A bit of good news for truck drivers in Maine next year:
Maine Turnpike Authority plans to develop 30 new parking spots and equip them with devices that provide air conditioning, heating and electricity, and possibly cable TV and Internet connections.
For drivers that often have do nothing but in their cab for 11 hours a day due to federal regulations, this could be a great money saver. Estimates are that truckers could save around $38 for every 10 hours previously spent idling because of reduced diesel costs and engine wear. Although there are already these types of devices in private truck stops in New England and California, Maine is one of the first states to begin installing them from EPA grants from the stimulus. They also come with a great environmental reward, each new electrical parking spot could save 2000 tons of CO2 emissions a year.
Tracking the Transportation Lobbyists
The
Center for Public Integrity has begun releasing information on the lobbying efforts on the new Transportation Bill. Almost 1800 special interest groups are actively involved in lobbying for special concessions in the $500 billion bill. The center
has released a map tracking 3500 lobbying events by location, and includes the amount spent by each company or organization.
The concern is that the bill will be so loaded with concessions and special projects that it will fail to achieve the goals of truly modernizing the US ground transportation infrastructure, and will include new rules and regulations that could hurt the transportation industry. (Hat Tip:
eTrucker)
Featured Shipments: The Ohio University band is using uShip to list their musical instruments for the Rose Bowl Parade from the University Campus in Athens, Ohio to the Rose Bowl in Buena Park California. If you’re interested in helping the university out with their very special (and fragile!) shipment,
check their listing out here to make a bid! Congratulations to the Ohio University band on being selected for the parade and good luck!
Highway To Help
