Railroad Responder Revolution 🚂
Good morning! 🌌🚚 Welcome to the September 22nd edition of the Work Day Dash, coinciding with National Astronomy Day! Just as the stars in the night sky captivate our imagination and curiosity, the intricate web of supply chains and logistics that spans the globe continues to amaze and influence our daily lives.
Join us as we embark on a journey through the cosmos and delve into the latest developments in the world of supply chain and logistics. 🌠🌍📦
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Railroad Industry Implements Swift Access to Cargo Information for First Responders
In the wake of a harrowing incident in eastern Ohio earlier this year, where a Norfolk Southern train derailed and caught fire, prompting a 45-minute delay in determining the chemicals involved, the railroad industry is taking significant steps to ensure such delays never occur again. Following the derailment on February 3rd, which raised concerns about rail safety nationwide, major railroads have intensified their efforts to provide first responders with immediate access to the cargo information of any freight train. This week, two counties that responded to the East Palestine, Ohio, incident were equipped with the AskRail program, allowing dispatchers to swiftly access a train's cargo details based on its car number. This initiative, launched by the Association of American Railroads, aims to enroll more emergency dispatch centers in the program.
Previously, first responders had to either locate the train crew or contact the railroad directly to obtain cargo information, processes that consumed precious time during emergencies. Knowing the precise contents of a train is critical for firefighters to determine the appropriate response, including whether evacuations are necessary or if specialized firefighting methods such as foam are required for hazardous materials. The AskRail app was developed in collaboration with emergency responders in 2014, but its adoption was limited, with only about 40,000 users by the end of the previous year. However, the industry has recently expanded its efforts to establish the program in dispatch centers, with 42 centers already onboard and 37 in the process of joining. Railroads expect rapid growth in participation as awareness spreads.
Check out today’s featured article from AP News to learn more about what firefighters and first responders are trying to do so they can locate what materials were on a derailed or crashed train. Will there be a solution to this problem in the near future?
Featured Article
Railroads work to make sure firefighters can quickly look up what is on a train after a derailment | AP News
“In the chaos after a Norfolk Southern train careened off the tracks and caught fire in eastern Ohio in February, it took roughly 45 minutes for firefighters to learn exactly which chemicals were involved.”
Walmart & Employees
Walmart Aims to Empower Employees in Expanding Last-Mile Delivery Services
Walmart is planning to increase the involvement of its employees in making last-mile deliveries as it expands its third-party fulfillment capabilities, according to President and CEO Doug McMillon. Currently, deliveries by Walmart associates are a relatively small portion compared to those handled by independent contractors, particularly on the Spark Driver platform. However, as Walmart continues to develop its last-mile network and acquires more vehicles, the company intends to have its employees deliver more orders.
This move comes as online ordering has seen significant growth, with Walmart seeking to strengthen its delivery and fulfillment services. In the past, Walmart attempted a pilot program that involved store employees making deliveries but ended it in 2018. With the surge in e-commerce during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company is revisiting the idea to enhance its delivery capabilities further.
Teamsters & Bankruptcy
Teamsters Union Calls for Senate Investigation into Yellow Corp's Bankruptcy Proceedings
The Teamsters Union has called on the Senate to investigate the bankruptcy proceedings of Yellow Corp. This request follows a special Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on September 19, 2023, addressing corporate manipulation of Chapter 11 bankruptcy. During the hearing, Senator Amy Klobuchar pointed to Yellow's actions, accusing the company of attempting to expedite the liquidation of its assets to evade responsibility for mismanagement, which would negatively impact workers.
The Teamsters are seeking a comprehensive investigation and are urging Senators Dick Durbin and Bernie Sanders to hold hearings before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary and the HELP (Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions) Committee to examine Yellow's bankruptcy. They highlight concerns about alleged corruption and greed within Yellow, including the approval of executive bonuses while neglecting worker healthcare and pension benefits.
Let’s Get Global 🌎
Checking out the scoop outside of the United States…
💰There Is Soaring Growth in the Global Logistics Market. The Global Logistics Market is on a significant growth trajectory, with projections indicating a substantial increase in its size. According to the Vantage Market Research (VMR) report, the market was valued at USD 261.5 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 570.9 billion by 2030, boasting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.8%. The report covers a comprehensive analysis of the Logistics Market, offering insights into global demand, regional trends, key industry players, growth strategies, and forecasts up to 2030. It also includes historical data from 2017 to 2021, providing a thorough understanding of the industry's evolution.
🇰🇷 Lotte Global Logistics and CoEvolution Forge Strategic Automation Partnership. South Korea's Lotte Global Logistics has entered into a strategic partnership with CoEvolution, a Chinese specialist in automated control platforms. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) for this collaboration was signed at CoEvolution's headquarters in Hangzhou, China. The partnership aims to improve the efficiency of logistics automation warehouses and drive technological advancements in this sector. Notably, CoEvolution had already set up intelligent warehouses, featuring autonomous mobile robots, at Lotte Global Logistics' automated logistics center in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, last year.
🇪🇺 Europe's Alarming Air Pollution Crisis: 98% Exposed to Dangerous Levels. Europe is grappling with a severe public health crisis as nearly everyone on the continent resides in areas plagued by dangerous air pollution levels, according to an investigation by The Guardian. Cutting-edge analysis, incorporating satellite imagery and data from over 1,400 monitoring stations, reveals that 98% of people are exposed to harmful fine particulate pollution, exceeding World Health Organization guidelines. The worst-hit country, North Macedonia, has nearly two-thirds of its population living in areas with more than four times the WHO-recommended limits for PM2.5 particles, originating primarily from sources like traffic, industry, and agriculture. This crisis has prompted calls for immediate action and stricter regulations to safeguard public health.
iLevel With You 🏡
More topics for the average American household to consider…
👩🏽 Women Leaders Making Strides in the Trucking Industry. Sherri Garner Brumbaugh and Jen Behnke are two successful entrepreneurs in the trucking industry, demonstrating that women can thrive in what is traditionally considered a male-dominated field. Sherri Garner Brumbaugh took over her family's business, Garner Trucking in Findlay, Ohio, in 2008 and later became its CEO. She represents a successful example of women achieving leadership roles in the trucking industry, even though it has historically been predominantly male. Jen Behnke, co-founder, and president of UFL Services in Lebanon, Georgia, co-established her trucking company in 2021 with her husband, Kyle. This venture followed their initial entry into the trucking business in 2015. Behnke is optimistic about the opportunities available to women in the trucking industry, emphasizing the advancements in technology and training, and highlighting the potential for growth and success with hard work and dedication.
🪧 GM President Mark Reuss Challenges UAW Rhetoric Amidst Ongoing Strikes. General Motors (GM) President Mark Reuss has criticized the United Auto Workers (UAW) union for its rhetoric and the spread of "misinformation" during ongoing contract negotiations, as the UAW enters day six of targeted strikes against Detroit automakers. In an editorial, Reuss emphasized the union's public criticism of GM and its recent contract proposal, which included a 20% pay raise and improvements in time off, bonuses, and benefits over a four-year term. Reuss stressed that nobody benefits from a strike and highlighted GM's record offer, which rewards team members while positioning the company for future success. The UAW has not responded to Reuss's op-ed as of the time of the report.
⛈️ East Coast Braces for Potential Tropical Cyclone Threat and Rip Currents from Distant Hurricane. A tropical storm warning has been issued for parts of the East Coast, including North Carolina to Delaware, due to the approach of "Potential Tropical Cyclone Sixteen." This system, currently located southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, could bring heavy rain, high winds, and flooding to the region, with a potential landfall in North Carolina. Additionally, large swells from distant Hurricane Nigel may increase the rip current risk and lead to ocean overwash and coastal flooding.
Get Smart 🧠
Ramp up that brain power for these advanced topics…
🚛 From Outlaw to Efficiency Expert: Joel Morrow's Journey to Fuel Savings in Trucking. Joel Morrow, a truck driver, transitioned from being a "quintessential outlaw" in the trucking industry to becoming one of the foremost efficiency experts, achieving impressive fuel efficiency. After realizing the unsustainable and unhealthy aspects of his haphazard driving style, Morrow shifted gears and meticulously planned his trips for optimal fuel efficiency. He even uses an app to check elevation along his journeys and prefers lighter hauls with fuel savings over high-paying but heavy loads. Morrow's fuel efficiency mindset not only improved his mileage but also enhanced safety and reduced maintenance costs. He examines engine architecture to determine whether it's genuinely downped for fuel efficiency and values features like a compact crankshaft and shorter stroke.
🎁 Insights from Kenco's 2023 eCommerce Peak Season Pulse. As the fall season approaches, retailers are gearing up for the peak season. According to Kenco's 2023 eCommerce Peak Season Pulse, consumer spending expectations for the holiday season appear stable, with 58% expecting their spending to remain the same as in 2022. However, 52% of consumers still have supply chain-related concerns. This relative stability provides an opportunity for retailers to learn from the ups and downs of the previous peak season.
💸 Navigating the Road Ahead: Strategies to Tackle Rising Trucking Costs in 2022. Trucking costs have continued to rise, with the average cost per mile reaching $2.25 in 2022, a 21.3% increase from 2021. Factors such as high fuel prices, truck and trailer lease or purchase payments, and repair and maintenance costs have contributed to this rise. However, there are tools and strategies that truckers and fleets can use to mitigate these increasing expenses: Fuel Optimization, Negotiating Lease or Purchase Payments, Timely Maintenance, Insurance Premiums, and proactive.
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for November 25, 2024, from iLevel Logistics Inc.