Sustainable Freight Practices Compendium: What’s New

First introduced in 2014, ATRI’s Sustainable Freight Practices Compendium serves as a comprehensive reference for adopting greener freight operations. The latest updates cover three central areas:

• Driver: Actionable steps truckers can take to lower fuel use and support sustainability goals.
• Vehicle: Current data and solutions on vehicles and equipment that improve efficiency and cut emissions.
• Public Sector: How government measures—like congestion relief, new research, and incentive programs—further promote sustainable practices.

All three segments are now updated with fresh research and data, giving industry professionals direct paths to more sustainable operations.

The Idling Regulations Compendium: Staying Compliant

ATRI continues its decades-long effort to track and update information on idling rules for commercial vehicles. The compendium, free to access, compiles diverse state and local regulations that govern how long trucks may idle, helping carriers and drivers avoid compliance pitfalls.

ATRI continues to monitor the development of idling regulations across the country and provides the compendium as a free service to help trucking companies and truck drivers comply with the myriad state and local idling regulations.

Staying up to date with these rules not only helps fleets steer clear of fines but also supports environmental responsibility.

Access the Updated Compendiums

The latest Sustainable Freight Practices Compendium and Idling Regulations Compendium are available online:

• Sustainable Freight Practices Compendium
• Idling Regulations Compendium

These resources are designed to make compliance and sustainability clear and simple for industry professionals.

With these newly updated compendiums, ATRI reinforces its commitment to helping trucking companies and drivers meet changing environmental expectations while ensuring ongoing compliance and operational success.

Source: Truckers News

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Published in the Federal Register on April 21, FMCSA’s decision reaffirms an exemption for K&L Trucking. This exemption enables the company to use an alternative method to secure large metal coils to its trailers, deviating from the securement rules outlined in federal regulations.

Current Cargo Securement Rules

Under current federal regulations, metal coils weighing over 5,000 pounds and transported with eyes crosswise must adhere to strict securement measures. These rules dictate that the coil be supported off the trailer deck and prevented from rolling. Additionally, at least two tiedowns must secure the coil through its eye to restrict forward and rearward motion.

K&L Trucking’s Initial Exemption

In 2020, K&L Trucking, a company based in Delta, Ohio, was granted a five-year exemption. This allowed them to secure metal coils using a single, two-ply nylon-Kevlar strap. The strap connected the coils to a custom-built metal carrier installed on their trucks’ trailer beds.

According to K&L’s original exemption request, its operations involve transporting metal coils less than two miles away, at speeds that do not exceed 30 mph.

“K&L’s trucks never travel faster than 30 miles per hour on the road, as the drive is simply too short for the trucks to accelerate to a higher speed,” the company explained in 2020. They also noted that the extra weight of the carriers made them unsuitable for long-distance hauls, but ideal for short distances, enhancing safety for both workers and the public.

FMCSA initially approved the exemption on December 4, 2020, granting K&L a five-year period to continue using this alternative securement setup.

Expanded Renewal of the Exemption

Building on the success of its initial exemption, K&L Trucking applied in 2024 for an extension and expansion of the exemption for another five years. The updated exemption will now apply to all K&L drivers operating commercial vehicles and extends the transport radius to less than four miles between pickup and delivery locations.

FMCSA approved the renewal, citing safety as a key factor in the decision. The agency noted that there was no evidence to suggest that the original exemption reduced road safety.

For K&L Trucking, the renewal represents an opportunity to build on their efficient, safety-conscious transport system while continuing to tailor their operations to the unique demands of moving heavy metal coils over short distances.

Source: Land Line

The post Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Renews Cargo Securement Exemption appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) recently confirmed that select highways will see these limitations lifted this week. However, they emphasized that their spring load restriction report is a general guideline and that posted load restriction signs hold precedence. To access a copy of the official load restriction report, you can contact the SDDOT directly at 605-773-3571.

Highways With Lifted Load Restrictions and Dates

Effective April 10:

• State Highway 1804: Mile Markers 112.13 to 120.16

• State Highway 1806: Mile Markers 15.68 to 25.75, 37.88 to 48.55

• State Highway 251: Mile Markers 0 to 15.84

Effective April 14:

• State Highway 79: Mile Markers 150.7 to 199.32

• U.S. Highway 16A: Mile Markers 26.25 to 55.76

• State Highway 87: Mile Markers 47.27 to 79.36

• State Highway 89: Mile Markers 58.51 to 64.58

• State Highway 40: Mile Markers 48.6 to 69

• State Highway 26: Mile Markers 230.12 to 252.85, 253.85 to 267.77

• State Highway 20: Mile Markers 240.83 to 253.87

• State Highway 63: Mile Markers 252.19 to 260.64

• State Highway 271: Mile Markers 166.82 to 173.74

• State Highway 1806: Mile Markers 359.75 to 363.43, 364.61 to 386.83

Visit the SDDOT website for an interactive load restrictions map. Click here to subscribe to email updates for the latest information.

Important Considerations for County Roads

South Dakota transportation officials noted that load limits on county roads are distinct from state highway restrictions. The county determines and enforces these limitations. If you have specific questions about load postings on county roads, contact the designated county superintendent directly.

Stay informed and protect South Dakota’s road infrastructure during this seasonal transition by adhering to the most current guidelines.

Source: Land Line

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