Less Cars on Highways, But How?

Well, as promised, (March 15, '09) we are going to talk about the phenomena of the vanishing vehicle, in the US. A March 13,'09 CNNMoney.com article stated, that cars being turned in for scrap, out numbered the cars being sold by dealers. This is something that has not happened since 1945. I believe, as consumers, we are just tired of the junk being produced and putting them were they belong, IN THE JUNK YARD! Admittedly, that may be a little off base, however, it is a sentiment we encounter in our daily talks with drivers. More cars breaking down, vehicles not getting the MPG we hoped for, and the rising cost of maintenance are topics that are discussed by our clients. The government has long tried to enforce the EPA, MPG and safe standards, in an effort to improve, the vehicles offered for purchase in the US. So far, only the Asian auto makers are making the cut and sales figures prove it. So, is it really a wonder, US made cars are making there way to the scrap heap? The article also hits another factor, the economy.

Consumers are thinking before buying, therefore, keeping the older car in lieu of making a new purchase. This leads to older cars on the road that will eventually have to be replaced or scraped. As an instructor of the awareness method, I felt you should know this. Older vehicles on the highway are an issue we must be prepared to encounter. Vehicles breaking down or stalling on busy metro routes, stranded drivers on the shoulder of the roadways, vehicles not properly maintained being factors in collisions and drivers despaired by their situation. Harmony on the Highways, considers all these elements when preparing for a session.

Now get ready for this! In our recent research, we have discovered another possibility for the disappearance of these cars. It is related to the economy and comes from the dealers themselves.
We found a recent FORBES article that outlines how, dealer despair, may be a contributing factor to the declining vehicle numbers. GM and the other US auto makers have been reducing dealers in rapid succession. The recent visits to Capitol Hill, have the big guys working diligently, to prune the number of dealerships, in an all out restructuring of their financial situation. The reduction has some dealers taking desperate measures to free themselves of the burdens. Setting inventory on fire, selling for cost and taking the money and running and even murder or suicide.
The article, though short, is very impactful and thought provoking.

It is truly, a sad state of affairs, for these dealers to be pushed to such a point. Harmony on the Highways, would like your comments on these articles, so we can improve our courses for our clients. If these situations, are having effects on your commute, we want to know.

Thanks for reading and think about that "clunker" next to you. It deserves respect too.

Congestion, sniffling, watery eyes....Just Traffic?

Traffic, the one misery every metro commuter deals with. Well we have good news and bad news. INRIX, the most accurate and current traffic monitoring entity, has released its 2008 "scorecard" for congested cities. While the overall report, shows congestion is down, the report gives no indication that it will go away! (we were pessimistic also) The report suggest that the economy and fuel prices are the primary factors of the decline. INRIX's report also shows that commuters spent 13 less hours stuck in traffic vs. the 2007 report. The report gives the top 10, most congested cities, of 2008. (full report Here)

1. Los Angeles
2. New York
3. Chicago
4. Dallas
5. Washington
6. Houston
7. San Francisco
8. Boston
9. Seattle
10. Minneapolis

As a professional driver, I have, the unfortunate task, of navigating through 2 of the top 10 every weekday! I deal with Dallas in the a.m. and Houston in the p.m. The potential for a major delay in my schedule is near absolute. Dealing with these traffic snarls is not something you get used to, but a situation, you learn is a part of where you live and work. As responsible commuters, we must learn to keep our attitudes in check, or the ordeal could become unbearable, even harmful or fatal. Yes, traffic can be fatal. Road rage and collisions are everyday results of these traffic tie-ups. Property damage claims rise significantly during peak rush hour times, however, injury stats do not follow this trend. The national stats still show the hours between 12am & 4am to be most dangerous on the highways.

The infrastructure of our country is simply not keeping up with the traffic demands. As metro areas grow into, once rural areas, travelers are experiencing big city type conditions in once quiet
suburbs. Construction and re-engineering of the highway system is on-going and will continue to be behind the curve, as metro areas grow in population and more efficient means of public transportation still remains a struggle. If you are one the brave commuters, who must deal with this type traffic daily, be patient and courteous. We would remind you, that as we deal with our own good or bad days, we have no way of knowing for sure what the other driver is dealing with. It could be worse for us all, we could still be on buckboards and horses. How long would it take you to get home from work then?

Thanks for reading and please commute with compassion.

GUN CONTROL? How about CAR control?

We at Harmony on the Highways are saddened by the news out of Fullerton, CA this week. The tragedy involving Anaheim Angels Pitcher, Nick Adenhart, 22, is just the type of thing we hope to bring more light to. As stated, on our website, 48% of all US highway fatalities are alcohol related. We find that to be absolutely unacceptable! The other driver, Thomas Gallo, also 22, is being charged with a list of related offenses, BUT! this is his SECOND DWI!!!! When do we hold the justice system accountable for such tragedies? Should the Defense Attorney and the Judge be held just as responsible as Mr. Gallo? They did collaborate for his freedom to do this AGAIN! No matter who is responsible beyond Mr. Gallo, the Adenhart family still has a missing piece.

We bring to your attention our cause. AWARENESS. It goes far beyond, just behind the wheel. Had the authorities involved in Mr. Gallo's case, (and ALL DUI/DWI cases) been more forward thinking, then maybe this type of repeat danger on the highway will be addressed properly. Tougher punishment for 1st time offenders is in order! We have followed some news services on-line regarding this case and have found it shocking that some people actually defend Mr. Gallo and others like him. The topic of gun control has even appeared in some comments. Gun control, really? The evidence that guns kill people, is flat, however, people with guns killing people has extraordinary amounts of evidence. In our research, we found, that more people are killed in and by cars than by any other source. Even more than by natural disasters and, yes GUNS! So why are we not screaming at our legislators for CAR CONTROL!?

At Harmony on the Highways, we ARE "screaming" car control and we are "screaming" it at you, the everyday driver. Friends, we say it again; as a driver you have one responsibility, control that vehicle. In order to do that, you must be absolutely coherent at all times and practice awareness every mile you travel. You can't do this if hindered by alcohol, drugs, fatigue or distractions. Our goal is to improve highway safety, reduce property damage and return driver respect to the highways. We would like to send our prayers and sympathy to the Adenhart and other families involved. We hope you get whatever justice you seek.

Thanks for reading and PLEASE DO NOT DRINK and DRIVE!

What's next, a RRX at your local Wal-Mart?

Have you seen the ads in your favorite periodicals? The ones that hype the Railroads as clean and fuel efficient modes of logistics transportation. Well they have some 'splainin' to do. In fairness and impartiality I will include links to the US major rail carriers BNSF and CSX so, you can see for yourself, where I received my information.

First Trucking 101.biz ,would like to thank ,Harmony on the Highways for sharing their blog space this week for this industry information.

Now back to the railroads. Their claim is they can haul tons and tons of freight 400+ miles on just ONE gallon of diesel. I'm not a scientist but, if this technology is being used today, why in the world is gas and diesel so expensive and a barrel of oil is hovering at $50. I drive a truck, running nearly 80,000 lbs (40 tons) every time I load, I have a 550 HP motor with good highway gears and I am barely getting 5 mpg! So, BNSF, CSX and the others are trying to tell me, that they pull tons and tons with multiple 1,000 HP+ motors, that kind of distance on 1 measly gallon. Well, you can see why I am skeptical. I have done plenty of research lately on deisel fuel economy and nowhere have I found supporting evidence of this claim. I will confirm, that the railroads as well the trucking industry, are making great strides in reducing emissions. The green technology being used in diesel engines is contributing to lower carbon off-sets. A good source of information about this can be found by visiting the Facts About SCR website.

There is a diesel GURU out there, by the Name of Johnathan Goodwin, who has mastered big HP with great fuel economy. Mr. Goodwin's best efforts have only(used lightly) managed, at best, 100 mpg. He has only done this with passenger type vehicles, mainly SUVs and Hummers. You can Google Mr. Goodwin or check out this link about him.

The railroad and the trucking industry have had there disputes in the past and in their competition for freight, it is heating up again, therefore, they make such claims. As a driver, I rely on freight being readily available, for me to haul. The railroads big incentive, is that they can haul tons and tons at one time. The two industry types squabble frequently, however, they need each other to make the overall freight business more efficient. In my trucking career I have taken many loads to and from the rail yards. This is where the trucking industry boast! You can't get a train to the dock of your local Wal-Mart. There are dual service warehouses and I have been to a few that unload the truck freight and put it directly onto a rail car, and vice versa. There are also semi-trailers that are suited for both rail car and ship stacking. This only supports my statement that, they need each other. So, while truckers complain that the rail is robbing them of miles, the railroad counters, they loose freight due to the limited availability of rail car docks.

Trucks and the railroads together, are a vital part of the commerce efficiency equation. The change to greener practices for both sides is beneficial to all and should continue. If the rail knows a secrete about fuel efficiency, then they should be letting all of us know, especially the big three in Detroit.

I still hold my doubts about their claims, but I do hold a hope for the future that the two will sync to improve freight delivery. I just can't see Wal- Mart shoppers having to wait for a train to pass or to do drop and swaps before they can get into the parking lot! After all, have you seen women when they get in shopping mode? Look Out!

Thanks for reading and watch for crossing guards and flashing red lights.