnedal districts of Gothenburg. The real estate deal is expected to be announced shortly. Joakim Kendall, the acting head of the Volvo Group's media relations, refused to comment. It’s unclear which Volvo properties are for sale. In Torslanda, Volvo Group has its headquarters. At Landvetter airport in Save, Volvo owns an airplane hanger that houses its corporate aircraft and office. The airport is already in liquidation. Serneke Construction Group has acquired most of the property. The head office and R&D unit for Volvo Bus, as well as the Volvo Bus Experience Center, are located in Arnedal.

Scania Group Press Release / 18 October 2016 Faster gear changing, an even better interior, and a quiet and comfortable working environment. These are but a few comments from transport professionals after having tested Scania’s New Truck Generation. From September to the end of November, more than 9,100 drivers, transport company owners, and fleet managers from across Europe are invited to test Scania’s New Truck Generation. Invited guests test drive trucks in the new R- and S-series at the Scania DemoCentre. They will also learn more about how connected services can help transport companies achieve better profitability. An early sample of guests showed a real appreciation of the new driver environment and the advantages that connected services can bring to transport businesses. Judging by these early reactions, Scania’s New Truck Generation is already on the road to success. .

Great video. Keeping a human face on the business. I have a DAF heavy winter coat......best one I ever bought.

DAF Trucks Press Release / October 18, 2016 The new DAF Trucks merchandise collection is available right now! Take a look at www.dafshop.com to see the complete collection or visit your local DAF Trucks dealer. .

CBS News / October 18, 2016 America’s trucking industry is facing a severe driver shortage. One estimate says about 48,000 drivers are needed to move 70 percent of the nation’s goods. Companies are aggressively recruiting retirees. Drivers more than 65 years old make up about 10 percent of commercial vehicle operators in the U.S. A five month investigation by CBS News looks at how the increase in older drivers translates to potential danger on the nation’s highways. This trend is a result of the recent downturn in the economy, reports CBS News correspondent Kris Van Cleave. Individuals are working well past the retirement age of 65. But as the industry has changed, the rules of the roads have not kept up with the times -- raising the question: Is more screening needed for commercial drivers? It was supposed to be a celebration for the Hooks family, driving from Oklahoma City to St. Louis in the summer of 2009 to see Ronnie become an elder at his church. But on I-44 near the state line, traffic slowed to a crawl. “I was on the phone with them when it happened on that day, and the phone just went dead,” Ronnie said. The semi driven by 76-year-old Donald Creed rolled on top of three cars, killing 10, including Hooks’ parents and two brothers. On Aug. 19 in Newark, New Jersey, a bus was T-boned by another N.J. Transit bus driven by a 70-year-old. Two people died. Days later, on Aug. 25, a truck hauling stones driven by a 74-year-old slammed into traffic in a construction zone in Binghamton, New York. Ten were hurt. A CBS News analysis of crash data reveals a 19 percent increase in accidents involving commercial truck and bus drivers in their 70s, 80s and even 90s, in just the last three years. From 2013 to 2015, there were more than 6,636 involving elderly drivers in 12 states alone. Oklahoma Highway Patrol Lt. James Loftis investigated the collision that tore apart the Hooks family. As head of the accident investigation unit, he’s noticed an increasing number of crashes involving older commercial drivers. “The industry is looking for truck drivers. There’s a shortage in truck drivers. So they’re not going to self-regulate. The only way that that could be done is on the federal level,” Loftis said. Rose McMurray was senior executive at the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration in the ‘90s. That’s when the agency, recognizing reaction time and stamina become compromised with age, considered implementing regular skills tests for older commercial drivers. “It clearly can result in a lot of political backlash… so state governments have grappled with this, the federal government has grappled with this...because the age discrimination laws really intervene,” McMurray said. The initiative was shelved because of the labor shortage and a lack of age restrictions. Trucking schools are now actively recruiting seniors, promising good benefits and money to supplement retirement. We hired a 70-year-old former Texas state trooper and sent him with a hidden camera to Roadmaster, a school recruiting retirees. “Is there an age limit or anything on this?” he asked the recruiter. “There is not,” the recruiter said. “Trucking is just -- it’s a different kind of industry and environment. They like women any age, men of any age. As long as you are physically able to get behind that wheel and drive that truck,” the recruiter added. “We had two ladies, they were probably in their 80s.” The company defended its policy. Dusty Cushard is the director of their Pennsylvania school. He says FMCSA, the agency regulating the trucking industry, does not prohibit training older drivers, and it’s against federal law to discriminate based on age. “I follow the FMCSA guidelines… There’s no age on it. They pass the physical and everything, and they want to drive,” Cushard said. FMCSA deputy administrator Daphne Jefferson acknowledges the increase in older commercial drivers. Her agency is now studying the trend. “We are not quite at the point yet where we are ready to say one way or another if there needs to be a change in driver rules for, say, drivers over 65,” Jefferson said. But Washington’s deliberations come too late for the Hooks family. “We have all had to learn how to deal with it and deal with the recurring memories and the pain of not having them,” Ronnie said. The driver of the truck that killed the Hooks family was charged with negligent homicide. The aviation industry is also facing a shortage of pilots, but it has a mandatory retirement age of 65. An association representing independent truck drivers said, while there are more commercial drivers over 70, “the greater majority of truck-related crashes are not caused by truckers, but are instead caused by other drivers.” Video - http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/highway-crashes-involving-older-truck-drivers-increase/

Digging into the new diesel engine oils: Part two Fleet Owner / October 18, 2016 Creating new engine tests turned out to be one of the more challenging aspects of establishing a new diesel engine oil category. Dan Arcy, the global OEM technical manager for the Americas for Shell Lubricants, that out of the three “phases” within the Proposed Category 11 or “PC-11” five-year development process that will result in the new CK-4 and FA-4 diesel engine motor oils on Dec. 1, the second phase proved to be the hardest and longest. Starting in December 2011 and lasting until February 2016, the second phase of the PC-11 development process entailed the development of brand-new engine tests as well as the retirement of others. “We knew we needed to look at three main areas of [oil] classification testing: oxidation control, aeration control, and shear stability,” he explained to Fleet Owner, and that entailed a lot of research. “We looked at seven different tests for oxidation control alone,” Arcy pointed out, referencing the nine-member heavy-duty engine oil classification panel made up of engine manufacturer, chemical company, and oil marketer representatives who served under the auspices of the former American Society for Testing and Materials, now known as ASTM International. Yet the work didn’t end when certain tests were selected by the panel, he stressed, for then they had to prove that results from the chosen test could be “repeatable” regardless of the laboratory used. “Using the same oil in the same test needed to give us the same result, Arcy explained. For example, in the case of the Volvo T-13 test selected to confirm oxidation control for PC-11 oils, it took “a couple of years” to get it established. He noted that PC-11’s “phase two” work was largely completed by Dec. 2015, yet awaited a “final approval meeting” two months later with the American Petroleum Institute (API) to officially “sign off” on the testing results and classification standards. With that final “seal of approval” in hand, the third and last phase of the PC-11 process began; one that ends Dec. 1 this year – the licensing and introduction of the new CK-4 and FA-4 blends to the market. “There have been lots of little steps along the way” of phase three, Arcy emphasized, which includes labeling designs to help ensure customers pick the right oil for their engine. “The product [PC-11] line is set to introduce new package labeling, bottle color and user friendly symbols to help customers choose with confidence and understand the enhanced benefits such as extended drain intervals, higher fuel economy or extreme temperature use they will receive,” noted Brian Humphrey, OEM technical liaison for Petro-Canada Lubricants. “The API has released new service symbol ‘donuts’ which clearly distinguish between the two sub-categories,” he added. “However, oil marketers are allowed to use any color they choose for the donut itself. So we recommend visiting http://www.api.org/ to familiarize yourself with the different symbols before the Dec. 1 launch.” Jeff Torkelson, technical director of engineering tech services with Valvoline, stressed that for the truck or fleet owner, the decision to use CK-4 or FA-4 will have to start with their OEM recommendations. “Some OEM’s will be recommending FA-4 for their new 2017 engines and some will not, so it’s important to pay close attention to your owner’s manual,” he emphasized to Fleet Owner. “Duty cycles may also play a role in selecting the correct category of lubricant, where severe service duty cycles are more likely to recommend using CK-4 oils versus FA-4.” For fleets desiring to get every bit of fuel efficiency they can and if the OEM recommends FA-4 for their engine, then using it should result in improved fuel savings, Torkelson noted. “Even with CK-4 backwards compatible oils, the 10W-30 grade should provide improved fuel efficiency compared to the 15W-40 grade,” he emphasized. “So for those looking for the best protection and durability, we recommend CK-4.” While oil drain intervals will be set by the engine OEMs, Valvoline is expecting longer drain intervals for both CK-4 and FA-4. In fact, PACCAR is one such OEM that confirmed earlier this month that it will be extending oil drain intervals by 15,000 miles for its proprietary engine line. “The increased robustness of the PC-11 oils could potentially allow longer drains,” Torkelson said. “The PC-11 category overall shows increased performance in oxidation protection, [plus] shear stability or stay-in-grade performance which could potentially result in longer drain intervals [and] reduced maintenance costs.” He added that Valvoline has been working “diligently” on field testing PC-11 oil since the category need was announced and has been running longer and longer drain intervals with each prototype improvement. Those longer drains are the result of several factors, noted Shell’s Arcy, with the two main ones being less contamination of the oil and longer-lasting chemical additive packages. “In terms of how far an oil can go, the viscosity or the ‘thinness’ of the oil does not make a difference,” he stressed. “A thicker CJ-4 15W-40 oil and FA-4 10W-30 oil could have the exact same [drain] interval. That’s because the [new] oils are designed to handle higher temperatures better and longer than [previous] oils and offer significantly better oxidation control.” Like all the lubricant makers, Shell invested heavily in field tests for the new PC-11 oils – some 45 million miles worth across numerous truck duty cycles and engine displacements – which when added to the field tests conducted by the OEMs should give motor carriers “peace of mind” that the new oils perform as advertised. “That’s a lot of miles and should give customers an extra sense of comfort,” Arcy said. “Because we all know customers won’t sacrifice durability for fuel economy.” Knowing, however, that fleets often like to do their own validation tests, he offered a few suggestions: Use three to five trucks to get a good “statistical sampling” of your fleet’s operating characteristics; Use trucks with comparable load, route, and fuel economy characteristics; Use an oil analysis program; Conduct oil analysis tests on at least “a couple” or oil drains per truck, with each drain at anywhere from 40,000 to 60,000 miles.

Inverted camelback rode like a Cadillac. Camelback lasts longer.

VW Seeks Final Approval of Emissions Deal Without Fix in Hand Bloomberg / October 18, 2016 Volkswagen AG is asking for a final sign-off on its $14.7 billion settlement with drivers as it continues to seek regulators’ approval of a fix for 482,000 pollution-spewing vehicles still on U.S. roads. Without an approved repair, VW may be left with only one option: buy back the cars with so-called defeat devices from the owners. And the German automaker might have to do the same for a smaller group of vehicles with larger 3.0-liter diesel engines equipped with the emissions-cheating software. VW reached the settlement covering the 2.0-liter engines in June with consumers and regulators including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. With a San Francisco federal judge set to consider final approval of that deal Tuesday, the EPA has yet to approve any of VW’s proposals to fix those cars, said a person familiar with the matter who wasn’t authorized to speak publicly. A formal proposal by VW for a fix won’t be considered by federal regulators in an official review until after the settlement is approved by the judge. VW’s negotiations with the EPA have been fluid, said the person who asked not to be identified. So far, regulators led by the California Air Resources Board have been critical of the carmakers’ attempted solutions. CARB has twice rejected VW’s recall plans -- once in a January letter related to the 2-liter engines and again in a similar July statement for the 3-liter models. VW has agreed to spend as much as $10 billion to buy back 2-liter models and compensate drivers. It also agreed to pay $2.7 billion to federal and California regulators to fund pollution-reduction projects and pay $2 billion to be invested in clean technology. A court conference is set for Nov. 3 on VW’s negotiations with regulators and consumer lawyers on a solution for the 85,000 vehicles with 3-liter engines, including the VW Touareg, Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q5. The automaker has earmarked almost $19.6 billion (17.8 billion euros) to extricate it from the emissions-cheating scandal. That includes $1.2 billion to its U.S. franchise dealers, along with $86 million to California and $603 million to other states over violations of consumer protection laws. VW still faces criminal probes, shareholder claims and environmental lawsuits by multiple states as well as lawsuits and a criminal probe in Europe. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer allowed the settlement to move ahead in July, calling the proposed agreement “fair, adequate and reasonable.’’ At Tuesday’s hearing to determine whether the agreement is fair, Breyer is set to consider objections on behalf of more than 400 car owners. Breyer has allotted no more than two minutes for arguments to each of the critics. Car owners could have gotten the same deal -- buybacks and compensation -- through VW’s settlement with federal regulators, according to the Center for Class Action Fairness, an advocacy group primarily complaining about the estimate of more than $300 million in fees to be paid plaintiffs’ lawyers. The Center also said the announced value of the settlement was inflated. Consumer lawyers were essential to the quick settlement, they argued in court filings last month. Attorneys’ fees will be limited to $324 million, far below the typical share in class-action settlements. The case is In Re: Volkswagen “Clean Diesel” Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation, 15-md-02672, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California (San Francisco).

Big Rigs / October 18, 2016 Next year's Perth Truck and Trailer Show has been postponed until 2018. Motor Trade Association (MTA) of Western Australia CEO Steve Moir said it was a decision made in light of WA's current economic climate and would allow time to reinvigorate the show meaning it will be "significantly bigger and better". Mr Moir said the Western Australia economy had slowed and this decision would help ensure the show continued to "grow strongly". Up until last year the truck show was held at the Perth convention centre, now the MTA is looking at an outdoor facility giving more space for displays. "We're looking at interactive displays," Mr Moir said which would "attract the broader public". "We're pretty excited." The Perth Truck and Trailer Show will continue to be held every two years, dates for 2018 are to be confirmed.

ATA discusses electronic braking technologies Steve Skinner, Australasian Transport News (ATN) / October 17, 2016 Electronic braking systems are now generally regarded as a great thing, but there can be problems if truck and trailer systems aren’t properly matched Chris Loose is a pretty funny bloke for a truck engineer. His definition of a truck driver is someone who transports stuff you can’t. And an engineer is an organism who solves a problem you didn’t know you had in a way you don’t understand. And everybody can relate to what he calls the "bum-ometer". "The bum-ometer is no longer calibrated to the road," laments Loose, senior engineering advisor with the Australian Trucking Association. "The trucks now have air suspension seats, they have air suspended cabs, they’ve got huge taper leaf springs and air bag suspension. "The driver is no longer connected to the road so he no longer feels it. "The driver is becoming more and more remote from his vehicle and the feel of the road. "He is inherently as a result driving harder and faster through potholes because he no longer feels them, and it’s a huge issue. "Unfortunately guys, it’s a male problem, testosterone, we want to get there faster." And for Loose that’s one of the reasons why electronic roll stability is such an important thing. Roll stability is part and parcel of the electronic braking systems (EBS) that have become more common in recent years. Loose gave an entertaining rundown on electronic braking and stability technology at this year’s Comvec technical conference in Melbourne, organised by Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia. Life saver As far as the ATA is concerned, the jury is no longer out on electronic stability control (ESC): it’s a great and proven life-saving technology. ESC automatically slows the vehicle down via both the throttle and brakes if it senses the risk of a rollover. The ATA points to a Monash University Accident Research Centre study from a couple of years ago which concluded that mandated ESC in heavy vehicles could reduce fatal heavy vehicle crashes by 4 per cent. In turn, ESC can be the foundation technology for the even more advanced Autonomous Emergency Braking Systems (AEBS) that we’ve heard so much about for both cars and trucks in recent years. Monash estimates mandated AEBS could prevent up to an incredible 25 per cent of fatal heavy vehicle crashes. Meanwhile the Victorian Government says log truck and trailer rollovers have been virtually eliminated thanks to stability control on B-doubles in key logging areas of that state. That’s from an average of 40 rollovers a year previously. The ATA is advocating that for most applications, electronic stability control should be compulsory in all new truck and trailer models from 2019. As things stand, the lesser technology of ABS – anti-lock braking – is mandatory on all new trucks and trailers. This is under the Australian Design Rules 35/04 (trucks) and ADR 38/04 (trailers, with load sensing valves as an alternative.) Loose doesn’t agree with it, but dollies are exempt from ABS or load sensing valves. However "through" power must be provided to the following trailer. In the US and Europe most trailers have ABS; here most trailers don’t. Ironically, there may be a safety problem with the latest technology, if there is incompatibility between truck and trailer braking systems. If the truck has a "smart" brake system with ABS and better still EBS as well, and the trailer or trailers are "dumb", that can create a safety issue in itself. The most obvious example is stamping on the brakes in an emergency: the trailers may not stop as well as the truck, thereby risking a jack-knife situation. .

Keeping brakes compatible Steve Skinner, Australasian Transport News (ATN) / October 18, 2016 There will soon be plenty of guidance for getting the best out of not only foundation brakes, but the much more complicated electronic systems as well Chris Loose reckons English is a second language for a lot of engineers. And that’s why Loose and numerous other technical experts who have been working on a guide to braking and stability performance for heavy combinations, are trying to keep it simple. "We don’t want to overcomplicate it," says Loose, senior engineering advisor with the Australian Trucking Association (ATA). "Every operator who tries to read an engineering book won’t go past the title. "We made it is as easy to understand as possible. An operator will focus on three key tables, and that’s probably all he’s going to have time for" Those three tables are in the draft document which still needs real-world testing by operators. The tables involve ratings across four classes of brake systems and three types of braking conditions. The first class of brake system is what are called "dumb" brake systems, which are air only. The second type is load sensing valve brake systems, which are mechanical and air. The third is anti-lock brake system (ABS); and the fourth – and smartest – is electronic stability control. These systems are rated against light or "normal" braking; heavy or "harsh" braking; and cornering or roll stability. Smart truck and dumb trailers The truck might have stability control, and the trailer might have TEBS (trailer electronic braking system) with roll stability, which would give the combination the top rating for both braking and roll stability. But if the operator doesn’t plug in the power, it’s a dumb trailer. Loose adds that with longer combinations you have to make sure the power goes right down to the back end -- at least 9 or 10 volts at the last control unit. "Without electrical grunt it’s (also) a dumb trailer." And don’t try to stick a 24 volt lead into a 12 volt ABS system: "That will blow it up." The tables apply equally to trailers attached by both fifth wheels or drawbars. However truck and dogs are inherently more unstable than semitrailers or B doubles. Semis are connected by the fifth wheel, and are therefore roll-coupled. "A truck and trailer will tend to roll together," says Loose. "There is a link, so stability system on one of those units will help understand what’s going on with the other unit. "With drawbar units though, between a dog trailer and a rigid or another trailer, they’re not roll-coupled, so one can roll independently of the other." Loose adds that there are lots of different warning signs that there’s a brake compatibility problem, for example uneven brake wear; different brake temperatures; and wear on the kingpin. Solid foundations Chris Loose says fleets should try and standardise their brake technologies, because they are often mixing and matching trucks and trailers. That advice applies both to the electronic overlay systems as well as the foundation brake systems themselves. Re foundation brakes: "If you have got disc brakes on the truck, put disc brakes on the trailer. Get the foundations to match. It just makes life easier." While on the subject of foundation brakes, the ATA has just released a 15-page technical advisory procedure on slack adjuster setup and compliance to the new National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual. Meanwhile in May the ATA released the second edition of its 24-page technical advisory on ESC and the similar RSC (roll stability control). .

Prime Mover Magazine / October 18, 2016 The 24th annual Newcastle Road Transport Awareness Day will be held this Saturday 22 October under the new name of Newcastle Hunter Truck Show. The newly rebranded truck show will also move from its former home in Newcastle to the Maitland Showgrounds to allow a 'much larger truck show', including a parade that is expected to attract more than 100 prime movers. Road Transport Awareness Group Chairman, Pete Black, said that the event would be much bigger than previous years due to the support of the truck and transport industry. "A new committee has continued to reinvigorated the event to accommodate increased interest from the industry and the community with lots more entertainment, food and importantly one of the country’s most extensive collection of trucks on show," Black said. The event was established in 1992 as a way for the local road transport sector to raise awareness of its work while encouraging safer driving on our roads. The event supports the work of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service and has raised more than $1.3 million dollars in the past 24 years.

Kraz Trucks Press Release / October 10, 2016 A new non-standard 4x4 model has been added to the KrAZ range of heavy armored off-road militaryvehicles. Utilizing an all-new design architecture, the “Hulk” joins our existing line-up of mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles including the Hurricane, Shrek and Fiona. The Hulk is based on the KrAZ-5233 off-road platform utilized by the Shrek. The difference between Hulk and Shrek is the absence of a conventional frame. All the components are attached directly to the monocoque construction body. As a result, the truck’s GVW has been reduced to 16 tonnes (from the Shrek’s 18 tonnes). Also, the truck’s overall height and access heights have been reduced too, which improves ergonomics and performance. The body’s V-shaped “hull” helps to deflect upward directed blast. Ballistic protection meets STANAG 4569 level 2. Armor plates stops penetration of bullet emitted from any shooting angle. Moreover, bullet penetration after ricochet has been minimized. Mine protection meets STANAG 4569 level 2а and 2b: landmine explosion (6 kg of TNT) under any wheel or bottom. All glass is laminated and bulletproof, and the inner layer is made of double polycarbonate. A powerful 310 horsepower turbocharged diesel engine can propel the Hulk at speeds up to 90 km/h, and ensures high performance at extreme temperatures ranging from - 45 to + 450C. A manual 9-speed transmission easily adapts the vehicle to specific operating conditions. The Hulk can accommodate up to 12 fully equipped soldiers. The Hulk is multi-role armored off-road MRАP vehicle used for carrying personnel, various cargoes and equipment over all kinds of terrain. It can provide fire support with advanced weaponry, and features both active and passive protective countermeasures. .

The dealer body was so upset over the end of RS-RL Value-Liner production that we introduced an all-new variant of the new RD called the "Western Contractor" which initially had a Value-Liner like grille. .

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Dagens Industri / October 17, 2016 Late on Friday, Volvo Group's Board of Directors announced a decision to make a large 435 million kronor investment in the cab factory in Umeå. The money will go towards upgrades in paint processes, including a new surface treatment line involving pre-treatment and electrostatic drop. But despite the large investment, no new jobs will be created at Volvo's Umeå cab plant as a result of the investment. Volvo’s Umeå cab plant employs 1,450 people. An existing building, which houses offices and locker rooms, will be demolished and replaces with a new 3,000 square meter structure. At the press conference, Volvo representatives said the investment will focus on environmentally friendly and advanced technology. The process will be carbon neutral, and the use of renewable fuels instead of fossil. .

Driving the International LT Truck News / October 17, 2016 Navistar’s DriverFirst philosophy shines through with design of the new International LT International recently offered the first driving opportunities of its new LT-series Class 8 highway tractor, which will supplant the popular ProStar. Drivers played a big role in the design of the new truck. International sought the opinions of hundreds of professional drivers and evidence of their feedback can be seen throughout the cab. The air horn lanyard has been restored and put back where it belongs in the upper left corner and the air brake releases have been moved further from the driver so they don’t encumber movement into the sleeper. “The only time you touch those is when the truck is stopped, so there is no reason to occupy the primary real estate on the panel with those releases,” explained Jeff Sass, senior vice-president of sales and marketing with Navistar. “Everything we are doing today is based around the driver.” The instrument panel is cleaner and better designed. Virtual gauges are shown on a vibrant driver display. Improvements to functionality are found throughout the cab. Ample USB and 12-volt outlets keep drivers connected. A deep ledge along the dash provides useful storage for phones, pens and other small items. The HVAC system – a source of complaints on the ProStar – has been completely redesigned and its reliability improved. “We have dramatically improved the efficiency of the HVAC system,” said Joe Werth, vice-president, new product development. “It is 40% more efficient in terms of speed to defrost the window.” Sightlines have also been improved. The vent window has been eliminated to offer greater visibility out the sides. Werth said the LT boasts 15% better visibility out the passenger side window and a 5% improvement out the left. Forward visibility is better as well thanks to a new, one-piece curved windshield and a redesigned hood. Better door seals reduce interior noise. I drove an LT 625 with the new Cummins X15 engine rated at 450 hp. Drives were limited to a few laps around Navistar’s three-mile test track but the truck drove nicely, was quiet and comfortable. The shifter and engine brake have been integrated on the right side of the steering column for easy access. The most frequently used buttons and switches have been moved closer to the driver. “The focus was to bring closer to the driver the things that were important to them,” said Werth. The redesign did not extend to the sleeper, which is a direct carryover from the ProStar. Serviceability, however, was improved thanks to new routing and clipping and easier access to the fuse panel inside the cab. While the LT was designed with drivers in mind, its owners will be equally happy with the upgrades. International is touting a 7% fuel economy improvement over its most efficient ProStar ES model. This comes from a combination of improved aero, 3%, and powertrain enhancements which count for 4%. Aerodynamic improvements include a reshaped hood and bumper and more slippery mirrors as well as the redesigned windshield. “We looked at how the bumper was structured, how air flowed under and over the hood area and improved the shape of that to accommodate aerodynamics,” Werth explained. Engine improvements came in the form of calibration activities and the reduction of parasitic losses. Werth said both Cummins and Navistar N-series engines will deliver the same fuel economy gains over previous models. The Diamond level interior with black cherry panels in the truck I drove was handsome. But Navistar officials were quick to point out drivers didn’t want a truck that felt like a car, despite the trend towards more automotive-inspired interiors. “We have introduced features to make this vehicle easier to drive and more capable of supporting a less experienced driver to be able to come in and operate this vehicle effectively,” Werth explained. “It brings in more automotive familiarity, however the robustness of the design allows for operations with gloves, that kind of thing. It’s a balance. The issue of driver retention was probably one of the primary drivers for us in how we brought the design in. You do get some of those automotive features as a result, but where we tried to make the difference was in the robustness of the dials, how the driver interacts with them, – can you grab them with gloves on in the winter? – the size of the toggle switches. Those were all designed to accommodate a truck driver.” Sass said feedback from fleets emphasized the truck had to be a vehicle drivers were happy with. “Driver retention equals cost of ownership,” Sass said. Denny Mooney, chief engineer, added “We have fleets, big fleets, whose CEOs tell us that if drivers don’t want to drive your truck, we’re not buying your truck. These are fleets that have multiple brands and are having a tough time attracting drivers. It sounds simple but if your truck is sitting there and drivers don’t want to drive your truck, they’re not buying your truck.” To win the hearts of drivers, Navistar realized uptime was critical. “We are trying to get our truck to be every bit as reliable as any automobile is today,” Mooney said. The LT series is supported by OnCommand Connection, Navistar’s open architecture remote diagnostics platform. It provides vehicle health reports and advises customers on the most appropriate action when fault codes appear. Navistar is also offering over-the-air engine updates, allowing customers to keep their software updated without taking the truck off the road. “When I think about uptime, it’s about reliability and durability, making sure the truck never has to come in unless it’s for scheduled maintenance,” Mooney said. So far, the LT has been well received. Sass said more than 3,000 orders have been received. Navistar is in the process of revitalizing its entire product line. The first of these new models to be unveiled, the LT, is a comprehensive upgrade over the ProStar. Drivers will find it quieter, more ergonomic and comfortable to operate and will enjoy better visibility. Less reaching and straining will be required. The ProStar served International well but drivers won’t be asking for their ProStars back once they’ve driven the new LT. .