Behind the Wheel Q3 Fall 2021 ~ Person of the Year: Gary Rudy, Richard B. Rudy, Inc.

Q3 FALL 2021
THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE MARYLAND MOTOR TRUCK ASSOCIATION

PERSON OF THE YEAR

GARY RUDY

RICHARD B. RUDY

INSIDE: Members Save ATRI: 20 Years Next Steps
on NEW MMTA of Research After Driver
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CONTENTS Q3 FALL 2021

COVER P. 18

18 Growing Roots and
Making Friends

Gary Rudy of Richard B. Rudy, Inc.
named MMTA’s Person of the Year

BY DAN CALABRESE

FEATURES

9 MMTA Members
Now Save on Fuel

New partnership with Carroll offers
substantial savings to members.

BY MISTY SEXTON

15 The Benefits of a
Clear Mission

ATRI celebrates its twentieth
year of building trucking’s
data infrastructure.
BY DAVID MONTEITH

32 So, You’ve Been Gary Rudy: MMTA's Person of the Year
Told You Need a
Sleep Evaluation…
Now What?

BY ANTHONY DOLLINGER

DEPARTMENTS

5 Chairman's Message
34 New MMTA Members
34 Advertiser Resource Index

ATRI celebrates its 20th anniversary P. 15

IMAGES OF GARY RUDY ON COVER AND THIS PAGE BY DAVID SINCLAIR.

MDTRUCKING.ORG |BEHIND THE WHEEL Q3 FALL 2021 3

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The Official Magazine of the Maryland Motor Truck Association

Behind the Wheel is owned by the Maryland Motor Truck CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE
Association and is published by Matthews Publishing Group.
To request additional copies, order reprints of individual articles
or to become a subscriber to Behind The Wheel, please contact
Selena Griffin at (410) 644-4600. To inquire about advertising,

please contact the publisher at (501) 690-9393.

Publisher
Jennifer Matthews-Drake
Matthews Publishing Group
[email protected]

Executive Editor
Louis Campion
[email protected]

Managing Editor An article in Forbes magazine recently noted
Selena Griffin that, “2021 is shaping up to be the year of stressed
supply chains and the shortages economy.”
[email protected] We’ve seen empty grocery store shelves, fuel
stations without certain products, reduced inventory on automobiles and trucks, and
Creative Director skyrocketing prices for steel and lumber – to name just a few impacts.
Fran Sherman
[email protected] It seems as if every industry worldwide needs workers. “Help wanted” signs
are posted at the entrance of virtually every business, often with enticements of
Graphic Designer extraordinary hiring bonuses. Opinions certainly vary as to what is causing the
Barbara Negron widespread labor shortage (i.e. pandemic fears, additional unemployment benefits,
early retirements, etc.); however, there is no doubt that the critical truck driver and
Photographer mechanic shortage has been exacerbated since the outbreak of the pandemic. Coverage
David Sinclair highlighting the impacts of the driver shortage in the trucking industry has recently been
featured in Bloomberg, the Journal of Commerce, CNN, Fox News, NPR, and numerous
Contributing Writers other media outlets.

Steve Brawner David Monteith There are several efforts being undertaken both at Maryland Motor Truck
Dan Calabrese Jennifer Barnett Reed Association and by the American Trucking Associations to try and expand the industry’s
Andrew Dunn workforce. One of the most prominent is the Walter & Harriet Thompson Scholarship
Eric J. Francis Jack Roberts Fund, which is supported by MMTA’s annual Person of the Year Banquet. This year’s
John D. Schulz event, honoring Gary Rudy of Richard B. Rudy, is featured on page 18 of this magazine
Kevin Jones Lacey C. Thacker issue. Since its inception, this scholarship has given out over $90,000 to students entering
Johnny Kampis the trucking industry as drivers or diesel mechanics. Proceeds from the 2021 event will
Todd Traub go to students from Hagerstown Community College and Chesapeake College.
Renee Miller
In addition, MMTA’s Education Council is working with Senator Jim Rosapepe,
Maryland Motor Truck Association Williamsport High School, and the Next Generation in Trucking Association on a

Louis Campion “OPINIONS CERTAINLY VARY AS TO WHAT
President & CEO IS CAUSING THE WIDESPREAD LABOR
[email protected] SHORTAGE (I.E. PANDEMIC FEARS, ADDITIONAL
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS, EARLY
Armand Patella RETIREMENTS, ETC.); HOWEVER, THERE IS NO
Executive Vice President DOUBT THAT THE CRITICAL TRUCK DRIVER AND
[email protected] MECHANIC SHORTAGE HAS BEEN EXACERBATED
SINCE THE OUTBREAK OF THE PANDEMIC.”
Brenda Tharp
Director of Safety
[email protected]

Selena L. Griffin
Controller

[email protected]

Margie Anne Bonnett
Marketing & Communications Director

[email protected]

Kathy Norris
Administrative Assistant
[email protected]

Maryland Motor Truck Association is an affiliate of the CONTINUED 
American Trucking Associations. MMTA is a Maryland
corporation of trucking companies, private carrier fleets |BEHIND THE WHEEL Q3 FALL 2021 5
and businesses which serve or supply the trucking industry.
MMTA serves these companies as a governmental affairs
representative before legislative, regulatory and executive
branches of government on issues that affect the trucking
industry. The organization also provides public relations
services, education services, operational services and serves
as a forum for industry meetings and membership relations.

For more information, contact MMTA at:
Maryland Motor Truck Association, Inc.
9256 Bendix Road, Suite 203 - Columbia, Md. 21045
Phone 410-644-4600 | Fax 410-644-2537

mdtrucking.org

MDTRUCKING.ORG

8,000 “2021 IS SHAPING UP TO BE THE YEAR
OF STRESSED SUPPLY CHAINS AND THE
RSETARDOENRGS SHORTAGES ECONOMY.”

8/6/2019 Behind the Wheel Q3 Fall 2018 —FORBES, JUNE 8, 2021

Q2 SPRING/SUMMER 2019 program to expose high school students to careers in trucking. A curriculum has been
THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE MARYLAND MOTOR TRUCK ASSOCIATION developed where seniors can get their commercial learner’s permit immediately upon
graduation so they can enter a CDL training school right away. We are hoping to launch
WaynePersonof theYear the course sometime in 2022.
Gaumer
In the last few years, MMTA’s Maintenance Council added a “FutureTech”
Lightning Transportation component to its “SuperTech Maryland” mechanic competition. FutureTech includes
students from high schools and trade schools around the state who are working towards
INSIDE: Big Data/Telematics MMTA Driver Spotlight becoming diesel mechanics. Many student competitors have gone on to employment with
in Trucking of the Year on KELLY MMTA members upon graduation.

online.anyflip.com/ejlw/dngx/mobile/index.html 1/36 At the Federal level, the Senate’s recent passage of the Infrastructure Investment
and Jobs Act includes a young driver program to allow 18 – 20-year-old CDL holders
Each edition of MMTA’s Behind to haul interstate freight and travel across state lines following a rigorous 400-hour
the Wheel and MMTA’s annual apprenticeship program. Currently, 18 – 20-year-old drivers may obtain a CDL in all
Membership Directory & Buyers’ 48 contiguous states, but federal law prevents them from driving into other states or
Guide reaches more than 8,000 transporting interstate goods.
leaders in transportation throughout
Maryland and beyond.That makes The pandemic has shown that it is difficult, if not impossible, to haul more freight
advertising in Behind the Wheel an with fewer trucks and drivers. To further quote Forbes, “Widespread labor shortages (and
excellent business decision. strife) is threatening to hold back a nascent economic recovery.” That’s certainly true
in trucking.
If you want to reach this highly
targeted and influential group of On an unrelated note, I’d like to update you on our strategic planning effort. All of
industry decision-makers and ask you received a request over the last several weeks to complete our member engagement
them to consider purchasing your survey. We had several hundred responses. Thank you for participating. Your responses
products or services, then you’ll will help us ensure MMTA continues to provide value as we look to set a path for the
want to place an ad in every edition future. Our Board of Directors will next be meeting with the facilitators at a retreat in
early November. The plan will be finalized and revealed to our members by the end of
of Behind the Wheel. the year.

Please contact our publisher, Lastly, the MMTA Nominating Committee met this past summer. Due to the
Jennifer Matthews, at COVID-19 impacts, which prevented most Association activities from being held for
more than a year, I was asked by the Committee to remain as Chairman of the Board for
[email protected] an additional year. I agreed to continue serving and thank you for the opportunity.
or call (501) 690-9393 – if she
doesn’t call you first! Jack Saum Jr.
Beltway Companies
|6 BEHIND THE WHEEL Q3 FALL 2021 MMTA Chairman

MDTRUCKING.ORG





MMTA Members Now
Save on Fuel

New Partnership with Carroll
offers Substantial Savings to Members

BY MISTY SEXTON

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Carroll Fuel Network Site Map “IT’S A WIN-WIN FOR MMTA AND FOR OUR MEMBERS.”
—LOUIS CAMPION, PRESIDENT, MMTA
For many businesses fuel is a large
and complex expense over which there In an effort to bring a valuable benefit “It’s a win-win for MMTA and for our
is limited control. Where and how to to its members, Maryland Motor Truck members,” said MMTA president Louis
purchase it, the fluctuating prices, and the has forged a partnership that can ease Campion of the new partnership. “When
mounds of paperwork consume a vast many of the pain points in vehicle fueling members join the program through us it
amount of resources whether you’re an and save member companies both time
insurance agency with a few company and money. CONTINUED 
cars, a one-truck owner-operator or a
commercial HVAC company with 40 |BEHIND THE WHEEL Q3 FALL 2021 9
service vans.

MDTRUCKING.ORG

Fuel Network Transaction List

supports MMTA, and the member can see “THE PROGRAM HAS FOUR KEY BENEFITS:
significant savings on their fuel costs. It’s CONVENIENCE, SIMPLICITY, SAVINGS, AND CONTROL.
really easy to use and saves a lot of time THE SAVINGS COME IN TWO WAYS. YOU SAVE ON THE
that used to be spent collecting receipts COST OF FUEL, BUT YOU SAVE JUST AS MUCH IN TIME,
and filling out forms. Any business that has PARTICULARLY WHEN IT COMES TO RECONCILIATION.”
vehicles can use it and see real savings.”
—TIM RHODE, PROJECT MANAGER, CARROLL FUEL NETWORK
The Carroll Fuel Network program
from long-time MMTA member and supplier. Originally started as a coal Rhode said, “The Program has four key
supporter, Carroll Motor Fuels, sets out to company in Baltimore in 1907, Carroll benefits: convenience, simplicity, savings,
solve many of the fueling issues companies Fuels grew into a powerhouse in the and control. The savings come in two
face with an app and a user-friendly portal. heating oil and commercial fuels industry ways. You save on the cost of fuel, but
Project manager Tim Rhode sees a host of with a small portfolio of gas stations in you save just as much in time, particularly
benefits for companies of all types the Baltimore region. In 2012 Carroll when it comes to reconciliation.” With the
and sizes. sold their home heating oil business and Carroll Fuel Network MMTA members
expanded their portfolio of convenience pay the same discounted price at all
“If you use fuel for your business this stores with the acquisition of another participating stations instead of the “street
program will save you money and time. Baltimore icon; High’s Dairy Stores. price” advertised. And in addition to
No more frustrating fuel cards, tiny paper money saved on each gallon purchased,
receipts, and hours spent reconciling. Since then, the company has participating members will see significantly
You save money on fuel costs, but also continued to grow and add new stores reduced expenses managing the paperwork
administrative costs.” Rhode joined the to their portfolio throughout Maryland and reporting.
Carroll team specifically to help develop and beyond. Many stations have been
and launch the program, which he points completely remodeled and rebranded “No more weeding through stacks
out is still growing. “There are more to the familiar Carroll Fuel or High’s of crumpled receipts, hand-keying data,
than 80 active stations currently, and we label, with some Sunoco, Marathon, and searching for details on transactions
are adding more each month, including BP, and Citgo stations in the mix. Their at the end of each month,” said Rhode.
stations with diesel that can accommodate locations can be found in neighborhoods, Full details of every transaction including
large trucks.” downtowns and along interstate exits. The location, time, vehicle, and driver are
Carroll Fuel Network program is the latest
The Carroll Fuel Network takes product offering in their portfolio. CONTINUED 
advantage of Carroll’s extensive reach
as a convenience store operator and fuel

|10 BEHIND THE WHEEL Q3 FALL 2021 MDTRUCKING.ORG

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available in the dashboard instantly. and even IFTA reporting much simpler. plus, the Carroll Fuel Network allows for
Users can generate reports quickly and Many MMTA members have large refueling vehicles that travel far from home
easily through the online portal, setting at wholesale prices without the hassle of
parameters such as date and vehicle and operations with fuel tanks on site. For fuel cards or the lack of control of a credit
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their smartphone and keys in their pin to fuel within the parameters a company sets transaction can be viewed in the portal
activate the pump, fills up and drives away. which gives much greater control than CONTINUED 
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within minutes. The task of adding or "THE PRICE WE PAY FOR REGULAR GAS IS MUCH
removing a driver, a vehicle, or altering LOWER THAN THE POSTED PRICE, THE STATIONS
parameters such as capacity or time limits ARE WITHIN OUR USUAL LANES OF TRAVEL, AND
can be completed in real time. By the time
a driver has signed the paperwork to pick THE PORTAL IS EASY TO NAVIGATE."
up a rental truck, it can be added to the
vehicle list and fueled at a nearby station. —LOUIS CAMPION, PRESIDENT, MMTA
“The product is very simple and easy to
use, and it works in real time,” said Rhode. their paperwork and save on fuel costs. Over that period, we have seen savings
Small business owners will appreciate the frequently between 30 and 50 cents per
With no minimum purchase aggregation of data in the user-friendly gallon on most days.” He is hopeful that
requirements, the MMTA - Carroll Fuel portal as well. companies will use this member benefit
Network partnership makes fuel cost to save money, improve their operations
savings accessible to many smaller member Campion, who states MMTA uses the and support MMTA. “We are always
companies. Fuel pricing discounts were Carroll Fuel Network for two company looking for a way to add value and bring
historically reserved for those using vehicles, has seen the value first-hand quality products to our members – all of
hundreds of thousands of gallons of fuel “The price we pay for regular gas is much our members. I think this program
per year. Now even an owner-operator lower than the posted price, the stations does that.”
or three-truck operation has access to are within our usual lanes of travel, and
wholesale fuel pricing without the expense the portal is easy to navigate. Although we Anyone interested in learning more
and environmental concerns of fuel don’t have any diesel-powered vehicles, about the benefits of the MMTA – Carroll
tank management. Allied members from MMTA has been tracking the posted Fuel Network program should contact
parts dealers to insurance agents with diesel price at a nearby fueling station and Armand Patella at Maryland Motor Truck
company vehicles of any type can reduce compared it to the Carroll Fuel Network Association, [email protected],
price for several months. 410-644-4600.

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|14 BEHIND THE WHEEL Q3 FALL 2021 MDTRUCKING.ORG

The Benefits of a Clear Mission

ATRI celebrates its twentieth year of building
trucking's data infrastructure

BY DAVID MONTEITH

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

PHOTO: COURTESY ATRI THE ATRI TEAM CELEBRATES 20 YEARS ON MAY 17, 2021 IN SAN ANTONIO, TEX. AT ATA’S MID YEAR MEETING: Dan Murray, senior vice
president; Danielle Crownover, research analyst; Alexandra Shirk, research associate’ Joy Miller, contract administrator; Carla Rose, research
assistant; Claire Evans, research analyst; Rebecca Brewster, president & COO; Jeff Short, vice president [Not pictured: Alex Leslie, research analyst;
Mike Tunnell, director of environmental research]

In the late 1990s, Mike Wickham, “MIKE [WICKHAM] REALLY HAD SUCH CLEAR VISION
then the CEO of Roadway and chairman FOR WHAT HE THOUGHT THIS ORGANIZATION
of the American Trucking Associations
Foundation, started a process similar to the SHOULD BE. ONCE HE ARTICULATED THAT VISION,
one being initiated by MMTA Chairman, DAN MURRAY AND I, ALONG WITH ATRI’S FIRST
Jack Saum, Jr., CEO of Beltway Companies
and MMTA chairman. Wickham asked PRESIDENT SUSAN COUGHLIN, SET OUT TO BUILD THE
industry leaders how the ATA foundation ORGANIZATION TO FULFILL A VERY CLEAR MISSION.
could better serve the trucking industry, AND THAT MISSION IS VERY SIMPLE."
just as Saum is doing in Maryland. The
end result of Wickham’s strategic planning —­REBECCA BREWSTER, PRESIDENT & COO, ATRI
was the creation of the American Trucking
Research Institute (ATRI). This year, ATRI asset since it was formed in 2001. “One them to make a loud noise,” Hodges says.
celebrates 20 years of delivering useful of the most important things ATRI does “ATRI has changed that, because they deal
research to truckers, the companies they for me, is they provide the facts. When my with the facts, and the facts always beat
work for, and policymakers. trucking career began, we were not the opinions. Without Rebecca Brewster and
most highly regarded industry in the land. her skills, our industry would not have
Tommy Hodges, chairman of Goggins We didn’t have much clout and we didn’t progressed as far as it has in the last
Warehousing and former chairman of get much done most of the time. There was two decades.”
the ATA, says ATRI has been a valuable the thought that we can tax or regulate
those folks and there aren’t enough of CONTINUED 
MDTRUCKING.ORG
|BEHIND THE WHEEL Q3 FALL 2021 15

Rebecca Brewster has been the PHOTO: DANIEL GRAY
president and COO of ATRI for 19 of its
20 years. She credits Mike Wickham for "MY WHOLE LIFE MY DAD TAUGHT ME I COULD DO
providing the roadmap she still follows. ANYTHING I WANTED, BE ANYTHING I WANTED. HE
“That mission is very simple,” Brewster REALLY DID SHAPE WHO I AM. HE JUST BUILT SO MUCH
says. “It’s the research to improve the
industry’s safety and productivity.” CONFIDENCE IN ME."

ATRI’s mission may be simple, but —REBECCA BREWSTER, PRESIDENT & COO, ATRI
its work is not. From offices across
the country, a staff of only nine people together to improve fuel economy and the American Trucking Associations, says
develop surveys, collect information, and safety. Among ATRI’s most powerful tools, ATRI’s data collection takes the much
develop reports that factor into the hiring is the real-time GPS data it receives from of the guesswork out of forecasting.
decisions by trucking companies, state over a million trucks. That data can be “Whether it is calculating the cost of
laws, and, most recently, the Infrastructure used to study traffic flow and congestion at congestion to our industry, identifying
Bill in Congress. The ability to effectively any given moment and, more importantly, chokepoints in our highway system, or
multitask is one trait common to the patterns in traffic flow that can be used to putting a price tag on the devastating
staff, who are often involved in five or six shape everything from state policies to new impact of nuclear verdicts on trucking –
research topics simultaneously. highways. Data from trucks in a convoy ATRI’s work has been vital to advancing
will provide carriers and legislators with our industry’s interests. ATA doesn’t
Brewster says the responses to the the facts they need to make informed advocate positions based on emotion, we
reports and presentations she gives at decisions about platooning.
state association meetings, or as a guest CONTINUED ON PG 28 
on The Dave Nemo Show on Sirius XM, Chris Spear, president and CEO of
are one of her biggest motivations. “The
feedback I get, whether it’s from motor
carriers, or industry suppliers, or insurers,
or government folks, really informs and
shapes how I understand our research
is being received,” she says. “Whether
it’s someone coming up and saying, ‘We
revamped our driver hiring process based
on the crash predictor model,’ or ‘Your
operational costs in trucking research has
made a difference in how we benchmark
our operations,’—Just hearing from
people the real-world examples of how
our research is being put to use…certainly
keeps that drive going for why we do what
we do.”

ATRI’s crash predictor research pairs
nicely with Maryland’s new mandatory
information sharing law, requiring a
trucking company to share its FMSCA
safety and fitness records when offering
a job to a prospective driver. Making the
roads safer for everyone is a top priority.

Another new piece of Maryland
legislation that may benefit from ATRI’s
comprehensive data set is the truck
platooning law that will allow the testing
of technology that lets trucks link closely

|16 BEHIND THE WHEEL Q3 FALL 2021 MDTRUCKING.ORG

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF ATRITHE NATION’S TOP TRUCK

This year ATRI celebrates 20 years of leadership in critical data and analysis to improve the

BOTTLENECKS 2021trucking industry’s safety and productivity. From the truck stop to the executive suite, to the
ANALYSsItSate house and Capitol Hill, ATRI’s reputation for providing objective industry analyses means

data-driven decision making on the industry’s biggest issues.ince 2002, the American Transportation Research Institute

S(ATRI) has collected and processed truck GPS data in support
truck GPS dataset, ATRI found average truck speeds at some of the
worst truck bottlenecks improve by 100% or more as car drivers
of numerous U.S. DOT freight mobility initiatives. Using truck GPS sheltered in place and trucks kept moving to deliver essential goods.
data from over 1 million freight trucks, ATRI develops and monitors In a separate analysis in April 2020, ATRI found state-level truck
a series of key performance measures on the nation’s freight activity increased in early February as panic-buying drove consumer
transportation system. Among many GPS analyses, ATRI converts demand, followed by a decrease in truck activity as more businesses
its truck GPS dataset into an ongoing truck bottleneck analysis that were closed. However, by April and into May, ATRI’s Truck Activity
is used to quantify the impact of traffic congestion on truck-borne Index began to improve across the states analyzed, signaling a
freight at over 300 specific locations. While other datasets may return to pre-pandemic freight demand.
identify congested corridors, no dataset available today specifically
identifies granular chokepoints in the nation’s truck freight An additional impact on traffic congestion in 2020 was the number IMPROVING SAFETY
transportation system. of roadway construction projects that were able to commence and/ AND LOWERING RISK
or advance at a faster pace due to fewer vehicles on the road during
ATRI’s annual Top Truck Bottleneck Analysis uses a full year of the pandemic. Once traffic levels increased in the second half of
truck GPS data to calculate the top chokepoints. However, 2020 2020, those construction projects became even more congested.
was by all definitions a different year with pandemic-related impacts As such, this year’s Top Truck Bottleneck list reflects a rise in
intersecting with traffic patterns. In a March 2020 analysis using its ranking in a number of locations impacted by roadway construction.

2021 TOP TRUCK BOTTLENECKS • BY THE NUMBERS On topics as wide-ranging as predicting future crash
involvement to safety technology cost-benefit analyses to

AVERAGE PEAK 33.9%up year-over-year TOP 100 BOTTLENECKS 25% 29NUMBER OF STATES obstructive sleep apnea, ATRI’s research provides a blueprint
WITH AVERAGE TRUCK for managing risk and improving roadway safety.
43.0HOUR TRUCK WITH AT LEAST ONE
mphSPEED: SPEEDS <45 MPH: TOP 100 BOTTLENECK:

WA

9# Rye, NY OPERATIONAL DATA
1-95 at I-287 YOU CAN COUNT ON

NY Whether you’re looking to route your drivers around congestion or
CT benchmark your costs against your peers in the industry, ATRI’s
analyses combine real-world data with a deep understanding of
6# Chicago, IL PA industry operations.
I-290 at I-90/I-94
LEADING WITH DATA,
1# Fort Lee, NJ NOT EMOTION
1-95 at SR 4
ATRI’s research uses data and analyses to dissect the true
CA 2# Cincinnati, OH impacts of policies and regulations across a range of critical
I-71 at I-75 topics including Hours-of-Service, autonomous vehicles, CSA,
8# St. Louis, MO tolling, and nuclear verdicts.
I-64/I-55 at I-44

10# San Bernardino, CA 7 TN
I-10 at I-15 # Chattanooga, TN 3# Atlanta, GA
I-75 at I-24 I-285 at I-85 (North)

GA

STATES WITH THE 4# Atlanta, GA
HIGHEST NUMBER OF I-20 at I-285 (West)
TOP 100 BOTTLENECKS: TX

Texas.................. 12 Georgia ................ 7 5# Houston, TX
California ............. 8 Pennsylvania....... 7 I-45 at I-69/US 59
Washington ......... 8 New York .............. 6
Connecticut......... 7 Tennessee ........... 6

For more information on ATRI’s Top Truck Bottleneck analysis, including a detailed description of the methodology, visit www.TruckingResearch.org.

WHERE THE RUBBER
MEETS THE ROAD

ATRI has a long history of research focused on the issues and
concerns of professional truck drivers. From involvement in over
40 national, state, and regional truck parking studies to quantifying
the impacts of detention, ATRI’s analyses provide a key input to
advancing the safety and productivity of the industry’s workforce.

MDTRUCKING.ORG We rely on YOU to make our research successful. Help secure ATRI’s future for
the next 20 years with a charitable contribution from you or your organization!

Visit us today online at TruckingResearch.org
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|BEHIND THE WHEEL Q3 FALL 2021 17

Growing Roots and
Making Friends

Gary Rudy of Richard B. Rudy, Inc.
named MMTA’s Person of the Year 

BY DAN CALABRESE

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID SINCLAIR

|18 BEHIND THE WHEEL Q3 FALL 2021 MDTRUCKING.ORG

Gary Rudy, Maryland one time chairman, and Vice service is complete.
For MMTA President
Motor Truck Association’s President of Richard B. Rudy,
Louis Campion, there’s a
2021 Person of the Year, might Inc., has more than made his simple reason for that. The
industry, and the association,
have gotten consideration for impact on the industry. So benefit greatly from Rudy’s
experience and perspective.
Person of the Decade, if such much so that the association
CONTINUED 
an honor existed. The long- keeps asking him to come

time MMTA Board member, back even when it appears his

MDTRUCKING.ORG |BEHIND THE WHEEL Q3 FALL 2021 19

“He’s served multiple terms on our His mother and father founded R.B. Rudy, Traditionally it had mainly served
executive committee, which you don’t Inc. in 1938. By age 16 he was driving agricultural clients. But by the 1970s,
often see,” Campion said. “Generally when trucks and learning as much as he could the U.S. economy had become much less
someone’s term as chairman ends, they about the business. But after college, agrarian, and the company needed to
don’t serve another term on our executive Rudy wanted to get experience in some diversify. Rudy and his brother Ken saw
committee. But Gary came back several other areas. He had a job in sales and also opportunities in the food sector.
times at our request because of the respected worked at an aluminum foundry and in
voice, commitment, and perspective he has.” metal fabrication. “He and I were looking at different
things,” Rudy said. “We got involved
Rudy started working in the trucking When he joined Rudy, Inc. permanently, with what is now Bimbo Bakery – at
industry in the 1960s when he was 13. the company faced a major transition. the time it was Thomas’ English Muffins –

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on a very small scale. It ended up being “IT PROBABLY TOOK US ONE-AND-A-HALF TO TWO
a 42-year relationship.” YEARS TO REALLY PROVE OURSELVES. THEY WERE

The company originally served its PLEASED AND IT TURNED OUT WELL.”
new client in the markets of New York,
New Jersey, and Maryland – eventually —GARY RUDY, VICE PRESIDENT, RICHARD B. RUDY, INC.
expanding its service throughout the East
Coast. It was a crucial test in proving the manufacturing and delivery is always The reward has been staying consistently
company could handle a new market. needed,” Rudy says. strong under difficult circumstances. Even
COVID, which had a negative effect on most
“It probably took us one-and-a-half The stable client base is one of the industries, only caused a slight bump for
to two years to really prove ourselves. reasons Rudy, Inc. has tended to weather Rudy, Inc.
They were pleased and it turned out well,” economic downturns well. Of course,
Rudy said. “We did the same thing with there is no such thing as a recession-proof “We never shut down, but what we
other major accounts. It took a lot of time business if you don’t perform well. Rudy, found is that food manufacturing companies
and relationship-building to work our Inc.’s leaders understood they needed to shut down at times for cleaning or other
way in.” not just learn the needs of shippers in the situations, and then had problems getting
food industry. They had to master the art of workers back to cover the shifts,” Rudy said.
Other very successful clients in the food meeting those needs. “We saw a short slowdown. The worst was
sector include several large bulk liquid food about two weeks in May, but it has come
grade shippers and manufacturers. And Today the company has done some back with a vengeance.”
now that Rudy, Inc. is established in that strategic downsizing – its fleet and its
segment, it tends to provide a steady stream workforce are slightly smaller than they Today the company has 60 employees
of business. were in the past – as part of an effort and a fleet of 55 vehicles, all of which are
to keep the company lean and efficient.
“People have to eat, so food CONTINUED 

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* * * sPEcial Edition on Elds * * *custom-built for Rudy, Inc.’s specifications. always a big goal for us. The tankers are
for the same type of product or adapted for

In designing these units, Rudy is not only also custom-built – again to our exact another one pretty easily.”

concerned with what it’s delivering, specifications – to ensure they are what One thing that makes the trucks

it’s also concerned with who is making we need for the type of products that so attractive for resale is that they’re

those deliveries. we handle.” designed with driver comfort in mind.

“We have both trucks and trailers With the vehicles being custom-built, one Driver consideration is part of a company

custom-built to our specifications, which may think that the resale value is poor. In philosophy that values the employee

is pretty involved. The trucks have to be fact, they do quite well on the resale market. experience – not only as a personal

lightweight, but also appealing to the “There is a market for both the tankers and philosophy but also as an investment in a

drivers’ comfort level,” Rudy said. “That’s the trucks,” Rudy said. “They can be used stable workforce. That’s something many

companies are struggling with right now,

and it’s always been a challenge in the

trucking industry.

“If you look at the industry turnover

rate, it’s extremely high,” Rudy said. “Our

turnover rate is much lower. We’ve been

fortunate with that. We are finding since

COVID, everyone is having a tough time

finding employees, so we want to make sure

we keep the ones we have.”

As Rudy helped lead his company

Petroleum / Chemical / Sanitary / Dry Bulk through the transitions described
New and Used Trailer Sales and Leasing Parts above, he caught the attention of the
industry. Then again, he was already pretty
Repair and Rebuild Facility familiar with it, having attended MMTA

National Board “R” Certi cate #R-2687 / D.O.T. Reg #CT1321 meetings with his family before he even
reached adulthood.

“I started attending MMTA functions

with my brother and family at a pretty

young age,” Rudy said. “I got very interested

in what they were doing and learned to

know the staff and many of the members.

We thought they were competitors, and no

one would want to be around each other,

but as it turned out many have become

really good friends to this day.”

Congratulations to Gary Rudy Competition in business isn’t personal,
of course. Sitting around a table with your
on being named MMTA's Person of the Year! competitors and discovering your common

concerns is a good way to learn that. Rudy

51 Industrial Circle, Lancaster, PA 17601 found the work of the association intriguing.
Phone: (717) 656-4329 Fax: (717) 656-4238 The more he learned about the industry, the
more he wanted to be part of advancing its
REPAIR SALES PARTS collective interests.
Gary Brumbach Cindy Fittery Mike Paulson
Steve Boxleitner Seth Van Gent Gary first got involved at the chapter
Matt Leed Tabby Morton level, attending meetings of the MMTA
Western Maryland Chapter. His activity

VISIT OUR WEBSITE @www.hytectank.com there led to an opportunity for him to
join the MMTA board of directors. When
Serving the Tank Trailer Industry Campion joined the association in 2001,

|22 BEHIND THE WHEEL Q3 FALL 2021 MDTRUCKING.ORG

thReubdeytawgarsoaulprecaadny eovnenthbeebboraordu.gHhteinbetocame leading the MMTA board. SINI gCotEin1v9o5lv6edRwICithEMTMIRTAE,”HRAudSy said.
thitespcrhoaciermssa. n in 2005, and that put him in
“dtbehroappxoeFrrtcpstooiheheonMbvpiessasiltrsieyaltiii”mloisosnyoftnn,ytenefoysamorsoterhireonsuspixt.pwohutpwOphresloeiteaneliririilnnerkswnndgchoohteu”ofaoneesnmdtntdttahrrhoiytienapt.deocdaecetdaeraoslmdtrsmtiwidichvneuerieasiteslfrtthaisctrtwmsmoalhyattaetoihyovnrtesaenoycxt“rokoibnf-igg RICE TIRE“A lot of politicians may think BEE“NThDe yEeDarIICwAasTtEheDchTaiOrmFanLIEmEeTt a lot of
incgararniedrsr.eTphoristipnrge.seDnuteedtoa tmhaejovorlpurmobeloemf for
damtaottohractatrhreiesres.systems generate, it is all someEtXhPinERgT’Ss IaN gTIrReEaStOiLdUeTIaO,NbSut they don’t MApNoAlitGiciEanMs aEndNsTpeSntOtiLmUe iTn IAOnnNapSolis. That
but im“Sphoispspiebrlse wfoerresotmryeinognetotoresqiut idreowmnotaonrd
“wcaatrcrihe”rsthtoe sdigrinvehrosldfr-hoamrmthleessbaacgkreoefmfiecnet.sTo 60know aClleslideeBsRoAf tThIeNsGtory,” Rudy said. IN MwaAs aRfYirLstAfoNr mDe,&anVdIqRuiGteIhNonIeAst.ly, I was
mfaokrethsienngssetohuat wofetrheeoudtatoaf,tthheemsyosttoerm “MMTA is really good at explaining things pWetWrifieWd..BRuIt CI rEeaTliIzRedEq.uCicOklyMthat they’re
oncalyrrrieprso’rctosnotnro“le,”xcCeapmtipoinosn.”sEaixdc.e“pItfioyonus to our elected officials and coming to middle
arteookccaurloreandcaensdsuitchwas lvoiaodlaetdiobnyst(hgeoing pFeAoCpEleBjuOsOt lKik.eCuOsM.”/RICETIRE
ovsehriphpoeur,ras)n,dunthsearfeewsiatsuatnioincsid(henatrdasbararke-sult ground to wYoErAk RthSings out.”
inogf),imanpdroppoeorrlopaedrfinogrm, thaenycewiesrseuetrsy(ien.gg.to be
exhceelsdshivaermidlleisnsg.”or falling outside the “I was never involved with politics until CONTINUED 
“delivIneroythweirnwdoowrd”s)., Tthheesrheifpopree,racsoulolndg as
thceomvemhiict laenisegbreeignigouospearcat toefdnwegitlihgienntche eor - Radiators repaired and recored
ldfsoeyocaboorsiaIceerktnnrcneiihgeennmtelpeejtgftluthsdfhpsroetenyaahrcvienrertaeoass,trjpcism.ott,ctoThbuhiaeneshrntecserestoidiesrobrirtedstdlrsueh,.ephaanTecfryototooh.muilrovWeyolonid,wnsithnneisoheordeohra.ninuostHocsseudanltvtoorlrereedwyronirivwkeedbcedrvioieernaleduwslnmgrlba,t.oodaoeriunfgdelb’eatdief-
drbiuvreiredisinnotthdeofiinnegphriisnot rofhceornjotrbaccotsr.rNecottly, - DPFs and EGRs cleaned
soomnleyotnheawt, ibllubt ethceoncutaltcutriengofhtihme borushinere,sjsust
likweoirslddodnisecocuurraregnedtlyp.eople from speaking up - Fuel tanks cleaned and repaired

about these problem provisions. - A/C lines made and repaired

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That approach – treating lawmakers “I STARTED ATTENDING MMTA FUNCTIONS WITH MY
simply as people and appealing to their BROTHER AND FAMILY AT A PRETTY YOUNG AGE. I GOT
sense of fairness – broke the ice and got
people to listen. It took two years and VERY INTERESTED IN WHAT THEY WERE DOING AND
was finalized during the term of Rudy’s LEARNED TO KNOW THE STAFF AND MANY OF THE
successor as MMTA chairman – Joe
Cowan of Cowan Systems – but ultimately MEMBERS. WE THOUGHT THEY WERE COMPETITORS,
the legislature changed the law to outlaw AND NO ONE WOULD WANT TO BE AROUND EACH
indemnification provisions in motor
carrier contracts. OTHER, BUT AS IT TURNED OUT MANY HAVE BECOME
REALLY GOOD FRIENDS TO THIS DAY.”
“Gary played a key role with us —GARY RUDY, R.B. RUDY, INC.
getting the legislation introduced and
helping to garner support by talking with opened a lot of other doors with meeting – very strong ties to the community that
elected officials about the impacts of these people who became friends.” are important for elected officials to see.
provisions,” Campion said. So often we think of trucking companies
Seeing the value in people has also with just the truck, and sadly that can be
In the process, Rudy started to recognize led Rudy to be involved in the community perceived negatively at times. We only
something about people. It was the same of Frederick, where the company is look at the vehicle on the highway and
thing he found out from his involvement on based. To Campion, it’s an example of we don’t think about the individuals who
the MMTA board in the first place – that something people too often miss about the are employed by the company, and all the
just about anyone you meet along the way trucking industry. good things that company may do in their
can become a friend.
“He’s very active locally in Frederick, CONTINUED 
“We met a lot of people, discussed issues where he’s based,” Campion said. “And he
and got into details,” Rudy said. “That has a number of close political relationships

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community. The Rudy family has been dates back to the late-1700s. That’s where together with the family and spend time
tremendously active in and around the my ancestors were born and raised.” with them,” Rudy said. “We do some
Frederick area.” boating and snow skiing, water skiing
The current Rudy family continues that and traveling.”
Even as Rudy is committed to the tradition. Son Jason is Rudy, Inc.’s general
community of Frederick, which is where he manager, while daughter Chelsea is a special And because he values time spent
grew up, he lives in nearby Middletown. education teacher who was recently married. with the family so much, 70-year-old
And the Rudy connection there is even Daughter Sarah is a nurse in the cardio unit Rudy is looking forward to stepping back
deeper – as in, more than three-and-a-half at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and daughter further from the company – even as he
centuries deep. Samantha is an occupational therapist. acknowledges it will be difficult. Much of
Rudy also has two grandchildren – Cole the company’s older leaders have already
“I built my first house in Middletown, and Stella. retired, and that has created an opportunity
moved there when I was 24 so that has for a new generation of leaders to emerge.
been a long time,” Rudy said. “My family “It’s just nice to be able to get

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“We have a succession plan in place,” “I’ve made some really good friends, Bulk Food Grade Transportation
Rudy said. “My son is the general manager from Louis and other staff members to
and I have a nephew, Travis, who’s other companies and board members,” Richard B.
the operations manager. We also have Rudy said. “Just a lot of good friends
several non-family members who are similar through the association.” Established 1938
in age. A really good group of managers in
general. So yes, I would like to slow down a And it goes both ways. Campion Transportation Co.
bit and step back. That’s the plan.” believes that, for all the tangible strengths Leasing LTD
you can cite about Rudy and his work in
Rudy also recognizes the benefit of a the industry, one idea summarizes the way Properties LLC
youth movement at MMTA. That’s why people view him.
he agreed that 2021 would be his last term Congratulations, Gary!
on the board of directors. His son Jason will “Respect sums it up best,” Campion
now represent the company on the board. said. “Whether that be during a discussion We’re so happy to see you
of policy positions, engagement in the awarded MMTA’s
“A priority of the association is to get community, or outreach to elected officials,
younger people involved,” Rudy said. Gary has supported the association and Person-of-the-Year!
industry in so many ways.” A deserving honor for your
For the next generation that means not many contributions in the
only working toward the business interests Respect is something you earn, and
of motor carriers, but also recognizing the Rudy has spent a lifetime doing that. His transportation industry.
value of the social connections and the recognition as 2021 Person of the Year is From your family and friends
friendships that can be made along the way. merely a way for the industry to recognize
It’s the most common theme Rudy comes what it’s known for decades – that it’s much at RB Rudy
back to when he talks about his years in better off for having Gary Rudy as part
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ATRI/CONTINUED FROM PG 16 as well as nearly three dozen additional makers in Washington D.C. and trucking
proposed subjects that had been submitted executives coast-to-coast. Rebecca is one
deal in facts, and with ATRI’s work, we by the RAC members, industry association of the trucking industry’s most valued and
always have the best facts.” staff, the public, and others. We then spent respected leaders. She focuses on leading
two days together discussing each proposal with collaboration and cooperation while
While ATRI is known for providing in great detail before ultimately ranking pursuing ATRI’s research mission with a
facts, the organization is also known the topics discussed.The RAC consisted passion. At Yellow we have a great deal of
for gathering and respecting opinions. of a broad cross section of motor carriers, respect for the work of Rebecca and the
ATRI’s research topics are determined association executives, allied members, and entire ATRI team.”
by the organization’s Research Advisory more to ensure that we were identifying
Committee and its board of directors. The those subjects that were most important Whether it’s a report on nuclear
Research Advisory Committee (RAC) is across the industry.” verdicts, or a proposed vehicle-miles tax,
composed of over 30 of the transportation or the annual Top Ten Critical Issues in
industry’s most senior leaders and Darren Hawkins, CEO of Yellow the Trucking Industry, Brewster is praised
executives who are charged with proposing Corporation and current ATRI board for her ability to focus on the details as
the research topics, which the board of member says, “For more than fifteen years well as the big picture behind the data.
directors refines into a prioritized research Yellow has supported the industry research Her talent for being able to understand
agenda. MMTA President & CEO Louis work of ATRI. Why? ATRI is the trucking and explain to others the microcosms
Campion sat on the Research Advisory industry’s most trusted name in research. and macrocosms of the research is useful
Committee from 2015-2016 and was From data on congestion points for freight to the wider transportation industry
impressed by all the effort that goes into movement to assessing industry operating too, according to Paul Jodoin with the
identify ATRI’s research priorities. costs for trucking, the ATRI team provides Department of Transportation’s Federal
valuable research that is followed by policy Highway Administration.
“I recall ATRI sending us white papers
in advance on more than a dozen issues,

|28 BEHIND THE WHEEL Q3 FALL 2021 MDTRUCKING.ORG

“What the trucking community may Carla Rose, Danielle Crownover and Rebecca Brewster in ATRI's Atlanta office [Not pictured:
not realize is that Rebecca Brewster and Jeff Short]
ATRI have also been active with the
National Traffic Incident Management PHOTO BY DANIEL GRAY
(TIM) Program during these 20 years.
Rebecca and ATRI have worked with the
DOT’s Federal Highway Administration
to help advance the safe and efficient
mitigation of roadway incidents.”
Jodoin says, “Rebecca was the primary
research manager under contract with
the Transportation Research Board that
developed the very popular National
Traffic Incident Management Responder
Training Program. More than 550,000
responders have been trained in the safe,
quick clearance of roadway incidents. It
has become the standard practice when
clearing roadway incidents throughout
the country.”

CONTINUED 

KELLY Benefit Strategies

is proud to be endorsed by the

Maryland Motor
Truck Association

(MMTA)

MDTRUCKING.ORG kellybenefitstrategies.com
|BEHIND THE WHEEL Q3 FALL 2021 29

Thank you Person of the Year

Sponsors for supporting
MMTA's Walter & Harriet Thompson

Scholarship Fund

Benefactors

Mentors

Partners

|30 BEHIND THE WHEEL Q3 FALL 2021 MDTRUCKING.ORG

Campion notes that many MMTA “CONGRATULATIONS ATRI ON YOUR 20-YEAR
members also are likely unaware of ANNIVERSARY! UNDER REBECCA’S LEADERSHIP, ATRI
ATRI’s value in helping the 50 state
trucking associations with their own CONTINUES TO PROVIDE SUPERIOR DATA DRIVEN
internal benchmarking. RESEARCH WHICH IS REQUIRED TO SUPPORT ATA’S
ADVOCACY EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF OUR INDUSTRY.
“Each year the state associations engage REBECCA’S GIFTED ABILITY TO CLEARLY ARTICULATE
ATRI to prepare a benchmarking report. We
answer questions regarding our membership THE RESULTS OF THAT DATA IN A WAY THAT OUR
size, staff, revenue sources, training sessions, MEMBERS, REGULATORS, AND LEGISLATORS CAN
and more. Those results show that every state UNDERSTAND, HAS MADE ATRI THE TRUSTED DATA
trucking association has areas where it excels, SOURCE FOR ALL THINGS RELATED TO TRUCKING.
and some where it could do better. The report THANK YOU, REBECCA, FOR THE GREAT JOB YOU DO
allows us to identify states who may be doing
well in areas where we could improve, so we FOR OUR INDUSTRY!!”
can engage them to find out what works.”
—DAVE MANNING, PRESIDENT & CEO, NORTH AMERICAN
The MMTA is beginning a strategic CHASSIS POOL COOPERATIVE, HEADQUARTERED IN NASHVILLE
planning process, asking members for
input as it sets its vision. ATRI is proof that a hours-of-service regulations and electronic
clear mission can have long-lasting benefits. logging devices. Strategic plans and ATRI
As the industry looks ahead to a future of surveys have something in common—both
autonomous vehicles and alternative fuels, the are more effective with input from all
ATRI team is dedicated to helping MMTA levels of the trucking industry.
members achieve their goals and thrive,
just as it has for the last 20 years with

DIGITAL MAGAZINE NOW AVAILABLE

Building Beltway Lightning Transportation, Inc.
Ship to Shore to your Door
New MMTA Chairman draws on
business experience with plans to further grow • Specializing in Ocean Container Drayage
• Servicing The POB since 1987
Maryland Motor Truck Association • 30 + Years servicing the industry
• Driver and Customer Focused
BY DAN CALABRESE • Experienced staff of professionals
CONTRIBUTING WRITER • Dedicated to Safety
• Electronic Data Interchange & RPA Services
hen Jack Saum took experience building Beltway since he was a teenager. • Electronic Document Management
over as the 2020-2021 Companies into the successful As Saum has seen Beltway
chairman of the Maryland dealer it is today. through growth, acquisitions, Congratulations
Motor Truck Association new facility construction and
at the organization’s annual The 53-year-old Saum has new lines of business, he’s Person-of-the-Year
meeting in September, his been CEO of the Baltimore- discovered that capacity and
thoughts on expanding based International/Navistar diversification are crucial for Gary Rudy!
the association’s influence dealership since 2009, but an organization’s success.
drew heavily from his own has been involved with the From your friends
company almost nonstop CONTINUED  at Lightning Transportation
MDTRUCKING.ORG
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID SINCLAIR MDTRUCKING.ORG |BEHIND THE WHEEL Q4 WINTER 2020 17 |BEHIND THE WHEEL Q3 FALL 2021 31

|16 BEHIND THE WHEEL Q4 WINTER 2020

You may view Behind the Wheel — complete with sound effects — online with a
week of distribution.
Another awesome feature of this great new technology is that websites in the
digital magazine are “live.” So, viewers may click on a site featuring in an ad and
be transported directly to an advertiser’s website.

Check it out:
www.mdtrucking.org
This is just one more service that we’re happy to offer
on behalf of our BTW advertisers

MDTRUCKING.ORG

So, You’ve Been Told You Need a
Sleep Evaluation... Now What?

BY ANTHONY DOLLINGER

GUEST WRITER

BODY MASS INDEX (BMI)

18.5 25 30 40 50

HEIGHT

Healthy Weight
Over Weight
Obese

Morbidly Obese
Super Morbidly Obese

50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 275 300 325 350 375 400 425 450

WEIGHT

You have been asked to have a sleep WHY ARE SLEEP a general indication of how the DOT would
evaluation; it is not the end of the world or EVALUATIONS REQUESTED? evaluate one needing a Sleep Evaluation.
the end of your CDL. A study conducted by
the University of Pennsylvania found that Professional drivers may be asked to WHAT IS A SLEEP EVALUATION?
“…almost one-third of truck drivers have undergo a Sleep Evaluation either by their Having a sleep evaluation generally means
mild to severe sleep apnea. Sleep apnea employer, but most often by a DOT examiner
can affect a truck driver’s alertness and to evaluate a driver for Obstructive Sleep a sleep study. This test may be as simple as
performance. Truck drivers should comply Apnea (OSA). Although there are many an at home study called an HSAT or Home
with a doctor’s sleep apnea treatment clinical indicators for sleep apnea, the DOT Sleep Apnea Test. Once completed this test is
instructions to maintain their CDL.” These examiners usually look at the Body Mass interpreted and evaluated by a sleep physician
evaluations are done to prevent possible Index when considering a sleep test. that specializes in these types of studies. The
on-road incidents, protecting you and the pleasant thing about this type of test is it
driving public. Body Mass Index is a measurement of usually does not require an office visit. Having
body fat based on both your height and the studies done in-lab are certainly more
|32 BEHIND THE WHEEL Q3 FALL 2021 weight. Shown above is a chart to give you
MDTRUCKING.ORG

expensive and time consuming, however,
generally they are not needed.

WHAT ARE THE DOT RULES? • Having a recessed chin, small jaw, or especially important to helping drivers stay on
Currently, the DOT is not required to large overbite the road.

test or evaluate professional drivers for • A family history of sleep apnea or If you happen to require a sleep
sleep apnea. However, the driver can be loud snoring evaluation, know that you are not alone; it
referred by a DOT examiner for a sleep is more commonplace than you may realize.
evaluation as part of the routine medical These variables can be meaningful Having an evaluation done will give you some
examination. The federal government indicators whether a driver has sleep apnea. peace of mind and, if needed, will help you
leaves the determination whether or not the get back on the road to a healthier and more
presence and degree of OSA will interfere WHAT ARE MY NEXT STEPS? productive you. That should
with the ability to operate a CMV entirely First, do not become alarmed. be encouraging.
to the medical examiner. Drivers may also
be required by their employer to undergo a As mentioned, the process overall is WHERE DO I FIND GOOD SLEEP
sleep evaluation if they have one or more precautionary, and done as a protection for CARE PROVIDER?
of the sleep apnea risk factors. both you and the public at-large.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine
Good news! A diagnosis of sleep apnea It is recommended you contact a sleep (https://sleepeducation.org/sleep-center/) is the
does not mean the revocation of your CDL. care provider who meets the standards of national organization that sets the standards
It may result in a DOT medical card being the American Academy of Sleep Medicine for sleep testing. Companies such as
issued for less than two years – most often (AASM). The AASM is the national Forward Healthcare, can be found through
for 12 months; however, drivers compliant accrediting organization for the diagnosis and the AASM, and provide programs accredited
with therapy should not have any issue treatment of sleep disorders. Some providers, to their guidelines.
with being granted a medical card and such as Forward Healthcare (FWDHC),
maintaining their CDL. have extensive experience in helping truck In closing, should you be told you need
drivers navigate through the challenges a sleep study, do not worry. Not having the
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR associated with finding a timely and cost- background knowledge can be stressful;
HAVING SLEEP APNEA? effective solution to fit their needs for a however having information is the key to a
sleep evaluation. Some sleep care providers successful outcome and put you on the road
During the DOT physical, the specialize in the trucking industry, knowing to exceptional health.
medical examiners start by looking for what it takes to swiftly and thoroughly have
possible physical abnormalities that might a study and evaluation completed, so you can Anthony Dollinger is CEO of
interfere with normal breathing; things get back on the road confidently and safely. Forward Healthcare. Forward Healthcare
one may take for granted. You may have is a member of the MMTA - Maryland
been living with these symptoms for many Most sleep programs require weeks to Motor Truck Association. For more
years and not realize they could be having schedule and complete sleep studies and information on sleep apnea and the
an adverse effect on your performance. consults. Programs such as FWDHC can evaluation process, please contact us
Additionally, they consider other risk factors often schedule a sleep study within days through our Baltimore office at 443-213-
such as: and have the results in a week or less. This 5595 or https://fowardhealthcare.com.
• Body Mass Index (Height and Weight) can reduce the overall process time and be
|BEHIND THE WHEEL Q3 FALL 2021 33
compatible with being overweight.
• A formula designed to determine a normal
range for both male and female operators.
• Neck circumference

• For men neck circumference of 17” or
more and 16” or more in females

• Age – being 40 years or older increases
the risk.

• Sex – OSA is more prevalent in males.
• Hypertension
• Diabetes

MDTRUCKING.ORG

MMTA NEW MEMBERS ADVERTISER
RESOURCE INDEX
Assured Partners K & K Transport
Baltimore Steel Erectors Key Machinery ABC Radiator............................................... 23
McManus Solutions AC&T............................................................ 12
Bee's Energy Express Mo's Trucking Aggregate Industries.................................. 27
Brawner Builders MTM Ventures American Transportation Research Institute
Cardinal Transport PCS Software (ATRI)........................................................... 17
Petroleum Marketing Group Baltimore Freightliner................................ 21
Chapman Associates RS Logistics & Solutions Baltimore Potomac Truck Centers............... 13
Discount Movers Shepherd Electric Baltimore Tank Lines................................... 27
DMC Insurance Sky Harbor Trucking Behind the Wheel....................................6, 31
Timeless Pyrotechnics BFGoodrich Truck Tires
Dorchester Dumpin Co. Warwick Supply & ........................................INSIDE BACK COVER
Electronics Value Recovery Equipment Co. Brad’s Fuel Filtering.......................................7
Drydene/PPC Lubricants............................. 11
Hamrick Solutions Duralene Heavy Duty Lubricants/The United
Home Fuel Co. Oil Company..................................................4
Iron World Great West Casualty Company....BACK COVER
Griffith Energy Services
|34 BEHIND THE WHEEL Q3 FALL 2021 ......................................INSIDE FRONT COVER
HY-TEC......................................................... 22
Kelly............................................................. 29
Lightning Transportation............................ 31
Maryland Mobile Trailer Service................. 23
Maryland Pump & Tank..................................8
Medical & Aesthetic Dermatology.............. 26
Rice Tire....................................................... 20
Richard B. Rudy, Inc..................................... 27
Scott B. Taylor.............................................. 34
Truck Enterprises Hagerstown.................... 25
Truckers Against Trafficking......................... 28
Wabash National / Brenner Tank................ 27
West End Service, Inc.................................. 14

This publication was made possible
with the support of these corporate
advertisers. They support the trucking
industry by enabling MMTA to provide
this publication to its members,
prospective members, elected officials
and the business community at large.

MDTRUCKING.ORG

WITHOUT TODAY’S FLEETS AND DRIVERS,
THERE WOULD BE NO SUPPLY CHAIN.

Right now, fleets and drivers across North America are working harder
than ever to keep the economy running. And we couldn’t be more
grateful. There’ll be time to relax with friends and family soon enough.
Until then, thank you for driving and delivering—no matter what.

ROUTE CONTROL® S ROUTE CONTROL® D

MDTRUCKING.ORG BFGoodrichTruckTires.com |BEHIND THE WHEEL Q3 FALL 2021 35

© 2020 MNA, Inc. All rights reserved.

800.228.8602 Knowledge is Power

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