OTA Dispatch Issue 2 2019

32 Oregon Trucking Associations, Inc. Oregon Truck Dispatch Carriers Invest in Inspection Strategies, Tools By Mindy Long, Guest Writer for Transport Topics (Republished) MOTOR CARRIERS ARE investing in training, technology, and ongoing education to help ensure their drivers conduct thorough pre- and post-trip inspections, which are essential for complying with federal safety standards and minimizing vehicle downtime. “Good inspections help to reduce and prevent over-the-road breakdowns by making sure trucks are in good working condition,” said Chad Willis, senior vice president of safety, compliance and support services at Ruan. Willis said that fewer breakdowns mean lower repair costs and improved customer service and on-time deliveries. Taking the time to perform a 15- to 20-minute inspection could save drivers two to five hours stranded on the side of the road, said Alex Oruña, regional operations manager for TCI Transportation, based in Fontana, Calif. What’s more, a tire blowout could lead to a multi-vehicle collision that could have been avoided if a tire defect had been found during a routine inspection, he said. However, convincing drivers that thorough inspections will reduce headaches down the road isn’t always easy. “We have to do something to get these guys engaged to make sure they’re really doing their pre- and post-trip,” said Steve Rush, president of Carbon Express, a bulk carrier based in Wharton, N.J. “It is an ongoing challenge to get everyone on board.” Fleet executives told Transport Topics they begin the conversation about inspections during new-hire orientation. “We physically take drivers out to a truck and trailer and walk them through it and show them the things that could potentially be a problem,” said Russ Thompson, executive vice president at Roadmaster Group. TCI Transportation’s managers provide monthly tailgate safety meetings to drivers via on-site visits at their domiciled locations or terminal meetings. “I tell drivers to check your equipment closely and if you see something, say something so we can have it repaired prior to the driver operating the heavy equipment out on the roads,” Oruña said. Lake Success, N.Y.-based Transervice Logistics provides training before shifts, through handouts and at gate checks. “By using the multiple formats, we are coming at the drivers in different angles, so the material sinks in and best practices become habitual,” said Matt Copot, the company’s vice president of maintenance. “We provide immediate feedback to the drivers on repairs that have been made and also train them when specifications have been changed, so they are aware of them.” Training shows drivers that the company takes their issues seriously and wants to provide them with safe, reliable vehicles, Copot said. Chad Mensch, director of safety and compliance for Watsontown Trucking, uses radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology from Zonar Systems that requires drivers to scan tags on seven specific zones on the tractor. Drivers can send photos of issues to the maintenance shop, he added. Flatbed and specialized carrier Smokey Point Distributing, a Daseke company, uses technology from Trimble Transportation to implement a workflow that requires drivers to complete a pre- trip inspection via an electronic driver