Rhode Warrior Issue1, 2021 ~ 90th Anniversary + Inaugural Edition ~ How RITA Has Risen to Prominence

Rhode Warrior

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE RHODE ISLAND TRUCKING ASSOCIATION (RITA)

ISSUE 1 2021
90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION

HOW RITA HAS
RISEN TO
PROMINENCE

RITA's Key Leadership Biden & Trucking Women in Trucking
Legislative Champion Operating Costs Special 90th
Anniversary Edition

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CONTENTS Rhode Warrior
ISSUE 1 2021
COVER 90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION

8 How RITA Rose 38 Fast Trucking Facts
to Prominence from ATRI

BY STEVE BRAWNER 39 Honoring a
Female Legacy
FEATURES
RITA Women in Trucking Foundation
17 RITA Remembers Lena Daly Scholarship

Generous member donation provides home to BY DEBORA BABIN KATZ 
RITA for decades
42 Biggest Bottleneck in
BY CHRIS MAXWELL the Ocean State

18 RITA’s Rich Legacy ATRI says Providence junction is 38th
of Leadership worst bottleneck

Dave Harrison, Conlon Moving & Storage BY STEVE BRAWNER
and Conlon Container, honored with
Navigatant Award 44 Smart Phones, Now
Smart Trailers
BY JACK ROBERTS
PALFINGER’s Liftgate Alert™ System
21 Red Line Lineage makes the smart trailer possible

How ATA Dameo Award winner Mike Collins BY ERIC NELSON
of M & D Transportation brought passion, grit,
expertise and legacy to the fight to keep truck 45 RITA Foundation &
tolls out of Rhode Island RITA PAC

BY DAN CALABRESE DEPARTMENTS

24 Thank you, RITA Sponsors! 4 Chairman’s Message

Showcasing the generosity of a special group of BY MIKE KISELICA
RITA sponsors for whom we are grateful
4 RITA’s 2021 Board of Directors
26 RITA’s Legislative 7 President's Message
Champion: Bob Phillips BY CHRISTOPHER MAXWELL
7 RITA Staff
BY STEVE BRAWNER 46 Advertising Resource Index

28 What Biden Administration |RHODE WARRIOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION 3
Means for Trucking

BY JOHN D. SCHULZ

33 Accolades for
RITA, Maxwell

BY DEREK RAYMENT

35 ATRI’s Operational Costs
Analysis

BY STEVE BRAWNER

RITRUCKING.ORG

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE Rhode Warrior
ISSUE 1 2021
90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION

Reflecting & Looking Ahead Rhode Island Trucking Association

As I put my thoughts to paper for this inaugural Board of Directors
edition of Rhode Warrior, I am awestruck at the
progress we made.  It is mid-December and I reflect Chairman
on where the Rhode Island Trucking Association Mike Kiselica
was when the year began.  We had no idea what Kiselica Law Firm
unique challenges would soon confront us.  I marvel
at everything RITA accomplished given the adversity we faced and the limited time we Past Chairman Matt Henry
had to address it. Jim Anderson Penske Truck
Our Annual Meeting in January was highlighted by a strong initiative to make Anderson Motors
our Board of Directors more diverse. Four women with vast, diverse experience in the Justin Jarvis
trucking industry were appointed as Directors. Their impact was immediate Past Chairman N.E. Truck Solutions
and profound. John Anderson
In conjunction with the Women in Trucking Foundation, a scholarship program Anderson Motors Debora Babin Katz
was established to further the advancement of women in trucking careers. The Lena TrucBrush
Daly Women in Trucking Scholarship was created largely through the efforts of our Al Batista
new Directors. The scholarship honors the legacy of Lena Daly, a trailblazer of national Gold Medal Bakery Secretary
prominence as the first woman to lead a state trucking association affiliate of the Frank Kernan
American Trucking Association. The first scholarship recipient was Morgan Calderone, a Past Chairman M & G Materials Handling
student at New England Law in Boston. We wish Morgan well. Daniel Bell
We end the year preparing for the launch of Rhode Warrior, another significant Jim Legris
initiative. This important magazine will enhance the ability to spread RITA’s message Ocean State Oil Well Fargo
not only across our membership but well beyond.  An endeavor this size could not be Equipment Fin
accomplished without the hard work of Chris Maxwell, our President, and our Member Richard Caldarone
Services and Communications Director, Monique Chartier.  Their tireless efforts made Petrodriver Transportation Frank Macera
this magazine possible and will be a large reason for its ultimate success. M & M Disposal
RITA’s accomplishments during 2020 could only have happened with the dedication Dave Collins
and perseverance of many folks. I would like to especially recognize all the Directors M & D Transportation Joseph Quattrocchi
who served on the Board. They gave generously of their time. Their knowledge, Santoro Oil
experience, advice, and most importantly their support, made my job as Chairman ATA State VP
a rewarding and fulfilling experience. RITA is fortunate to have the steadfast and Michael Collins Ryan Roche
enthusiastic participation of such highly qualified Directors.  Their commitment and M & D Transportation D.L. Terminals Inc.
focus to the issues touching the trucking industry, from the largest truck fleets to the
smallest owner-operator, is admirable. Al Cook Anthony Santoro
Finally, I wish to acknowledge the special role RITA’s members, and particularly Coletta’s Downtown CK Smith Superior
our sponsors, played during 2020. The continued participation, contribution, and
support of our members and sponsors played a large part in RITA’s successes through Auto Svc Treasurer
these difficult conditions. We look forward to providing even greater value to our Steve Soares
membership during 2021. Vice Chair Ocean State Job Lot
Dave Duhamel
Mike Kiselica N & D Transportation Angela Stone
Palfinger Liftgates
Kiselica Law Past Chairman
RITA Chairman Mark Giuffre Claire Viera
Consolidated Truck &
|4 RHODE WARRIOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION UPS
Equip
Chris Gossler
Volvo Trucks Katie Werchadlo
J Line Transportation
Past Chairman
David Harrison
Conlon Moving

& Storage

For more information, contact RITA at:
Rhode Island Trucking Association, Inc.
660 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI 02860
Phone 401-729-6600 | Fax 410-729-5220

ritrucking.org

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In memory of George St. Pierre.

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Fifty-three years we worked alongside one another. Fifty-three years we were family. Thank you for creating
Conlon camaraderie . . . This was a special place because you were in it. You will be so very greatly missed.
Conlon pays tribute to a wonderful man. George St. Pierre was instrumental in the growth and leadership of
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Rhode Warrior PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
ISSUE 1 2021
90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION RITA's 90th Anniversary

The Official Magazine of the Rhode Island Trucking Association (RITA) Part of the preparation for writing this article
Rhode Warrior is owned by the Rhode Island Trucking is taking the time to delve into the rich 90-year
history of our association – a task that both
Association and is published by Matthews Publishing Group. fascinates me, humbles me, and reminds me of why
To request additional copies, order reprints of individual we have a critical need to perpetuate the mission
of RITA. I’m intrigued by the wonder of what
articles or to become a subscriber to Rhode Warrior, please those who led this great organization would think of where we are as an association and
contact Monique Chartier at (401) 729-6600. To inquire about industry. My gut instinct is that our forebearers – names like Lena Daly, John Gill and
advertising, please contact the publisher at (501) 690-9393. Bob Pearson - would be fascinated, proud and very unsurprised by the issues we face.
What I found in my “research” was that, quite unremarkably, the trucking industry in
Publisher this modern, pandemic-stricken world remains target of legislators who see our industry
Jennifer Matthews-Drake as a perpetual and limitless source of funding.
Matthews Publishing Group
[email protected] As Lena Daly wrote many years ago in Highway Transportation, RITA’s former
magazine title, “our association has come a long way since it was organized in 1931 to
Executive Editor advance the trucking industry to its rightful place in our local and national economy as
Christopher J. Maxwell one of the most active and influential (associations) in the state.” We have stayed true to
the spirit of Lena’s vision.
Managing Editor
Monique Chartier John Gill, shortly before becoming ATA President (now Chairman) in 1960, wrote
Creative Director that “the trucking industry has a hard-earned reputation as a mature, responsible part
of the nation’s economy” and “as always, there will be problems – some of them big
Fran Sherman problems.” Mr. Gill further states that “if the trucking industry remains watchful and
[email protected] unified, it can expect to share in the nation’s prosperity.” Today, we, as an association,
perpetuate that vision by maintaining vigilance over the many problems and challenges
Graphic Designer our members face and we derive our strength from a unified membership.
Barbara Negron
While I did not have the privilege of knowing Lena Daly or John Gill, I did have
Ad Production the good fortune of knowing past Chairman Bob Pearson who served as a mentor and
Doug Benjamin source of wisdom to me personally as I assumed the leadership role of RITA. In 1981 as
Contributing Writers incoming Chairman of RITA, he wrote simply: “I have been associated with the Rhode
Steve Brawner Island Truck Owners Association (now RITA), the membership and the staff for many
Dan Calabrese years. It is a great organization, always assisting, advising and helping.” Our staff and
Board continue to strive to assist our members whether they are a one-truck “Mom and
Kevin Jones Pop” or a global supply chain giant.
Renee Miller
Derek Rayment In a decade, we will celebrate the centennial mark of RITA as we continue to serve as
Jack Roberts custodians of an ever-increasing legacy. By adhering to the core values and guidance of
John D. Schulz our former leaders – remaining active and influential, staying watchful and unified, and
Lacey Thacker always assisting and helping our members first, our task becomes rather simple. We will,
Todd Traub no doubt, face issues like truck-only tolling, infrastructure decay and funding, technology
deployment and green initiatives, but our biggest generational and organizational
Rhode Island Trucking Association challenge will be to remain engaged and unified - for apathy and divisiveness have no
place in this industry. In the meantime, we have a duty before us to Deliver Rhode
President & CEO Island and Move America Forward…
Christopher J. Maxwell
Christopher J. Maxwell
[email protected]
President & CEO
Member Services & Communications Director Rhode Island Trucking Association
Monique Chartier [email protected]

[email protected] |RHODE WARRIOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION 7

For more information, contact RITA at:
Rhode Island Trucking Association, Inc.
660 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI 02860
Phone 401-729-6600 | Fax 410-729-5220

ritrucking.org

Rhode Island Trucking Association is an affiliate of the
American Trucking Associations. RITA is a Rhode Island
corporation of trucking companies, private carrier fleets
and businesses which serve or supply the trucking industry.
RITA 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.

RITRUCKING.ORG

RITOA OFFICE SIGN 1931 80TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER, ATA PRESIDENT CHAIRMAN JOHN ANDERSON, CHRIS MAXWELL,
BILL GRAVES BILL GRAVES

RITA’s Rise to Prominence

The Rhode Island Trucking Association BY STEVE BRAWNER
has gained national attention thanks
to its fight against unfair toll roads, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
but legislative advocacy is just one of
the benefits it offers its members. RITA fought the proposal in the General
Assembly against opponents who said trucks
The association reasserted itself and rose were doing all the damage to the roads without
back to prominence in 2015 when Gov. Gina paying their fair share. Those mistruths spawned
Raimondo proposed tolling only trucks to pay widespread outcry and protest including a radio
for bridge improvements as part of her larger talk show that started as a discussion about tolls
$4.9 billion RhodeWorks plan. Eleven of the and evolved into a Saturday afternoon “cult
planned 12 tolling sites are operational – the first favorite” of listeners, phone-in callers and truck-
starting June 11, 2018. centric advertisers and Rhode Islanders who had
had enough!

RITA has friends in high places who have
joined the fight. In 2018, the American Trucking
Associations and three motor carriers sued the
state, saying the plan discriminated against
interstate trucking companies. The case is still
working its way through the court system despite
the state employing every legal tactic possible to
delay trucking’s day in court.

RITA President and CEO Chris Maxwell
said the truck-only toll plan “poke(d) the bear”
and shined a spotlight on the association. He
said Rhode Islanders “have been conditioned to
go along to get along.” In contrast, RITA wasn’t
about to cut any deals.

“Fortunately, we were up to the task,” he
said. “And because we were up to the task
and we held our ground, we didn’t go along
to get along, we drew that line in the sand. I
think people appreciated who we were and
what we did.

Maxwell recalls the day he went on talk
radio and openly communicated the association’s
opposition against the plan and receiving a call

NATSO/RITA PRESS CONFERENCE AND ANTI-TRUCK TOLL TRUCK TORCH CONVOY TO BENEFIT R.I.
RALLY AT T/A, GREENWHICH R.I. SPECIAL OLYMPICS

RITA CHAIR MARK GIUFFRE, UPS, BILL GRAVES, FORMER RITA PRESIDENT RITA BOARD, ANAWAN HUNT CLUB, REHOBOTH MA
PRESENTS TRUCK-TOLL OPPOSITION JOHN ATWOOD, CHRIS MAXWELL AT
CHECK TO ATA CHAIRMAN POTTLE VENUS DE MILO, 2011

from his past Chairman and confidant who as well as other fees and it is the state’s obligation
said ‘it’s out, we’re at war.’ There was no to the users of the roads to use that money to
turning back. maintain the roads and bridges which Rhode
Island failed to do for decades.” 
“And we stood for right over wrong. And
I think that really reverberated not only to The court case remains ongoing and
our membership but through the business according to John Lynch, ATA’s Senior Vice
community, and even those that opposed us, they President of Federation Relations & Industry
certainly had to respect us and, in some cases, Affairs, the case could ultimately go all the way
hopefully fear us.” to the Supreme Court.

“The Rhode Island Trucking Association Lynch added,“It's clear the RI powers-that-
(RITA) really stepped up not only as an advocate be underestimated RITA in their attempt to run
for the trucking industry in Rhode Island, but for roughshod over the industry and treat trucks as
trucking companies all over the country,” said rolling ATMs. The RhodeWorks architects never
Mark Giuffre, Vice President, State Government expected that 4 years after passing the legislation,
Affairs for United Parcel Service (UPS).  the truck-only tolling war would still be raging
and costing the state millions in legal fees. That’s
“The issue of truck-only tolls is a serious a credit to the RITA leadership – Chris and the
concern for UPS and other operators who use the Board Members – who aligned closely to stand
roads every day,” noted Giuffre.  “Trucks already united in defense of the industry.”
pay fuel taxes for every mile they travel in a state
And while the suit looms large, RITA has
had outright successes in the legislative arena. In
recent years, it has helped pass legislation aimed
at streamlining and protecting CDL’s including
a law eliminated the requirement that CDL
holders retake the road exam if their license
had expired for more than one year. Another
allows prospective truck drivers to retake within
two years only those parts of the three-part
exam that they failed. Another removed the
requirement that a new CDL holder wait one
year to obtain a tanker endorsement. RITA is
currently working on legislation to preserve
the owner-operator model that is vital to its
members and the industry.

The association is advocating, working with
state agencies for the betterment of the trucking
industry, and creating programs. Last year, four
women were added to the board of directors.

CONTINUES 

FEDEX EXPRESS' KAREN TIERNEY, 2X RI TRUCK DRIVING "THE BEST" - ATA ROAD CAPTAIN
CHAMPIONSHIP GRAND CHAMPION AND BLUE ANGELS COMMANDER,
JUNE 2018 AT RIANG AIR SHOW

80TH ANNIVESARY DINNER HISTORIC “ARTIFACTS” ATA 'SHARE THE ROAD' MACK ANTHEM
DISPLAY AT VENUS DE MILO, NOVEMBER 2011 ON WHITE HOUSE LAWN EVENT WITH
PRESIDENT TRUMP

This year, RITA and the Women in Trucking the American Trucking Associations in 1944. At
Foundation announced the creation of the RITA its peak, it had about 1,000 members and was
WIT Foundation Lena Daly Scholarship to assist “the gold standard for trucking associations,”
female students associated with Rhode Island in Maxwell said.
pursuing careers in the trucking industry.
“In its heyday, nothing happened in
RITA is celebrating 90 years of operations Rhode Island or for that matter the Northeast
in 2021 and has a rich and storied history. without RITA’s approval when it came to
Born in 1931 out of an association of like- trucking,” he said.
minded business owners who operated trucks
to perpetuate their businesses, it affiliated with Among the notable leaders in RITA’s history
was Lena Daly, who led the association in the
1960s-70s, was the first female head of a state
trucking association and was the chairperson
of the National Trucking Executive Conference.
She retired in 1980 after 40 years with RITA.
She was followed by George Loomis, who led
the association in the 1980s until 1995 and was
a nationally known advocate and lobbyist. John
J. Gill, head of Petro, served as RITA’s president
from 1953-1955 and was elected by the national
federation to serve as the American Trucking
Associations president in 1960.

Things were going well for the association.
In the 1990s, it received property on Roosevelt
Avenue as a gift from a very generous donor
and was in turn able to build an 8,000-square-
foot building.

“With a strong lineage and a very state-of-
the-art building, and a still strong membership
although it was probably half of what it was in
its heyday, we had all the tools to be prominent
and to be the voice of the trucking industry,”
Maxwell said.“But somehow during some lean
periods, we kind of lost our mojo.”

Maxwell took over the association in 2011
after being involved since 1987. Not long after
taking the position, he realized RITA faced
financial challenges. The association had suffered
from bad leadership and poor oversight, and it
had grown complacent.

CONTINUES 

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With the help of a financially minded regain our footing, regain the respect from our
chairman, John Anderson, owner of the members, regain our voice in the Legislature,
Anderson Motors truck dealership, the and really become a viable advocacy association
association fought its way back. for the trucking industry and more importantly
the Rhode Island business owners who operated
Maxwell said it accomplished this feat trucks. So again, we realized that all the
in part by “shedding some things that were foundation was in place, but we had slipped.”
anchors around our neck.”A health insurance
program was not working as intended so was Even when the association was struggling
discontinued. RITA was the enrollment center for financially, it maintained a strong membership.
the Transportation Worker Identification(TWIC) Membership has held steady during economic
credential card, a Department of Homeland ups and downs and mergers in the trucking
Security credential for port workers. It produced industry, and despite motor carriers having plenty
some income, but wasn’t worth the time it took of other bills to pay. In fact, membership has
away from other members services. actually increased during the COVID-19
pandemic. It now totals 450-500 companies and
“We recognized that in order to get back to serves all of its members, whether they have one
our core values and mission, we couldn’t keep truck or 10,000 trucks.
swinging for the fence,” Maxwell said.“We
had to go back and establish a ground game, CONTINUES 

MONIQUE CHARTIER, RITA RITA BOARD OF DIRECTORS, ANAWAN CLUB ...NEED WE SAY MORE?

JOHN LYNCH, ATA, CHRIS SPEAR, ATA, CHRIS
MAXWELL, JIM ANDERSON, ANDERSON
MOTORS, PAC EVENT AT SQUANTUM CLUB,
SEPTEMBER 2016

201R6ITARNUCNKUINAGL.ODRIGNNER ENTRY TOLL BOOTH |RHODE WARRIOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION 13

RITA BOARD MEETING TRUCK OPPOSITION RALLY/CONVOY AT R.I. STATE FIRST TOLL, ATA
HOUSE, JANUARY 2016 INTERSTATE ONE,
JUNE 11, 2018

Established 1924 Incorporated 1934 ATA’s Lynch said,“RITA’s return to relevancy Regional Vice-Presidents in member retention
and leadership has provided a big lift for the and recruitment.”
D. J. Cronin, Inc. industry in the region. Trucking in the northeast,
for countless reasons, is tough sledding. For the “RITA is unique,” Maxwell said. “We have a
More than 97 years ATA Federation to reach its full potential, RITA staff of two and we operate in a state where it’s
of experience at needed to take a step up. It has obviously done so easy to interact and reach our members directly.
your service. as evidenced by Chris Maxwell being awarded You get very personalized service when you join
the ATA TAEC President’s Award in 2019 RITA. You get an entry interview as a carrier. We
Bulk Hauling of Gasoline and State Vice President Mike Collins (M&D don’t bring new members on unless we sit with
Asphalt & Petroleum Transportation) recognized with the Dameo them. We set our expectations, and we respond
Products Award in 2020. The former “is presented to the to their needs. That’s all about retention. We are
State Trucking Association Executive whose there. We pick up the phone 24-7. It’s the middle
Covering Rhode Island, of the night on a weekend, and they’ve got a
Massachusetts and leadership, commitment and achievements problem with a carrier, we’re going to answer
Connecticut in advancing the trucking federation have far the phone.”
exceeded all others in the current year” while
Richard Cronin, the latter award, “named for the late Rocque RITA makes it possible for strong
President & Treasurer Dameo, New Jersey State VP of nearly 25 competitors to band together for the good of
years, recognizes the ATA State Vice-President the industry, which is sorely needed at a time
who goes ‘above and beyond’ assisting ATA’s when the trucking industry faces so many
external threats.

PO BOX 14257

East Providence, RI 02914

(508) 336-5252 FORMER RIDOT DIRECTOR MIKE

LEWIS, 2014 ANNUAL MEETING AT
SQUANTUM CLUB
|14 RHODE WARRIOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION
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PROJO REPORTS... REALLY?! "*&#@%!...CAN SENATE VOTE, TRUCK-ONLY MAY 2015 TRUCK-TOLL
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The organization leverages its strength in |RHODE WARRIOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION 15
numbers to offer member-only programs including
commercial property and casualty insurance and
risk management, dental and vision insurance,
supplemental benefits, financial management
services and an array of other programs focusing
on employee benefits and truck-related services.
“It harkens me back to a day when members fought it
out in the competitive marketplace, but when it came
to the greater common good of the industry, they stuck
together. You didn’t dare cross them. Truck-only tolls?
The state leaders – Governors, legislators and DOT
Directors wouldn’t have dared,” Maxwell said. “And if
that’s the one thing we can accomplish through this,
that while competition is there, our industry and our
association membership stay in lockstep and unified
when it comes to facing off against greater challenges
outside the marketplace, then it will all have been
worth it.”

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RITA Remembers

Generous member donation provides home to RITA for decades

BY CHRIS MAXWELL

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

It was 1992 when longtime RITOA Board tenants including the American Transportation from the Narragansett Bay Commission who
Member Barney Kirk, owner of Kirk Trucking, Research Industry (ATRI), the YMCA of indicated that they “needed the building.” The
entered into agreement to transfer ownership Pawtucket Corporate Office and an array of initial thought was that they needed access the
of his property at 660 Roosevelt Avenue, other professional offices and would serve as the property for a project as one of their facilities
Pawtucket, R.I. to the Rhode Island Truck TWIC Enrollment Center from 2009-2012. A sits in the southeast corner of the property. It
Owners Association, now RITA. Today, a plaque satellite dish furnished by ATA sits atop the roof was soon realized that their need was to acquire
hangs on the wall in the lobby of the association of the building which was used for closed-circuit the property as part of a sewer overflow project.
paying tribute to Mr. Kirk for his “generous trucking channels in the federation affiliate What initially began as a very contentious
donation of the B.J. Kirk Terminal.” office. From 2011, the association would begin matter was, in time, amicably settled with the
to move closer to its goal to bring in ancillary sale of the building and property to the NBC
The one-acre parcel overlooking the trucking services including safety consultants in 2019 which included the ability of RITA to
Pawtucket River would soon be transformed and commercial insurance programs. The maintain occupancy until Dec. 2021.
into the Rhode Island Trucking Association office would also become the venue for social
headquarters – a modern, two story 8,000 events including the TDC Awards Banquet as Much of the upcoming year will be spent
square foot dwelling constructed by Stand well as training events including live inspection locating and acquiring a suitable location to
Corporation and overseen by a committee led workshops with the RISP Commercial continue operations. Members are encouraged
by Dave Harrison, Bob Pearson, David Roche, Enforcement Unit. Upgrades in the office and to assist in this process.
Dave Wilson and Ron Talbot. RITOA would external improvements in the landscaping
vacate its leased basement office space on including the addition of a garden paying
Pawtucket Avenue in East Providence and move tribute to the late Bob Pearson would add to the
into its shiny, new edifice that put it on the map glimmer and pride over the building.
nationally and served to validate the powerful
status earned through the sacrifice and hard In December of 2018 at the Holiday Board
work of many. Meeting, the Board of Directors dedicated the
RITA conference room to David Harrison, past
Support of the endeavor was not unanimous, chairman and an instrumental contributor to
but those decisions and that vision were the association and the building acquisition
instrumental in providing RITA with equity in and development.
ownership that pays dividends to this day.
And then came the phone call a week later
Over the years, the office would host several
|RHODE WARRIOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION 17
RITRUCKING.ORG

RITA’s Rich Legacy of Leadership

Dave Harrison, Conlon Moving & Storage and Conlon Container, honored with Navigant Award

BY JACK ROBERTS

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

CHRIS MAXWELL, RITA, DAVE HARRISON, CONLON; GARY FURTADO AND JEFF CASCIONE, NAVIGANT CREDIT UNION

In a world that seems to be constantly Conlon Moving in 1885 and began hauling knowledge and expertise to RITA during that
changing, it is noteworthy that, for its entire goods around the family’s long-established long history.
history, the Rhode Island Trucking Association hometown of Pawtucket. Originally, Conlon
has had only four different, full-time, executive Moving was called F.E. Conlon for Harrison’s Today, David Harrison is a senior statesman
directors charting its course over the decades. grandmother’s namesake, Florence “Flossy” of RITA and one that the organization looks
That degree of steady leadership and continuity Elizabeth Conlon. She and her husband, John to as a “final living link” to its rich history and
has given the nation’s smallest state an outsized Conlon, started the operation. Following her heritage. Harrison served as RITA Chairman
role and voice in crafting trucking policies first husband’s death, Flossy ran the business from 1991-1992 and has remained an integral
nationally over the years. for many years along with her brother, Joe part of the association for over four decades.
McMillen, who later joined the company. And now, in the pinnacle of his career, RITA has
RITA has also been blessed with generations bestowed a perpetual honor on him by naming
of family-owned fleets who have been active By the time trucking was well-established as an award in his name – the David Harrison
in the organization, literally since the dawn of an industry, Conlon was one of several moving Navigator Award – that will be given to a
the Motorized Transport Age. Dave Harrison and storage fleets in town that was slowly recipient who demonstrates the same “Wisdom,
is a prime example of this powerful chain of spreading into regional, and then national hauls Guidance and Dedication” that Harrison
knowledge. Harrison, who served as chairman as the nation’s road networks slowly evolved. displayed during his longstanding service to the
of the RITA board of directors in the early All told, Dave Harrison today stands as the final organization. He was the first recipient in 2019.
1990s, hails from a family which has been generation in a family legacy that can look back
in trucking since before the invention of the over 135 consecutive years of involvement in “Dave has been a mentor, friend and
internal combustion engine. His family founded trucking – with family members donating time, confidant and he embodies everything the
association has been built upon,” said RITA
|18 RHODE WARRIOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION
RITRUCKING.ORG

president Chris Maxwell. “He is my link to “My advice to any fleet is to get involved with your state
the rich past of RITA while he also shares his trucking organization. By doing so, you can get to know your
wisdom and guidance on how best to move competiros and learn how they handle the problems that all
us forward.” carriers face and have a voice in regulations and new laws.”

Maxwell recalled, just days before his tenure —Dave Harrison, president, Conlon Container
began, the trip that he and Harrison made to
New Hampshire to ‘recover’ the original sign economic and social transformation after World to have Authority from a Federal agency called
from the first association office in 1931 which War II. And Harrison said families picked the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) to
now hangs in the office conference room. up and relocated much more frequently than operate a truck fleet. And this Authority specified
they do today. “The moving business was very states – and even what routes you could run,”
“With $500 cash in hand, we met the e-Bay localized back then,” Harrison remembers. Harrison explains. “And the only way to get
seller and ‘made the deal’ in a rest area just over “Today, you’ll see one or two moving companies Authority was to purchase the rights to it from
the New Hampshire border. It was fitting that in town. But back then, each town had six or an existing fleet, or from the ICC itself. So,
Dave was with me -- we got to know each other seven different companies. So, there was a lot of what had been a very controlled and protected
better during that historic trip,” he added. competition out there.” industry suddenly became wide-open and
competitive. And a lot of the established fleets
Deregulation Leads to Friendly Competition Even though he’d finished school and had just couldn’t adjust to the new reality. Many of
As with so many young men of his also done a stint in Vietnam, Harrison’s father, them went out of business. My father and I both
Edgar “Ted” Harrison, was an Old School kind always felt that competition was good. And that
generation, the story of Harrison’s career of trucker. Which meant that his son started anyone who had the money and desire to buy
began after his tour in Vietnam ended. After out working on the trucks, moving furniture a truck and start working, ought to be able to
graduating from the University of Rhode Island and hauling loads. As his son was getting up to do so. So, for us, there was no question we were
as a member of the school’s ROTC program, speed, the elder Harrison was beginning to plan going to stay in business.”
Harrison found himself in a foreign country at his retirement. “Dad didn’t play any favorites,”
the beginning of what would be a very long and his son says laughing, “and he wanted me to Harrison’s father was a long-time member
costly war. learn the business from the ground up. But even of RITA. In fact, his grandfather had been an
after his so-called retirement, he was always early member of the organization, then called
But, by 1967, his stint in the Army was up, around doing a little bit of everything – mostly the Rhode Island Truck Owners Association.
and Harrison returned home to his wife, Jane, telling me what I was doing wrong!” And as Deregulation began to shake the trucking
of 18 months. go to work in his family’s industry up, Harrison found himself getting
business. And this was a natural fit, because At the same time, the trucking industry was more involved with the group.
he’d grown up in and around trucks and the going through major upheaval of its own as
trucking business. Deregulation took hold. “Prior to 1972, you had CONTINUES 

“We were a United Van Lines rep,” Harrison
recalls. “And our bread-and-butter work was
both local moves, as well as national moves.”

The country was undergoing a massive

LONGTIME FRIENDS, THE LATE-GEORGE ST. PIERRE WITH DAVE HARRISON |RHODE WARRIOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION 19
RITRUCKING.ORG

“For me, initially, it was a good way to build “Dave has been a mentor, friend and confidant and he
relationships with our competitors,” Harrison embodies everything the association has been built upon.
says. “We’d compete for jobs, of course. But He is my link to the rich past of RITA while he also shares
there was a lot of camaraderie there, too. People his wisdom and guidance on how best to move us forward.”
were always willing to help one another out if
someone had an issue. And I always felt you —Christopher Maxwell, president & CEO, RITA
could learn a lot just by listening to what your
competitors were doing and how they were then-president George Loomis. way around,” he says.
dealing with the same issues that affected us all.” In 1992, Harrison ascended to the RITA’s Harrison recently sold his family’s moving

Smallest State – Tenth Largest Chairman seat for his own stint running the business but has retained Conlon Container, a
Association Membership association and help put his own stamp onto portable storage company, and remains an active
its path into the future. Healthcare costs were RITA member and is showing no signs of slowing
Over time, Harrison found himself getting beginning to become a problem for smaller down. Looking back on his long career, he points
more and more involved in RITA and its fleets at the time. And Harrison—along with to RITA as one of his major accomplishments
activities. “It was really something that just Bob Pearson, former chairman and long-time – an organization that helped him grow his
kind of evolved on its own,” he says now. “You treasurer—was/were fundamental in using the business and gave him an opportunity to help
get tapped on the shoulder and agree to help power of RITA as an organization to form others in the industry do the same.
out with something. And then, that leads to a healthcare group that was able to provide
something else.” affordable plans to smaller fleets in the state. “My advice to any fleet is to get involved
with your state trucking organization,” he
And it was easy to get involved with And while that move was a huge relief says. “By doing so, you can get to know your
something at RITA, then, Harrison says. Because for smaller carriers, the payments made into competitors and learn how they handle the
even though Rhode Island is famously the RITA’s healthcare cooperative also funded the problems that all carriers face and have a voice
nation’s smallest state, RITA, at that time, had renovation of a new, modern office building for in regulations and new laws. And you can also
one of the largest single membership of any the association on land that was donated by one get the latest information on issues, technology
trucking association in the country. “It was a of its members. “Thanks to that financial footing and regulations. Running a trucking company
highly unusual situation,” he says. “We had far we were able to get the building set up the way takes knowledge. And there’s no better place to
more members than Massachusetts, for example. we wanted and pay it off very quickly to boot. gain the necessary knowledge than in your state
And the result was that RITA was a very So, it was really a win for many members all the trucking association.”
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|20 RHODE WARRIOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION

Red Line Lineage

How ATA Dameo Award winner Mike Collins of M & D
Transportation brought passion, grit, expertise and legacy

to the fight to keep truck tolls out of Rhode Island

BY DAN CALABRESE

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

COLLINS & MAXWELL, R.I. STATEHOUSE, 2020

As soon as Mike Collins heard what the only tolls across Rhode Island highways. The any one of 12 gantries are required to pay
Rhode Island Department of Transportation proposal prompted a federal lawsuit by RITA, tolls between $2.50 and $9.50, amounting to
was planning to do, he knew he needed to the American Trucking Associations and several as much as $40 a day. The trucks-only toll is
get involved. He had his hands plenty full individual trucking companies. Although the part of Gov. Gina Raimondo’s RhodeWorks
running M&D Transportation along with his tolls went into effect in June 2018, the industry program, which in total is designed to
brother Dave, so he certainly wasn’t lacking continues the fight on the basis of commerce raise $4.7 billion to be put toward various
for things to do. clause questions and other issues. infrastructure projects.

But Collins recognized this was a fight that “We’re into them, or they’re into us, for But for the trucking industry, the economic
not only his company, but the entire trucking in the range of $50 million so far,” Maxwell hit promised to be immense.
industry, couldn’t shrink from. said. “Those are monies that are perhaps being
collected illegally, and we will never see that. It’s “The financial devastation could be
“I walked into the office of Chris Maxwell not about getting the money back – although catastrophic,” Collins said. “It could be billions
[president and CEO of the Rhode Island we’d love to have it back. It’s about a targeted of dollars.”
Trucking Association] and said, ‘You need my discriminatory collections scheme, not only
help,’” Collins recalled. against one industry, but against one type of Collins has served as president of North
vehicle within an industry.” Kingstown-based M&D Transportation since
That they did. 1987. He and his brother Dave are following
The development that raised Collins’s ire Under the plan, trucks traveling through
was the move by RIDOT to impose trucks- CONTINUES 

RITRUCKING.ORG |RHODE WARRIOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION 21

in the footsteps of their father, Dave Collins CHRIS MAXWELL AND MIKE COLLINS AT THE MICROPHONE DURING
Sr., not only at M&D but also within the THEIR RADIO SHOW, “CHANGING GEARS”
leadership of RITA. The senior Collins
was chairman of RITA’s board from 1983 “If every one of us had a Mike Collins fighting for us,
through 1985. we’d be a pretty potent combatant,” Maxwell said.
“It took a guy like Mike, who knows the industry
That’s one of the reasons Mike Collins, and is such a formidable person. We kind of did
who now holds the position of state ATA vice a good cop, bad cop routine.”
president in Rhode Island, believed he had to
get involved with the effort. spread throughout the country like wildfire. bilked its taxpayers and forced its taxpayers
We have neighboring states, like Connecticut, and citizens – lulled them – into a submission
“It was an egregious attack on our industry, just frothing at the mouth to [put up truck-only over the years,” Maxwell said. “They break
and the fight was on,” Collins said. “So needless tolls]. But they’re not going to do it until the you down, whether it’s taxes or bad policies,
to say, me and Chris went to battle. We fought resolution of our lawsuit.” and we’ve kind of got a citizenship that’s
numerous battles down in the state house, on conditioned to accept bad policy and high
TV, on radio, through PR – anything we could The suit hasn’t yet proceeded to trial, and taxes, and the worst of everything. This is the
to get our message out.” Maxwell says the state of Rhode Island is most beautiful state in the country, and yet it’s
doing everything it can to make sure things politically the worst, most corrupt, seedy state
Collins also recorded a video for the stay that way. there is.”
ATA on the subject, and it’s already raised
more than $700,000 to help cover the cost of “The problem is that we cannot get to That sentiment, and the fight behind it,
trucker tolls. Throughout the fight over the court because of a tactical strategy by Gov. has apparently taken state officials by surprise.
tolls, whether pertaining to the lawsuit or the Raimondo and the DOT to use taxpayer Maxwell said that is part of the reason he is
public campaign against the policy, Collins has dollars to fund the most ludicrous Hail Mary confident the effort led by him and Collins
been front-and-center. And to hear Maxwell tactics,” Maxwell said. “That said, we will have will prevail.
tell it, no one could have been better suited for our day in court after their nonsense is done,
the task. although they have unlimited dollars to keep “They’ve poked a bear,” Maxwell said.
burning on their legal defense. All we want is to “The leadership of Rhode Island didn’t expect
“If every one of us had a Mike Collins be heard on the merits of the case.” the fight they got, and for that reason – from
fighting for us, we’d be a pretty potent Mike and myself to my membership – have had
combatant,” Maxwell said. “It took a guy like And when they do get the chance to be skin in the game from day one.”
Mike, who knows the industry and is such a heard, Collins will certainly pull no punches.
formidable person. We kind of did a good cop, As Collins, Maxwell and the other parties
bad cop routine.” “We are politically trying to take on a to the suit seek their long-awaited day in court,
hard-core Democratic state, very much run by trucking companies in and around Rhode
Maxwell, as you might imagine, played the the unions, and we get this RhodeWorks plan Island eagerly await the outcome. A win over
more reserved and conservative bad cop. shoved right down our throats,” Collins said. RIDOT would not only provide an economic
“We’re pretty proud of the fact that we actually lifeline for Rhode Island’s trucking industry, but
Collins? held this governor at bay for four years before conceivably for transport companies all across
“Mike was kind of the wrecking ball.” the first toll gantry went up.” the country.
Of course, when you’re a wrecking
ball, you get dinged quite a bit yourself. Maxwell expresses similarly So if it appears Collins fights this battle as
Maxwell said one of Collins’s best qualities is strong sentiments. if it’s life-or-death, that’s because – for many
understanding that comes with the territory, trucking companies – it just might be.
and not being afraid of it. “To me this is personal because we have
“We hardly knew each other, but Mike a state that has perennially and historically
walked in my door in June 2015 and said,
‘I’m gonna have your back to the end of
this,’ and he has held true to that promise,”
Maxwell said. “And he has taken a lot of
shrapnel in the process. He’s put his business
on hold. He’s been through some pretty sordid
attempts to break him by local agencies. But
Mike is a no-nonsense kind of guy. He’s a
little rough around the edges, but when he’s
on your side you’ve got an ace in the hole,
someone who will lay down on the railroad
tracks for you.”
You might not want to be driving the train
that encounters Collins lying on the tracks, but
in this case no such tactic will be necessary. The
toll battle is being fought in the courts of law
and of public opinion. And for the leaders of
the RITA, there’s more involved than just what
happens to Rhode Island trucking companies.
“This is a petri dish,” Collins said. “If we
lose this lawsuit in the state, this is going to

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Legislative Champion: Rep. Bob Phillips

Phillips a legislative hero because of “no” on tolling, “yes” on other bills

BY STEVE BRAWNER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Rep. Bob Phillips, D-Woonsocket, didn’t that when I give my word to people, I don’t so he could get our side of it, and he made an
plan on being a trucking industry champion, go back on it. He’s known that since day one educated decision on what was right,”
but that’s what he became after his that I’ve been there.” he said.
constituents were opposed to Rhode Island’s
truck-only tolling plan. Phillips said he arrived at his “no” vote after Following his vote against tolling, Phillips
asking constituents for their views on social has successfully sponsored three bills that
Phillips, 64, was one of 21 House media, which is a common practice of his. The are favorable to the trucking industry and
members to vote against Gov. Gina opposition from his district, which includes is currently working on a fourth. In 2018,
Raimondo’s truck tolling proposal in 2016, CVS Health’s international headquarters in he sponsored a bill with RITA’s help that
and he was the only state legislator to Woonsocket, was overwhelming. He received allowed commercial truck drivers to renew
personally contact the Rhode Island Trucking phone calls and emails from people opposed their medical certificates electronically on
Association to learn its perspective. to the tax. While philosophically opposed to the Division of Motor Vehicles’ website.
tolls, his decision was based mostly on that Previously, drivers had to do so in person
The governor proposed paying for bridge constituent response. in Cranston. He sponsored the bill after a
improvements through truck-only toll booths trucker constituent told him the old way cost
as part of her larger $4.9 billion RhodeWorks Still, he did his due diligence. Chris him a day’s pay. He passed another bill that
plan. The proposal passed in the House, 52- Maxwell, RITA’s president and CEO, said year that eliminated the requirement that
21, and passed in the Senate, 25-12. Phillips was the only legislator who called CDL holders retake the road exam if their
him to get the association’s perspective. license had expired for more than one year.
in 2018, the American Trucking A third bill allowed prospective truck drivers
Associations and three motor carriers “He came and spoke to me for an hour to retake within two years only those parts
sued the state, saying the truck-only tolls of the three-part exam that they failed, rather
unconstitutionally discriminate against than having to retake all of them.
interstate trucking companies. The case is still
working its way through the court system. He is still working on legislation that
Eleven of the planned 12 tolling sites are would create a system of checks and balances
operational – the first started June 11, 2018. to identify carriers who are registering
fleets but have no workers compensation.
For Phillips, the political consequences This legislation would flag carriers who are
were immediate and severe. The next day, misclassifying employees as independent
Rhode Island Speaker of the House Nicholas contractors – a practice that while not
Mattiello, D-Cranston, removed him from widespread, does exist and fuels the fire for
the Committee on Corporations. Two other the creation of unnecessary laws and regs
“no” voters also lost committee assignments: that harm the industry.
Rep. Raymond Hull, D-Providence, was
removed from the Finance Committee, and Phillips didn’t intend to become a
Rep. Joseph Solomon, D-Warwick, lost his trucking industry champion. It just kind
seat on the House Judiciary Committee. of happened after his “no” vote on tolling.
However, he does have a background in
Phillips learned of his removal on the transportation and business. He ran an auto
House floor when the clerk announced parts store for 20 years and also worked in
it from the rostrum. He knew there were
consequences for how a member votes, but “He recognizes that trucking is the lifeblood of our
he had not been warned that he would lose economy, and most of our trucking companies are small
his slot. He said he and Mattiello had a good businesses in Rhode Island, so he got it,” Maxwell said.
relationship before the vote and have a good “He got it. And he still gets it, and our industry should be
one now. He has no hard feelings. indebted to him for his stance and his ongoing advocacy
and engagement in the issues that affect not only trucking
“As I keep on telling a lot of people: I’m
a big boy,” he said. “I can take my lumps. If but, again, small businesses with wheels.”
I do something, I’m very accountable and I
hold myself responsible for what I do. So, —Christopher Maxwell, president & CEO, RITA
they felt that this was what they needed to
do because of my decision to vote against
RhodeWorks, so that’s fine. I accepted it. We
had a cool relationship for a few months, and
then we started talking and he understood

|26 RHODE WARRIOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION RITRUCKING.ORG

PHOTO: RHODE ISLAND CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

the company’s corporate offices. He also has “You always go down there with open eyes but a very narrow
friends in the trucking industry. One friend way of seeing how they operate, and what happens is you
drives a truck for Dunkin’ Donuts in
the Northeast. think, ‘Oh, I have such good ideas that of course they’re going
to accept,’” he said. “Well, it doesn’t work that way. There are so
His efforts on behalf of trucking many other factions that come in and testify and speak either
haven’t gone unnoticed. RITA’s Maxwell for your legislation or against your legislation that it takes at
described him as “a humble, quiet, but very
courageous man.” least usually two to three years for anything really of any
substance to come out onto the floor and be passed.”
“He recognizes that trucking is the
lifeblood of our economy, and most of our —Representative Bob Phillips, D-Woonsocket
trucking companies are small businesses
in Rhode Island, so he got it,” Maxwell the state’s remote learning efforts during the ‘Oh, I have such good ideas that of course
said. “He got it. And he still gets it, and COVID-19 pandemic. they’re going to accept,’” he said. “Well, it
our industry should be indebted to him for doesn’t work that way. There are so many
his stance and his ongoing advocacy and Phillips said he originally ran for the other factions that come in and testify and
engagement in the issues that affect not only House after finding he was constantly being speak either for your legislation or against
trucking but, again, small businesses asked to be a go-between with public officials your legislation that it takes at least usually
with wheels.” because of his community service activities. two to three years for anything really of any
He has been active in Scouting, youth soccer substance to come out onto the floor and
Phillips has never returned to the and in Little League baseball as a coach, be passed.”
Corporations Committee, but he has plenty manager and umpire. His favorite charity
to keep him busy. He serves as the deputy is the Milk Fund, which provides milk and Phillips said he can see his legislative
majority leader, first vice chairman of the formula for the working poor. career ending in the next two to six years,
House Committee on Environment and but he doesn’t know if that will mark the
Natural Resources, second vice chairman of He said he finally decided “to heck with end of his political career. He and his wife,
the House Committee on Health, Education this” and ran for office himself. He first ran Nancy, have twin sons and two 17-year-old
and Welfare, and as a member of the Rules for the House in 2008 and lost in a six- grandchildren, one from each son and born
Committee and Small Business Committee. person race. He ran against the incumbent five weeks apart. Nancy, a teacher, is retiring,
in a two-person race two years later and they might want to travel.
Among his other signature pieces of and won.
legislation was a bill in 2017 that allowed In the meantime, he’ll continue serving
the creation of remote education plans that What surprised him about serving in the trucking industry and everyone else in
school districts could implement during the Legislature? Rhode Island.
bad weather rather than requiring students
to miss a school day. The law came after “You always go down there with open “I’m just here to make the state better,” he
students had been kept out of school for eyes but a very narrow way of seeing how said. “That’s it. That’s all I want to do.”
multiple Mondays in a row because of they operate, and what happens is you think,
snowstorms. It helped lay the foundation for
|RHODE WARRIOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION 27
RITRUCKING.ORG

Biden & Trucking

High hopes for grand infrastructure bargain come to
Washington with incoming Biden / Harris administration

BY JOHN D. SCHULZ

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

In a politically divided are “real prospects” for a major investment will be almost impossible.
country, the trucking industry program in federal infrastructure, perhaps But trucking was, is and
is hoping the incoming Biden- as big as $2 trillion. Porcari provided insight
Harris administration can, as into President-elect Biden’s infrastructure always will be an industry
their campaign slogan phrased plans during the recent virtual annual of optimists. After all, this
it, “Build back better.” meeting of the American Association of industry has faced the Great
State Highway and Transportation Depression, Great Recession,
Following his nail-biting Officials (AASHTO). hard times and now a
victory, President-elect Joe worldwide pandemic – and
Biden started receiving Sen. John Barrasso went even further. keeps delivering.
congratulatory messages from “It would seem to be something that we can
the freight transportation work together on in a productive way,” the Bradley Jacobs, CEO of
world. Among the first to Wyoming Republican, chairman of the Senate XPO Logistics, the second-
offer public congratulations to Environment and Public Works Committee, largest LTL carrier in the
the incoming 46th president, told the Wall Street Journal. country, captured this
the American Trucking industry’s can-do spirit in his
Associations offered heartfelt Okay, that’s the positive side of an written congratulations to
congratulations to the Biden- incoming Democratic president. But President-elect Biden with a
Harris team. realistically, past Democratic administrations complimentary message to
have tended to be more regulations-focused all Americans.
“We congratulate than laissez-faire Republicans. But with
President-elect Biden and the nation reeling economically from the “Congratulations President-
Vice President-elect Harris on COVID-19 pandemic, most economists say elect Biden and Vice President-
their hard-earned victory, and now would not be the right time to burden elect Harris, and best wishes
we look forward to working industries with new regulations. in leading the most creative
with their administration to strengthen country in the world — the
the economy and rebuild our national Transitioning from winning a hard- United States of America!” Jacobs wrote.
infrastructure,” ATA President and CEO fought, polarizing election to an effective, One of the first golden opportunities to
Chris Spears said in a statement. transformative, policy-making administration show off that creativity would be to enact
is never easy. In 2021, naysayers predict, it a “grand bargain” of an infrastructure
“Trucking’s story speaks to all of compromise between the two political parties.
America, not one specific political party,”
Spear continued. “As witnessed during the Biden's 2016 visit
pandemic, the resilience of the American Of course, many RITA members will
trucker is one of this country’s greatest assets.
Driven by core values of hard work, service well remember that then-Vice President
and sacrifice, our industry sets out every day Biden came to Rhode Island in May,
to deliver for the good of our nation and its 2016 specifically to publicly endorse the
people—in good times and bad.” RhodeWorks truck-only toll scheme.

But what, exactly, will a Biden In doing so, he repeated the lies that
Administration mean for trucking specifically? trucks do the most damage and that trucks
“can afford to pay the toll.” He also stated
There is renewed hope for a major push erroneously that every other state in the
for new infrastructure spending. There is northeast levies a toll on trucks. In fact, every
talk in Washing of perhaps a new $2 trillion other state that tolls trucks also tolls cars; no
investment program that would not just state tolls only trucks.
include upgrades in roads and bridges, but
perhaps a green energy building initiative. “Clearly, Joe Biden knew absolutely
nothing about RhodeWorks and had not
John Porcari, a key member of Biden’s done any homework on the plan,” said RITA
transportation team, is promising a swift President Chris Maxwell. “He flew in, was
and smooth transition when the Biden given a script, and parroted the lies of Gina
administration takes the power levers in Raimondo and Peter Alviti.”
Washington on Jan. 20.Porcari also said there
The vice president went further and
|28 RHODE WARRIOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION
RITRUCKING.ORG

invoked his own fictional experience as a “Transportation is an issue that touches said, offering the industry’s 7 million related
truck driver to endorse Rhode Island’s truck all Americans – urban, rural, coastal and in
only tolls. About the truck rallies against tolls the heartland of our nation,” Spear said in a workers as proof. CONTINUES 
at the State House in 2016, he recalled: “I statement. “Having served as a mayor, Pete
used to drive one of those trucks. The horns Buttigieg has had an up-close and personal BOSTON TRAILER
on them are really loud. But let them blow, look at how our infrastructure problems are
man. Let them blow. And I get overwhelming impacting Americans, and how important it is your one stop shop for all
support from the Teamsters union. I’m a big is to solve them. your trailer rental, sales and
supporter. But let the horns blow. Fix the maintenance needs.
bridges and roads.” “We look forward to rolling up our
sleeves and working with him to begin the Call or email us today…
Biden’s comments included a reference important work of rebuilding our nation’s 888-393-4280 or
to the “Lincoln Logs” holding up an infrastructure,” Spear added. [email protected]
overpass in East Providence, Rhode Island,
the site chosen by RIDOT for the VP’s For his part, Buttigieg has indicated he Family-owned Boston Trailer has be-
press conference. has only one way of tackling projects – all in, come New England’s leader in new &
always an eye on the future used trailer rentals, leasing and sales.
“A prudent and responsible person We also provide mobile maintenance
would have inquired about how a DOT got Of course, the new Transportation and lift gates. Over the past decade,
to a point of using logs to hold up a bridge Secretary will have a difficult job living up we have grown to service multiple lo-
and why Rhode Island’s infrastructure was to the four years of outgoing DOT Secretary cations throughout New England and
the most deplorable in the country.” Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao. now have a fleet of over 4,000 trailers.
added Maxwell. She is one of seven members of the Cabinet
who has served the entire four years of the 888-393-4280
Newly nominated Trump Administration.
Transportation Secretary Massachusetts -
She was one of the most highly visible, West Bridgewater & Springfield
Buttigieg becomes the nation’s because transportation issues touch the lives
19th transportation secretary. He beat out of virtually every American each day. She also www.bostontrailer.com
several others for the DOT post including served as Secretary of Labor under George W.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Gov. Gina Bush, serving all eight years in that post.
Raimondo of Rhode Island, and former
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. As Transportation Secretary, she has
become known as a strong advocate for
 American Trucking Associations safety and the importance of infrastructure
President and CEO Chris Spear said in a and innovation in the nation’s economic
statement his group is prepared to work competitiveness and growth.
with Buttigieg.
“Just like the great industry we represent,
RITRUCKING.ORG ATA is about getting the job done,” Spear

|RHODE WARRIOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION 29

“While some exist in Washington to “As witnessed during the pandemic, the resilience
perpetuate problems, we come to the table of the American trucker is one of this country’s
prepared with solutions. We value sound data

and honest dialogue. Above all, we commit greatest assets. Driven by core values of hard work,
to working with anyone willing to work with service and sacrifice, our industry sets out every
us,” Spear added.

Infrastructure year? day to deliver for the good of our nation and its

While Biden is expected to devote his people—in good times and bad.”
first energies to corralling the coronavirus

pandemic, Washington insiders are openly —Chris Spear, president & CEO, American

talking about infrastructure being high on the Trucking Associations

incoming president’s to-do list.

“Looking ahead to the next

administration, modernizing our could decide to play Republican Bad Cop the Department of Transportation have an

infrastructure has broad support and can to Biden’s Good Cop. A sensible, centrist opportunity to advance policies that not only

drive the growth and jobs we need now,” concept of compromising on a worthwhile support small-business truckers, but promote

said U.S. Chamber of Commerce President infrastructure might be the exact vehicle highway safety,” said Spencer. “We’ve

Thomas Donohue, former president and for cooperation. outlined several ways the new Administration

CEO of the ATA. On the campaign trail, candidate Biden can achieve these two critical goals, including

“If the Biden administration prioritizes often talked of a $2 trillion plan to build expanding truck parking capacity, reducing

something that can—and must—be done in a a “modern, sustainable infrastructure and excessive detention time, ensuring the safe

collaborative manner, it can set the tone for an equitable clean energy future.” On his and transparent development of automated

good governance on other priorities essential website, there was a stunningly detailed vehicles and many others.”

to rebuilding our economy,” Donohue added. blueprint of that sustainable future. ATA has made its case that infrastructure

One of the first opportunities for “Americans deserve infrastructure they could be funded for the next 10 years

President-elect Biden to prove how he differs can trust: infrastructure that is resilient to through an increase in the fuel tax, which

from President Donald Trump would be to floods, fires, and other climate threats, not hasn’t been raised since 1993. ATA estimates

create and enact the $2 trillion infrastructure fragile in the face of these increasing risks,” that if the fuel tax were gradually increased

plan that Trump occasionally talked about the plan says. by 5 cents a year over four years that could

for four years but never resulted in a shovel The $2 trillion question, of course, is who raise $340 billion over the next decade.

turned anywhere. pays for it. ATA’s Spear has made it clear that “That’s plenty of money to fund

The whisper in Washington is that it will not be paid for by raising highway roads and bridges for the next 10 years,”

Biden, a 36-year veteran of the Senate, and tolls, or enacting new ones. Spear said.

Harris, former senator from California, may “Clearly it’s not going to be paid for by Of course, nobody says that tax-raising

seriously attempt to reach across the aisle to truck-only tolls,” Spear said recently. battle will be easy. While Wall Street cheers

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, One way was suggested by the Owner- a “divided government” — a Democratic

R-Ky., on a major infrastructure package. It Operator Independent Drivers Association president alongside a Republican-controlled

would be one way both sides could claim, (OOIDA) President and CEO Todd Spencer, Senate – that doesn’t necessarily mean

with proof, that it’s a new day in Washington who sent a letter with a list of regulatory coordination between the two warring parties

by showing they can work together. priorities to President-elect Biden. Among to accomplish much for the greatest good.

Ever the crafty politician, McConnell other things, OOIDA said it “would prefer The old Washington way

(also a 36-year Senate veteran) knows he reasonable increases to the federal gasoline Some old-time Washington hands yearn

can’t spend another four years doing nothing and diesel fuel taxes – 18.4 cents on gasoline, for a good moment because in order to get

for fear that Republicans will be crucified 24.4 cents on diesel, unchanged since 1993. something done, people are going to have to

in the mid-term 2022 elections. McConnell “President-elect Biden and his team at cooperate and compromise in the era of this

divided government.

Nice thought. But as ESPN commentator

Lee Corso is fond of saying, “Not so fast,

my friend.”

McConnell, perhaps more than Biden,

holds the key. After all it was McConnell,

who in 2008 famously (but failingly) vowed

to make then-President Barack Obama “a

one-term president,” still has the power to

block most Democratic-origin ideas from

seeing the light of day in the Senate.

618 Greenville Road, North Smithfield, Rhode Island 02896 Most trucking executives viewed the
Trump administration’s light regulatory

(401) 232-3010 hand with glee compared with the Obama
www.mssccorporation.com administration’s hands-on approach. Whether
President Biden chooses to follow his fellow

|30 RHODE WARRIOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION RITRUCKING.ORG

president’s path isn’t known, but it’s no secret “If the Biden administration prioritizes something that
most trucking executives would rather can—and must—be done in a collaborative manner, it
he wouldn’t. can set the tone for good governance on other priorities

“This [Trump] was an administration essential to rebuilding our economy.”
that listened and talked to stakeholders,”
said Derek Leathers, vice chairman, president —Thomas Donohue, president, U.S. Chamber
and CEO at Werner Enterprises, the nation’s
sixth-largest truckload carrier. “They want of Commerce and former president & CEO of
input. You can get people on the line. They
made decisions on moving economy but not American Trucking Associations
at expense of safety.”
administration will reverse a Trump complete review based upon the position
Leathers paused and said simply, “It’s administration ruling governing California’s of the current administration as to the
been refreshing to say the least.” meal and rest-break (MLB) laws, according preemptive effect of the meal and rest-
to the International Brotherhood break law.”
Another successful example of flexible of Teamsters.
regulation was in the immediate aftermath The ATA was granted a petition in
of the initial COVID outbreak last March. “In order to avoid unnecessary review of late 2018 by the Trump administration’s
Trucking execs said there was an assortment the administrative determination, this Court Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
of well-meaning local regulations that had to should either delay oral argument and hold (FMCSA) in December 2018 that ruled that
be waived by federal preemption in order to this matter in abeyance or if it does not, it California could not dictate the work rules
get personal protective equipment and vital should hold this matter in abeyance after oral for truck drivers by preempting federal
supplies to doctors and hospitals around argument and allow the new administration regulations that govern federal hours-of-
the nation. a reasonable amount of time to either make service (HOS) regulations.
another determination or weigh in as to its
“They were immediately addressed one position in this case,” the Teamsters said in California’s regulations require truck
by one,” Werner’s Leathers recalled. “A ton of court filings. drivers to stop for a 30-minute break after
obstacles had to be removed, and they were five hours. ATA, along with its Specialized
very accommodating at that.” The Teamsters say this would allow a
CONTINUES 
Another top issue is the fragile,
slowing economic recovery during the S&S Trucking
coronavirus pandemic. Biden has promised
a comprehensive plan to combat the virus, Hauling Construction Materials since 2002
but that plan likely will not include any
widespread economic shutdown, experts said. Since opening for business in 2002, S&S has developed a reputation for being a reliable,
professional and experienced trucking company. Hauling services include materials ranging from
The economy has recovered from the broken concrete, asphalt, highway debris, aggregated materials, mulch, loam, gravel,sand and
coronavirus pandemic faster than many asphalt paving. We proudly service contractors in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
expected. But the U.S. remains in a deep
recession with double-digit unemployment. WE WANT THE JOB
The stubborn virus’s “third wave” threatens
to hurt the tepid recovery that was already 401-255-8592
losing momentum before the election.

Skeptics abound. Anthony Scaramucci,
founder of hedge fund Skybridge who for 11
days was President Trump’s communications
director in 2017, recently was quoted as
saying the U.S. economy right now is “more
anemic” than it was after the worldwide
financial crisis of 2008-09.

But separate predictions from the likes of
Moody’s, J.P. Morgan and Goldman Sachs
are rather favorable on President-elect Biden’s
plan to raise corporate taxes from 21 to 28%
and tax incomes over $400,000. The recent
post-election stock surge is evidence of that.
Whether such moves stimulate or hamper the
freight and industrial economy remains to be
seen, economists say.

Labor is king WORK WITH US! www.sstruckingllc.com
Labor law is another area where President |RHODE WARRIOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION 31

Biden’s administration could be expected to
differ from its predecessors.

There is a “very likely” chance his

RITRUCKING.ORG

Carriers and Rigging Association, argued that “President-elect Biden and his team at the Department of
the rule violated federal HOS regulations that Transportation have an opportunity to advance policies
require a 30-minute break after eight hours that not only support small-business truckers, but promote
of driving. They contended that California’s highway safety,” said Spencer. “We’ve outlined several ways
laws could require truck drivers to take two the new Administration can achieve these two critical
30-minute breaks in an 11-hour driving day goals, including expanding truck parking capacity, reducing
when in California. excessive detention time, ensuring the safe and transparent
development of automated vehicles and many others.”
That would create havoc, drivers and
—Todd Spencer, president & CEO, Owner-Operators
trucking advocates say. California’s laws have Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA)
led to a number of class-action lawsuits by
truckers who said they have not been allowed Administration has an opportunity to Biden might freeze include a proposal to
to take their 30-minute break after five hours. embrace a fresh approach to promoting expand the definition of the “independent
highway safety. And that must start with contractor” regulation, a pilot program that
The Washington Trucking Associations listening to American truckers and trusting allows under-21 drivers to work in interstate
(WTA) was among the first state their experience.” commerce and the hours-of-service daily
associations to petition FMCSA to make a restart after a 30-minute break.
similar preemption ruling on the state Author's note nearing presstime:
of Washington’s MRB rules. WTA’s Some regulations enacted during the final Also under consideration for review is a
petition was still pending in the courts at days of the Trump administration could end preemption of the Washington state meal and
press time. or be delayed. Among these so-called rest break rules, which were granted by the
“midnight regulations” that President Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
For its part, OOIDA is encouraging the last November.
Biden Administration to go slowly and refrain
from pursuing costly new mandates and
regulations that miss the mark.

“There are more regulations in
place today than ever, and there is more
enforcement and compliance with those
regulations, yet highway safety isn’t
improving,” said Spencer. “The Biden

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|32 RHODE WARRIOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION RITRUCKING.ORG

Accolades for RITA, Maxwell

Maxwell receives national award from American Trucking Associations

BY DEREK RAYMENT

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

CHRIS SPEAR, PRESIDENT & CEO, AMERICAN TRUCKING ASSOCIATIONS, PRESENTING A HUMBLED CHRIS MAXWELL, PRESIDENT & CEO,
RHODE ISLAND TRUCKING ASSOCIATION, WITH DISTINGUISHED AWARD

When you work long and hard enough at In his time as CEO, he was been a staunch Island Trucking Association Foundation, a
something, it’s nice to have some recognition. advocate for the industry, highlighted by his charitable non-profit leg of RITA whose goal
For Rhode Island Trucking Association (RITA) efforts to turn back Rhode Island’s truck-only is to advance the industry’s image and develop
president and CEO Chris Maxwell, that came toll scheme. It is in the fight against tolling that programs such as workforce development.
in the form of being named the recipient of Maxwell feels the national award provides the Maxwell says the foundation does great work
the American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) most vindication. and the grant added a much-needed base for the
President’s Trucking Association Executive fledgling organization.
Council Leadership Award. Created in 2002, the “The award was a vindication because
recognition honors state trucking association some thought we should take a softer tone “{The foundation] started three years ago
leaders and creates a lasting legacy for the [when fighting truck-only tolling] while others and has become a potent instrument in our
honoree and industry. Maxwell is the 18th feared the retribution we might experience,” advocacy,” said Maxwell.
recipient of the award and was given the award said Maxwell. “There were naysayers, and I
during the ATA’s 86th Management Conference think the award served to silence them while, Past winners of the ATA’s TAEC President’s
and Exhibition. on the national stage, it helped to know that Award are: Shannon Newton of Arkansas,
our efforts and sacrifice were appreciated Shawn Yadon of California, Brenda Neville of
“It is an honor to recognize someone who, in regardless of the outcome. To me, the battle Iowa, John Esparza of Texas, Kendra Hems
a relatively short time, has become an incredibly was and still is beyond personal due to his of New York, Mike Riley of Connecticut,
active state executive and leading voice on one construction background. Rick Todd of South Carolina, George Burruss
of our industry’s most pressing issues: tolling,” of Missouri, Karen Rasmussen of Arizona,
said former ATA president and CEO Chris Spear. For Maxwell, it’s also a team award. Jim Runk of Pennsylvania, Tom Howells of
“Chris is relentless and has put his heart and Along with Monique Chartier, it’s a small, but Wisconsin, John Hausladen of Minnesota, Dale
soul into fighting tolling. He has worked hand mighty team. Hanington of Maine, Larry Davis of Ohio,
in glove with ATA and our Litigation Center, Dale Bennett of Virginia, Cathy Gautreaux of
bringing together many stakeholders in his state “We are a staff of two, doing the work of Louisiana and Dave Huneryager of Tennessee.
to join the battle, and energizing and deploying ten serving a very supportive Board of Directors
his membership to do the same.” and engaged membership. We think alike, she “I have the greatest passion, the greatest
challenges me,” explained Maxwell. “The award love for the trucking industry,” said Maxwell.
Maxwell joined RITA in 2011 after more felt like an organizational award and an award “The fact that everything we do here has an
than two decades of service in the trucking for those who stood with us. It was a recognition impact and is for the benefit of those delivering
industry and heavy highway construction sector. of our association.” our essential goods to keep this country moving
means so much to me.”
RITRUCKING.ORG The award also grants $10,000 to the Rhode

|RHODE WARRIOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION 33

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ATRI StudyARn Aenasluyslistsofothne OOperpateiornaaltional Costs

CarriersC’ocsotsstsoffelTlraulmckoisnt gac: r2o0ss2t0heUpbodaartdein 2019

BY STEVE BRAWNER November 2020

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Motor carriers’ costs The decrease in costs can be attributed to influx of entry-level drivers,
per mile decreased in 2019 the change in the economy, which went from who are paid less money and
across almost every area of record demand in 2018 to a contraction in the dilute the data. Veterans saw a
operations amidst a freight second half of 2019. Fuel costs decreased as truck slight increase in wages.
economy that dipped in the capacity demand slackened. Fleets masked costs
second half of the year, the through management strategies such as delaying Meanwhile, carriers were
American Transportation repair and maintenance schedules. Repair and offering increasing starting
Research Institute reported maintenance costs fell from 17.1 cents per mile in and retention bonuses in an
in November. 2018 to 14.3 cents per mile in 2019. That was the effort to recruit and keep
lowest amount since 2012 and represented a 16 good drivers amidst a driver
ATRI’s “An Analysis of percent decrease. shortage that could reach
the Operational Costs of 160,000 by 2028. Starting
Trucking: 2020 Update,” an “In terms of managing cost increases, bonuses increased 18.2
annually updated study, found particularly in a softening economy, it looks to percent to $1,846, while
that even insurance costs per me like a lot of carriers are pushing costs down retention bonuses rose 81.3
mile fell as fleets raised their the road,” said Dan Murray, ATRI’s senior vice percent to $1,218. The year
deductibles and assumed president. “And they’re pushing costs down the before, retention bonuses fell
more risks. road that could increase exponentially because of almost 20%. Safety bonuses
the type of cost they’re pushing down the road.” rose 10.9 percent to $1,373 in
The report, which 2019, the highest amount in
collected data from more than Driver compensation remained the most three years.
100 fleets across the for-hire expensive line item in a fleet’s operations at 32
industry, found that total costs percent of operating costs per mile, although Driver wages will
per mile fell almost 9%, or combined wages and benefits fell from 43 percent of continue on their upward
almost 17 cents from $1.821 total operating costs in 2018 to 42 percent in 2019. path, Murray said, because
in 2018 to $1.652 in 2019. of simple supply-and-
The 2018 costs were the highest listed from Overall, combined wages and benefits were demand economics.
2011 onward; the 2019 costs were the lowest 69.3 cents per mile, down 8.3 cents from the
since 2016. all-time high of 77.6 cents per mile in 2018. ATRI “I think, again, ’19, the last two quarters were
found that 91 percent of for-hire carriers provided a blip in driver wages, but the shortage is always
Broken down by category, costs decreased in health insurance, while 88 percent offered paid going to win out and wages will continue to
the following areas: vacation, 71 percent offered dental insurance, improve over the time period we’re talking about,”
• Driver wages: from 59.6 cents in 2018 to and 70 percent offered a 401K retirement plan. he said.
In addition, 58 percent offered vision insurance,
53.3 cents in 2019, an 11 percent decrease 44 percent offered paid sick leave and 39 percent The report’s information was collected from
• Driver benefits: from 18 cents to 16 cents, an offered per diem benefits. Costs for private fleet
11 percent decrease drivers were $1.35 per mile including wages, truckload, less than truckload, and specialized
• Fuel: from 43.3 cents to 39.6 cents, a 9 benefits and bonuses. carriers who responded to ATRI’s annual
survey from May through the end of
percent decrease Murray noted that the first half of 2019 saw an September. The data included 188,029 trucks.
• Truck/trailer lease or purchase payments: Thirty-one percent of the respondents had
26-100 power units, while 28 percent had
from 26.5 cents to 25.9 cents, a more than 1,000 power units. Forty-two
2 percent decrease percent had revenues of $10 million to
• Repair and maintenance: from 17.1 cents to $100 million, while 12 percent had revenues
14.3 cents, a 16 percent decrease greater than $1 billion.
• Truck insurance premiums: from 8.4 cents to
6.8 cents, a 19 percent decrease Of all the results, probably the most
• Permits and licenses: from 2.4 cents to 2.3
cents, a 5 percent decrease surprising was the reduction in insurance
• Tires: from 3.8 cents to 3.6 cents, a costs. This was the first time those had fallen
5 percent decrease since 2012, although costs had remained
steady from 2016 to 2017. The decrease
The only area where costs increased was came despite a growing number of so-called
tolling, where costs rose from 3 cents in 2018 to “nuclear verdicts” against motor carriers.
3.4 cents in 2019, a 15 percent increase. In ATRI’s annual “Critical Issues in the
Trucking Industry – 2020” survey, insurance
Costs per mile fell in all for-hire sectors – by cost/availability was ranked number five by
more than 9 percent among truckload carriers respondents after not appearing in the top 10
from $1.71 to $1.55; by more than 8 percent since 2005. A related issue, tort reform, was
among specialized carriers from $2.02 to $1.85; number seven after not appearing in the top
and by 3.5 percent among LTL carriers from $1.92 10 since 2011.
to $1.85.
CONTINUES 
Motor carriers’ costs on an hourly basis fell
$6.67, from $71.78 in 2018 to $65.11 in 2019. |RHODE WARRIOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION 35

RITRUCKING.ORG

Table 8: Average Marginal Costs per Mile, 2011-201918

Motor Carrier Costs Table 8: Average Marginal Costs per Mile, 2011-201918
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

hicle-based Motor Carrier Costs 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Fuel CoVsetshicle-based $0.590 $0.641 $0.645 $0.583 $0.403 $0.336 $0.368 $0.433 $0.396 $0.396
$0.259
Truck/TrailFerueLleCasoestosr Lease $0.189 $$00.1.57940 $$00.1.66431 $$00.2.61455 $$00.2.53803 $$00.2.45053 $$00.2.36346 $$00.2.36658 $$00.2.45393 $0.143
Purchase PTaruycmke/Tnrtasiler or $$00.1.13889 $$00.1.14784 $$00.1.15683 $$00.1.25165 $$00.1.26360 $$00.1.26575 $$00.1.27614 $$00.1.24635 $0.068
Repair & MPauinrctehnaasnecPeayments $0.152 $0.023
$0.036
Truck InsurRaenpcaeirP&reMmaiuinmtesnanc$e0.067 $$00.0.16532 $$00.0.16348 $$00.0.17418 $$00.0.17548 $$00.0.17556 $$00.0.17656 $$00.0.18647 $$00.0.16781 $0.034

Permits anTdrLuicckenInsseusrance Prem$0iu.0m3s8 $$00.0.02627 $$00.0.02663 $$00.0.01694 $$00.0.01791 $$00.0.02724 $$00.0.02735 $$00.0.02745 $$00.0.02834 $0.533
$0.160
Tires Permits and Licenses$0.042 $$00.0.04348 $$00.0.04212 $$00.0.04246 $$00.0.04139 $$00.0.03159 $$00.0.03282 $$00.0.03283 $$00.0.03264 $1.652

Tolls Tires $0.017 $$00.0.01492 $$00.0.01494 $$00.0.02431 $$00.0.02404 $$00.0.02443 $$00.0.02375 $$00.0.03308 $$00.0.03348

ver-based Tolls $0.017 $0.019 $0.019 $0.023 $0.020 $0.024 $0.027 $0.030

Driver WDarigveesr-based $0.460 $0.417 $0.440 $0.462 $0.499 $0.523 $0.557 $0.596 $0.533

Driver BenDefriitvser Wages $0.151 $$00.1.41660 $$00.1.42197 $$00.1.42490 $$00.1.43612 $$00.1.45959 $$00.1.57223 $$00.1.58507 $$00.1.56906

TAL Driver Benefits $1.706 $$10.6.13531 $$10.6.17166 $$10.7.10239 $$10.5.17259 $$10.5.19321 $$10.6.19515 $$10.8.12712 $$10.6.15820

TOTAL $1.706 $1.633 $1.676 $1.703 $1.575 $1.592 $1.691 $1.821

18 To ensurWe dhaytathqeuadlietycrsetaasned?arAdTs RonI dhiegthelrymvoinlaetdile cost metbriycsf,leseotms ewoifththme toarbeletshiannth1e,0a0n0alyusnisitus.seTdhae sample owfhdialetalafrrogme mfleueltti-sygeraerwca2rr%ier.participants
only. Tahfitseernsstuurdeysitnhgatthdaetadactoalleacntidontaplrkoicnegdutores, formulas arnedpobrutsisnaeyssssmmoadlelelsr aflreeertespwlicialltecdo,natninduheentocefaccoemparableT,hye arre-ptoo-yrteanro–tethdutshealtimthineathinighpeortecnotsiatsl
anomalsiineigssnuairfnaidcn1oaa8ocnnnTeuloytotm.illinyeaTdrnlishinues.icssusrtreareeynnadsdseauexotrdaeupsttqelhiruethetarssialri.tttyhddaasetdttaaucncacdotrailrlrbeidelcsertssioo,nhnahpvirgoehcleydvuorroleiapsstiti,lniefogocnrimosnsufstoluamrrsearatnernisccdpeso,bcnsuoosdsmitinsneegwso.shf mtihleoedhteaalbsvlieansrgeinfreethpweliecaranteadly,saisndusoeheqneduntacahetesiocavonmemhphpilaecavlroeeafbobdlpeea,eetanryaefretaoixrom-ptnoems-cytsueeildatdi-reyt–eooatfhdrturchsiavereerliiemsrmipnaaalrtlitenicrgippaonttesntia
An AnraeldyusicsedofetxhceesOspceorvaetrioangaelaCnodsmt oofvTerdutcoking: 2020 UpdOatveerall, the report found that small fleets out of business. But on the other1h9and,
self-insured, captive insurance programs. carriers with 100 or fewer power units had industry experts speculate that smaller fleets
The repAonrtAnnoatleyssitshaotf tchaerrOieprseraarteiosneattlinCgost of Truhcikginhger: 2o0p2e0raUtipodnatlecosts than carriers with 19
can be flexible and responsive. They can

themselves up for a “potentially catastrophic more than 100 units. Those smaller carriers’ pay lower driver wages and still have less

increase in accrued carrier risk.” costs were $1.794 per mile compared to turnover. Spot market rates, upon which they

“When you talk to the insurance industry, $1.618 for the larger carriers. rely, have been favorable because of growth

they’ll tell you some kind of major course Smaller fleets paid more in all the vehicle- and tightened capacity.

correction is coming or is needed, but they based cost categories, as they often lack Across the industry, fuel costs fell almost

don’t see it coming within the insurance their own maintenance shops and access to 9 percent from 43.3 cents per mile in 2018

industry,” Murray said. “It’s either going to contracts for discounted fuel and equipment. to 39.6 cents in 2019. Diesel prices fell from

have to be massive tort reform, or there’s However, smaller fleets paid slightly lower $3.34 in early November 2018 to an average

going to be a slew of bankruptcies coming.” wages (53.4 cents per mile versus 54.3 cents) price of $3.06 per gallon over the course

ATRI expects insurance costs to continue and offered fewer benefits (13.8 cents per of the year. As with insurance, fuel costs

to rise, though at a slower rate because mile versus 16.6 cents). progressively decreased based on fleet size,

carriers are adopting active safety systems Despite their challenges to overcome, with fleets with less than 26 units paying

while finding ways to manipulate their risk smaller fleets have been growing faster than 48.6 cents per mile and those with more than

management strategies. Another reason is larger fleets. The report notes that FTR 1,000 units paying 36.2 cents per mile.

states are adopting tort reform measures. Transportation Intelligence has said that Fuel costs represented 24 percent of

The report found that insurance costs fleets with less than 100 trucks employed carriers’ overall costs in 2019, the same as

decreased as the size of the fleet grew. Fleets 322,000 new drivers between 2012 and in 2018. In 2012, they were 39 percent of

with less than 26 power units were paying 2018, while those with more than 500 trucks total costs.

15.3 cents per mile in 2019, which was employed 152,000 new drivers over that time Meanwhile, fuel efficiency was increasing

almost three times the 5.3 cents per mile paid period. In 2018, small fleets grew 4 percent that year from a little more than 6.35 miles

|36 RHODE WARRIOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION RITRUCKING.ORG

per gallon to more than 6.5 mpg. The average 26 percent in 2019, while hauls of more than demand surged for goods delivered through
operating speed dropped from 50.8 miles 1,000 miles fell from 16 percent to 13%. The e-commerce, which strained capacity.
per hour in 2018 to 49.3 miles in 2019. average trip length has fallen from 800 miles Some fleets, particularly those hauling
The percentage of fleets using speed limiters per trip to about 500. basic consumer goods such as toilet paper,
increased from 90 percent to 91%. Among did very well. Others hauling petroleum
fleets that were using speed limiters, the The report noted that fleets were using or heavy manufacturing-related items did
percentage where they were installed on all vehicles that were older than the previous not. With fleets unable to meet demand,
the trucks increased from 88 percent to 90%. year’s were. Truck tractors in the survey were capacity moved to the spot market, where
Fuel prices fell again in 2020 because the an average of 5.1 years old, which was a .7 rates are increasing. The report noted that
COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced year increase from the 2018 report following driver compensation probably increased
demand. Prices were expected to remain low a significant decrease in truck orders. In fact, significantly in 2020 because of the
in 2021. by November of 2019, truck orders were at COVID-19 pandemic. On paper, costs might
their lowest monthly level since 2015. be manageable, but revenue miles may be
Among the other findings from the survey significantly reduced.
was that deadhead miles increased from 16.6 The report found average costs were
percent of total miles in 2018 to 20.1 percent higher in the Northeast. Total costs there For next year’s report, Murray said
in 2019, which perhaps was the result of the were $1.844 per mile, compared to $1.697 in ATRI will collect data earlier than usual,
freight slowdown that occurred at the end of the Midwest, $1.619 in the West, $1.564 in increase its sample size, and perhaps create a
the year. the Southeast, and $1.550 in the Southwest. weighting or metric to reflect the pandemic’s
impact and show what the year might have
The report noted that the trucking The report compared costs of 2019 to looked like otherwise.
industry is seeing a significant shift in average 2018, all of which occurred before what
trip lengths because of e-commerce. The Murray called “the most chaotic year maybe “We’ll be much more creative in our 2020
percentage of hauls that were less than 100 in our industry’s history.” The COVID-19 report to reflect an event that’s unparalleled
miles increased from 21 percent in 2016 to pandemic upended many fleets’ operations in our industry’s history,” he said.
along with the entire economy. Consumer
CONTINUES 

Figure 7: Respondent Fuel Costs per Mile by Fleet Size

$0.600 Figure 7: Respondent Fuel Costs per Mile by Fleet Size

$0.600 $0.486
$0.500
$0.445
$0.400 $0.500 $0.486 $0.445 $0.431
$0.431
Cost per Mile $0.375 $0.362
$0.300 $0.400Cost per Mile $0.375 $0.362

$0.200 $0.300

$0.100 $0.200

$0.000 $0.100

Less than 26 26 - 100 Power 101 - 250 Power 251 - 1,000 Power Greater than

Power Units Units Units Units 1,000 Power
$0.000
Units
Less than 26 26 - 1U0n0itPsowFerleet10S1iz-eU25n0itsPower 251 - 1,000 Power Greater than
Power Units Units 1,000 Power

Units

Fleet Size

Looking Forward

gTahseolRlaLiITncRoUekCoKakIoNGinfn.OdcgRGadFrieotrsrawevlae–rlddreuseutlotinCgOinVoIDn-e19ofhtahse severely ddeeccrrReeHaOaDssEeeWdAsR RtiIhnORef|ud9e0eTHlmApNNarIVincERedSAsRfYo&inrIN ArUeGUcReAL nEDtIT IO N 37
steepest

Rhode Island

TRUCKING FAST FACTS

TRUCKING DRIVES THE ECONOMY

CAREERS SMALL BUSINESS EMPHASIS TRANSPORTING THE ESSENTIALS COMPETITIVE WAGES

17,720 2,510 87.7% • Total trucking industry
wages paid in Rhode Island
Trucking industry jobs Trucking companies located in of Rhode Island in 2018 exceeded $1 billion,
in Rhode Island (2018) Rhode Island (2019). Primarily small, communities depend with an average annual
locally owned businesses, these exclusively on trucks to trucking industry salary of
That’s 1 in 24 jobs in the state companies are served by a wide range move their goods. $57,578.
of supporting businesses.
98 Percent of manufactured • Heavy and tractor-trailer
tonnage transported by truck drivers held 3,200 jobs
trucks in the state. with an average annual
That’s 66,150 tons salary of $48,360
per day. (2012)
(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,
2018).

SAFETY MATTERS

SAFETY FIRST CONTINUALLY IMPROVING COMMITMENT TO SHARING THE ROAD
Rhode Island Trucking Association members The Share the Road program
put safety first through: 2017 fatal crash rate per RI 1.36 sends a team of professional
100 million Vehicle Miles USA 1.42 truck drivers to communities
Improved driver training Traveled (VMT): around the country to teach car
Investment in advanced safety technologies drivers about truck blind spots,
Active participation in industry safety initiatives 69% The amount by which the U.S. stopping distances and how to
at the local, state and national levels large truck fatal crash rate has merge safely around large
dropped between 1975 and 2017. trucks, all designed to reduce the
number of car-truck accidents.

Rhode IslandUpdated April 2020 with most recent data available. @RITrucking ritrucking.org

TRUCKING FAST FACTS

TRUCKING PAYS THE FREIGHT

THE INDUSTRY INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES ROADWAY USE

$67 The industry paid 27% As of January 2020, a typical five-axle tractor- Miles of public roads 6,013
million of all taxes owed by semitrailer combination paid: in Rhode Island (2018).
Rhode Island motorists …
Amount the trucking … despite trucks $6,496 + $8,906
industry in Rhode representing only 6%
Island paid of vehicle miles traveled state highway user federal highway user Miles driven on public roads:
approximately in in the state. fees and taxes fees and taxes
federal and state All Motorists: 8.0 billion

roadway taxes (2018). These taxes were over and above
the typical taxes paid by businesses
in Rhode Island.

TRUCKS DELIVER A CLEANER TOMORROW Trucks: 500 million

EMISSIONS FUEL CONSUMPTION PARTNERSHIPS
43% of U.S. commercial trucks are now Through the U.S. Environmental
powered by the newest-generation, near-zero The trucking industry continues to improve Protection Agency’s (EPA)
emissions diesel technology. energy and environmental efficiency even SmartWay Transport Partner-
Medium- and heavy-duty trucks contribute just while increasing the number of miles driven. 17% ship, the trucking industry is
23% of all transportation-related greenhouse working with government and
gas (GHG) emissions in the U.S. and represent In 2018: businesses to quantify green-
only 6% of total U.S. GHG emissions. house gas emissions and take
• Combination trucks accounted for just 17% of steps to reduce them.
the total highway transportation fuel consumed

• Combination trucks consumed nearly 100 billion
fewer gallons of fuel than passenger vehicles
in the U.S.

Updated April 2020 with most recent data available. @RITrucking ritrucking.org

|38 RHODE WARRIOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION RITRUCKING.ORG

Honoring a Female Legacy

RITA Women in Trucking Foundation Lena Daly Scholarship

BY DEBORA BABIN KATZ

GUEST WRITER

The state of Rhode Island holds some “Lena ran the association with an iron was the only woman present at these events,
interesting ‘first’ records. On May 4th, hand,” recalled current board member Dave as well as the ATA conferences she attended
1776, the colony of Rhode Island was the Harrison of Conlon Container who served with her loyal members,” said Harrison.
first of the thirteen colonies to renounce its under her leadership. “She was very well Most who knew Daly describe her as a very
allegiance to the British Crown and the first respected by our members, so much so that if strong person who was extremely competent
to take military action against England by she asked any one of them to do something, and very well organized. “She did it all and
sinking one of her ships in the Narragansett they would drop everything to do it for her,” with no resources; she was it,” he said. In
Bay. Rhode Island is the first state where polo he said. Of her many responsibilities, she ran addition to her tremendous energy, Daly
was played in the U.S. in 1876 and home to two major dinner events each year for 400 relied on her strong faith, attending church
the first National Lawn Tennis Championship to 500 attendees, wrote every association every morning before arriving to work.
that gave way to the U.S. Open. The Rhode bulletin and sold every event ticket. “She
Island Trucking Association is no different Fast forward to 2020, and RITA’s
when it comes to ‘first’ records, most notably leadership, Chairman Michael Kiselica and
by being the first trucking association in the President Chris Maxwell, decided it was
American Trucking Associations’ federation time to honor this incredible female leader
to be led by a female in 1960. Today, eight who set the course for the association during
state trucking associations in the ATA her tenure. They partnered with the Women
federation have women serving as in Trucking Foundation, a national 501(c)
their presidents. 3 non-profit organization that is affiliated
with the Women In Trucking Association, to
Lena Daly led the Rhode Island Truck establish the RITA WIT Foundation Lena
Owners Association, as it was then known, Daly Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded
from 1960 through her retirement in 1981. A twice a year, to recognize emerging leaders
1972 Providence Journal article described her in the trucking industry in the state of
as «talented and ambitious.” In the interview, Rhode Island.
Daly described the trucking industry as
“fascinating ... you never know what’s going “This new affiliation with RITA
to happen next.” In 1978, Daly assumed to establish the Lena Daly scholarship
a national role in the industry, serving is an important step in our mission to
as chairperson of the National Trucking expand educational support for women
Executive Conference. in transportation by partnering with state

RITRUCKING.ORG CONTINUES 

|RHODE WARRIOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION 39

Sometimes People
Must Come Together
for a Mission

THANK YOU

Since 1954, the American Transportation Research Institute and its
predecessor have been the trucking industry’s source for scientific data and
analysis on the many high priority issues facing freight transportation today.
The people and companies listed here are our core contributors, annual
donors who have come together in this mission to help the industry as a
whole. If you or your company has not contributed in the past, now is the
time to step up and do your part.
Step up and leave your footprint for the good of the industry.
Visit www.atri-online.org to explore your giving opportunities.

Photo: NASA

trucking associations and other non- hard working and driven as my father. I am Harrison, “she was active until the day
profit organizations,” said Laura extremely grateful for the sacrifices he has had before her passing and lived to about
Ransone, Executive Director of the to make and I hope to repay him by helping 94 years old.” “It was 60 years ago
Women in Trucking Foundation. “Lena with the business as much as I can,” she added. that Lena Daly led RITA and served
Daly was an exceptional female leader as the first female trucking association
in our industry, and we are honored to Caldarone believes that there are as manager in the ATA Federation. In
offer this scholarship twice a year to many opportunities for women in trucking partnering with the Women in Trucking
assist a female student associated with as there are for men. “Gender roles are Foundation, RITA honors Lena’s
the state of Rhode Island in furthering just a societal construct; a woman can do legacy by furthering the careers of
her career in transportation,” she anything a man can,” she said. Certainly, women in trucking with this perpetual
added. “I am very pleased that we are Lena Daly would have agreed as she herself scholarship,” emphasized Maxwell.
paying homage to the great history of is proof. “Lena was a remarkable lady,” said
female leadership of RITA by offering Asked what Lena Daly would have
scholarships to advance the careers of thought about the creation of this new
women in trucking,” stated Chairman scholarship to honor her commitment
Kiselica. In early September 2020, RITA to RITA, Harrison says “she would
and the Women In Trucking Foundation have been elated, but also humble as
announced its first recipient as Morgan Lena wasn’t someone who sought out
Caldarone. Caldarone works in the recognition.” If Caldarone could meet
family trucking business, Petrodriver Lena Daly today, she says, “she would
Transportation, while attending New England want to congratulate her on her many
Law | Boston. She has overcome many accomplishments as it is always amazing to
obstacles to reach her goal of attending law see a woman in an executive position in what
school. “The scholarship has made a big is a predominately male industry.”
impact on my ability to attend law school
during this pandemic,” said Caldarone. She Debora Babin Katz is vice president
is pursuing trucking as a career and plans to of TrucBrush Corporation and serves
continue in the family business “because I see on the RITA board of directors. She is
how hard my father has worked to build his also past chair of the Women in Trucking
business from the ground up. I strive to be as Foundation. You may reach Debora at
[email protected]

THE WOMEN IN TRUCKING IMAGE TEAM IS COMPRISED OF INDIVIDUALS WHO BEST REPRESENT THE MISSION OF THE ASSOCIATION.

RITRUCKING.ORG |RHODE WARRIOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION 41

Biggest Bottleneck in the Ocean State

ATRI says Providence junction is 38th worst bottleneck

BY STEVE BRAWNER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

PHOTO COURTESTY ATRI

The I-95 at I-195 junction in Providence by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Jersey, where traffic from New York exits the
was home to the nation’s 38th worst truck state departments of transportation, and George Washington Bridge and joins several
bottleneck in 2019, according to a study stakeholders including trucking companies, other roads. The average nonpeak speed was
published earlier this year by the American drivers and state trucking associations. Speed only 32.4 mph, which slowed to 22.4 mph
Transportation Research Institute. is a factor, and so is the truck volume traveling during peak hours. Speeds fell to 20 mph and
through the bottleneck. below between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. and never
ATRI found that the average speed at the climbed above 45 mph throughout the day. The
junction dipped from 43.3 miles per hour ATRI has been performing the study good news is that peak average speeds at that
during non-peak driving hours to 31.7 mph since 2002. location increased 5.1% from 2018 to 2019,
during peak driving hours. From 4-6 p.m., but it wasn’t enough to move the bottleneck off
average speeds slowed to less than 25 mph. The The research organization says congestion the top spot.
peak average speed dropped 3.9% from 2018 annually costs the trucking industry $74.5
to 2019. billion and results in 1.2 billion lost hours of Atlanta was home to three of the top 10
productivity. That’s the equivalent of 425,533 worst bottlenecks, including the second worst,
The junction was ranked number 35 on the drivers sitting idle for a year. It found that the I-285 at I-85 North junction, where the
previous year’s list. the number of locations experiencing severe average speed dipped from 40.2 mph during
congestion with average daily speeds of 45 mph nonpeak hours to 22.4 mph during peak hours.
Rebecca Brewster, ATRI’s president and or less had increased 92% in the last five years. During the worst hour from 5-6 p.m., speeds
chief operating officer, noted that a number fell to less than 15 mph. Otherwise known as
of sites on I-95 stretching from the Maryland- Texas led the way with 11 of the nation’s the “Spaghetti Junction,” the location also was
Washington, D.C. area to Rhode Island and worst 100 bottlenecks, while California, number two the previous year. Number five
Connecticut are on the top 100 list. Georgia and New York were tied for second was the I-75 at I-285 North junction, where
with seven. Pennsylvania, Tennessee and the average speed fell from 46.4 mph during
ATRI derived its 2019 rankings by Washington all had six. Minnesota had five. nonpeak hours to 29.2 mph during peak hours.
collecting and processing GPS data from It was number three the previous year. Number
more than 1 million trucks in real time to Topping the list as the nation’s worst truck
determine the effects of congestion at 300 bottleneck for the second straight year was
locations. Those locations had been identified the I-95 at SR4 junction in Fort Lee, New

|42 RHODE WARRIOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION RITRUCKING.ORG

seven was the I-20 at I-285 West junction, locations in Los Angeles rounded out the top allocate resources. Agencies can analyze the
where the average speed fell from 45.2 mph 10. At number nine was the SR 60 at SR 57 data for designated truck routes, truck parking,
during nonpeak hours to 36.4 mph during peak junction, which was number four in the previous and determining the effect that warehouses
hours. It was number nine the previous year. year’s list. Number 10 was the I-710 at I-105 have on rerouting. Agencies also can determine
junction, which had the same ranking as the rerouting during natural disasters. After one
ATRI says the annual report has led year before. rockslide, a state DOT posted an alternate
to lasting change. When the Jane Byrne route for trucks. When ATRI’s GPS data
Interchange in downtown Chicago where Chris Maxwell, Rhode Island Trucking showed trucks were actually going a different
I-90/I-94 meets I-290 was ranked number one Association president and chief executive officer, way, the state changed its signage.
three consecutive years, policymakers cited the said much of the problem at the I-95 at I-195
ranking as a reason to make improvements. junction is caused by the nearby convergence of Private companies also can use the data to
A $713 million project will be completed by Route 146 South onto I-95. The easiest remedy improve their operations. Fleets can collaborate
2022. In this year’s report, it was sixth after is to determine how to incentivize trucks to use with their customers to determine routes and
being number three the previous year, with I-295 to avoid the bottleneck, he said. times that most efficiently avoid congestion,
average speeds in 2019 of only 23.8 mph Brewster said.
during nonpeak hours and 16.1 mph during Maxwell said Rhode Island’s road problems
peak hours. Speeds did not rise past 20 mph go deeper than simply having too many trucks ATRI uses a full year’s worth of data to
from 7 a.m. until after 7 p.m. Speeds there fell on too few miles of pavement. produce its rankings. The upcoming report
2.6% from 2018 to 2019. for 2020 will be challenging because the
“We have brand new bridges that are rated COVID-19 pandemic reduced congestion
The ongoing construction was a factor in at 5 tons,” he said. “At the same time, we are unevenly and will skew the numbers. Different
the bottleneck’s slow speeds, just as it was at the wasting resources fixing structurally-sound parts of the country were affected differently
number three location, the I-24/I-40 at I-440 bridges to justify toll gantry placement while and at different times. For example, average
East junction in Nashville. In 2018, that location we ignore critical weight restricted routes. I speeds at Atlanta’s Spaghetti Junction from 5
was number eight. Average speeds there dipped think you need a major overhaul of culture, p.m. to 6 p.m. during the third week of March
from 42.5 mph during nonpeak hours to 24 oversight and project prioritization before you increased from 14.1 mph in 2019 to 55 mph
mph during peak hours. Brewster said some sites sink another dime into our infrastructure.” in 2020. Speeds at I-495 in Queens, New York,
have dropped out of the top 10 or top 100 once the 29th worst bottleneck on this year’s list,
construction is complete. But he said the use of more objective increased significantly but not as much – from
inspection technology rather than relying 13.6 mph in 2019 to 35 mph in 2020.
Other locations in the top 10 were the I-45 on the subjective decisions of state DOT’s
at I-69/U.S. 59 at Houston junction at number could free up already scant resources to “(The year) 2021 is going to be an
four after it was number five in 2018, and the address bottlenecks and the very functional interesting analysis because we’ll use 2020
I-71 at I-75 junction in Cincinnati at number obsolescence that results in traffic pinch points. data,” Brewster said. “Twenty-twenty’s been a
eight. It was number six the previous year. Two weird year for everybody.”
Brewster said ATRI’s congestion data is
used by public agencies to determine how to

RITRUCKING.ORG PHOTO COURTESTY ATRI

|RHODE WARRIOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION 43

Smart Phones, Now Smart Trailers

PALFINGER’s Liftgate Alert™ System makes the smart trailer possible

BY ERIC NELSON

GUEST WRITER

PHOTO COURTESY PALFINGER

It all began 10 years ago when the head of the line, middle trailers stay close The key is to identify the value of the data. If
PALFINGER began its push to add intelligent to home, lowest trailers get into the shop or get you had it, could you operationalize it? If so,
diagnostics to their liftgates by adding a sold and replaced. That’s more than a smart what benefits would you enjoy? How would
circuit board with an LED display. Drivers trailer. That is a smart fleet. that convert into lower procurement costs?
were shown fault codes and the PALFINGER- Lower OPEX? Lower CAPEX? Improved
recommended solutions to fix the issue. The problem all of the equipment vendors quality of service? New revenue streams?
are trying to solve is a noble one. More and Competitive advantages to gain market share?
Fast forward to 2021 and everyone is talking better data does help fleets improve their
about telematics and predictive maintenance and performance and reduce costs. But their Demand Open Solutions
the “Smart Trailer” but nobody thought about solutions only work for the vendors, who want Every new cycle in technology
how it works for the fleet owners and operators. more data to improve their products, manage
Except PALFINGER! Liftgate Alert is the only warranty costs, and create new recurring advancements begins with proprietary
remote monitoring solution that includes a revenue streams. So now fleets are presented solutions. Vendors try to erect “walled
universal gateway, able to provide equipment with a myriad of redundant hardware gardens” to lock in their customers and keep
data from the PALFINGER Liftgates AND devices, installations, data plans, data sources, competitors out. Avoid this at all costs. If you
other equipment including solar charge passwords, and dashboards. For fleets, the know the value of the data you want from
controllers, reefer, TPMS, ABS, wheel ends, door cure is as bad as the illness and many are not the equipment on your trailers, you can state
alarms, etc. Et Viola! Now the “Smart Trailer” adopting new telematics products until the your commitment to implementing a solution
is possible. vendors get the message. and demand modifications from your vendors.
The best vendors will listen, adapt, and grow
It’s all about the power of One. One Trailer OEMs are working on the issue, with you. Reward open innovation and shun
universal gateway, one installation, one data attempting to use standards like J-1939 proprietary solutions.
plan, one data source, one password, one pane to create a trailer network with standard
of glass for all of your equipment diagnostics, protocols. But the equipment vendors are a Get Going!
alerts and fault codes, and automated reports hard herd to wrangle. So, what are fleets to do? PALFINGER’s Liftgate Alert™ is proof that
with a rich predictive maintenance view of
all of the equipment on your trailer. Imagine Embrace the Value of Data open solutions are available now. Find them.
a dashboard with a health index of all of Better data leads to better decisions. In a Pilot them. Demand them. The rewards are
your trailers based on the health of all of the worth the effort.
equipment on the trailer rolled into one score. tough businesslike commercial transportation,
Like a credit score. Top graded trailers go to smarter fleets will increase market share and PALFINGER Liftgates can be reached at
profitability. But more data is not always better. 615-347-4054 or [email protected] .

|44 RHODE WARRIOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION RITRUCKING.ORG

YOUR GENEROSITY
FUNDS OUR MISSIONS

Please consider making a contribution to these valuable, worthwhile
endeavors. Your giving will ensure that RITA perpetuates the critical missions

of its Foundation and its political action directives for generations to come.

RITA FOUNDATION
The newly formed RITA Foundation's purpose is to fund workforce development industry image
campaigns. The RITA Foundation has been the recipient of the ATA TAEC President's Award Grant, the
ATA Dameo Award Grant and the Rhode Island Governor's Workforce Development Planning Grant.
RITA's Foundation supports initiatives such as the Women in Trucking/RITA Lena Daly Scholarship.

RITA PAC
RITA's Political Action Committee pools campaign contributions from members and donates
those funds to campaigns for or against candidates, ballot initiatives or legislation based on the
agenda and priorities determined by RITA's board of directors. It is through your generosity and
participation that RITA is able to successfully fight political battles that arise to make our state a
safe, healthy and economically sound work environment for the benefit of your companies.

For details on how to donate, visit our website at ritrucking.org or call (401) 729-6600.

RITRUCKING.ORG |RHODE WARRIOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION 45

GO AHEAD & STARE. Rhode Warrior
ISSUE 1 2021
WE KNOW WE LOOK GOOD. 90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION

We're not just pretty, we're an ADVERTISER
effective communication tool with a RESOURCE INDEX

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This publication was made possible
|46 RHODE WARRIOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY & INAUGURAL EDITION with the support of these corporate
advertisers. They support the trucking
industry by enabling RITA to provide
this publication to its members,
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and the business community at large.

They deserve your consideration
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Please visit ritrucking.org to see the
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MACK® MD SERIES

SHIFT MEDIUM
DUTY INTO
HIGH GEAR.

Mack has entered the medium-duty market
with the all-new MD Series—three trucks that
take care of the details so you can focus on
getting the job done.

BallardTrucks.com/MackMD

SUPPORTING OUR RITA FRIENDS FOR HALF A CENTURY. ApsakrtasbdoeultivFeRryE!E

SALES | SERVICE | PARTS | LEASE & RENT BALLARD

Visit us in Johnston! - 280 Scituate Avenue, Johnston, RI 02919 | 401.821.4800