Better truck parking is on the Senate’s docket
Good morning! As we wrap up another week of supply chain news and updates, we'll take a look at some of the top stories impacting the industry. So grab your coffee and let's dive in!☕️
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A new bill introduced to the Senate, The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, involves a $755 million grant would provide more parking spaces for commercial truck drivers. This would also improve safety conditions for truckers in the U.S. who often cite a lack of parking as a major concern while on the road. When truckers have access to more parking spaces, they are less likely to drive for extended periods of time in search of a safe place to park. This can reduce their level of fatigue and stress, which can help them to remain alert and focused while driving.
Check out the featured article from Fleet Owner to read about what this newly proposed bill could mean for the safety of truck drivers and whether it will be approved. Will this get more truckers on the road amid the current shortage? How many more parking spots will be added in the U.S.?
Featured Article:
House, Senate introduce bill to expand truck parking | Fleet Owner
“The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act establishes a competitive grant program—totaling $755 million—for nationwide projects that provide commercial truck parking and improve safety for truck drivers.”
Labor Issues & Company Culture 🎉
Cruise ships are the new remote working offices
After the pandemic, many workplaces switched to remote work and sent employees to their home offices. The new trend seems to be going on a cruise to get that same work done, combining both work and play. Some workplaces are even renting vessels for inspiration and coworker bonding. Cruise ships across the globe are converting recreational rooms into conference rooms to cater more to companies that want to use cruises as floating offices.
Cruise ships offer all-inclusive amenities like Wi-Fi, meals, entertainment, and housekeeping, making it easy for remote workers to focus on their work without worrying about daily tasks and expenses. The change in scenery and unique work environment on a cruise ship can be refreshing and inspiring for remote workers. Working from a different location can also help to boost creativity and productivity. Many cruise ships offer a variety of social activities and events, providing remote workers with opportunities to network and connect with other professionals from different fields and backgrounds. Remote workers on a cruise ship can often take advantage of flexible schedules, allowing them to work during the day and enjoy the ship's amenities and activities during their free time.
Overall, going on a cruise for work can provide an exciting and unique experience for remote workers, allowing them to combine work and relaxation while also providing opportunities for networking and professional growth.
Let’s Get Global 🌎
⛏️ Europe takes initiative on mineral safety and security. With the high demand for minerals, there is a growing concern for security and safety in mining. Europe has announced new legislation called the "Critical Raw Materials Act" to address this issue. The act aims to improve the supply chain by reducing shortages and implementing strict rules for mineral mining.
iLevel With You 🏡
More topics for the average American household to consider…
🛌 Bedding retailer has optimized manufacturing. Serta Simmons, a bedding retailer, has optimized its manufacturing process digitally to create a better and more resilient supply chain. The company has implemented software that has improved accuracy and planning. This sets an example for other retailers and will hopefully lead to an improvement in the overall supply chain.
♻️ Consumers will set a cap on how much they will pay to go green. A recent survey found that shoppers are willing to pay a slightly higher price for green shipping, but only up to 5%. Most consumers have a set budget for shipping costs and also a specific timeline for when they want their packages to arrive.
🍎 The impact of produce season. Early spring is the prime season for harvesting and produce, which also means that carriers are extra busy delivering from farms to stores. This results in increased rates and scheduling problems for refrigerated trucks. Moreover, the prices for these trucks are also expected to be very high during the produce season.
Get Smart 🧠
Ramp up that brain power for these advanced topics…
☢️ Renewable energy surpasses coal and nuclear power. For the first time, renewable energy has generated more electricity than coal and nuclear power in the last year. Wind and solar energy have now accounted for 14% of the electricity generated in the United States.
🏆 How drone delivery will meet goals. Zipline and Alphabet Wing, two major drone delivery services, have announced new upgrades that may improve last-mile delivery. Their main goal is to reach as many customers as possible and they hope to deliver to millions by mid-2024.
🚢 West coast shares continue to decline. Since 2017, West Coast ports have lost more than 10% of their market share, indicating a significant decline in container volume. The included graph shows the month-by-month percentages of inbound volume and the amount it has fallen.
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for November 28, 2024, from iLevel Logistics Inc.