😰🚂 Panic Stations
Good morning! As the world slowly emerges from the shadows of uncertainty, it's essential to find reasons to celebrate and bring a burst of color to our lives. And what better way to infuse our supply chain community with vibrant energy than by honoring National Pink Day?
National Pink Day, observed every June 23rd, serves as a reminder to embrace the beauty and positivity that color can bring to our professional endeavors. 💕💗🌸
—————————
The Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has proposed a new rule that would require all railroads to immediately provide detailed information about the cargo aboard their trains to every emergency responder within a 10-mile radius in the event of a derailment. This rule aims to ensure that first responders are well-informed about the potentially hazardous chemicals being transported, enabling them to initiate a specialized response promptly. The proposed rule comes in light of a National Transportation Safety Board hearing examining the emergency response to a recent Norfolk Southern train derailment, which raised concerns about railroad safety.
The proposed rule comes in light of a National Transportation Safety Board hearing examining the emergency response to a recent Norfolk Southern train derailment, which raised concerns about railroad safety. While major freight railroads already have an app called AskRail that provides cargo information, this new rule would apply to all railroads carrying chemicals, covering approximately 600 companies.
Check out today’s featured article from AP News to read more about the new rules that may help future train derailments and shorten the after-effects of it. Will this help solve or at least shorten the devastating effects of train derailments? Can this rule actually be required for all railroads?
Featured Article:
New rule would make all railroads alert first responders within 10 miles of derailed train cargo | AP News
“ Federal regulators want first responders to a train derailment to know exactly what they are dealing with even before they reach the scene because the dangerous chemicals trains carry might require a specialized response.”
Autonomous Driving & Big Rigs
Loadsmith's Ambitious Plan to Deploy 800 Kodiak Self-Driving Trucks
Third-party Capacity-as-a-Service startup, Loadsmith, is making a bold move in the logistics industry by ordering a whopping 800 autonomous trucks from Kodiak Robotics. These self-driving trucks will form the backbone of Loadsmith's emerging Loadsmith Freight Network. Equipped with Kodiak Driver self-driving technology, the trucks are set to revolutionize the middle miles of freight transportation on some of the most popular lanes in the United States. Loadsmith's CEO and founder, Brett Suma, envisions collaborating with smaller fleets on multiyear contracts, where human drivers will handle the first and final miles of goods movement.
Suma highlights that the adoption of autonomous vehicles (AVs) is partly motivated by addressing the current driver shortage and redefining the role itself. The delivery of the Kodiak Driver-powered self-driving trucks by Kodiak Robotics is scheduled to commence in the second half of 2025, subject to regulations allowing autonomous operations without human drivers. Suma expresses a long-standing interest in autonomous technology, emphasizing its potential to transform the role of drivers and pave the way for the next generation of workers.
Let’s Get Global 🌎
Checking out the scoop outside of the United States…
🚁 New ‘flying taxis’ from France will fly passengers at the 2024 Olympics. Paris is setting the stage for a transportation revolution as it prepares for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games by planning a fleet of electric flying taxis. The integration of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs) is positioned to reshape urban air mobility, with the French capital potentially becoming the first to commercially fly taxis if European regulators approve. While initial battery limitations restrict the range and capacity of eVTOLs, advancements in airspace management and technological innovation are expected to propel the industry forward.
🚗 China's Electric-Vehicle Battle Goes Global. Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, led by companies like BYD, are encountering obstacles as they expand their presence overseas due to rising protectionism. Although Chinese EV brands have gained prominence domestically, with electric cars accounting for a significant portion of total sales in China, factors such as the end of generous subsidies, price wars, and weak consumer sentiment are compelling these companies to seek opportunities abroad. China has already become the world's largest exporter of automobiles, primarily driven by the global demand for electric vehicles.
iLevel With You 🏡
More topics for the average American household to consider…
🔌 When was the first electrically powered windshield wiper invented? In 1917, Charlotte, a woman inventor, built upon Mary Anderson's manual windshield wiper design. Mary's inspiration came from a snowy day in New York City when she couldn't see out of the trolley car's windows. Frustrated by the experience, she created a spring-loaded arm with a rubber blade that could be operated from inside the car. Charlotte took this idea and improved upon it by developing an electrically operated windshield wiper that utilized rollers instead of blades. She introduced her invention, known as the "Electric Storm Windshield Cleaner," through her manufacturing company, Bridgwood Manufacturing.
📦 FedEx Anticipates No Benefit from UPS-Teamsters Negotiations. FedEx does not expect any significant benefits from the ongoing labor negotiations between UPS and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, according to EVP and Chief Customer Officer Brie Carere. Despite potential concerns among UPS shippers, FedEx remains focused on its strong value proposition and engaging with legacy UPS customers to drive sales. While negotiations between UPS and the Teamsters have made progress, FedEx's performance in the fiscal year 2024 will depend on various external factors, including economic conditions, trade activity, inventory restocking, and e-commerce trends.
⬆️ Expectations of Further Rate Hikes in 2023. Federal Reserve officials expect to raise interest rates further this year to combat excessive inflation in the United States, according to Chair Jerome Powell. However, the Fed decided to keep interest rates unchanged last week in order to assess the impact of higher borrowing rates on the economy. The contrast between the Fed's concern over inflation and its decision to skip a rate hike has raised uncertainty about its next moves. Powell emphasized the importance of striking a balance and taking a more moderate pace in rate hikes to avoid causing a deep recession. While a rate hike in late July seems likely, future actions will depend on economic data and whether inflation is falling back to the target level.
Get Smart 🧠
Ramp up that brain power for these advanced topics…
🚚 Navistar Unveils Impressive Results from International SuperTruck II Project. Navistar, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy, has announced the successful outcomes of the International SuperTruck II project. The project showcased significant advancements in fuel efficiency, achieving an impressive 16 miles per gallon (MPG) through hybridization and a remarkable 170% improvement in freight efficiency compared to the 2009 baseline vehicle. The project focused on weight reduction, rolling resistance technologies, aerodynamic improvements, and powertrain technologies to reduce the nation's reliance on fossil fuels. The International SuperTruck II demonstrated substantial gains in vehicle efficiency, engine brake thermal efficiency, and total ownership costs. With a focus on sustainable mobility, Navistar aims to commercialize hybrid technologies that can be utilized for fully electric vehicles, offering improved total cost of ownership (TCO) and business operations.
⬇️ Freight Sector Nears Turning Point as Depressed Market Rebalances in May. The freight sector is on the cusp of a turning point as the market rebalances and prepares for a rebound in business conditions, according to ACT Research. May statistics from ACT's For-Hire Trucking Index indicate that while demand remains soft, the decrease in destocking is contributing to a larger volume of available freight. The Trucking Volume Index saw a significant increase in May, suggesting that the industry is in the later stages of the freight downturn. Independent economic data from the American Trucking Associations also supports the notion of a turning point, with the For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index rising in May. Other indicators, such as the Pricing Index and Capacity Index, point to stabilization and a potential market balance in the near term.
☀️ Deepening Duck Curves Accompany California's Growing Solar Capacity. As solar capacity in California continues to grow, grid operators are facing challenges related to the "duck curve." The duck curve refers to the graphed pattern of a midday dip in net load (demand remaining after subtracting variable renewable generation), followed by a steep rise in the evenings when solar generation drops off. This pattern is observed due to the increasing solar generation during the day and the reduction in conventional power plant usage. The duck curve presents challenges for grid operators in terms of balancing supply and demand in real-time, as well as economic implications for conventional power plants. However, energy storage systems, such as batteries, are being deployed to store excess solar energy during the day and release it during the evening, helping to flatten the curve. The duck curve phenomenon is not limited to California and is increasingly observed in other regions with growing solar generation.