The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance released results from a five day hazardous materials inspection blitz conducted June 8 through 12 across the United States and Canada. Inspectors completed more than 4,000 checks in the U.S. and 900 in Canada, placing about 14% of hazmat vehicles out of service. Shipping papers, placards and labels, and cargo securement ranked as the top violation categories.
J.B. Hunt Transport Services told investors it is spending an additional $25 million on driver related initiatives this quarter as the pool of available commercial drivers remains constrained. Schneider National and Werner Enterprises made similar commitments last quarter, and Averitt Express raised pay for regional and less than truckload drivers in July.
Texas is adding truck parking capacity along a key freight corridor. A $10 million project starting construction in October will add 175 parking spots to Interstate 30 in Bowie County, roughly two hours east of Dallas. A nearby weigh station reconstruction in Titus County will add 50 more spots.
Freight rates moved higher last week. Dry van rates increased 5.5 cents to $2.77 per mile and refrigerated rates rose 2.7 cents to $3.63 per mile, according to FTR Transportation Intelligence. Flatbed rates fell 5.7 cents to $3.26 per mile.
The developments arrive as fleets manage a driver market that remains tight, a freight recovery still finding its footing, and a truck parking shortage that continues to limit operational flexibility across major corridors.
Source: FleetOwner - https://www.fleetowner.com/news/podcast/55405984/this-week-in-trucking-jb-hunt-boosts-driver-wages-texas-constructs-new-truck-parking