First-of-its-Kind Locomotive Emission Rule Passed in California
Good morning! Happy May 1st - we'll take a look at the latest developments in the world of supply chain and logistics, including updates on industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes that could impact your business. Stay informed and stay ahead with our daily dose of supply chain insights. ☕️
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Every single day, locomotives pull railcars through California cities, running on diesel and producing harmful pollution that can generate greenhouse gases. Recently, California announced that it will ban the use of locomotives that are over 23 years old, with a complete phase-out by 2030. Additionally, locomotives equipped with an automatic shutoff will be banned from idling for more than 30 minutes. The state is seeking authorization from the US Environmental Protection Agency, and if approved, the new regulations would be stricter than federal standards.
Check out today’s featured article from Transportation Topics to read about the potential impact of these proposed bans on locomotives in California. Discover how these regulations may shape the future of railroads in the state. Will the law be considered too strict by the EPA? What will be the estimated reduction in greenhouse gas emissions as a result of these laws? Stay informed and delve deeper into this important topic by reading the full article.
Featured Article:
California Passes First-in-Nation Locomotive Emission Rule | TT News
“Every day, locomotives pull railcars filled with food, lumber, oil and other products through rail yards near neighborhoods in Oakland, Commerce, San Bernardino and other California cities.”
Customers & Safety 🚴
Testing of Cargo Bikes Conducted in Eight Cities
In a move towards more efficient transportation systems, cities like Miami and seven others are replacing trucks with cargo freight bikes. An 18-month experiment is underway to develop a digital infrastructure to support this shift. The US Department of Transportation has provided a $1.9 million grant after selecting this project as one of 33 out of 59 proposals. Although widely adopted in Europe, cargo bikes are gaining momentum in the US, and companies such as DHL and FedEx are testing them.
Cargo bikes, also known as freight bicycles or cycle trucks, are specially designed bicycles for transporting goods and people. They feature a longer and wider frame than regular bikes and a sturdy platform or container on the front, rear, or both sides, capable of carrying heavy loads of up to 500 pounds. Cargo bikes come in different designs, including tricycles, longtails, and box-style models, and can be human-powered, electric, or both.
Electric Vehicles & Network Association 🔋
Daimler Joins the EV Race with Rizon
Recently, Daimler's new North American brand, Rizon, has entered the medium-duty EV market. As Daimler is already a known player in the commercial vehicle market, this provides Rizon with several advantages. The move will also help customers transition towards sustainable mobility solutions. These new trucks will be built to the highest quality standards and will be available for use in over 40 manufacturing locations worldwide.
Daimler is a multinational automotive corporation based in Germany, known for designing, manufacturing, and selling luxury cars, trucks, buses, and other vehicles under various brand names like Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, Smart, Freightliner, Western Star, FUSO, BharatBenz, and Setra. With its headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, Daimler is one of the largest car manufacturers globally.
Let’s Get Global 🌎
🚛 Release of Logistics Performance Index for 2023. Last week, The World Bank released the logistics performance index for 2023, which measures a country's ability to move goods across borders reliably and quickly. The index covers over 139 countries and reflects the structural factors of supply chains.
🇰🇷 Autonomous Vehicles in South Korea. Hyundai Mobis recently conducted a demonstration of their advanced autonomous driving technology on public roads. The demonstration took place in Seosan, South Korea, and showcased the e-Corner system. This innovative technology enables all four wheels of the vehicle to rotate 90 degrees, either together or separately.
iLevel With You 🏡
More topics for the average American household to consider…
⛏️ Environmentalists Denounce Nevada Mining Bill. Native Americans and progressive activists are protesting a pro-mining bill proposed by Senator Catherine Cortez Masto. The bill would allow mining companies to use established mineral claims to dump waste on nearby federal land.
🤖 Robotaxis in San Francisco Now Operate 24/7. General Motors' autonomous taxis, 'Cruise', are now available around the clock in certain areas of the city. Paying customers can use the taxis from 10 pm to 5:30 am, while eligible users during the day will not be charged in specific parts of the city.
🤕 OSHA Holds Amazon Accountable for High Worker Injury Rate. A new study has revealed that Amazon has significantly higher worker injury rates compared to other major companies, with 6.9 out of 100 workers being injured in 2022. Since mid-April, OSHA has launched an investigation into more than 10 Amazon locations.
Get Smart 🧠
Ramp up that brain power for these advanced topics…
📈 Pedestrian deaths have risen 70% in 13 years. The significant increase in pedestrian fatalities is attributed to trucks. In 2021, over 7,388 pedestrians were killed by vehicles, with truck-related fatalities more than doubling since 2010. This could be due to the fact that large semi-trucks outnumber cars in every state.
📉 Old Dominion Tonnage Drops by Nearly 12%. Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. is a prominent American less-than-truckload (LTL) freight company that offers high-quality transportation services for goods. Despite customers opting for lower-priced competitors, the company has maintained its prices and consistent market share.
🔋 Forklifts Powered by Lithium Batteries Can Aid in Estimating Battery Health. Manufacturers of advanced forklift batteries have developed a solution to estimate battery health data, which is becoming increasingly precise and critical in determining the pricing of used EVs. With the new system, users can collect dozens of data points on their entire battery inventory.
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for November 27, 2024, from iLevel Logistics Inc.