The roots of the “Sisters of the Road” exhibition trace back to a book published a few years ago, reviewed by Overdrive contributor Long Haul Paul Marhoefer. In his review, Marhoefer included an interview with Michel, sharing insights into the book’s creation. He praised “Sisters of the Road” for lacking the “obligatory tropes of perpetual trucker victimology that have seemed to permeate nearly every published tome on this profession since 1980.” He continued, “What surprises the reader in ‘Sisters of the Road’ is that it stands on its own as a powerful homage of haunting, iconographic beauty to the fierce resilience of America’s female truckers and the mythic spaces through which they travel.”

Earlier this year, Debbie Desiderato, an owner-operator featured in “Sisters of the Road,” led a cross-country convoy showcasing the exhibition. Starting in the San Francisco area and culminating at the Mid-American Trucking Show in March, the tour also included a photo event in Texas.

“We are thrilled to bring ‘Sisters of the Road’ to the U.S. Department of Transportation during Trucker Appreciation Week,” expressed Michel. “This is more than just an art exhibit; it’s a celebration of the incredible women who defy stereotypes and redefine what it means to be a trucker in America. Their stories deserve to be heard, and this is a perfect end to the Sisters of the Road USA tour—with the trucker women themselves in attendance and representing ‘Sisters of the Road’ at this event.”

The exhibition captures a diverse array of operators, from long-haul drivers to those managing logistics challenges, photographed in their element—on the road, in their trucks. Accompanied by their personal stories, these portraits reveal the often-overlooked human aspect of the trucking industry, according to a USDOT press release.

Attendees will have the chance to meet many of the women featured, who will be present at the event. For further details on “Sisters of the Road,” visit the official website.

Source: Overdrive

Image: Sisters of the Road – Walkabout Transport owner Debbie Desiderato

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Truck Parking Funding and Eligibility

Eligible entities for these grants include states, metropolitan planning organizations, tribal authorities, and local governments. These funds must be used for projects on federal-aid highways or locations with reasonable access to such routes or freight facilities.

The USDOT will evaluate grant applications based on several key criteria:

• The extent of commercial vehicle parking shortages in the project’s corridor.
• Consultation with motor carriers, drivers, public safety officials, and parking providers.
• The potential impact on parking availability, freight efficiency, highway safety, traffic, and air quality.
• The demonstrated capability of the entity to maintain and operate the facility.

Addressing Trucking Industry Concerns

Beyond truck parking, the House funding bill also addresses other trucking industry concerns. It reinforces the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program and opposes a California waiver that could disrupt uniform meal and rest break regulations. Additionally, the bill aims to restrict the Federal Highway Administration from introducing greenhouse gas emissions performance measures and prevent congestion tolling initiatives, such as New York City’s suspended plan.

The Urgent Need for Truck Parking

For decades, the trucking sector has faced a shortage of safe parking. A USDOT study found that 98% of truck drivers regularly struggle to find safe parking spaces. Research by the American Transportation Research Institute indicates that this shortage results in an average loss of 56 minutes of driving time per day, leading to annual wage losses of $6,813 per driver.

The new truck parking investment builds on progress made by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has already funded the creation of approximately 2,000 truck parking spaces. Hailey Betham, a government affairs manager at the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), emphasizes the group’s focus on government efforts in this area.

Future Legislative Efforts: Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act

In addition to the June funding proposal, the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act is advancing through Congress. If enacted, it could allocate $755 million over three years for parking expansion. “Currently, there are many variations of the truck parking bill,” Betham explained. “We have The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act (HR 2367 and S 1034), which we hope to see more movement, as the Senate bill currently resides in the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, and we are actively trying to garner more co-sponsors to see more movement.”

Betham noted that the Senate’s version of the funding bill lacks this provision but expressed hope for similar allocations in future revisions. “If we see the $200 million towards truck parking projects in both FY25 THUD funding bills, this will be a victory for our industry as it is a step forward to seeing more movement for HR 2367 and S 1034,” she noted.

Impact on the Trucking Industry

This legislation could have a significant impact on the trucking industry. “The need for truck parking is not just important, it’s urgent,” Betham emphasized. “An increase in truck parking will not only prevent road accidents but also provide safety for our nation’s drivers, especially our women drivers. Drivers will be protected in an area with accessible restrooms and lighting, free from fear even when they sleep through the night.”

Chris Spear, president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations, echoed Betham’s sentiments, supporting the initiatives to expand parking capacity. “The severe shortage of truck parking places an enormous burden on truck drivers, who often don’t know if they will be able to find a safe place to sleep when they finish their shift,” Spear said. “This significant investment to expand parking capacity would help alleviate stress on truck drivers, move freight more efficiently, and make the roadways safer for all motorists.”

Spear also expressed gratitude to the House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee members for prioritizing this funding, specifically acknowledging Congressman Womack’s pivotal role in securing the provision.

Source: The Trucker

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Originally released in draft form for public feedback last October, the plan emphasizes enhancing road safety, mobility, and efficiency by leveraging technology that allows vehicles, wireless devices, and roadside infrastructure to communicate. This communication fosters a safer, more secure, and efficient transportation network while safeguarding privacy and consumer rights. These efforts are integral to the Safe System Approach, a key component of USDOT’s National Roadway Safety Strategy, launched in January 2022 to tackle the crisis of roadway deaths.

“The Department has reached a key milestone today in laying out a national plan for the transportation industry that has the power to save lives and transform the way we travel,” stated U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. “The Department recognizes the potential safety benefits of V2X, and this plan will move us closer to nationwide adoption of this technology.”

Crafted through extensive collaboration between public and private sectors, the plan equips stakeholders with essential insights to support the safe, efficient, and sustainable deployment of interoperable V2X technologies across the country. It aims to accelerate investment, research, and deployment, ensuring “market certainty” in the V2X sector, according to Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology and Chief Scientist Dr. Robert C. Hampshire.

“The V2X national plan was made possible through collaborative effort between government, industry and stakeholders,” added Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt. “The plan represents a call to action in providing a framework for all of us to continue to work together toward the same goal of accelerating V2X deployment to save lives on our nation’s roadways.”

In tandem with the National Plan, the Federal Highway Administration recently awarded nearly $60 million in grants to three organizations to facilitate V2X technology deployment. These grants aim to unlock the full lifesaving potential of V2X communications, ensuring secure and interference-free connectivity across a diverse range of devices and platforms.

For more details on the V2X national plan and related grants, visit Connected/Automated Vehicles and Emerging Technologies.

Source: Highways.dot.gov

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Known as the DOT Victim and Survivor Advocate Act, the legislation seeks to establish the role of a “National Roadway Safety Advocate” within the DOT. Sponsored by Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tennessee) in the House and Sen. Ben Ray Luján in the Senate, the bill’s purposes for the new position include:

1. To document and convey recommendations from stakeholders to the DOT Secretary concerning the needs, objectives, plans, approaches, content, and accomplishments of DOT programs and activities related to roadway safety.
2. To serve as a point of contact and resource for individuals affected by crashes, including victims, survivors, and their families, regarding pertinent roadway safety matters.

“Traffic accident victims and their families deserve an advocate in the Department of Transportation listening to their ideas for improving roadway safety, especially after suffering from a traffic crash,” Cohen said. “The DOT Victim and Survivor Advocate Act will help ensure that victim-advocates have a point of contact to work with at DOT and give them a more permanent voice in DOT decision-making. I’m pleased to partner with Senator Lujan on this important legislation.”

The proposed National Roadway Safety Advocate would essentially function as a middle ground between the DOT and crash victims and survivors, facilitating efficient and clear communication between the two groups.

Additionally, the advocate would be mandated to submit annual reports to the DOT Secretary, addressing systemic roadway safety concerns based on input provided by victims and survivors and offering recommendations for addressing these issues and making the roads safer for everyone.

The proposed DOT Victim and Survivor Advocate Act would have significant, positive implications for truck drivers. As essential users of the nation’s highways, truck drivers are particularly vulnerable to the risks associated with roadway safety. This legislation would provide truck drivers with a dedicated resource to address their concerns and communicate their experiences directly to the DOT. Truck drivers who have been involved in crashes, as well as their families, would have a designated point of contact within the DOT to seek assistance and advocate for their needs in the aftermath of accidents.

Source: Overdrive

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This month, the U.S. Department of Transportation is anticipated to reveal a final rule mandating automatic emergency braking systems on heavy trucks. According to the DOT’s latest Significant Rulemakings Report, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are expected to take final action on the rulemaking in April.

However, the final rule has yet to be submitted to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, a necessary step before publication in the Federal Register. OMB reviews can often extend for months; for instance, NHTSA’s final rule for light vehicle automatic emergency braking, submitted on Jan. 18, is still pending clearance.

Last year, FMCSA and NHTSA jointly proposed a regulation mandating automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems and electronic stability control (ESC) systems on new vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds. Under the heavy vehicle proposal, all Class 7 and 8 vehicles (weighing over 26,000 pounds) would need to meet AEB standards within three years of the rule’s enactment.

Similarly, all Class 3 to 6 vehicles (10,001 to 26,000 pounds) would need to meet AEB and ESC requirements within four years. Small-volume manufacturers would have a grace period of five years after the final rule takes effect, and no retrofit requirements would be imposed on existing heavy vehicles.

Despite the proposed mandate, many truck drivers oppose it, citing issues with existing AEB technology, particularly false activations.

“I am a current truck driver with this system already in use on company trucks,” Joe Hoffman said. “I have had many false positives, and brakes were jarringly applied, almost causing accidents on every single one. One of the false positives almost sent me into a wall going through Philadelphia. Other false positives have almost caused people to hit me from behind. Is this a technology for new drivers just starting? Yes, but only once the technology has been significantly improved.”

Numerous truck drivers have expressed their concerns through comments, highlighting the challenges they face with AEB systems. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), representing small-business truckers, has emphasized the prevalence of false activations and their adverse impact on drivers’ operations.

“The notice of proposed rulemaking mandates AEB systems without sufficiently addressing false activations, properly consulting with professional truck drivers or completing ongoing research programs,” said Todd Spencer, OOIDA president.

Source: Land Line

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During the gathering, the DOT unveiled the 2024 NRSS Report, building upon the original release in January 2022. Additionally, the DOT introduced 41 new “Allies in Action” – businesses and organizations committed to supporting the NRSS in mitigating the crisis on America’s roads. Over its two-year span, the USDOT has secured a total of 160 commitments.

“In the two years since we launched the National Roadway Safety Strategy, the Biden-Harris administration has taken action to make roads safer, emergency responders more efficient, and vehicle safety technology stronger, contributing to six straight quarters of decreasing traffic deaths—but America still loses tens of thousands of lives on our roads every year, and we must do more,” said Pete Buttigieg U.S. Transportation secretary. “The updates we’re announcing today show that progress is possible, and we continue our call to action for all Americans to join with us and the partners who have already stepped up to save lives on our roadways.”

The 2024 NRSS Report outlines the USDOT’s strides in addressing severe and fatal injuries on U.S. roadways, highlighting accomplishments in 2023. Noteworthy achievements include the allocation of $1.7 billion through the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program, benefiting over 1,000 communities and covering nearly 70% of the American population. The department accelerated the implementation of motor vehicle safety technologies, initiated rulemaking for impaired-driving prevention technology standards, and updated key road safety regulations.

In a significant development, the DOT expanded the National Emergency Medical Services Information System’s usage and support, accepting data from all 50 states, two territories, and the District of Columbia.

Among the 41 new supporters, 36 hail from state and territory organizations, including transportation agencies and state highway safety offices. These Allies in Action have committed to concrete steps to actively reduce roadway deaths and injuries, aligning with a Safe System Approach and a Zero Fatalities vision. Their efforts span various sectors, including health and safety advocacy, the private sector, municipal and law enforcement organizations, and more.

“The department won’t achieve zero deaths on our roadways alone, which is why involving stakeholders across the country, at every level of government, philanthropy, advocacy, and the private sector, is key,” said Polly Trottenberg, U.S. Transportation deputy secretary. “The National Roadway Safety strategy is driving a cultural shift that treats roadway deaths as unacceptable and preventable. We have an incredible opportunity with President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which allows us to make a generational investment in America’s transportation network.”

New voluntary commitments from Allies in Action include proven safety countermeasures, Complete Streets policies, revisiting speed-setting policies, advancing infrastructure improvements for vulnerable road users, and engaging in outreach and education efforts related to speed management and rural-high-risk road safety.

States and territories making these commitments include Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

The NRSS Allies in Action feature diverse entities dedicated to enhancing road safety. For instance, Beyond Lucid Technologies is leveraging its HALCYON Post-Crash Intelligence platform, aiming to provide critical information about crash victims to first responders. The Ford Fund is enhancing its “Driving Skills for Life” program, emphasizing discussions on vulnerable road user safety and outreach to underserved communities. Stellantis is committed to raising awareness about vehicle safety recalls and improving repair rates, especially in communities with disproportionately lower repair rates.

The National Center for Rural Road Safety is actively connecting with and training rural practitioners across the country through initiatives like the Road Safety Champion Program and Rural Road Safety Awareness Week.

The NRSS, launched in 2022, addresses the escalating crisis of roadway deaths in America. The five-pronged approach encompasses safer people, safer vehicles, safer speeds, safer roads, and better post-crash care. As a positive sign, preliminary data reveals small decreases in traffic fatalities over the last six quarters.

During the February event, the DOT announced $1.25 billion in funding for the next round of its Safe Streets and Roads for All discretionary grant program aimed at helping cities, counties, tribes, and metropolitan planning organizations enhance road safety.

For a complete list of NRSS Allies in Action and more information, visit the DOT’s official website.

Source: The Trucker

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Comprising 27 carefully selected members, the TTAC boasts a diverse range of perspectives across various sectors, geographies, and areas of expertise. The committee’s composition includes experts from academia, think tanks, the public sector, labor, and industry. These individuals bring their insights to bear on crucial topics such as automation, cybersecurity, safety, accessibility, law, government, entrepreneurship, privacy, and equity.

“We are living in a time filled with unprecedented opportunity and unprecedented challenges in transportation,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The deep expertise and diverse perspectives of this impressive group will provide advice to ensure the future of transportation is safe, efficient, sustainable, equitable, and transformative.”

Members of the TTAC will serve two-year terms, demonstrating a commitment to continuity and the development of long-term strategies. Additionally, there is the possibility of reappointment. It’s worth noting that membership in the TTAC is an unpaid position, underscoring the dedication of these individuals to advancing transportation innovation.

The inaugural meeting of the TTAC is scheduled for Jan. 18. Among the key focus areas are pathways to safe, secure, equitable, environmentally friendly, and accessible deployment of emerging technologies. The committee will also delve into integrated approaches to promote cross-modal integration, particularly in the application of automation.

Policies that encourage innovation, support a safe and productive U.S. workforce, and foster economic competitiveness and job quality are essential components of the committee’s agenda. Additionally, the TTAC will tackle the development of approaches and frameworks that facilitate the secure exchange and sharing of transformative transportation data. This includes technologies and infrastructure across public and private sectors, aligning with core policy decisions across DOT’s strategic goals.

The TTAC will also explore ways the Department can identify and elevate cybersecurity solutions. Privacy protection across transportation systems and infrastructure will be a critical consideration in their discussions.

Source: The Trucker

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