Truck Stop History In The United States

Truck stops aren’t a new concept in American history. The history of truck stops dates further back into the 19^th century when stagecoach relay stations presented a resting site for wagon drivers, horses as well as passengers. These passengers not only had the opportunity to stretch and relax, but also fill their stomachs. But with the invention of gas-fuelled vehicles by Henry Ford, this provided an avenue for an average American individual to own a car. As a result, there was a massive boost in the development and establishment of truckstops along the roads and highways.

Initially, service station owners presumed that their customers would be individuals who traveled by car, little did they know that their operations would open the doors to truck drivers and that would be their major source of earnings.

World War I gave a remarkable improvement to the trucking industry. Previously, trucks were too undersized to cart much in a single load and they just weren’t effective. Usually, they broke down and the truckers repaired these trucks by themselves. The war altered that, as trucks were considered necessary abroad, as well as at home to convey supplies to the rail stations.

World War II further heightened the need for truckers as the trucking industry persistently grew. Many trucks were powered with diesel fuel, thus generating the need for truck drivers as well as new merchandise for truck stops to put in the market.

The 1940s and 1950s witnessed the evolution of truck stops from a more ad hoc industry to one that was more cautiously designed specifically with the interest of long haul truckers at heart. In 1948, Fred Bosselman (who was a trucker and farmer) together with his wife, established the Bosselman and Eaton Truck Stop in Grand Island, Nebraska for business. In 1965, the Bosselman Truck Plaza, also known as the "Truck Stop of Tomorrow," opened its doors for business and was located on the new Interstate 80. This gave a foretaste about how the trucking industry would look in the years to come. Till date, the Bosselman truck stops are still open for business across the United States.

In 1956, President Dwight Eisenhower signed the Federal Interstate Highway Act which propelled the construction of 41,000 miles of new interstate roads. This led to a boost in the truck stop business.

Independent truck stops were sited along with the first chains, which were owned by the oil companies such as Amoco, Skelly, and Pure. As trucks became bigger, there was need to acquire more land mass in order to accommodate more trucks at the truck stops. This led to the epoch of multi-acre truck stop establishment and ownership.

In 1972, Truckstops of America (now recognized as TravelCenters of America) opened its first six locations. Also, Petro, as well as the Iron Skillet restaurant opened for operations around the same time.

In 1970, truck stops were referred to as travel plazas in order for it to appeal not only to the truckers, but also the general public at large. Today, the creation of travel plazas has not only made it possible to accommodate truckers, but also a mix of travelers. 

How to get a Transportation Worker Identification Credential?T

Who Has to Get TWIC?

Transportation Worker Identification is a sort of Identity card that is issued by the Transportation Security Administration as well as the U.S Coast Guard. This card is mandatory for all the marine workers who require unprotected access to secure areas of port facilities, outer continental shelf facilities as well as vessels regulated under the Marine Transportation Security Act 2002. 

Procedure for getting TWIC

In order for an individual to get a Transport Worker Identification Credential, such person needs to submit the documents which are listed in the procedure and also give proof of their citizenship. Citizens who are born in U.S have to provide documents proving their citizenship. A new card can be processed with standard fees of 128$ with effect from 1^st February 2015. There is a reduction in price than the previous rates, as a result of the FBI’s lowered fingerprint processing charges. Usually, a new card would take duration of 10 to 12 weeks for processing as well as issuing. Hence, it is advisable to the applicant that they apply prior to this duration from their requirement of Transportation Worker Identification Credential.

To get TWIC card an applicant must provide biographic and biometric information like fingerprints and also be present for a digital photograph and be able to successfully pass the Security threat assessment test conducted by TSA.

What does the card look like?

Transportation Worker Identification Credential card is a tampered card that contains Integrated Circuit Chip which contains holder’s Biometric data and holder’s information. This card can be read under a reader or by holding it near a contactless reader. Other alternative methods to decode the information stored in the cards are through a magnetic field and linear barcode provided at the back of the card.  

This card looks like a simple Identity card which carries your digital photograph and the chip at the front and magnetic field and barcode on the back of it.

Can we have Cards with Missing Fingerprints? 

There are a few slots of cards issued by the department wrongly without the Fingerprint information stored in the card. It is hard for holders to know that whether their card falls under this group or not. But there is a series of number provided on the website of the Agency. You need to compare the Agency Serial Number of your card with the numbers provided by the agency as affected series. An individual whose card falls into the category of the affected series need not to worry, as all that needs to be done is to call UES call centers and obtain a free replacement. Your card is still valid in case it is not carrying fingerprint information until you get your new card.

Why is it necessary to have a TWIC credential with you? 

According to CFR amendments the Merchant Marine needs to have all valid documents as well as a valid TWIC card compulsorily, failure of which would result in a denial for original, renewal, new endorsement, duplicate or raise of a mariner’s credential. However, it can also lead to revocation as well as suspension of such individual under section 46 United States Code 7702 and 7703.

Preparing for Your DOT physical

It’s time for your DOT physical exam again, and before you head off to have a company doctor poke and prod you, there are a few things you can do in advance to make your physical go smoother. Passing this physical means you’ll be given a driver’s clean bill of health, and more importantly, can continue to work from your cab for a living. Not passing- well, we’d prefer not to think what we’d be doing if we weren’t on the road. So, in order to perform your best at your mandatory DOT physical, here are a few tips to help you get things off on the right foot.

Bring the Essentials

Chances are you’re not going to your family physician for your exam, but a company provided doctor. These folks don’t know you lie your own care provider does, so showing up in the best shape possible and with all your necessities is critical.

If you wear glasses, contacts, or hearing aids, be sure to bring them along. Your license requires you to wear these things, and they are part of your physical. If you can’t read the eye chart of hear what the doctor is saying, chances are you won’t be passing your physical.

If you are on physician prescribes medications, bring them along, as well as the prescriptions themselves with the name and contact information for the doctor who prescribed them. On the same note, if you are undergoing treatment for any conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, sleep disorders, etc, bring along your treatment file to share with the examining doctor. The more information they have about your treatment, the better your chances are for getting a clean bill of heath as far as the DOT physical exam requirements are concerned. 

Come Physically Prepared

Before showing up at the physical, try and not be just coming off the road. Get a good night’s rest the night before, and make a conscious effort not to drink alcohol within 24 hours of the exam. Booze can run havoc with your blood pressure, and this isn’t looked upon favorably by examining doctors.

Arrive to the doctor’s office at least ten minutes early to fill out your appropriate paperwork and to catch your breath. Entering an exam flustered and in a rush might cause the physician to think you’re like that all the time- take it slow for your DOT physical exam and you’ll be fine.

FMCSA Announces New CSA Smartphone App

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today announced a new Smartphone app that will allow for more convenient access to currently available online safety performance information for interstate truck and bus companies.

“By making currently available safety information on interstate truck and bus companies more easily accessible for both law enforcement personnel and the general public, we are providing greater transparency while making our roadways safer for everyone.  Safety is our highest priority, so we are committed to using every resource available at our finger tips to ensure the safety of travelers,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.Called “QCMobile,” (QC standing for “Query Central”), the new app is expected to be a particularly valuable tool for state and federal law enforcement personnel, as well as insurers, brokers, freight-forwarders, and others interested in reviewing the USDOT registration and safety performance information of motor carriers.

“FMCSA will continue to use all the tools, resources, and partnerships available to further strengthen commercial vehicle safety across the country,” said FMCSA Acting Administrator Scott Darling.  “Aggressive safety enforcement, research, and technology development and deployment, combined with strong stakeholder participation, will continue to be directed toward removing unsafe trucks and buses from our roadways and protecting every traveler from needless harm.”

Law enforcement officers and commercial motor vehicle safety inspectors use customized software at the roadside to log-into national safety databases to obtain highly detailed safety information on all interstate truck and bus companies.

The new QCMobile app, which requires no log-in, immediately reveals whether the federal operating status of the carrier is authorized while helping to expedite an “inspect/pass” decision by a certified commercial vehicle safety inspector.

QCMobile retrieves data from a number of FMCSA sources and provides a clear summary of the results.  Law enforcement officers and safety inspectors then have the option of retrieving more detailed information on carriers covering their seven Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs) that are a part of FMCSA’s cornerstone safety program, Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA).

FMCSA is proactively working to implement the provisions of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), as well as advancing core safety initiatives including the CSA program.  CSA is designed to further reduce the number and severity of crashes involving large trucks and buses by providing law enforcement personnel, motor carriers, and professional truck and bus drivers with detailed information outlining areas of potential safety concern, while also triggering processes to implement corrective action.

The free QCMobile app is available for both Apple and Android devices. Visit the iTunes App Store or Google Play to download QCMobile.

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/