Wait! Have You Checked Your Tyre Pressure ?

Insufficient attention to the pressure of the tyres contributes greatly to excess wear of tyres, skidding on wet roads, difficult steering operation and general driving discomfort. Improper inflation of tyres can cause the following problems:-insufficient attention to the pressure of the tyres contributes greatly to excess wear of tyres, skidding on wet roads, difficult steering operation and general driving discomfort. Improper inflation of tyres can cause the following problems:-

1. Low Pressure Causes: the edges of wear down very quickly; steering difficulty; excessive build up of heat which tends to destroy the rubber compound of the tyres.
2. High Pressure Causes: excess wear in the tyre-centre, shortening the life of the tyres; makes steering easier, mainly because there is less rubber on the road, but causes the vehicle to skid on turns and stops;causes a much rougher ride, even on relatively smooth roads.
   

Maintain proper inflation of all the tyres and keep the spare tyre ready for emergency.

Accuracy of Instruction

Complications can arise when transferring definitions or guidelines from source documents to the PAR, instruction manual or programming logic. The omission or addition of a single word can cause an unintended change in meaning. The selection criteria define specifically which vehicles should be reported to SAFETYNET. Therefore, accuracy on the specifics of the selection instruction becomes critical both when an officer has to decide if the truck and bus information is required to be completed and/or when a data extraction program is written. (See Examples Below)

Proper Recording - Critical Information

In addition to identifying the responsible motor carrier, it is critical to accurately record the USDOT number, the complete name and/or DBA “doing business as” name of the carrier and the carrier’s complete physical address (not PO Box). All three pieces of information are extremely important. Many carriers around the country have the same or similar names. Additionally, multiple names can legally appear on the vehicle. As a result, any recording errors or ommisions are difficult to accurately resolve with incomplete information. See examples below

Safety Analysis 2010 (CSA 2010) Operational Model Test

During February 2008, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will begin the first phase of the Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010 (CSA 2010) operational model test. During this test, a representative sample of interstate motor carriers within the States of Colorado, Missouri, New Jersey, and Georgia will be subjected to a new safety measurement system and progressive interventions designed to pinpoint a motor carrier's poor safety performance with significant emphasis placed on the data that is gathered at the roadside.

It is important to note that the operational model test will not provide any regulatory relief. Motor carriers will not be rated during the test because the new methodology must be implemented through rulemaking, which will begin during 2008. In advance of this rulemaking, a motor carrier found to have poor safety performance, and is unresponsive to the new CSA 2010 interventions, will undergo a compliance review and be rated in accordance with FMCSA's current compliance and enforcement process.

During the test, FMCSA will determine the effectiveness of the new operational model; both in safety impact and its effect on State and Federal resources. This test is a critical step in addressing CSA 2010's goals, which include reaching more carriers and drivers, increasing compliance, and decreasing motor carrier-related crashes and fatalities.

The test will continue for 30 months into mid-2010, at which time FMCSA is planning full implementation of the CSA 2010 model. FMCSA would like to thank our State partners who will be participating in the important test: the Colorado State Patrol, the Georgia Department of Public Safety, the Missouri Department of Transportation, and the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

Driver Alertness Indication System (DAISY) – TRB IDEA Program

This project conducted an initial development and assessment of Sphericon’s (Israel) innovative concept for detecting driver inattentiveness based on steering system dynamics, the separation of driver action from the effects of the external world on the vehicle’s lateral motion and using that relationship to evaluate driver alertness. Driver action is weighed against the effect of disturbances (bumps and road imperfections, wind gusts, etc.) on lateral motion of the vehicle, a good measure as to the alertness or attentiveness of the driver.

Thermal Imaging Inspection System

FMCSA has launched a project to demonstrate a thermal imaging inspection system (TIIS) that leverages state-of-the-art thermal imagery technology, integrated with signature recognition software, in order to provide the capability to identify in real-time faults and impending failures in tires, brakes, and bearings mounted on large trucks and motor coaches. A two-year research grant was awarded to International Electronic Machines Corporation for $1.4 million to conduct the TIIS project, as directed by Congress under Section 5513(a) of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) Act of 2005.

The project will be conducted in a field environment along the interstate highway to further assess the system ability to identify commercial motor vehicle (CMV) component faults and failures. A predictive tool that identifies impending tire, brake, or bearing failures and provides a timeframe in which these failures may occur will be developed and integrated into the TIIS. This project will also assess technological enhancements in the capabilities of thermal imaging systems, as related to the Agency prior research of infrared technology conducted six years ago.

Driver Fatigue Alertness Technology (DFAT)–SBIR, Phase I

Based on a review of the commercially available systems and the limitations of the current systems, FMCSA initiated additional research to improve in-vehicle alertness monitoring. This study, which is being conducted through FMCSA’s Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program, will develop a device to improve alertness monitoring. FMCSA anticipates the integration and/or selection of these research efforts will produce a device that works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with all drivers. The goal is to develop a fully functional device that will monitor and warn as well as educate drivers when they have become too impaired to operate a commercial motor vehicle safely.

Full Value Protection

Under Full Value Protection, your mover is liable for the replacement value of lost or damaged goods in your entire shipment. This is the more comprehensive plan available for the protection of your belongings. Unless you select the alternative level of of liability described below—Released Value—your mover will transport your shipment under the Full Value Protection level of liability. If any article is lost, destroyed or damaged while in your mover's custody, your mover will, at its discretion, offer to do one of the following for each item

• Repair the item
  
• Replace with a similar item
• Make a cash settlement for the cost of the repair or the current market replacement value

Under this option, movers are permitted to limit their liability for loss or damage to articles of extraordinary value, unless you specifically list these articles on the shipping documents. An article of extraordinary value is any item whose value exceeds $100 per pound (i.e., jewelry, silverware, china, furs, antiques). Ask your mover for a written explanation of this limitation before your move.
The exact cost for Full Value Protection varies by mover and may be subject to various deductible levels of liability that may reduce your cost. Ask your mover for written details of their Full Value Protection plan.

Road Infrastructure

The Department continually monitors the condition of roads throughout the province for the purpose of planning, maintenance and reconstruction. In 2006, approximately 60 % of the paved road network was measured by “road roughness testing”, dynamic cone penetration (DCP) and evaluation of skid resistance.

The Departmental technical centre also conducted research with a view to locating mapping and evaluating material sources for road building in the province. A number of material sources have been tested for suitability.

The Department continues to use the bridge management software programme developed by the CSIR to manage 1,610 bridges and 2,008 culverts in the province. In 2006 a visual inspection of 323 bridges and 267 culverts was conducted.

The department uses the Road Management System (RMS) to provide a scientific basis for evaluating the condition of paved and unpaved road networks. Pavement Management Systems (PMS) and Gravel Road Management Systems (GRMS) are also used.

Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC)

A diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) is a device added to the exhaust system of a tractor that reduces the amount of particulate matter (PM) emitted. The device is generally a large honeycomb structure with an active catalyst made up of a layer of precious metal. Emission reductions are approximately 20% for PM, 40% for hydrocarbons and 50% for carbon monoxide. DOC’s have a negligible impact on tractor fuel efficiency. Costs are dependent upon the size of the engine and are usually between $1000 and $2000 per unit, making them an ideal retrofit device.

Motor Carrier Operation Four

This Midwest-based refrigerated carrier operates in all 50 states with an irregular route truckload operation. The company has approximately 2,000 independent owner-operators and 400 inhouse corporate staff and shop support. They are in the beginning stages of developing a wellness program and currently provide limited health information through a company newsletter. Flu shots, health screenings and fitness membership reimbursements are available to all employees and operators. They are in the process of building a fitness center at the corporate headquarters. As with other trucking companies, reaching drivers is their biggest concern. This is reflected in their participation rates since nearly 20 percent of corporate staff and only one percent of drivers participate in their wellness programs.

National Business Award for Department for Transport

The Department for Transport's THINK! road safety campaign has won a National Business Award for its work on teen road safety. Short-listed against major private sector marketers, such as NatWest, Lloyds Bank, Waitrose and Alliance and Leicester, the Department has won the "Marketing Strategy of the Year" award for use of insight, innovation and effectiveness in developing its "Cameraphone" campaign focussed on teenagers.

Dubbed the "Business Oscars," the awards celebrate the best that British business offers, celebrating innovation, technology customer focus and marketing.

DfT were the only public sector organisation to win an award on the night and were commended for our world first in shooting a TV commercial through a video phone camera; our use of media channels to reach our target audience, and effectiveness where our tracking research showed we had a major impact upon teenagers.

Road Safety Minister Stephen Ladyman, said:

"Road safety is a key priority for this Government. We have set demanding targets to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured. We are determined to achieve them.

"We have a long history of effective road safety campaigning in this country. THINK! launched in 2000 builds on that legacy and forms a crucial part of work to reduce injuries.

"Our work on teen road safety was developed after extensive insight into what would motivate teenagers. I am delighted that our use of insight, innovation and the campaign's effectiveness has been recognised by the National Business Awards".

£55m improvements to A500 will boost regeneration in Stoke-on-Trent

The completed A500 Pathfinder project in Stoke on Trent was officially opened today by Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander. The £55M improvements will ease local congestion, is acting as a catalyst for environmental regeneration as well as boosting the local economy.

The Highways Agency has used a pioneering approach to road improvements to complete the scheme two years earlier than if traditional measures were used. The road, which carries around 60,000 vehicles a day, is the first in the country to use an innovative system called Early Contractor Involvement. This makes the best use of the construction industry's expertise and brings better value for money for the taxpayer.

Douglas Alexander said:

"The £55M improvements to the A500 in Stoke-on-Trent demonstrate the Government's commitment to tackling congestion, improving public transport in tandem with developing new road schemes and boosting environmental regeneration. It will also have benefits for the local economy - with significant interest already being shown in the development of brownfield sites along the A500 corridor.

"There have also been improvements for pedestrians and cyclists, better bus facilities, less noise for local residents and improved air quality because of reduced congestion.

"Alongside this, extensive environmental measures have improved the River Trent, the Fowlea Brook and the Trent and Mersey Canal. Wildlife has been encouraged to better establish itself, including rarer species like otters, and existing watercourses have been placed in new open channels."

Highways Agency Chief Executive Archie Robertson added:

"Through strong, positive partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council, the Highways Agency has delivered the A500 Stoke Pathfinder project using a new approach called Early Contractor Involvement. We have been able to use the best of the construction industry's expertise and reduce the time taken to bring benefits to the people using the road. "

Stoke on Trent Elected Mayor Mark Meredith said:

"The twin highways of the A500 and the A50 now form the main arteries to significantly improve access into the heart of the North Staffordshire conurbation.

"This will aid the regeneration of every part of the city, and will ultimately benefit everyone who lives and works in Stoke-on-Trent. Local and long distance journeys are now improved, and that means we can capitalise on Stoke-on-Trent's excellent central location".

The A500 Pathfinder Project has:

* Replaced the Stoke Road and City Road roundabouts with new junctions.

* Constructed underpasses in the wide central reserve, which now carries the A500 through traffic below the local road network.

* Established slip roads with traffic signal controlled junctions connecting the A500 to the local road network at Stoke Road and City Road

* Made the old A500 carriageway into a two-lane link road between the two junctions.

* Widened the existing dual carriageway to three lanes from Shelton New Road junction to Stoke Road junction and between Whieldon Road and the junction with the A50.

* It has improved access for pedestrians and cyclists across the busy trunk road, and between the Hanley Shopping Centre, railway station, University, and Stoke Centre. There are also improved facilities for buses and public transport users at the new traffic signalled controlled junctions.

The name "A500 Stoke Pathfinder" reflects the innovative flagship status of this scheme as one of the first to use the Highways Agency's Early Contractor Involvement procedure to speed up delivery.

Shopping made "wheely" easy

The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) today issued a policy statement setting out for the benefit of local authorities the case for Shopmobility. Shopmobility schemes loan equipment such as manual wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs and powered scooters out to anyone with limited mobility for use within a town centre or shopping mall.

Neil Betteridge, Chair of DPTAC said:

"The move to pedestrianising town centres and the development of large out of town shopping outlets means that there is often limited opportunity for people to park or be dropped off near to their destination. Shopmobility schemes provide mobility assistance for everyone, young or old, whether their mobility impairment is temporary or permanent. Our MORI research shows that shopmobility schemes are a popular and well used service. The National Federation of Shopmobility estimate that their services make over 1.5 million trips per year and the business case for providing the schemes is convincing".

Grahame Lawson, Chair of DPTAC Personal Mobility and Local Authority Working Group said:

"Shopmobility should be an integral part of Local Transport Plan strategies and funding and Local authorities should be encouraged to promote Shopmobility amongst developers and give support to local schemes. Provision is currently patchy as Shopmobility schemes often find themselves competing with other charities for local financial support. Guaranteed local funding would encourage more schemes and help more disabled and older people to retain their mobility, and bridge an existing gap by providing a more integrated and accessible transport system".

Christmas 2006 Drink Drive crack down

The Government and Police have today joined forces to clamp down on the menace of drinking and driving over Christmas. As Britain gears up for the party season, the annual THINK! Drink Drive campaign - now in its 30th year - will swing into action to warn motorists about the dangers of getting behind the wheel after even just one drink.

This year the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and Department for Transport (DfT) are combining their campaigns to remind potential drink drivers, and young men in particular, just how seriously this issue is taken. More people are stopped and breathalysed at Christmas than any other time in the year and the penalties that drivers could face are among the toughest in Europe.

Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander said:

"During thirty years of our innovative, award-winning THINK! campaigns, we have more than halved the number of people killed in alcohol-related road accidents each year. This is a great achievement, but we will not be satisfied until we are sure everyone understands the risk of driving even after one drink.

"What the THINK! campaign is saying to drivers is very simple: Enjoy the Christmas season, but remember drinking and driving do not mix. With prison sentences of up to 6 months for those caught over the limit, drink driving is an unnecessary gamble to take."

Meredydd Hughes, ACPO lead and Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police, added:

"Christmas is a time for fun and for celebration, and many people will be enjoying a drink or two. That's great, but if you do, then don't drive. Our message is clear - if you drink and drive, you will be caught and brought to justice.

"We will be cracking down hard on all those people driving under the influence of drink or drugs. December is one of the highest months for both fatalities and collisions involving drunk drivers, while the number of deaths caused by drivers with illegal levels of alcohol has risen over the past few years. This is unacceptable and the police will not tolerate it. Drivers are well aware of the risks of driving over the legal limit, and if they don't know the legal limit, they shouldn't have a drink at all. Police will also be targeting drivers whose driving is impaired by the use of drugs, numbers of whom are increasing, particularly amongst young people.

"Throughout the campaign, police officers across England and Wales will be breath testing all drivers involved in collisions, irrespective of whether they suspect an offence of drink driving or not. If drink is detected, the driver will be arrested. By focusing on the risk drink and drug drivers cause to pedestrians, other drivers, themselves and their passengers over the Christmas period, I hope people will think twice before driving under the influence, to ensure that everyone's Christmas is a happy one."

Despite research showing that drink driving is less socially acceptable since the start of drink drive campaigns in 1976, it still occurs across all age groups and is particularly prevalent amongst young men - 36% of male breath test failures in 2005 were aged 17-29 years.

It is impossible to calculate alcohol limits and it takes less than drivers might think before their driving is affected by alcohol. The THINK! campaign, which will run throughout December, will therefore emphasise to drivers that they have too much to lose from even one alcoholic drink.

Bus and light rail statistics GB: July to September 2006

The Department for Transport has today published National Statistics on passenger satisfaction, bus reliability, age of fleet and bus and light rail patronage in Bus and Light Rail Statistics GB: July to September 2006. The key points, in seasonally-adjusted terms unless otherwise noted, are as follows.

* The index number for bus and light rail journeys in England in the Summer (July to September) quarter of 2006/07 was 110.8. This was up from the index number of 109.8 in the previous quarter. Free concessionary fare travel on local buses was made available to all English residents on 1 April 2006. The Department's PSA on local public transport is as follows:- By 2010, increase the use of public transport (bus and light rail) by more than 12% in England compared with 2000 levels, with growth in every region.

* The index number for bus and light rail journeys in London in Summer 2006 was 136.0, virtually the same as the previous quarter. Similarly the index number for English Metropolitan Areas was little changed at 94.0. In contrast patronage in non-Metropolitan areas rose from 97.4 to 100.1. The rises reflect the introduction of the free concessionary fares policy on 1 April 2006 - London and some Metropolitan areas already provided free fares to their residents before this date.

* In Summer 2006, the average score for overall satisfaction given by passengers for the bus journey just completed in England was 81 out of 100. This is unchanged from the previous quarter. London recorded a score of 78, also unchanged from the Summer quarter. The score in Non-Metropolitan areas was up by one point to 84 whereas it was down by one point to 82 in Metropolitan areas.

* Satisfaction with reliability in England rose by two points from the Spring quarter, reaching the record score of 70 out of 100. The score fell by one point in Metropolitan areas to 64 out of 100, and was unchanged in Non-Metropolitan areas at 69. The average rating in London was up by three points to 73, which is the highest average rating ever recorded in the Capital.

* Satisfaction with bus stop information in England was up one point to 70 out of 100. The score fell by three points in Metropolitan areas to 66 whereas it rose by three points in Non-Metropolitan areas to a record score of 67. These values relate to a target agreed with the bus industry, under which operators in England will seek to achieve year-on-year improvement in information at bus stops, based on DfT national passenger satisfaction survey ratings during the period 2000 to 2010.

* The proportion of scheduled mileage run excluding losses outside the operators' control in England was 98.9 per cent. The department has agreed a target with the bus industry to run 99.5 per cent of scheduled route mileage, except where this is affected by factors beyond their control.

Perceptions and experiences of crime on public transport

In April 2004, the Department for Transport published the findings of a major national survey into people's perceptions of security and crime on public transport. Whilst 64% of respondents felt positive about their personal security while traveling, some people can still feel apprehensive. And these apprehensions often reflected the respondent's age, gender and ethnic background; for example:

* Men, being more likely to be a victim of violence or robbery, felt more fearful of the presence of groups of other men

* Women, who were more likely to experience harassment or sexual assault, are more concerned about the behavior of lone men

* Younger people were found to be most likely to experience being threatened or stared at in a hostile or intimidating manner.

* Ethnic minority passengers felt further exposed to the wider experience of racial harassment and therefore likely to have concerns, but were less likely to report any incidents.

* Disabled people felt particularly vulnerable to the threat of crime where access to transport is limited or via poorly lit, isolated routes.

Government invests £1.25billion to improve local transport

People across the country will benefit from £1.25billion to improve local transport, Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander announced today.

The investment - the Local Transport Capital Settlement - is given to local authorities each year to help them deliver transport improvements in their communities.

The money will fund a range of improvements, including new road safety measures, better street lighting, road maintenance, park and ride facilities and cycle lanes.

Local authorities will also benefit from a share of £110million from a specific road safety grant. The grant means more money and flexibility for local authorities to deliver safer roads.

This year's investment delivers funding for 07/08. Some of this year's money is awarded according to the performance of local authorities in delivering better transport over the first five year Local Transport Plan period. Another part is based on the quality of their plans to improve transport over the next five years.

This investment is in addition to the funding for major transport projects across the country, which was announced in July this year as part of the Regional Funding Allocation process.

Douglas Alexander said:

"The Government has invested more than £9 billion in local transport over the last six years. The improvements made with this money have benefited passengers, motorists and local businesses across the country.

"We have seen sustained progress in reducing local road casualties. The condition of many local road networks is improving. Better infrastructure for buses, cyclists and pedestrians has been put in place so local transport is making a contribution to more sustainable development and economic growth".

The Department reviewed the delivery of the first Local Transport Plans, which local authorities produced for 2001/02 to 2005/06. The review highlighted many schemes across the country of particularly high quality.

Integrated transport allocations totalling £1,769 million across the country for 2008/09 to 2010/11, subject only to next year's spending review, are also included in today's announcement.

Transport Minister gives go ahead to £15million quality bus corridor in Doncaster

Doncaster residents and visitors are set to benefit from improvements to key bus services into the town centre after a £15m scheme was given the go-ahead today by Transport Minister, Gillian Merron.

The scheme - Doncaster's new Quality Bus Corridor - consists of new bus lanes on the A638 northern and southern approaches to Doncaster, including a stretch of dedicated busway and two new Park and Ride car parks which will be served by existing bus services.

Gillian Merron said,

"This is good news for people in Doncaster. These improvements will give local people what they want, better access to bus services, faster more reliable bus journeys to the city centre, getting them to jobs, shops and healthcare far more easily. Making the bus a real alternative to the car will also help to ease congestion, improve safety, especially for families with young children, and make the local area a more pleasant place to live, work and shop."

Work on the scheme will start in early 2007 and is expected to be completed by March 2008.

Farming and Roads

Agriculture is Devon's major industry and farmers have to use the public highway regularly in the course of their work but so do the public. It is therefore important that the farming communities are aware of their rights and responsibilities as far as the highway is concerned.

Vehicle excise duty evasion 2006

The Department for Transport has today published National Statistics on evasion of Vehicle Excise Duty in 2006. The Key Points for Great Britain are as follows:

* Evasion in traffic increased from 2.0 per cent in 2005 to 2.2 per cent in 2006.

* Evasion rates are highest among motorcycles and the other vehicles category, as has been the case in earlier years.

* Regionally, the largest increase in evasion in traffic between 2005 and 2006 was in the North West.

* Evasion rates are higher for older vehicles. Evasion among vehicles in the PLG class that are more than 10 years old is about five times the evasion level of vehicles less than 10 years old. Evasion is over 10 times higher for vehicles whose owner details are not known.

* The main survey results are used in a statistical estimation process to provide estimates of the relative mileage of licensed and unlicensed vehicles. These estimates showed that, in all tax classes, vehicles that are not correctly licensed have, on average, lower mileage than properly licensed vehicles.

* Based on the differences in average mileage, evasion amongst all vehicles in use was estimated to be around 6 per cent in 2006.

* Consequently, it is estimated that Vehicle Excise Duty evasion will cost around £220 million in the year 2006/07.

* The revenue expected to be lost from VED evasion in 2006/07 is equivalent to about 5 per cent of the total revenue that should be raised.

* In the Private and Light Goods tax class, which accounts for 89 per cent of vehicle stock, evasion rose from 3 per cent of vehicles in use in 2005 to 4 per cent in 2006.

The main results for Northern Ireland are as follows:

* Evasion in traffic fell from 5.4 per cent 2005 to to 5.0 per cent in 2006.