New Mexico Trucking Magazine - Winter 2017

Winter 2017

New Mexico Where Do We Sit?

Also Inside Oil And Gas Summit 2017 DOT – Winter Roadway Prepardness

WINTER 2017 / 3

In This Issue

4 / New Mexico Trucking

6

Directors Desk

10

Enchanted Highways (DOT)

12

Oil & Gas Summit

16

ATA Top Pick

18

Otto - Who’s Driving...?

22

National Watch

24

SMC Bulletin

26

Cross Boarder

28

Behind the Lights

30

NMTA Calendar

30

Advertising Index

Baby It’s Cold Outside...

Directors Desk

W

e deliberately waited on this issue to released so that it would be after the election and so it is and the question is what do we see as we go forward for the future of our Industry?

Short of a crystal ball we can only underscore what we have seen and heard and felt throughout the meetings within the state and at trucking association functions across the United States this past year.

The theme is repetitive throughout the United States and many if not all of my counterparts and the ATA have echoed the same sad song about their states infrastructure and the lack of funding for major much needed projects. Aas you enter into these conversations you begin to feel a sense of the overwhelming thought that there may be no way to reverse this downward spiral in our infrastructure.

So the President Elect comments containing strong reference to our seriously aging infrastructure and a commitment to making it one of his 1st, 100 day priority’s was extremely welcome, with exception that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell stated that was not a top priority to him.

Clearly there is no doubt this was and will be one of the strangest Presidential elections in our nation’s history. We can only pray that it is truly a turning point for the country and selfishly our Industry. The nation will heal its self and become the country we ALL expect it to be “by the people for the people” “There is a difference between being a leader and being a boss. Both are based on authority. A boss demands blind obedience; a leader earns his authority through understanding and trust.” Klaus Balkenhol Johnny Johnson New Mexico Trucking Association Managing Director

Join the NMTA -Much Depends Upon Us Your membership helps the trucking industry in New Mexico by promoting a good business environment with fair balance for all parties. NMTA is a lobbying organization designed to make sure your voice is heard by State legislatures and Federal Regulators.

Beyond that NMTA provides a wide range of useful member services. NMTA also makes sure the public knows of the good deeds and benefits of having a strong trucking industry in the State. If you are thinking of joining NMTA, consider it an outstanding investment in the success of your business.

Go to www.nmtrucking.org to join today!

6 / New Mexico Trucking

WINTER 2017 / 7

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Enchanted Highways Agencies Meet to Discuss Winter Roadway Preparedness In late October, all districts within NMDOT held meetings state wide to discuss winter preparation procedures. At District 3, in Albuquerque, representatives from Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, APD, NM State Police, state, city, county and Tribal leaders met to communicate the procedures around lane or road closures in the metro area caused by winter weather. Special guests came from the NM Trucking Association, Expo New Mexico, Traffic Management Center (TMC) and Federal Highway Assoc. Leading the discussion from NMDOT were Assist. District Engineer of Maintenance, Tom Kratochvil and NMDOT Traffic Engineer, Nancy Perea. “Our goal was to share information that has worked and perhaps more importantly, understand any changes that need to be made to our process so that we can best co-ordinate to keep the public informed about closures due to severe weather,” said Perea.

Several discussion points included the need to get the closure notification out to the traveling public as soon as it occurs and for truckers in particular, they need to be informed before they enter the metro area.

Charles Remkes, Manager of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) whose crew oversees the Digital Message Signs (DMS) located all along the Interstate corridors of I-40 and I-25, stressed the need for motorists to turn to www.nmroads.com or call 511 for the most current updates about road conditions statewide. The web site also has an application that may be downloaded to any mobile phone.

Also discussed were NMDOT procedures for 24-hour dispatch services during severe winter conditions to provide an additional level of communication for commuters and law enforcement. The D3 dispatch line is: (505) 798-6600 or if Dispatch crews are not in place, then contact the public information officer Bernadette Bell at (505) 220-4153. Truckers who are traveling through Albuquerque and encounter closures on the interstate system are encouraged to use the NM State Fairgrounds. From I-40 east or west bound, take Exit 163 at Louisiana Boulevard turn south and proceed to the Fairgrounds. Larry Trujillo, Expo New Mexico representative said their facility can accommodate nearly 300 truckers. If traveling from the West of Albuquerque on I-40 there are truck stops at Central and Atrisco Vista Boulevard that can accommodate truckers. If traveling from north or south of Albuquerque on I-25 there are also private facilities with ample parking located along the route.

No matter where your routes should take you this winter season, NMDOT recommends www.nmroads.com or call 511, for timely updates on winter driving conditions statewide.

ujan n & A. L 7 o s n h o J 01 J. eeting 2 Winter M 10 / New Mexico Trucking

J. John

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Tom K. adresses D3 Winter Meeting

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Oil & Gas Summit Lie is always unpredictable, such as in times when you set out to enlighten someone else and you are the one to be enlightened. This was the case with me when I was invited to be one of the speakers at the 2017 Oil and Gas Summit in Carlsbad, New Mexico.

We all know the saying you learn something new every day (if you’re lucky) and this day was certainly no exception. I pride myself in being somewhat knowledgeable in the world of trucks and transportation, FMCSA , HOS, NMDOT, State Regulation’s etc., so this speaking engagement seemed quite normal. or so I thought. When I arrived in Carlsbad the honorable Mayor Dale Janway had a pre-summit dinner at the convention center by the Pecos River. It was a nice event. So began my education of the differences in general trucking verses oil patch trucking.

We took a very pleasurable boat ride on a sun-baked afternoon down the Pecos with one of Carlsbad’s most passionate trucking industry supporters, Robert P. Defer. He was our guide and entertainment. Throughout the ride, it was apparent the love of Mayor Dale Janway demonstrates for Carlsbad.

Gabrieille Gerholt, New Mexico Government relations for Concho Resources gave the most sobering and somewhat alarming presentation.

His emphasis on how the EPA and BLM are and could have a serious negative affect on our oil production in New Mexico was very impactful

Wally Drangmeister, VP New Mexico Oil and Gas Association, presentation was focused on the amount of resources that is used during the process of energy extraction. It was very informative to know that only a small amount of water is actually used at that point in the process.

Frank Schroeder, VP Delaware Basin with Devon Energy, did an excellent job describing how the oil and gas in the basin is utilized and how the major suppliers extract the oil and gas. When he explained the amount of reserves that exist in the basin, it was quite impressive.

Matt Mazanek, of Chevron, did an outstanding job explaining the PC11 Implementation Plan along with the affect of many of the common lubricants used throughout the industry.

Prior to the dinner, and as always, the casual networking began. I had the opportunity to visit with Eddy County Representative, Cathrynn Brown (Chairperson for the House transportation committee) and Frederick Verner from Chevron. Discussions about some of the overwhelming challenges the oil patch endures started to surface, one being the ever presence term fracking and the evils thereof. As the discussion ensued Representative, Cathrynn Brown and myself were very interested in his evaluation of fracking and quite taken back by his comments on water injection as a source of concern.

The next educational moment came when we were discussing a pending issue in all facets of trucking, including the dreaded driver shortage and the sheer amount of just sand trucks it takes to open a well. Not to mention the water trucks. It was a moment that stood out to me, among several others.

The weekend continued and the speakers they had for the two days were quite impressive. Leading off, our own Lt. Governor, John Sanchez demonstrated his understanding of the needs of small and large companies that operate in New Mexico as well as the southeastern basin’s importance to not just the oil companies but the entire state of New Mexico.

12 / New Mexico Trucking

WINTER 2017 / 13

The conclusion was not only an awesome, steak lunch, but the Keynote address was given by Antoine Halff, Director of The Global Oil Markets.

It was directed towards the very serious views of the oil market on the worldwide stage and its long term effects. In conjunction with the OPEC movements that will and can move the market needle across the entire planet.

When it came time for my presentation it was painfully clear that the Southern and Northern oil patch views of trucking are far different than the interstate and local carriers. Their needs are much more complex and the presentation I had prepared would not be much interest to someone that ELDs have little or no affect on not to mention platooning or automatous trucks.

In short, I took a knife to gunfight. However with a bit of humor for the crowd and insight into the trucking industry I presented on behalf of the New Mexico Association how we can work together to make our industries stronger throughout the state.

In closing the oil and gas industry in New Mexico is not only vital to our state economy, but has a variety of complex and different needs and concerns when it comes to infrastructure of trucking as a whole. For example, just the sheer volume of trucks needed to accomplish one task in the oil patch is huge and the roads they must traverse causes maintenance issues unlike any highway user could ever experience.

So I stand committed to learn more about the many different ways we can assist the oil and gas industry in their never-ending quest to provide the energy we all need and depend on each and everyday.

14 / New Mexico Trucking

WINTER 2017 / 15

American trucking association - top pick

ata holds annual meeting in las vegas - changing roles, new directions

T

he American Trucking Associations (ATA) recently held their annual management conference and exhibition in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The content and mood of the meeting represented both a literal and figurative changing of the guard, as ATA moves in a new direction under the leadership of newly hired President and CEO Chris Spear.

A record number of attendees gathered in the desert to say farewell to Governor Bill Graves, who will leave ATA at the end of December after 12 years at the ATA helm. Spear, hired this past July, provided a fiery “state of the industry speech” emphasizing that his vision is for the industry to “win” at all levels, and that the organization will be keenly focused on federal legislative and regulatory hurdles that hamper motor carrier productivity, profitability and economic stability.

Much of the meeting content focused on technological enhancements to the industry, including platooning of commercial vehicles and autonomous vehicle operating platforms. Spear appears both interested and willing to push the industry forward in this arena, in an effort to promote future efficiencies, environmental benefits, and safety improvements for all motor carriers.

ATA staff reiterated their advocacy priorities of attempting to resolve the Hours of Service issue related to the 34-hour restart, and to pass federal

16 / New Mexico Trucking

legislation pre-empting a state from passing meal and rest break laws that create a patchwork of regulations and compensation liability for trucking companies.

Perhaps the most contentious issue at the conference was the debate on the pending Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration proposed rule on Speed Limiters. Although the ATA policy committee with jurisdiction over this issue did not change ATA policy, which currently supports a nationwide 65 MPH speed limit for trucks, CEO Spear was blunt in his criticism of the proposed rule, stating that the agency arrived at its proposal via a flawed analysis. The dialogue on Speed Limiters was the beginning of ATA formally drafting comments on the rule, and most ATA members in attendance raised their strong objections to FMCSA’s proposal for a 60, 65, or 68 MPH speed governor mandate.

In addition to this being the last meeting for Governor Graves and the first meeting for new CEO Spear, Kevin Burch of Jet Express of Dayton, OH, a 44 year industry veteran, ascended into the one year ATA Chairman role, succeeding Pat Thomas of UPS. Without question, the arrival of Spear, Burch, and a newlook attitude from ATA left attendees motivated, and enthusiastic, to face industry challenges in the coming year.

Bruce MacRae UPS

WINTER 2017 / 17

Who’s Driving?

by Johnny R. Johnson

Autonomous trucks, the very thought brings fear of the unknown to every person that is driving and or has driven semi’s across this magnificent country of ours. The very thought of an unmanned truck provoked one of the women who works in our building to explain to me she is convinced that this is an everyday reality and that now when she passes a 18-wheeler she looks to see if there is a driver at the wheel. (We all have seen the drivers that sit way low and back so this could cause some serious heart palpations) Are they real? Are their trucks that can drive themselves? Simple answer- Yes! Will they be operating on the United States highways? Yes again! The timing of such technology is definitely here, but will the industry, the FMCSA and/or state and local governments release these trucks on Americas highways without drivers in the cabs totally - Not for a very long time by information the New Mexico Trucking Association Inc has been able to gather and the numerous articles being written on almost a daily basis.

Uber who brought Otto (the self-driving trucks start up) earlier this summer for a whopping 680 million reportedly did a test run in Colorado in October of this year here is the article and information on the autonomous trucks:

The Future of Trucking The World’s First Self-Driving Semi-Truck Hits the Road Don’t worry. Otto, which Uber bought last summer for roughly $680 million, doesn’t want to put Martin or anyone else out of work.

Its technology works only on the highway, where it doesn’t have to deal with tricky variables like jaywalking pedestrians, four-way stops, or kids on bicycles. It maintains a safe following distance, and changes lanes only when absolutely necessary.

And unlike Tesla’s Autopilot, Otto’s system offers true ‘Level 4’ autonomy. Once the rig hits the interstate, it is entirely capable of the job at hand, letting the human deal with paperwork, thumb her phone, or even catch a few Z’s.

“The technology is ready to start doing these commercial pilots,” says Otto co-founder Lior Ron. “Over the next couple of years, we’ll continue to develop the tech, so it’s actually ready to encounter every condition on the road.”

If he can nail that, Ron says he can make trucking a local profession. “You can imagine a future where those trucks are essentially a virtual train on a software rail, on the highway,” he says. He sees a day when trucks do their thing on the interstate, then stop at designated depots where humans drive the last few miles into Uber’s Self-Driving Truck Makes town. Drivers, in effect, become harbor pilots, bringing the ship to port.

Its First Delivery: 50,000 Beers

Otto’s hardware works on any truck with an automatic transmission, and the retrofit doesn’t look like much. Three LIDAR laser detection units dot the cab and trailer, a radar bolts to the bumper, and a high-precision camera sits above the windshield.

Inside, the few hints of a human-free future include the two red, half dollar-sized buttons that shut off the autonomous system (one near the steering wheel, the other in the sleeper cab behind the seats) and the on/ off switch, labelled “Engage.” A bank of computers turns all that data into driving directions, and an Uber engineer keeps tabs on it all.

Autonomous cars are sexy, but trucks are more practical. And they’ll almost certainly be here sooner than cars, because the industry desperately needs them. The trucking industry hauls 70 percent of the nation’s freight—about 10.5 billion tons annually— and simply doesn’t have enough drivers. The American Trucking Association pegs the shortfall at 48,000 drivers, and says it could hit 175,000 by 2024.

18 / New Mexico Trucking

“Walt Martin is kneeling, legs folded behind him, butt resting on his heels. “I’ve got to practice my yoga,” he says, clearly joking. Never mind that we’re in the cab of an 18-wheeler cruising through Colorado at 55 mph and Martin was, until a moment ago, the guy at the wheel.

Maybe he was feeling cocky. After all the truck, outfitted with $30,000 worth of hardware and software from San Francisco startup Otto, had just hours before made the world’s first autonomous truck delivery. You’d think so momentous an occasion would have involved something more glamorous than 50,000 cans of Budweiser, but there it is.

The drive was as mundane as the beer in the trailer. At 12:30 am, after leaving the brewery in Fort Collins and merging onto Interstate 25, an Otto driver punched a switch labeled “engage,” and, once sure autonomous mode had, in fact, engaged, climbed out of his seat. He buckled the safety belt behind him, to keep the warning chime from driving him crazy as the truck trundled 120 miles south to Colorado Springs.

WINTER 2017 / 19

Who’s Driving...?

Beyond eliminating the need for a hiring spree, autonomous technology will make the roads safer. Some 400,000 trucks crash each year, according to federal statistics, killing about 4,000 people. In almost every case, human error is to blame. “We think that self-driving technologies can improve safety, reduce emissions, and improve operational efficiencies of our shipments,” says James Sembrot, who handles logistics for Anheuser-Busch and worked with Otto on the October test run.

Sean McNally, a spokesman for the American Trucking Association, concedes autonomous technology can improve safety and efficiency, but he questions the wisdom of turning a 40-ton rig over to a computer. And the federal government has yet to weigh in on the idea.

You can imagine a future where trucks are essentially a virtual train on a software rail. Otto Co-Founder Lior Ron Still, Otto is moving quickly. The company launched in January, and quickly bought its first truck. By May, it had a working prototype. A fleet of six trucks roams interstates 101 and 280 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Engineers push software tweaks weekly, and major updates every month or so.

Right now, they’re focusing on the basics—smoothing out the acceleration and braking, improving lane control, that sort of thing. Longer-term goals include predicting how other drivers are likely to behave, navigating construction zones, and dealing with hazards like sudden bad weather.

Go-anywhere, do-anything autonomy is the ultimate goal, but that requires tackling far more complicated city environments, along with things like parking. “That’s a pretty big leap,” Ron says.

For the foreseeable future, the driver will remain an essential part of the system. But with Otto, they can do something other than deal with the stress of driving. Like practice yoga.”

In summary the Trucking Industry as you see it today will most definitely look different in 10, 20 years from today and will they need drivers? Well ask yourself this, do we still need pilots? Safe it to say of course and the need for drivers will always be there in a different capacity? we believe so, but needed none the less.

The Army’s Self-Driving Trucks Hit the Highway to Prepare for Battle

20 / New Mexico Trucking

WINTER 2017 / 21

Nation al Wat ch ELECTRONIC LOGGING DEVICE MANDATE TOPS THE LIST OF CONCERNS IN ATRI’S ANNUAL TRUCKING INDUSTRY SURVEY

O

ver the past year there have been a number of legislative and regulatory actions which have directly and indirectly impacted the trucking industry. In December 2015, Congress passed the long-awaited Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, which directed attention and resources to a number of the trucking industry’s top concerns. The FAST Act mandated reform of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program, allocated $225 billion over five years to the highway program, and established a pilot program for younger veteran drivers among other items.

December 2015 also saw the issuance of FMCSA’s final rule on electronic logging devices (ELDs), which set a timeline of two years for fleets and drivers using paper logs to convert to ELDs for hours-of-service (HOS) tracking. Among its provisions, the rule grandfathers in existing ELDs until at least December 2019, and sets provisions to prevent the harassment of drivers using ELDs. However, concerns exist over the productivity impacts the industry may experience from ELDs, and at least one legal challenge has yet to be settled.

More recently, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (U.S. DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the Phase 2 final rule on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Fuel Efficiency Standards for medium- and heavy-duty engines and vehicles. And, in late-August, FMCSA and NHTSA issued the proposed rule on speed limiters for heavy trucks. Combined, these regulatory actions have many in the industry concerned about rising vehicle costs, compliance costs, and impacts to the supply chain.

In addition to myriad legislative and regulatory changes, issues internal to the industry continue to impact fleet operations. With an aging workforce and lack of new entrants to fill open positions, the industry is still challenged by a growing shortage of commercial drivers and diesel technicians, with no viable solution in sight for addressing the pervasive staffing challenges faced by the trucking industry.

Given these and numerous other issues impacting the nation’s freight system, the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and its Federation partners in the State Trucking Associations (STA) continually seek opportunities to identify and prioritize the industry’s most pressing concerns. For the past 12 years, the industry has relied on the American Transportation Research Institute’s (ATRI’s) annual industry survey to better understand trucking’s most critical issues as well as to identify preferred strategies for addressing these issues.

The annual survey, which generated more than 3,200 responses from motor carriers and commercial drivers this year, identifies the top ten critical issues facing the North American trucking industry. The results were released in October at the American Trucking Associations’ 2017 Management Conference and Exhibition in Las Vegas. The ATRI Top Industry Issues report also includes prioritized strategies for addressing each issue.

The respondents were predominantly commercial drivers (64.5%), with motor carriers making up 27.8 percent of the respondent pool, and other industry stakeholders accounting for 7.7 percent. Recognizing that the top industry issues impact motor carriers and commercial drivers differently, this year’s report includes separate “Top Ten” lists specific to commercial drivers and 1. ELD Mandate 6. CSA motor carriers, in addition to the overall ranking.

2. Hours-of-Service 7. Driver Shortage The looming implementation date of the federal mandate on 3. Cumulative Economic Impact of 8. Driver Retention the use of Electronic Logging Trucking Regulations Devices (ELDs) topped the list 9. Transportation Infrastructure / of trucking industry concerns, 3. Cumulative Economic Impact of Trucking Regulations Congestion / Funding with more than 65 percent of 5. Economy 10. Driver Distraction

2017 Top Industry Issues

22 / New Mexico Trucking

Nationa l Wat ch respondents concernedabout productivity impacts the industry may experience from full deployment of ELDs.

Although it dropped one position from its top ranking, Hours-of-Service stayed near the top of the list due to ongoing uncertainty of a final HOS rule. Ranking third in this year’s survey - Cumulative Economic Impacts of Trucking Regulations - is new to the annual list and reflects the industry’s collective frustration with increasing and often costly regulatory requirements.

Truck parking moved up this year to fourth place overall on the top issues list. The growing scarcity of available truck parking creates a dangerous situation for truck drivers who are often forced to drive beyond allowable HOS rules or park in undesignated and, in many cases, unsafe locations. ATRI’s Research Advisory Committee similarly identified truck parking as the top research priority for ATRI in 2015 and since then a number of research activities have commenced at ATRI focused on identifying solutions to the truck parking challenge.

The Economy rounds out the top five concerns on the list. Stagnant economic growth in the fourth quarter of 2015, as well as slow growth thus far in 2017 caused concern over the state of the nation’s economy to climb three positions to fifth overall. This has generated significant concern among industry stakeholders, who for the past two years have ranked the economy much lower in the list of annual concerns, thanks to the strong post-Great Recession period between 2011 and 2014.

The drop in ranking to sixth place for FMCSA’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program signals some good news for the industry. With the passage of the FAST Act in December 2015, a number of trucking industry concerns with FMCSA’s regulatory framework were addressed, at least temporarily. Among the reforms included in the FAST Act were a study of CSA data accuracy and reliability, removal of carrier CSA scores from public view and a requirement that FMCSA initiate a pilot program to review non-preventable crashes. As such, CSA fell out of the top five issues for the first time since its addition to the survey in 2010. However, the industry still has issues with elements of CSA and as such, it retained a top 10 ranking in the 2017 survey.

The workforce issues of the Driver Shortage and Driver Retention ranked lower on the 2017 list than in recent years, most likely reflecting concern over the softening freight market. However, despite the lower ranking this year, it is unlikely that either issue will drop out of the top ten list for the foreseeable future until real solutions are identified for the industry’s staffing challenges.

Though the passage of the FAST Act provided some much needed funding for transportation infrastructure and specifically for freight-focused projects, there is still significant concern in the industry over the state of the nation’s transportation infrastructure and how to generate long-term, secure funding for the transportation system. ATRI research quantified the cost of congestion to the trucking industry at nearly $50 billion in 2014. This is another issue that is likely to stay in the top ten ranking for years to come.

The final issue in the top ten ranking this year was Driver Distraction, a concern which impacts the safety of all motorists on the road. According to 2014 statistics, 3,179 people were killed, and 431,000 were injured in all vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers. Further, 13 percent of distracted driving crashes were directly attributed to cell phone use. The top ranked strategy for addressing distracted driving was to encourage harsher penalties and more aggressive enforcement of distracted driving violations for drivers of all vehicle types.

The annual survey was launched in late-July 2017 and was open for responses through mid-September. Based on the timing of the 2017 survey, a large majority of the responses had been received by ATRI when FMCSA and NHTSA issued the speed limiter rule on August 26, 2017. Given industry reaction to the proposed rule – which seeks input on three different speed limiter settings at 60, 65 and 68 miles per hour – it is likely that the rule may have been selected by survey respondents as one of their top concerns had the timing of the survey been more in line with the issuance of the proposed rule.

The 2017 report, Critical Issues in the Trucking Industry, is available from ATRI’s website at www.atri-online.org. The report includes the results of the annual survey from its beginning in 2005, providing an indicator of rising, falling, and emerging priorities in the trucking industry.

By: Rebecca M. Brewster President and COO - American Transportation Research Institute

WINTER 2017 / 23

SMC

Bulletin

Sooo…. what is the Safety Management Council?

Well, let’s start by saying that if you are a member of the New Mexico Trucking Association it is YOUR council!

While we sponsor several industry outreach programs including the NM Truck Driving Championships, Driver Appreciation and Recognition Awards this is not our only focus.

The Safety Management Council is dedicated to advancing safety policies, practices and effective risk management. We also work to address accident/injury prevention, moral and overall health in the trucking industry. Our intent is to help educate and support membership to improve the safety of employees as well as the general public.

We host monthly meetings designed to provide professional networking, disseminate safety information, offer educational seminars and access to our law enforcement and regulatory partners.

Who should attend meetings? Safety directors, driver managers, owners, and dispatchers of companies who believe safety is of the utmost importance to their company. We are here to try to fulfill your safety needs but in order to do so we need YOU to let us know your current interests and concerns.

Our meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month and we depend on your attendance and participation to help shape the direction of future meetings….ONCE AGAIN, THIS IS YOUR COUNCIL!!

For more information contact: Lori Harris (505)944-8422 or Johnny Johnson (505)884-5575

Show Up…..Participate…..

Help make sure your drivers COME HOME SAFE!!!

24 / New Mexico Trucking

WINTER 2017 / 25

Cross Border Talk: Industrial Development Driving the Santa Teresa Region By: Homer Bernal, NMDOT South Region Design

picture frame manufacturer in North America.

Through its investment in a new 215,000 s.f. warehouse/distribution center in Santa Teresa, MCS plans to receive its products through the port of entry and access a significant majority of its retail markets across the United States. Both MCS Industries and Valley Cold Storage utilize commercial trucks for the movement of their products, with estimated 20-30 trucks per day.

Wind energy has become a stable component in energy production throughout the United States.

Many of us have seen the large wind blades travel on our highways or now even on rail. What many individuals do not realize is a large quantity of manufactured wind blades enter the U.S. through the Santa Teresa port of entry and are stored on large storage yards in the Santa Teresa industrial area. The company TPI manufactures the wind blades in Cd. Juarez and transports the finished blades to Santa Teresa for distribution by commercial trucks and rail throughout the U.S. The increase in the production of wind blades has required more storage space in Santa Teresa; just recently 53 acres were cleared in the industrial area for storage.

R

ecent announcements of new companies locating in the Santa Teresa region continues to emphasize the importance of roads and rail as vital components to international trade of goods and services. Moreover, the necessity of developing clear strategies is more crucial than ever to respond to the changes within the border region that are occurring on a nearly daily basis.

The well-known package delivery provider FedEx just recently announced the location of a new distribution center in the Santa Teresa industrial area. This 215,000 square foot (s.f.) distribution facility, sitting on 31 acres, is currently under construction and will provide package distribution services. The completion of the FedEx facility is planned for early 2017 with an estimated increase in commercial truck traffic between 150-200 trucks per day. The majority of vehicle 26 / New Mexico Trucking

movement will occur at night.

Valley Cold Storage and Transportation also announced their plans to construct a 103,000 s.f. cold storage/distribution center, with the ability to expand to a 303,000 s.f. facility in Santa Teresa if the market requires. Valley Cold Storage will provide exactly what its title indicates – a cold storage facility that provides a refrigerated center for warehouse products, including chile and pecans received from clients in the U.S. and Mexico. It will also emphasize product distribution to different clients and markets in North America.

Not too long ago, MCS Industries, Inc. held a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially announce the opening of its new facility. The parent company is the largest

Rail service expansion has also occurred within the Santa Teresa industrial area as more companies are seeking to move their goods by utilizing both truck and rail. With the establishment of the Union Pacific Intermodal Rail Yard in Santa Teresa, which began intermodal service in April 2014, the truck to rail and rail to truck mode of transportation has brought more international trade to southern New Mexico. Recently three new rail spurs were constructed within the industrial zone that connects various companies to the Union Pacific rail line. A prime example is the truck to rail delivery of energy wind blades that now travel out of New Mexico by rail on Union Pacific trains.

The industrial development growth in the Santa Teresa region is stimulating the economic growth for New Mexico through the movement of freight (goods transported by truck, train, ship, or aircraft). This industrial growth illustrates

a direct link between transportation and economic development. Given the impact of increased trade on our roads and highways, strategic and innovative plans that ensure our transportation infrastructure is maintained are essential in the development of our state’s economy and future growth.

With this in mind, NMDOT continues to increase its cooperation and coordination with public, private, and non-profit stakeholders to promote international trade and commercial traffic in the Santa Teresa region and across the state of New Mexico. The goal is not only to anticipate the transportation infrastructure needs brought on by increased trade, but, more importantly to meet the needs of New Mexico’s economic future. To paraphrase an old proverb to fit today’s conditions, “no DOT is an island”, in our case NMDOT no longer sees itself as a stand-alone agency, but more as an important stakeholder in international trade.

WINTER 2017 / 27

Behind The Lights

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By Jack McCatherin, New Entrant Safety Auditor New Mexico State Police / Motor Transportation Division

B

io: Jack McCatherin works for the New Mexico State Police Commercial Enforcement Bureau where he serves as a New Entrant Safety Auditor. His eight years experience includes five years as a Transportation Inspector. As a Safety Auditor, Jack travels state wide examining documents to indicate compliance by motor carriers within their 1st eighteen months of operation.

In 2007 Jack and his wife Terry moved from Massachusetts to Mesilla. Hobbies include sports, (thirty years plus coaching youth and high school ice hockey), non-profit involvement, (past president Mass Hockey), and old cars.

Safety and Economic Equality When I talk to carrier owners, managers or transportation supervisors, I stress the value of their safety numbers.

Public and private access to this information is a determining factor for the price of insurance, an evaluation of performance, and a display of your business ethics within an industry that is too often judged by behaviors of non-compliant carriers. The media loves the big stories.

The impact of commercial vehicle crashes malign the millions of miles of safe operation.

For New Entrant Audit carriers, I talk up the value of safety measurement as a tool to promote their growth by identifying themselves as a safe carrier. Most people requesting a US DOT number believe there is a service they can provide, cheaper or better than those currently providing such service. Sometimes a new carrier can see a unique location or opportunity to put services together, furthering commerce and competition. To these new carriers I bring the elements of federal compliance. Those familiar with sales or robo calls can imagine the warmth of the response to my cold calls.

As a necessity, I start the process by framing their ability to control the safety measurement value and the tools available to them. We fill out the paperwork, insure the drivers understand their role in compliance, and build a relationship with the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement 28 / New Mexico Trucking

Bureau. In order to repair a score that has damaged your expectations, we recommend that carriers volunteer for vehicle and driver inspections. In support of this, I show these carriers the elements of safety factors within SMS, (safety measurement system) thru the Safer Portal. The recognition of the area of concern and the development of a repairing strategy, will determine the course of action.

I explain that data collection processes tickets, crashes and inspections; how inspection values based on SMS scoring determines who gets inspected, as well as focuses the inspection by element; and how a safety score can accelerate, if the effected element is not addressed. The carrier needs to monitor their score and enlist their employees for the health and growth of their company.

Included in this explanation is the fact that the New Mexico State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Bureau is a partner, not just with safe highways, but with safe carriers. We enforce the rules, prioritizing the inspection of those with the worst scores. Reviewing those companies found to not be complying by thoroughly investigating, specifically targeting those elements of previous violation in their history. Our enforcement selection, based on past records, (SMS) helps insure commercial competition not be effected

by Carriers that may not be following the rules of safe operation by authority, hours of service, insurance, drug and alcohol programs, and vehicle maintenance.

Carriers that have better scores are less likely to be subject to weigh station or roadside inspections based on our data collected.

The evolution of my motor carrier history, as my business plan was to support the best companies as an equipment service provider. My customers were manufacturers, large rental companies, the compressed gases industry, and medical companies. Without a safe operating history, (especially during and post 9/11), my customers would have not desired my services.

Through better education and the partnership building between our agency and industry members improvement to carriers scores and safer highways can be achieved.

er t s i Reg A.T. . as T ed in a r T

Stand up and be counted as T.A.T. trained!

New Mexico CALENDAR

Upcoming Industry News and Events!

December 15 – New Mexico Legislation may be Prefiled 21 - First Day of Winter 24 - Christmas Eve 25 - Christmas Day 31 - New Year’s Eve

2017 January 1 – New Years Day 4 – SMC Monthly Meeting 16 - Martin Luther King Day 17 - New Mexico Session begins February 1 - SMC Monthly Meeting 2 - Ground hog Day 12 - Lincoln’s Birthday 14 - Valentine’s Day 16 – NM Legislation Deadline for introduction 20 – Presidents Day 22 – Washington’s Birthday March 1 - SMC Monthly Meeting 18 – NM Legislation Session ends (noon) 12 Daylight Savings Begins 17 - St. Patrick’s Day 20 First Day of Spring April 5 - SMC Monthly Meeting 7 – NM Legislation not acted upon by governor is pocket vetoed 16 - Easter May 3 - SMC Monthly Meeting 5 - Cinco De Mayo 4 - New Mexico Trucking Highway Safety Alliance Annual Golf Tournament 5 - Member Breakfast Meeting 5 - VA Job Fair (Booths Available) 5 - Break out Rooms and Informational Sessions 5 - Trap Shoot @ abqTrapshoot 6 - Light Duty Wrecker / Recovery Training 6 - TDC (Truck Driving Competition) 6- Supertech (Elite Technician Competition) 6 - Annual Awards Banquet @ Isleta Resort and Casino 14 - Mother’s Day 29 - Memorial Day - Closed 30 / New Mexico Trucking

WHOS’S SUPPORTING THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY IN THE STATE!

Brewer Oil.................................................. 6, 21 CT Power....................................................... 21 Cummins Rocky Mountain............................ 17 Great West Casualty Company...................... 32 JJ Keller (NMTA)............................................ 9 McFall Electric................................................. 7 Meritor Drive force.......................................... 8 NY Life............................................................ 7 Ortiz Law......................................................... 8 Pro Drivers..................................................... 15 Purcell Tire..................................................... 11 Rush Truck Center............................................2 TRSC................................................................3 Truckers Against Trafficking...........................29 Walwork Financial..........................................21 Wells Fargo.......................................................9 Western Assurance..........................................17 NMTA Membership..........................................4 NMT Magazine...............................................31