On Wednesday, August 14, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) released five proposals intended to increase roadway safety and ease driving rules for truckers.
The five key revisions are:
The public comment period will be open for 45 days. Instructions on how to submit comments can be found here.
If these proposed changes go into effect, Thermo King’s TriPac® Evolution Diesel and TriPac Envidia® All-Electric APUs will become an even more powerful tool to strengthen your fleet. A drivers’ total rest duration would be shorter and more frequent. An APU could save you money because it would not be necessary to idle the truck when the driver is taking a mandatory break. Reduced tractor idling also has the added benefit of offering lower runtime and maintenance costs.
In addition to lower costs, APUs can increase driver comfort, which could lead to retention. Drivers spend long days away from home on the road, and a comfortable sleeper is important for well-rested and safe drivers. The APU brings the comfort of home to wherever home is for the driver whether it’s for a short break or overnight stay.
ThermoLite® solar panels will also be beneficial since more frequent driver stops and increased APU usage may lead to low batteries. Solar panels help lower operational costs by reducing diesel APU run time by 20 to 30% and extend battery life to five or more years. With APUs, solar offsets daytime heat loads, helps maintain peak performance, and provides a full battery bank even in low light conditions
According to the FMCSA, the trucking industry employs more than seven million people and moves 70 percent of the nation’s domestic freight. These proposed rules on hours of service regulations could provide $274 million in savings for the U.S. economy and American consumers. Why not use Thermo King products to help increase savings to your business.