Tortorici, President of AIAGA, Joins Faculty Of NAFA's 3rd Annual International Fleet Academy

(PRINCETON, NJ - JULY 31, 2013) - NAFA’s 3^rd Annual International Fleet Academy is quickly becoming a "who’s who" of global fleet managers around the world. Joining the impressive roster of high-profile fleet professionals is Giovanni Tortorici, the President of the Italian Association of Managers Buyers and Used Cars (AIAGA). Tortorici, the Purchasing Manager at Barilla, will be part of an esteemed group of global fleet managers that includes Joe Carreira (the 2012 International Fleet Manager of the Year), Gayle Pratt (former NAFA President), and Joe LaRosa (NAFA’s International Vice President). The annual global fleet conference, which takes place October 21-23 at Loews Ventana Canyon in Tucson, Arizona, is attracting attendees from throughout North America.

"We’re quickly building a lineup for the ages!" said NAFA’s Executive Director, Phillip E. Russo, CAE. "The brightest minds from throughout the international community recognize the importance of quality global fleet education. They’re excited to offer their knowledge and experience and we’re excited to have them on board!"

Tortorici described the creation of AIAGA as a fundamental step towards the full recognition and growth of the profession of car fleet manager, a responsibility that is an integral part of the most advanced strategies procurement business. Founded in Bologna, AIAGA is comprised of managers with fleet responsibilities over vehicles of major national and multinational companies. The main purposes of the association involve: "the promotion of studies and research in the automotive business, the promotion of training and updating of employees for the purchase and management of company cars to be used for activity of the company or even as elements of the remuneration packages of executives and business executives, and the promotion of studies, research, and training in the field of enterprise mobility."


NAFA’s 3^rd annual International Fleet Academy will take place October 21-23 at Loews Ventana Canyon in Tucson, AZ. The 3-day conference was designed specifically to meet the needs of those who manage fleets outside of the United States and Canada. In addition to over 15 educational sessions, the conference offers exclusive networking opportunities and a cocktail reception and dinner each night. Early-bird registration is $650 for NAFA members and $1,105 for non-members. After August 16, registration costs are $799 for NAFA members and $1,550 for non-members. Fleet professionals may save $200 off the registration costs by joining NAFA as they register.

Attendees receive several value-added educational items to take back to the office including a ready-to-use executive summary; free subscription to International Fleet World magazine; the newly published NAFA’s Global Fleet Guide; and valuable checklists for policies, RFIs, and RFQs. All total, it’s a resource package valued at $2,500 - well worth the registration costs alone.

For more information visit http://www.nafa.org/international.

About NAFA Fleet Management Association
NAFA is the world’s premier non-profit association for professionals who manage fleets of sedans, public safety vehicles, trucks, and buses of all types and sizes, and a wide range of military and off-road equipment for organizations across the globe. NAFA is the association for the diverse vehicle fleet management profession regardless of organizational type, geographic location or fleet composition. NAFA’s Full and Associate Members are responsible for the specification, acquisition, maintenance and repair, fueling, risk management, and remarketing of more than 3.5 million vehicles including in excess of 1.1 million trucks of which 350 thousand are medium- and heavy-duty trucks. For more information visit http://www.nafa.org.

GPS Insight Wins Silver in Best in Biz Awards 2013 International

Scottsdale, AZ – GPS Insight, a leading technology provider of GPS fleet tracking software, has been named the silver winner in the Enterprise Product of the Year category for the Best in Biz Awards 2013 International. The Best in Biz Awards is an independent business awards program judged by members of the press and industry analysts.

GPS Insight is honored to have won the Enterprise Product of the Year award. GPS Insight strives to improve the fleet management of their more than 1,600 customers by offering a service which typically yields 500% or more return on investment. For large customers, this means millions of dollars by means of increasing productivity and safety and decreasing overall operating costs. Customers are able to see 100% ROI in as little as a few months. Due to the company’s exceptional technology, strategic partnerships, and steadfast commitment to success, GPS Insight has become one of the most well respected names in the GPS fleet tracking space.

More than 150 public and private companies representing all sectors of the economy from more than 25 countries competed in Best in Biz Awards’ International’s inaugural program. Best in Biz Awards 2013 International honors are conferred in a wide range of categories, including Fastest-Growing Company of the Year, Most Innovative Company of the Year, Best Place to Work, Technology Department of the Year, Executive of the Year, Enterprise Product of the Year, Small/Medium Business Product of the Year, Most Innovative Product of the Year and Film or Video of the Year.

Robert Donat, Founder & CEO of GPS Insight stated, “We are thrilled and thankful to be chosen for the Best in Biz Award. GPS Insight spends significant time and resources on working to be the best Enterprise GPS Fleet Tracking product on the market, and this award is validation that our efforts have paid off.”

Winners of Best in Biz Awards 2013 International were determined based on scoring from a panel of 43 judges drawn from top-tier news, business, finance, and technology publications and media outlets from 18 countries, with all continents represented. This year’s judging panel included writers and contributors to such publications as Advertiser Adelaide (Australia), Analyst 2.0 (Canada), ARD (Germany), Asian Power (Singapore), Australian (Australia), Bennett Business Connections (Canada), Business Insider (Australia), Canadian Business (Canada), Castleford Media (Australia), Channel NewsAsia (Singapore), CTV (Canada), Dynamic Business (Australia), Element Magazine (New Zealand), Encore Magazine (Australia), Gizmodo and Lifehacker (Australia), IAA Magazine (United Arab Emirates), InBusiness (Cyprus
and Greece), Irish Independent (Ireland), Jerusalem Post (Israel), Kaiser The Sage (Philippines), Kontan Mingguan (Indonesia), Outlook Business Magazine (India), PC Authority (Australia), PC Format (United Kingdom), Pro Sound Systems (India), Regional Economic Development Blog (Australia), RTE (Ireland), Stuff.co.nz (New Zealand), TechHim (India), TechnoFILE.com (Canada), Techtalk (United States), Thoughtful China (Hong Kong), Toronto Standard (Canada), Vancouver Sun (Canada), Vyapar (India), Ventures Africa (Nigeria), Winnipeg Free Press (Canada), Wirausaha & Keuangan (Indonesia), WirelessDuniya (India), YourStory.in (India) and Xbox Plus (Brazil).

For a full list of gold, silver and bronze winners in Best in Biz Awards 2013 International, visit: http://intl.bestinbizawards.com/intl-2013-winners.

About GPS Insight:
GPS Insight is a leading technology provider of GPS fleet tracking software for fleet-based companies. They utilize high quality GPS hardware and add the customization and enhancements which fleet-based companies demand. Using the GPS Insight solution, companies realize a significant increase in efficiency, and gain insight into all aspects of their fleet operations. GPS Insight provides highly flexible solutions, which include a wide range of customized reports, alerts, and other innovative features that can be tailored to meet specific customer requirements and ensure maximum return on investment.

About Best in Biz Awards:
Best in Biz Awards recognizes top companies, teams, executives and products for their business success as judged by established members of the press and industry analysts. Best in Biz Awards honors are conferred in three separate programs annually: North America, EMEA, and International. Entries are currently being accepted in the third annual Best in Biz Awards 2013 North American program, until the final entry deadline on September 20, 2013. Any organization from any industry in North America may enter any of the more than 50 company, department or team, executive and product categories. For more information about the International program, visit: http://intl.bestinbizawards.com.

One Lucky Attendee to Win AAPEX VIP Experience Trip

MOKENA, Ill. – July 31, 2013 – The Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) is offering attendees the chance to win a free VIP Experience Trip to the 2013 event. AAPEX will feature more than 2,300 exhibitors and nearly 5,000 booths with the latest products and services in the global motor vehicle aftermarket, and is set for Tuesday, Nov. 5 through Thursday, Nov. 7, at the Sands Expo Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

The VIP Experience Trip includes round trip airfare for two people (in the continental U.S.) to AAPEX, hotel accommodations for five nights during AAPEX, two tickets to the Chairman’s Reception at AAPEX, a Meet & Greet with AAPEX Event Management, and an All Access Pass to AAPEX.

The AAPEX VIP Experience Trip is offered in partnership with Professional Tool & Equipment News (PTEN) and its Great Prize Giveaway. The Great Prize Giveaway is hosted by VehicleServicePros.com, the official website for PTEN, Fleet Maintenance and Professional Distributor magazines. It offers vehicle service professionals the chance to win the AAPEX VIP Experience Trip and other prizes.

The Great Prize Giveaway contest begins Sunday, Sept. 1. To ensure a winner can attend this year’s event, the AAPEX VIP Experience Trip voting will end Monday, Sept. 30. The VIP winner will be notified by Friday, Oct. 11. Vehicle service professionals should go to vehicleservicepros.com and register to enter. Once registered, participants can return every day and vote for up to five prizes they would like to win. (The Great Prize Giveaway contest officially runs Sunday, Sept. 1 – Thursday, Oct. 31 for all other prizes with winners announced on Friday, Nov. 15.) 

AAPEX represents the $477 billion global motor vehicle aftermarket and is jointly sponsored by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) and the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA). For more information, please visit www.aapexshow.com or e-mail: info@aapexshow.com.

Trimble Introduces New Agriculture App for Fleet Management

SUNNYVALE, Calif., July 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Trimble (TRMB) announced today the Connected Farm™ Fleet app built to serve managers and technicians by enabling them to access their fleet information from any location. Using smartphones and tablets, the app enables the fleet management portion of Trimble's industry-leading Connected Farm Web solution to go mobile. With the app, managers can track the location of vehicles, receive geo-fence and curfew alerts, analyze vehicle status, and view historical positions.

The app can display current status information such as whether the vehicle is idling, moving, working or delayed. This information flows into the Connected Farm Web solution, which allows managers to analyze the efficiency and productivity of their fleet.

Features of the Connected Farm Fleet app include:

• View the position and status of each vehicle overlaid on background imagery or road maps
• Map the locations of landmarks (such as structures, storage locations, irrigation/drainage, etc.) and view them for reference when navigating in remote areas
• Use turn-by-turn navigation to locate vehicles from your current position
• Receive geo-fence and curfew alerts
• View historical positions

"The popularity of mobile apps continues to grow in agriculture," said Joe Denniston, vice president for Trimble's Agriculture Division. "Agribusiness managers are looking for ways to be more efficient and manage their fleets while on the go. By providing remote access to fleet information, the Connected Farm Fleet app can help increase efficiency and flexibility."

The free Connected Farm Fleet app is expected to be available in the third quarter of 2013 and is compatible with a variety of smartphones and tablets using an iOS or Android™ operating system. To download the app, go to the Apple App Store℠ or Google Play™ Store or visit:  www.connectedfarm.com.

In order to view their fleet's information on the Connected Farm Fleet app, customers will need to purchase Trimble's vehicle management service as well as a DCM-300 modem with data cellular service for each vehicle that will be tracked. Customers can use a demo function to explore the features provided before subscribing to the service. Contact a local Trimble dealer at www.trimble.com/locator for more information.

The new app is part of Trimble's growing Connected Farm solution, an integrated operations management solution that provides information exchange across the entire farm. Connected Farm provides wireless data transfer between the office and field, vehicle-to-vehicle information sharing and vehicle tracking, productivity and delay reports, remote diagnostics via the Remote Assistant service, and a Connected Farm Scout app for scouting and mapping.

About Trimble's Agriculture Division

Trimble's Agriculture Division is a leader in precision agriculture, GPS and guidance solutions that help customers operate farm vehicles and implements more efficiently, save on input costs and increase yield and productivity. To ensure better decision making, Trimble offers an integrated operations management solution called Connected Farm that provides information exchange across the entire farm using industry-leading software and hardware. Additional Trimble solutions include vehicle and implement guidance and steering; application control for seed, liquid and granular products; laser- and GPS-based water management technology; and a harvest solution.

For more information on Trimble Agriculture, visit: www.trimble.com/agriculture.

About Trimble

Trimble applies technology to make field and mobile workers in businesses and government significantly more productive. Solutions are focused on applications requiring position or location—including surveying, construction, agriculture, fleet and asset management, public safety and mapping. In addition to utilizing positioning technologies, such as GPS, lasers and optics, Trimble solutions may include software content specific to the needs of the user. Wireless technologies are utilized to deliver the solution to the user and to ensure a tight coupling of the field and the back office. Founded in 1978, Trimble is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif.

For more information, visit:  www.trimble.com.

GPSTrackIt Announces New Financial Incentives for Acquiring Fleet Tracking Systems

New financing options are available that offer “No Pay Until 2014”. Combined with IRS Section 179, the reduced cost of entry makes protecting fleet assets that much easier.

GPSTrackIt announces new financing options that significantly reduce the initial cost of implementing their Fleet Manager system and GPS tracking devices. The new ‘No Pay Until 2014’ financing plan makes it that much easier to provide the peace of mind afforded by a quality fleet tracking system.

“We’re thrilled to be able to offer this deal to our customers,” said Nick Muratore, GPSTrackIt’s Sales Manager. “Fleet Manager is an amazing system and our customer base loves it. The ‘No Pay Until 2014’ option means more fleets can start benefiting from it now.”

The ‘No Pay Until 2014’ program postpones hardware payments until January. This includes documentation fees and the monthly payment, reducing the cost of entry to a flat $24.99 per unit for service. This offer applies to deals of $2500 or more. Credit must approve the transaction and any term length over 36 months.

“Our customers tell us so many great stories about how Fleet Manager has protected their assets from theft, improved their driver’s behaviors, and reduced the number of accidents,” added Muratore. “It doesn’t matter how many vehicles you operate. Fleet Manager is going to streamline your business processes and save you money. The system already pays for itself. Now you can start getting the benefit without having to pay for hardware until January.”

In addition to the benefits of ‘No Pay Until 2014’, the Internal Revenue Service’s Section 179 offers tax incentives for businesses. It’s a great way to reduce the cost of doing business by enabling owners to deduct equipment costs and by providing rebates.

The deduction limit for Section 179 is now $500,000. The 2013 Section 179 deduction threshold for total amount of equipment that can be purchased is now $2,000,000. Most new and used equipment, as well as some software, qualify for the Section 179 deduction. Only new equipment purchased in 2013 qualifies for the “50% Bonus Depreciation”.

“‘No Pay Until 2014’ and Section 179 together make for a powerful 1-2 punch,” concluded Muratore. “We can help get you up and running quickly with a quality GPS tracking solution for less, and the tax incentives get you cash back in your pocket on the back end. This is truly a win-win.” For more information about GPSTrackIt, their new financing options, or their Fleet Manager vehicle tracking system, visit their website at gpstrackit.com.

About GPSTrackIt.com
Established in 1999, GPSTrackIt.com is a leading North American supplier of GPS tracking and location-based services. Located in Southern California, GPSTrackit.com is dedicated to providing the most innovative, cutting-edge GPS technology backed by the best customer service in the industry today.

New Technical Director Fortifies Biodiesel Team

National Biodiesel Board Welcomes Scott Fenwick

On track to again break annual production records this year, the National Biodiesel Board and industry welcome Scott Fenwick as the newest staff member. Fenwick brings more than 20 years' experience in the industry to bolster an already strong team.

"As America's first advanced biofuel to hit one billion gallons annual production, biodiesel has begun to break the petroleum stronghold on transportation fuel. That success would not be possible without a quality product and a robust technical program," said CEO Joe Jobe. "Scott is exactly the right ingredient to fortify this excellent team and maintain biodiesel's sustainable volume growth."

Fenwick is the current Chairman of the BQ9000 Commission and is an officer of the ASTM Committee D02 that presides over the current biodiesel specifications and test methods. Fenwick has spent the majority of his career working within the fuel inspection industry. He has managed several independent fuel labs within the Gulf Coast, including an active technical role for global biofuel specifications.  In addition to having been previously employed by ADM as their Biofuels Technical Services Representative, his most recent experience was with Inspectorate America Corporation as their Biofuels Technical Business Manager.  Fenwick provided quality assurance services to companies involved with production, blending and distribution with a concentration on renewable fuels.  He has over 20 years' experience with the production, transportation, storage and usage of fuels. 

As Technical Director Fenwick takes on the day-to-day management responsibilities of running the technical program and expanding NBB's technical reach to better match the growing industry needs and challenges. The move introduces the Technical Director role as a staff position in the Jefferson City office and elevates long-time biodiesel industry technical leader Steve Howell as Senior Technical Advisor. The change will more fully utilize Howell's senior level of experience to continue the outstanding progress he has forged for biodiesel with third parties and global technical committees.

Adding Fenwick to the NBB staff roster further builds on changes announced earlier this summer that demonstrate the biodiesel industry's growing significance in our transportation energy picture. Lindsay Fitzgerald was brought on to fill a new position overseeing regulatory affairs in Washington, D.C. She previously worked for the Environmental Protection Agency, where she served as a specialist in the Office of Transportation and Air Quality working on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). NBB has also hired former U.S. Rep. Kenney Hulshof on an interim basis for direct outreach to key contacts in the House.

Detroit Band Uses 2014 Impala as Recording Studio

DETROIT – Many people sing in their cars, but few sound as good doing it as Frankie Turner, lead singer of Detroit-based blues-rock band The Gentlemen Mutineers. Frankie, as his fans know him, recently sang in the 2014 Chevrolet Impala, using the full-size sedan as a “mobile studio” to record an “Impala Mix” of their party anthem “Detroit Throttle.”

“The Corktown wobble, the Motor City slide, some Detroit throttle with that good time vibe, we’ll get in the Impala and take that ride, ‘til we feel like we’re 25 miles above the sky,” Frankie sang while Mark Pastoria of Harmonie Park Studios recorded it onto a laptop computer. In addition to the chorus, the band also recorded harmonica and trombone tracks in the car for the song.

The bustling city sounds of Detroit Tigers’ game-day traffic, construction noise and live music in the park proved practically inaudible inside the Impala, said the Grammy Award-winning audio engineer.

“I am amazed at how quiet the Impala is,” Pastoria said, after playing the vocal recording through Impala’s audio system. “It was important that we wouldn’t hear background noise while recording, and with all that was going on outside the car, I am astounded that we couldn't hear any of it. The Impala rocks.”

The new Impala is quiet by design, due in part to a technology that audiophiles know well – the active noise-cancelling technology used in high-end headphones. Active Noise Cancellation is standard on new Impalas with four-cylinder powertrains and helps make the redesigned flagship Chevrolet’s quietest full-size sedan ever.

Active noise cancellation even helps owners of the new Impala save money at the pump by using three ceiling-mounted microphones to detect low frequency engine noise during idling. The frequencies are processed by an onboard computer that directs counteracting sound waves through the audio system’s speakers and subwoofer.

This technology allows the engine to operate at the fuel-conserving range of 1,000 to 1,500 RPM, and helps eliminate the need for some sound-deadening materials, all of which contributes to improved fuel efficiency.
Impala also uses a variety of sound-buffering and -absorbing materials to minimize wind, road and engine noise, including:

• Acoustically laminated windshield and front-door glass
• Liquid-applied sound deadener applied to the floor pan and trunk
• Triple-sealed doors with acoustic perimeter water deflectors
• Sound-absorbing carpet and dash mat
• Acoustic foam baffles inside body cavities and between inner and outer quarter panels
• And an isolated engine cradle.

“Having a quiet cabin makes it easier for Impala’s voice recognition software to understand commands,” said Kara Gordon, a General Motors’ noise and vibration performance engineer. “A quieter cabin also makes it easier for front and backseat passengers to have a conversation at normal speaking levels.”

Voice recognition is part of the MyLink system that comes standard on LT and LTZ models, and helps drivers safely place calls, enter destinations and control other functions while keeping their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.

To make the Impala as quiet as possible, Gordon worked with Stephanie Ernster, a GM noise and vibration engineering specialist and friend since their college days at Michigan State University.

Ernster tested Impala’s interior acoustics with a mannequin-like binaural recording device called an Aachen Head. Named for the headquarters of Head Acoustics GmbH in Aachen, Germany, the tool uses specially calibrated microphones to precisely record a dynamic range equal with human hearing during test drives on a variety of road surfaces at GM’s Milford Proving Ground.

“Achieving a high level of acoustic refinement requires the most advanced tools available and many hours of road testing,” Ernster said. “The new Impala benefitted from both, resulting in a quiet driving experience that is truly something to sing about.”

Ford Steps Up as First Automaker to Join Voluntary Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program in India

CHENNAI, India, July 22, 2013 – Ford Motor Company is taking another major step toward helping stabilize carbon dioxide emissions globally, today becoming the first automaker to join a voluntary greenhouse gas reporting program recently established in India.

 

Participation in the India program builds on Ford’s leadership in greenhouse gas reporting – the company already participates in similar programs in the United States, China, Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina.

 

Voluntary reporting provides overall transparency regarding the company’s CO₂ emissions and underscores the importance of the issue to Ford, which has a goal of reducing CO₂ emissions at its global facilities, including two in Chennai, India, by 30 percent per vehicle by 2025.

 

“Ford is pleased to be the first automaker to participate in the voluntary India greenhouse gas reporting program,” said Andy Hobbs, director of the company’s environmental quality office. “We look forward to sharing our knowledge and helping to establish greenhouse gas reporting in India.”

 

India’s program is a joint effort between the World Resources Institute, The Energy and Resources Institute and the Confederation of Indian Industry. As the first automaker to participate in the program, Ford’s role will be to assist in the establishment of credible and verifiable greenhouse gas inventories.

 

“Ford India is committed to bringing fuel-efficient and safe vehicles to India that our customers want and value. And we are growing our manufacturing capabilities in India in an environmentally responsible way as part of our One Ford plan,” said Joginder Singh, president and managing director, Ford India. “Ford is proud to be the first automotive company to join the voluntary greenhouse gas reporting program in India, and this is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to sustainability of manufacturing operations globally.”

 

Ford operates a manufacturing plant that produces the Ford Figo, Ford Fiesta, Ford Classic, Ford Endeavour and Ford EcoSport, and an engine plant that produces 17 variants of gasoline and diesel engines. A vehicle assembly and engine plant complex are under construction in Sanand, Gujarat.

 

The Chennai facilities are equipped to reuse 100 percent of wastewater generated. The assembly plant has reduced water use 30 percent per vehicle produced in the last three years and reduced energy consumption 10 percent per vehicle produced.

 

“Indian Industry has set a powerful precedent in the region, by collaboratively engaging on a multi-stakeholder platform to take the next leap on GHG measurement and management. The program would strive to promote climate stewardship and innovation that would merge core business benefits along with environmental and social agenda” says Vivek P. Adhia, Senior Associate – Climate & Energy, WRI India.

 

Taking CO₂ reductions further

Ford has developed products, technologies and processes at its facilities that are designed to reduce emissions and help the company meet its own targets, while also doing its part to help keep CO₂ levels in the earth’s atmosphere at or below 450 parts per million. Leading scientists, businesses and governmental agencies say this is a goal that must be met to avoid the most serious effects on climate change.

 

Already, total CO₂ emissions at Ford’s global facilities have dropped 47 percent, or by 4.65 million metric tons, since 2000. The company continues investing in processes and equipment aimed at further reductions.

 

For example, Ford is expanding its 3-Wet paint capacity by 50 percent this year – adding the process to four more plants on three continents. Using this environmentally friendly process, which streamlines the painting process, is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 25 percent. Ford India’s Chennai manufacturing plant was the company’s first to use the advanced process, and enough energy has been saved to power nearly 12,000 households in Chennai for a year, or light up all street lights in the city for about four months.

Agreement Announced to Provide a North American Interoperability HUB

DENVER, CO – The Alliance for Toll Interoperability (ATI) and Secure Interagency Flow LLC (SIF, an Egis projects/sanef its america joint venture) announce their agreement for the supply, implementation and operation of the nationwide North American interoperability HUB for billing the motorists for tolls, based on license plate camera reads and transponders.  The terms of the agreement were approved at a special ATI board meeting on July 19, 2013.  Agencies can enroll in the program starting September 2013, and the system will start operations by the end of the year.

ATI was founded in 2009 to promote and implement interoperability between states for the benefit of customers and member agencies.  Its membership has grown to forty three (43) toll road operators from the United States and Canada. 

JJ Eden, President and CEO of ATI, said “ATI’s mission is becoming increasingly important as electronic non-stop toll systems are being planned and implemented across North America.  The development of this HUB is one of ATI’s most significant initiatives”. 

International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) Executive Director and CEO Pat Jones said, “This is an important development on the path to nationwide interoperability of electronic toll collection systems that could help knit together regions of tolling interoperability that are not currently interoperable with one another and make traveling easier for motorists.”

Rob Horr, Executive Director of the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority in Alexandria Bay, NY, and President of IBTTA said, “Nationwide interoperability is one of our most important goals and the ATI HUB is one potential pathway that could help us get there. We salute ATI on this important initiative.”

In addition to the provision of a HUB for toll transaction matching and exchanges, the North American interoperability agreement allows for additional services such as financial reconciliation or dispute resolution. It paves the way for the future implementation of other services such as violation enforcement or license plate data lookup.  The future HUB will have the ability to interchange transactions in real time with related industry HUBs (such as parking, transit and fast food) thus providing the public a seamless transportation account with expanded customer services and conveniences. These services further enhance the ability of toll agencies to reduce operating costs, while providing additional convenience and services to their customers as large volumes of transactions are expected to be processed through the HUB.

Secure Interagency Flow LLC is a joint venture between sanef its america Inc. and Egis Projects, Inc., two major global companies in the tolling industry. 

sanef its has wide experience in designing, integrating and operating state-of-the-art toll systems that optimize revenue collection for authorities. Supported by sanef group, a leading operator and toll roads concessionaire. sanef its is a key provider of systems and services that address all tolling schemes and technologies throughout the world.

Over the last twenty (20) years, Egis Projects has firmly established its global leadership in motorway and road mobility, toll system operation and maintenance, and traffic and safety management with presently thirty-five (35) operating and service contracts in 17 countries in North America, Europe and Asia. 

For more information, please go to www.tollinterop.org or contact Sharon Adair, Director of Memberships and Programs at Sharon.Adair@tollinterop.org.

CEI Names Bob Glose Director of Operations

 

Trevose, PA (PRWEB) July 18, 2013- The CEI Group, Inc. has appointed Bob Glose, an 11-year company veteran, as its director of operations, the company announced today.

Mr. Glose reports directly to Vincent Brigidi, CEI’s president and chief operating officer, and has responsibility for the company’s accident management, loss recovery and insurance claims direct repair support activities.

“Bob has been a key member of our management team in a variety of capacities, and has been instrumental in the continual growth and enhancement of our services for a number of years,” said Mr. Brigidi. “In his new position, he’ll be able to expand the scope of his skill and leadership to more areas of our business.”

Mr. Glose graduated from West Virginia University in 1991. Outside CEI, he spent 10 years in the field of information technology as a network engineer and data security specialist. At CEI, he had previously been manager of information network infrastructure, team leader in the strategic account services department, and, most recently, manager of client services.

Mr. Glose is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, and a member of the NAFA Fleet Management Association and the Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association.

About the CEI Group, Inc.
CEI is a leading provider of technology-enhanced vehicle accident, driver safety and fleet risk management services. Its provider network consists of some 4,000 collision repair shops in North America, and includes nearly 900 truck collision repair centers. Its customers include self-insured, commercial, institutional and government fleets, directly and through alliances with fleet leasing companies. CEI also provides vehicle direct repair program outsourcing to leading property and casualty insurance companies. For more information, please visit http://www.ceinetwork.com.

School Bus Company to Install Automatic Idle Shut-off Controls and Pay Penalties under the Clean Air Act

(Boston, Mass. – July 17, 2013) - As part of a settlement for excessive school bus idling in several Massachusetts communities, Eastern Bus Company will pay a $35,000 penalty and will increase its efforts to eliminate excessive idling. In addition to posting anti-idling signs, enhancing driver training and increasing supervisory presence in school bus lots, Eastern Bus Co. will install automatic idle shut-off controls on all its buses by Sept. 1, 2013.

In November and December of 2012, an EPA inspector observed Eastern Bus Company idling for extended periods of time in school bus lots in Wellesley, Somerville and Newton, Mass. EPA alleged that the company’s excessive idling was in violation of federally-enforceable motor vehicle idling limits contained in the Massachusetts air quality state implementation plan. The applicable regulations establish requirements for all motor vehicles operating in the state, and, with very few exceptions, limit idling to no more five minutes.

“Idling vehicles waste fuel, emit unnecessary air pollution and contribute to climate change,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office.  “Pollution from diesel vehicles is a serious health concern in Massachusetts and across the country. By dramatically limiting school bus idling, this settlement will help protect the health of school children in communities throughout eastern Massachusetts.”

Children, especially those suffering from asthma or other respiratory ailments, are particularly vulnerable to diesel exhaust.  Idling diesel engines emit pollutants which can cause or aggravate a variety of health problems including asthma and other respiratory diseases, and the fine particles in diesel exhaust are a likely human carcinogen. Diesel exhaust not only contributes to area-wide air quality problems, but more direct exposure can cause lightheadedness, nausea, sore throat, coughing, and other symptoms. Drivers, school children riding on the buses, facility workers, neighbors and bystanders are all vulnerable.

Idling school buses consume about one-half gallon of fuel per hour. By reducing the idling time of each bus in its fleet by one hour per day, Eastern Bus Co. would reduce its fuel use by 16,200 gallons per year and avoid emitting more than 350,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

More information: EPA Clean Diesel Campaign (http://www.epa.gov/otaq/diesel/index.htm)