The Colorado Motor Carriers Association is gearing up for the 71st Annual Convention and has now activated a custom website for information and registrations. The annual CMCA event is a major gathering of motor carrier executives from across the State and includes election of officers, informational presentations, nationally recognized speakers, and a banquet with awards. Set for September 23-25th. at the Sheraton hotel in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, this year's convention promises to be a memorial event celebrating the continuing success of CMCA.
Online registration is now open for the upcoming CMCA convention. Use the following links for registration:
The Colorado Department of Transportation has released the results of the first phase Feasibility Study, which found that a reversible lane on Interstate 70 in the mountains is geometrically feasible and if implemented in the eastbound direction, could reduce travel time by about half in this direction.
However, the study also found that this would double travel time for westbound travelers and that westbound traffic is too heavy to implement a reversible lane in the eastbound direction in the summer.
This "zipper lane or reversible lane" is a highway lane that can reverse direction during peak travel times to better manage traffic. It would stretch from eastbound I-70 west of Empire Junction and continue to the base of Floyd Hill, a total project length of about 15 miles.
Adding a reversible lane in the westbound direction would provide little benefit, the study found. Even though westbound traffic is heavy on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings, the highway is not at capacity for enough time to open the lane, which can take up to 1.5 hours to change direction. Therefore, if a reversible lane were to be implemented on I-70, it would be used only for eastbound traffic during the ski season on Sundays.
"While reversible lanes have been used with success in several states, they have not been used under the challenging conditions presented on the I-70 west mountain corridor," said Tony DeVito, CDOT region 1 director. "We know of no cases where zipper lanes have been used for such a long stretch of highway with no access in or out on a corridor with extreme weather and leaving only one lane on an Interstate highway. We are encouraged about the prospect of this project but we are proceeding cautiously to assure it provides a safe short-term solution to traffic without causing unacceptable problems for those traveling in the opposite direction or for the local communities."
This first phase Feasibility Study was conducted by the University of Arizona and the University of Colorado at Denver to take a very high-level look at the feasibility of implementing this lane under normal conditions. The primary purpose of the study was to assess what the impacts to westbound traffic would be if the highway was reduced to just one lane in this direction. It analyzed and simulated traffic operations based on collected traffic data for 236 Sundays between January 2004 and March 2010. However, it did not take into consideration inclement weather or incidents specifically.
CDOT is in the process of proceeding with the second phase of the study, working with stakeholders along I-70 to examine issues like snow removal, emergency response, wildlife, modes of operations and other environmental issues and concerns about access to local communities. CDOT plans to complete this phase by early 2011. If it is found to be safe, affordable and feasible, the system could be implemented in the 2011/2012 ski season. Policy and operational issues have not yet been discussed, nor has a method of funding the system. The system could cost between $30 and $35 million.
Dave Mogler, Fed Ex Freight, Denver, took 3rd place at the National Truck Driving Championships in the Twins division. Competition finished up on Saturday, August 8th. in Columbus, Ohio.
A New Jersey State Senator has introduced a measure that could make the Garden State's distracted driving law the strictest in the country.
State Sen. Richard Codey (D-Essex) introduced a bill earlier this month that would suspend the licenses of motorists caught talking or texting on a handheld device while driving, three times. A similar bill was proposed in the State’s lower house this week by Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (D-Union).
The proposed bill would keep the current fine of $100 for the first offense, but then progressively increase the penalties to $250 for the second offense and $500 for the third offense, as well as the suspension.
Drivers who show good behaviour -- going 10 years between offenses -- would go back to having zero strikes and not face the increased penalty.
Courtesy www.truckinginfo.com
CMCA offers ongoing training seminars in Denver and around the State. For a full schedule visit our training page.
To access the Online Advanced Training, CMCA members with access codes should now login at the McGrath Group Online Institute.
CMCA members can still receive this outstanding online training at discounted prices. To receive your password contact Patti Olsgard , Director of Safety, or call (303) 433-3375 ext 104.
If you are not a CMCA member, consider joining today.
The 2010 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition (MC&E), scheduled for Oct. 16-19 in Phoenix, will assess the economic recovery, midterm elections and environmental initiatives from a motor carrier’s perspective.
MC&E is the trucking industry’s premier event, showcasing new technologies and business services, with more than 150 exhibitors displaying everything from trucks and engines to software and support services. With abundant networking opportunities and social events in Phoenix, MC&E is also a place to cement the personal contacts that make a business successful.
Highlights will include:
<> A performance by award-winning actor and comedian Jason Alexander, who is best known for his role as George Costanza on the television sitcom Seinfeld.
<> A two-part general session on new fuel economy standards for large trucks focusing on likely engine modifications and examining probable vehicle adaptations.
<> Sixteen educational programs targeted to give you practical information you can implement in your business.
<> Bill Kurtis, one of America’s top journalists, and Bob Costello, Chief Economist for ATA, along with a panel of blue-ribbon economists will provide insight into key economic factors affecting the trucking industry today.
Click here for additional information and to register online.