Some truckers oppose letting Mexican trucks on U.S. roads

IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. When other Americans, such as myself, find out about Mexican Truck drivers replacing our fellow American truck drivers, they are going to be angry.

Americans don't want Mexican trucks and Mexicans freely driving throughout our country. Its a violation of our national security, individual safety, job security, and our soverignty. BUSH HAS PURPOSELY FAILED TO ADDRESS THE PUBLIC ABOUT HIS "SECURITY AND PROSPERITY PARTNERSHIP" FOR THIS REASON. He knows, if enough Americans find out in time, WE WILL RAISE ####.

Based on what I've read, our Bush, Rice, and Guitereze are selling out the middle class to make the ELITE BIG businessmen more rich by reducing their transportation costs and forming a NORTH AMERICAN UNION. They're violating the constitution by attmepting to do it without even a vote from Congress.

Our government is taking many small steps towards this goal. In the process, THEY WILL REPLACE NOT ONLY THE US TRUCK DRIVERS BUT ALSO AMERICAN JOBS IN MANY OTHER INDUSTRIES AS WELL.

We need to TELL EVERY ONE YOU KNOW ABOUT WHAT BUSH IS DOING and encourage them to contact Congress about every issue:

Stop Illegal Immigration
NO Amnesty to Illegal Immigrants
Build a secure Southern Border Wall
No Mexican Truck drivers
NO NAFTA Highway
No Security and Prosperity Partnership
NO North American Union


I've personally talked with several groups who are actively fighting this and they've encouraged that its not too late!

START RAISING #### BY SPEADING THE WORD AND REPEATED CONTACTING CONGRESS!

 

Of course it makes sense!!! Look at the average, white, working-stiff American family: Husband grinds at a job all day, mom stays home and takes care of the kids...they pay taxes for 40-50 years and can barely scrape by on SS benefits when they get older and retired. The Cubans can float up on our beaches, get an instant check for $36,000(of YOURmoney, get food stamps, interest-free loans to purchase a home, and a business, plus full SS benefits, medicare, and a big check each month (of YOUR money) for each child and dependent. The illegals get full benefits as well...and our long-time, hard-working Americans get screwed.
Check this out:
It is hard to believe there are American citizens who support her theories and can make any sense of what she spins. Take a good hard look at what she wants. Take special note of the last paragraph.

Nancy Pelosi condemned the new record highs of the stock market as "just another example of Bush policies helping the rich get richer" "First Bush cut taxes for the rich and the economy has rebounded with new record low unemployment rates, which only means wealthy employers are getting even wealthier at the expense of the underpaid working class".



She went on to say "Despite the billions of dollars being spent in Iraq our economy is still strong and government tax revenues are at all time highs. What this really means is that business is exploiting the war effort and working Americans, just to put money in their own pockets".



When questioned about recent stock market highs she responded "Only the rich benefit from these record highs. Working Americans, welfare recipients, the unemployed and minorities are not sharing in these obscene record highs". "There is no question these windfall profits and income created by the Bush administration need to be taxed at 100% rate and those dollars redistributed to the poor and working class". "Profits from the stock market do not reward the hard work of our working class who, by their hard work, are responsible for generating these corporate profits that create stock market profits for the rich. We in congress will need to address this issue to either tax these profits or to control the stock market to prevent this unearned income to flow to the rich."



When asked about the fact that over 80% of all Americans have investments in mutual funds, retirement funds, 401K's, and the stock market she replied "That may be true, but probably only 5% account for 90% of all these investment dollars. That's just more "trickle down" economics claiming that if a corporation is successful that everyone from the CEO to the floor sweeper benefit from higher wages and job security which is ridiculous". "How much of this 'trickle down' ever get to the unemployed and minorities in our county? None, and that's the tragedy of these stock market highs."



"We democrats are going to address this issue after the election when we take control of the congress. We will return to the 60% to 80% tax rates on the rich and we will be able to take at least 30% of all current lower Federal Income Tax tax payers off the roles and increase government income substantially. We need to work toward the goal of equalizing income in our country and at the same time limiting the amount the rich can invest."



When asked how these new tax dollars would be spent, she replied "We need to raise the standard of living of our poor, unemployed and minorities. For example, we have an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in our country who need our help along with millions of unemployed minorities. Stock market windfall profits taxes could go a long ways to guarantee these people the standard of living they would like to have as "Americans"."

 

Are the majority of US truck drivers aware of what's going on ???

So many Americans are still totally in the dark...........


In the mean time, Bush and Rice are frequently providing speeches in Mexico about it.....promising how many jobs this "partnership" will create for them....


Guess they feel too above the Constitution to address Americans.....

 

What else can we do besides right our reps. Must we watch our country destroy itself?

How can there be equal trade when people in Mexico receive 10.00 a day or if your lucky, 15.00

Construction workers make $100.00 a 5 1/2 week job.

When I was living in Mexico a Mexican 1/4 mile from my home in on the BA JA freeway robbed and killed a Mexican leaving the dead mans wife alone. As it turns out, the 21-year old murder was our communities' water delivery son. A week late a cops head was cut off 50KM from San Diego, Ca.

When I moved to La Mission - 72 KM from San Diego November 2001, my new pickup was stolen two months later.

Everyone steals and give a cop 20 to 50 dollars and he won't site you.

Every kid of poor families is on meth and they drop out of school in the small communities after 6th grade unless the family has money to pay for high school.

Young girls at 14 with a child and then dumped to the curb.

The 21-year old killer left a 16-year girl friend behind and a 1-year old

child.

When you drive into the interior of Mexico there are road pirates.

Our world is changing. What really sucks is I know brokers that will prosper from this deal, less revenue to the trucks/drivers.

I guess I could to but I refuse to sell out our country but if it happens, I'll most likely lay my head down and cry, cry, cry!


I'm concerned about U.S/Mexico Cross border Trucking. I found a topic on your forum and will post my findings. I really hope Americans can unite to fight this nightmare.

I spoke to Senator Gordon Smith through a radio stations program allowing Oregonians to ask your Senator a question in 2001. Senator Smith, told me we had enough trucks on the road already when I asked him if you thought allowing 190,000 Mexican trucks into the U. S. was a good idea.

In mid 2001, I shut my small trucking business down and moved to BA JA, Mexico where I lived 3-years and nine months, departing in late August 2006.

I've mailed my letter to my Senator and other elected rep's. These letters can be found at:


I'd post the link but must have 25 posts first. I've assembled together alot of facts and questions but you can copy the following and post it in a search engine if your interested or go to the International Brotherhood of Teamsters forum where I signed there petition.

Super Highway and U.S./Mexico Cross border traffic

I posted my intro but its not in your forum. I'm the EQNEEDF - I'm on the net.

These are some of facts and the areas of concern I've come up with:

The American Trucking Research Institute has reported that trucks carry almost 68 percent of all domestic tonnage and the total tonnage requirement is expected to rise steadily. All the economic indicators seem to indicate that the trucking industry will continue to experience sustained growth over the next decade. That growth will translate directly into increased demand for truck drivers, vehicles and specialized equipment as the demand to move more and more cargo and commodities throughout the nation grows. How that increased economic activity will translate into opportunities for those that serve the needs of the trucking community is the question for many small businesses that provide essential support to the industry.

One Year Pilot Program

"This latest effort will implement NAFTA's access provisions with a one-year pilot program limited to 100 Mexican Trucking companies. Mexico responded to the U.S. announcement by saying it will allow 100 U.S. carriers to travel across the border into Mexico. The DOT says the first Mexican trucks could roll into the U.S. in about 60 days (in May).

The Pilot program was announced on February 23 by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters and Mexican Secretary of Communication and Transportation Luis Téllez.

Mexican carriers operating in the U.S., according to DOT, must comply with the same safety, environmental, insurance, homeland security and other regulatory requirements that American carriers currently meet.

"Peters said the program's objective is to simplify the current process, which requires Mexican truckers to stop and wait for U.S. trucks to arrive and transfer cargo. This process, noted Peters, wastes money, drives up the cost of goods, and leaves trucks loaded with cargo idling inside U.S. borders. She added that under current rules, U.S. trucks are not allowed into Mexico because the United States refused to implement provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement that would have permitted safe cross-border trucking.

"The United States has never shied away from opportunities to compete, to open new markets and to trade with the world," said Peters. "Now that safety and security programs are in place, the time has come for us to move forward on this longstanding promise with Mexico."

Of the 100 motor carriers, 70 already operate in the U.S. commercial zone - leaving 30 Mexican-domiciled carriers being considered with no experience operating on U.S. soil. "On Thursday, Feb. 22, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters announced that U.S. officials would be inspecting the Mexican motor carriers in Mexico.

Of the 100 motor carriers, 70 already operate in the U.S. commercial zone - leaving 30 Mexican-domiciled carriers being considered with no experience operating on U.S. soil.

Required operating authority for these carriers would allow transportation only of international cargo, not U.S. domestic cargo. Carriers would also need to show proof of insurance and pay all state and federal operational taxes and registration fees, according to DOT.

"Peters said the program's objective is to simplify the current process, which requires Mexican truckers to stop and wait for U.S. trucks to arrive and transfer cargo. This process, noted Peters, wastes money, drives up the cost of goods, and leaves trucks loaded with cargo idling inside U.S. borders. She added that under current rules, U.S. trucks are not allowed into Mexico because the United States refused to implement provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement that would have permitted safe cross-border trucking.

Mexican truck companies that allowed to participate in the program will all be required to have insurance with a U.S. licensed firm and meet all U.S. safety standards. And companies that meet these standards will be allowed to make international pick up and deliveries only and will not be able to move goods from one U.S. city for delivery to another or haul hazardous materials or transport passengers.

"The United States has never shied away from opportunities to compete, to open new markets and to trade with the world," said Peters. "Now that safety and security programs are in place, the time has come for us to move forward on this longstanding promise with Mexico."

"Peters added that the Department of Transportation has implemented an inspection program to ensure the safe operation of Mexican trucks crossing the border. This program will have U.S. inspectors conduct in-person safety audits to make sure participating Mexican companies comply with U.S. safety regulations, which require all Mexican truck drivers to hold a valid commercial drivers license, carry proof they are medically fit, comply with all U.S. hours-of-service rules and be able to understand questions and directions in English."

"Peters said U.S. inspection teams will visit Mexican trucking companies to ensure their trucks and drivers meet the same safety, insurance and licensing requirements that apply to all U.S. truckers. She added the inspectors will evaluate truck maintenance and driver testing for compliance with U.S. requirements.

The inspection teams also will check whether drivers have a valid commercial driver's license, have a current medical certificate and can comply with U.S. hours-of-service rules.

The teams will review driving histories for each driver the company plans to use to operate within the U.S. and verify the company is insured by U.S.-licensed firms.

Inspection teams will verify that every U.S.-bound truck has passed a comprehensive safety inspection. Trucks lacking required documentation will be subject to a "hood to tail-lamps" inspection by the teams.

Peters told press in El Paso, TX, that in "about 60 days" when the initial safety audits are done and proof-of-insurance verified, the first Mexican trucks will begin traveling beyond the border areas.

"We are ready with modern inspection facilities (at the U.S.-Mexico border), and we have hired and trained hundreds of inspectors," Peters said. "All told, 540 federal and state inspectors are already on the job, standing by to screen trucks coming across the border."

Peters contends those inspections at the border will guarantee safe operation of the Mexican motor carriers, based on current experience.

"Our records show that Mexican trucks currently operating in the commercial zone are as safe as the trucks operated by companies here in the United States," she said. "We know this because federal and state inspectors are already screening the trucks crossing into our country from Mexico."

"They can't confirm whether they are safe or not. The documentation doesn't exist on driver experience, drug testing or anything else," OOIDA President Jim Johnston said."

OOIDA, I and others don't have a lot of faith in those statements.

"Utilizing FMCSA data, OOIDA officials determined the agency shows there were more than 4.65 million incoming trucks to the US from Mexico in 2005. Those 4.65 million trucks represent the entire vehicle population that could be subjected to an inspection.

Simple math indicates that the inspection rate of the entire available vehicle population is 3.9 percent. To put it another way, a Mexican truck has a 96.1 percent of not being inspected at any border crossing in the country.

"Outrageous is the best way to describe the U.S. Department of Transportation's nearly simultaneous announcements that all safety and security issues with Mexican motor carriers have been resolved, and that 100 of these trucking companies will now be given U.S. DOT's blessing to operate throughout the United States," said OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer."

In 2002 Congress directed that states:

Few states have adopted laws on trucks with international shipments and not a single state enforces these laws nor have their law enforcement officers ever been trained on what to enforce and how to assure compliance with U.S. law and that safety had to be assured before the border opens."

U.S.-domiciled motor carriers won't be allowed into Mexico for a few months after Mexican trucks begin operating in the U.S."

 

Issues/Questions for Mexican Trucking Companies and Questions for DOE/DOT?

1. How many Green Light Weigh Stations (Electronic weigh in motion systems) are in Mexico in order to determine weight prior to trucks entering America? Trucks over weight may unload their cargo at a border truck stop equipped with a distribution station. The Weigh in Motion system will alert Truck Stop Distribution Centers and DOT.

2. U. S. DOT Motor Carrier information relating too authority and insurance, carrier/owner operator safety records, driver drug programs, truck/trailer identification and computer analysis of Green Light Stations verifying truck/trailer axle weights, etc., inside Mexico placed on main Mexico Highways, alerting U. S. DOT 100 miles prior to truck crossing into America which violations/standards truck is not adhering to. In this way, truck can be routed to the proper truck stop inside Mexico or on the border in the U. S (1/4 mile radius) in order for the Owner-Operator and or Motor Carrier the means and ability to correct any deficiency in weight standards or regulations/standards not met. Yet there has been no attempt to implement this program. Why?

3. How many rest areas have been built in Mexico to accommodate U. S. trucks and are they federally protected?

4. What guarantee do U. S. trucks have that they won't be targeted by local police in every municipality as a source of income for varying violations?"

5. BA JA needs a truck stop inside Mexico in between Ensenada and Rosaritio on the Quota. LA CASA REAL was well suited for a regional truck stop. The area I chose to develop in 2001 consists of approximately 600-acres and is in between Bajamar world-class golf course and Ba Ja Seasons RV Resort next to the ocean. The area is known as Ejido Ursulo Galvan. This truck stop location was under my control for years and would have provided BA JA peninsula cities such as Camalu, known for their Tomatoes, Sonora, Ensenada, Mexicalli, San Felipe, etc., a Mexican DOT inspection Station allowing for in house enforcement to ensure Mexican trucks adhere to U. S. FHWA/DOT regulations and standards.

I offered this location to our President in 2001 and to date the location still exists.

Issues related to the entry of Mexican trucks into the United States, letter to President George Bush (March 14, 2001)

6. San Ysidro and Calexico, California; Santa Teresa, New Mexico; and other boarding cities/states should be evaluated for development of secondary Truck Stops/U. S. DOT inspection stations. How many have been built?

7. Will U. S. trucks be required to pay Mexico Federal Heavy Highway Tax?

8. Are U. S./Mexico highway signs in English and Spanish?

9. Does the Mexico DOT have its highways, byways, city streets and bridges listed in compressive maps as to weight or zone restrictions and or accessible to the internet?

GIS Data - US/Mexico Border Transportation Planning – FHWA

North American Transportation Atlas Data (NORTAD) CD (DOS and Unix)

Mexico’s land transportation network is one of the most extensive in Latin America

US/Mexico Border Transportation Planning – FHWA

Virtual Mexico - Maps of Mexico

Road Logs and Driving guides for Mexico's Interior Highways by On The Road In and Mexpro Mexican Auto Insurance - The only safe way to drive a car in Mexico
Drive the entire Mexico Pacific Coast safely using Ontheroadin.com/Mexpro Highway 15 and Highway 200 Road Logs and Driving Guide

Mexico: Mexico Expo - Mexico Driving Tips

Driving the Pan-American Highway to Mexico and Central America

Mexico - Highways 15, 40 and 1. Beware of Highway 15 in the state of Sinaloa and of Highway 40 between the city of Durango and the Pacific coast areas

Mex 200 Route At Lazaro Cardenas CONFUSION!

“Mex 200 is the West Coast highway that begins where Mex 15 leaves off. Headed south along the coast, you greet Mex 15 at Nogales, and follow it some eight hundred miles south to the city of Tepic, where the highway veers eastward to Mexico City. Therefore at Tepic, to continue southbound to (Puerto Vallarta, Barra de Navidad, Manzanillo, Acapulco, Puerto Escondido) you must turn on to Mex 200, a mostly two-lane road.

Now Mexico has several very good North/South routes spread across the width of the country. But until recently there existed only a of "good" routes that transited the formidable "Sierras" mountains. The first, is Mex 15 itself, which continues on east, passing through Guadalajara and on to Mexico City. The second more recently completed route connects the west coast port city of Manzanillo to Guadalajara. But south of Manzanillo barely halfway down Mexico's west coast, there has been a dearth of "acceptable" highways that would connect popular interior destinations to important coastal destinations.

For the last several years now, we Mexicophiles have been waiting for the completion of a super highway link between the popular interior destinations of Morelia and Patzcuaro Michoacan, and the coast highway Mex 200. The old highway Mex 37 required six hours by car and around nine tortuous hours by RV. You name it, no striping, a billion pot holes, steep up and downs, dozens of villages with scores of unmarked speed bumps...the recollecting of this bring back a sour stomach.

But Mex 37 is completed with the exception of around twenty miles. It saves transit times by more than half. No topes, The superhighway is a godsend but the dullards in the highway department forgot to put up signs! Even 2005 maps cannot decipher the correct route around the coastal city of Lazaro Cardenas. Few folks southbound on Mex 200 end up finding the "on ramp" to the new Mex 37-D highway, and even those of us on our way past Mex 37-D southward to such destinations of Zihuatanejo and Acapulco, MISS a vital section of toll road that skims more than a half hour transit time past Lazaro Cardenas.”

 

Mexico Distance Chart Interior Highways

Americans planning travel to Mexico should read:

Inter country Adoption Mexico

International Parental Child Abduction Mexico

Current as of Sun Mar 04 02:32:17 2007

Mexico Public Announcement September 15, 2006

Public Announcement January 18, 2007

New Requirements for Travelers

Worldwide Caution Public Announcement
Criminal assaults occur on highways throughout Mexico; travelers should exercise extreme caution at all times, avoid traveling at night

Pirates Ride High on Mexico Highways - November 1999
Robbers are terrorizing the roads in a manner not seen since the revolution Authorities blame organized crime and the underground economy - Today it is worse.

by Mary Beth Sheridan
L.A. Times Staff Writer

Nestor Castellanos eased his 18-wheeler onto the freeway, carefully checking the rearview mirror. Tailing him was a black minivan with two pistol-packing guards. In the seat behind Castellanos perched a former riot police officer, tear gas at the ready.

"We've got dangerous cargo," warned the driver.

10. If a U. S. driver is in an accident within Mexico will they go to jail? Mexico’s current law exclaims anyone in an accident is guilty and can be incarnated to include confiscation of the truck?

11. Mexico requires BA JA and or Federal Mexican plates to travel in their country, a minimum cost of $2,000.00. America should require and issue special plates to Mexican carriers and owner operators. Truck CVSA sticker, Cargo and liability insurance must be current and paid in advance annually in order to be issued these plates. Will these plates have bar codes that will be electronically read by Customs, Secondary Truck Stop inspection stations and DOT in order to verify pertinent information’s regarding Motor Carrier/Owner Operator, cargo and liability insurance, IRP, IFTA, SSRT, CVSA, BOC-3, and drug testing programs, etc.?

12. Will there be heavy Motor Carrier fines to use false CDL? Dual Mexican and American CDL license in order to enter either Mexico or America and Mexican DOT must originate a WEB Site allowing access to information on their registered drivers including their driving records.

13. Will Mexican Motor Carriers and Owner Operators belong to IRP and IFTA and pay weight and mile distance tax in those states that require this road tax?

14. Will Mexican Motor Carriers and Owner Operators submit Single State Registration Tax (SSRT) to those states that require this dual cargo and liability insurance verification?

15. Will Mexican trucks have Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) inspection stickers issued upon entrance into the U.S. by the DOT and maintained quarterly?

16. If a Motor Carrier or Owner Operator is caught hauling illegal cargo, will their authorization to enter the U. S. should be revoked permanently. The argument “I’m not responsible for the actions of my driver” is not affective?

17. Will Mexican Owner-Operators and Motor Carriers register themselves and or drivers in a Drug Free Transportation Consortium to include initial drug testing?

18. Will Mexican Owner-Operators and Motor Carriers have on file BOC-3 (Process Agents)?

19. Oregon based Motor Carriers are required by law to maintain Workers Compensation on their drivers. Will Mexican drivers have equivalent insurance on their drivers?

20. Has Weight and Mile Distance Tax been introduced to Mexican DOT?

 

“So-called "double-bottoms" “trucks hauling two trailers” were estimated to increase truckers' load capacity by 35 percent, offering the industry improved ability to compete with rail carriers' stacked container methods. In the early 1990s, industry firms continued to push for legislative reforms permitting them to use double- and triple-trailers and other "longer combination vehicle" arrangements more widely.”

21. You must be an experienced driver to haul double and triple trailers. What level of experience will Mexican drivers be required to have in order to haul said same in the U. S.?

22. Fuel purchased in Mexico doesn't pay for U. S. Highway taxes U. S. Trucks must pay in addition to selected states road pr mile tax and Federal Highway heavy Usage Tax. Will there be a regulated tax to off set highway taxes lost in order to allocate fair Heavy Highway Usage?

“Several industry innovations have been direct responses to government regulations in the areas of vehicle emissions, radar evasion devices, and highway safety. Environmental Protection Agency pollution mandates and related clean air laws drove industry firms in the 1980s and 1990s to explore alternatives to diesel and gasoline fuels. In 1993, for example, all trucks were required to begin using low sulfur fuels. Although the practicality of other fuel sources such as compressed natural gas and liquid petroleum was unclear in the early 1990s, research breakthroughs in fuel modification, exhaust after-treatment, and engine redesign resulted in reductions in diesel engine emissions of 40 percent over preregulatory levels.”

23. Will Mexican trucks be required to adhere to EPA standards?

24. Will Mexican trucks be held to the highest standards like U. S. trucking firms are federally regulated to do?

25. How many rest areas have been built in Mexico since 2001?

26. What's the free hot line verifying Mexican Authority, labiality and cargo insurance? U. S. DOT hotline for Motor Carrier and or Broker verification of authority, BOC-3, cargo and liability insurance is 202-358-7000.

27. While Mexican trucks will not be allowed INTRA traffic within states, how will you enforce it? Brokers could easy broker a load or go to the Internet Truck Stop and find your own load rather then dead heading home. While the intent may be spelled out not to allow INTRA traffic for Mexican trucks, our own INS is unable to enforce employment laws in regards to hiring illegal aliens.

“DOT has maintained for at least a decade that the licenses used in Mexico to drive trucks are the equivalent of the American CDL, yet present facts don't back up these assertions.

U.S. regulations on Americans are much more stringent in terms of verifying that a driver has been drug tested.

U.S. licenses can also be verified to show driving history, violations and compliance of any vehicle driven going back even a decade or longer.

When enforcement officials run a Mexican CDL, the only information he can access will be that of previous operation in the U.S., not Mexico where a driver might have a rap sheet as along as your arm.

Mexico has never had specific drug testing regulations or hours-of-service rules for its drivers that could be verified or enforced and still don’t.

There is simply no way anyone can verify hours of driving as Mexican Drivers enter the U.S. from Mexico.

Once a truck from Mexico clears the border, enforcement of rules covering international shipments and authority is non-existent.” OOIDA

 

“Airborne Express is one of the largest interstate trucking firms in the U.S., with in excess of 2,000 units and 2,900 drivers. The company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.”

28. Where are the 100 Mexican Trucking Companies web sites or Mexico DOT web site that list all the companies and businesses that intend to travel U. S. Highways equal to Airborne Express Trucking Safety Record Attorney Gordon S. Johnson, Jr.

29. Where does GPS tracking and or Cross International License Plates play into DOT's plan?

​

30. Will the Mexican Trucks be tracked by the DOT?

Advanced Mapping Technology for the Trucking Industry

DOE Shipment Tracking System Assessment - Feb 2005

5.6. Summary

DOE should continue to monitor the products and services of vehicle tracking vendors since the industry is evolving rapidly. The recent trend has been for vendors to switch dynamically between communication networks (satellite, cellular, wireless LAN) to maximize coverage and minimize cost. Increasingly sophisticated geofencing options allow for greater visibility and control over truck movements.

“Tracking technologies use sophisticated computer systems to record the progress of freight from origin to destination and satellite technologies to provide precise locations of fleet trucks. Bar code labels on freight packages and portable bar code scanners permitted industry firms to process extensive data on individual loads and monitor the movement of those loads during transport. Such electronic data interchange (EDI) systems allowed truckers to "capture" data automatically and permitted shippers to link up with a carrier's computer to access data on proof of delivery, invoices, shipment routing, and freight consolidation in "real time" with greater accuracy, and with reduced administrative paperwork and storage.

Handheld, laptop, and dashboard-mounted computers let truckers communicate with company computers, keep track of information on fuel taxes and fuel management performance, store navigational maps and information on truck stops and repair facilities, record departures and arrivals, send and receive messages, monitor vehicle speed and engine conditions, and register mileage or the results of trailer inspections.

Although satellite technology for vehicle tracking and navigation has been available since the early 1980s, active industry interest began only in 1987 when the first LT carriers began installing satellite tracking equipment. These systems enabled trucking firms to locate trucks to accuracies of 300 yards by linking on-board computers with company dispatchers via specialized satellites. Less expensive "meteor burst" systems bounced VHF radio waves off meteor trails to obtain the same positioning coordinates offered by satellite signals.

 

Using satellite tracking equipment, C. R. England and Sons achieved 98 percent on-time performance in the early 1990s. Although satellite tracking systems can add as much as 2 percent to operating costs, 2,000 U.S. trucking fleets had two-way satellite data links in 1992, and 30,000 trucks were equipped with position location systems. The number of trucks equipped with vehicle tracking equipment was expected to continue to grow.

A wide range of technology applications were introduced or were under development, ranging from "early warning systems" that use radar technology to inform drivers when they are approaching a vehicle too quickly; cab-mounted computers that reduce accidents by enabling dispatchers to remotely monitor the status of the driver and vehicle; electronic systems for registering automatic payment of tolls without requiring trucks to stop; systems for automatically monitoring freight and engine temperatures and setting temperature levels in refrigerated vehicles; and diagnostic and prognostic software packages that allow engine computers to predict component failure based on engine performance trends.

Trucks themselves have been subject to technological research and advancement. German truck manufacturers Freightliner and Mercedes Benz tested a second generation of truck design that uses an interactive video computer system. Called Vector, the system videotapes the highway as the truck drives along, interprets data such as speed and traffic, and directs the truck as to what speed it should operate. Application of this technology was not expected to reach the marketplace until well into 2000.

Potentially important technologies outside of the truck cab included laser image-processing and optical character recognition devices for speeding up paperwork using electronic scanning techniques; driver training simulators based on aerospace industry designs; shipment planner software to allow truckers to reduce "deadhead" (or empty trailer) miles; and fax and voice response systems that provide shippers with constantly updated rate quotes, transit times, and locations of in-transit shipments.”

31. Will the Senate and Congress guarantee the American people/residents that everything is in order?

“The administration largely ignored the intent of Congress when specific criteria for Mexican trucks were spelled out in the 2002 legislation, it has totally ignored lawmakers admonishment that no taxpayer funds be spent in reviewing or processing applications of Mexican trucking companies,” Spencer said.

“Clearly, the agency has reviewed hundreds and Congress is still waiting on verification of safety systems that are up and running,” said OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer.