Helping truckers: Truckers Christmas Group looks for donations to help trucking families.
Page 16
Rock slide: B.C. rock slide wipes out section of TransCanada Highway, costs industry thousands.
Page 13
Page 12
Western Canada’s Trucking Newspaper Since 1989
December 2016 Volume 27, Issue 12
STA gala: Saskatchewan Trucking Association holds annual gala, addresses industry issues.
truckwest.ca
RETAIL A DV E R T I SIN G PAGES 29 -3
9
Safety on winter roads Winter driving conditions can pose challenge to even the biggest rig By Derek Clouthier Many believe that the use of airships, like the one depicted above, to deliver cargo to Canada’s northern region would bring business to the trucking industry.
Ice road truckers needn’t fret
Reach us at our Western Canada news bureau
How the use of airships would help the trucking industry
Contact Derek Clouthier Derek@ Newcom.ca or call 403-969-1506
PM40063170
By Derek Clouthier
pg 01, 09, 22 tw dec v3.indd 1
WINNIPEG, Man. – It’s not something from the front cover of a Led Zeppelin album, but it’s just as innovative as the legendary hard rock band. Look up and someday soon you could see a zeppelin-like airship floating across the Canadian skyline, transporting goods to remote northern communities. Aerospace company Lockheed Martin, which manufactures airships, have been advocating for the use of airships, mainly to service Canada’s mining industry, but also as a means to transport freight into northern communities, which the company believes would help bring down the cost of food and increase supply in the segregated region. California-based hybrid aircraft operator Straightline Aviation has a contract for the first 12 airships from Lockheed Martin, and the company has indicated that Canada would be an ideal testing ground. Production of the
Careers: 18-19, 20-21, 24-25
airships is set to begin in 2018. If the idea of moving cargo into northern Canadian communities comes to fruition, it would certainly alter the landscape of the trucking industry, which is the primary mode of transportation of goods in Canada’s north with the use of ice roads – made famous by the show Ice Road Truckers. Alan Handley, CEO and chairman of Varialift Airships out of the U.K., which also manufactures airships made of aluminum, said the idea of utilizing such a mode of transportation would mean a ‘bright future’ for the trucking industry. “Using the Varialift would mean that truckers would be able to continue to bring their loads to marshalling yards close to where the ice roads would have started, and then transfer their loads to the airship,” Handley explained. “The airship would then transport their loads to the other side, just like a ferry at sea or on a lake.” Handley said his company has been in talks with Canadians for the past five years during Continued on page 22
To view list of advertisers see pg. 45
REGINA, Sask. – Don’t be fooled by the balmy mid-November temperatures that hit Western Canada this year – winter is just around the corner. And whether you’re trucking through mountainous terrain in British Columbia or making your way across the prairies of Saskatchewan, slippery roads and reduced visibility can wreak havoc. The Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure urge truck drivers to conduct thorough trip inspections, and to give extra time during the winter months to complete. “Checking your truck, trailer(s), tires, brakes, lights and other equipment before you start a trip is always important,” the ministry informed Truck West. “With cold weather, extra care should be taken with these regular inspections. Allowing extra inspection time to catch any potential defects can save you time in the long run.” The ministry also said checking out the Highway Hotline for information on current road conditions is a good habit to get into. “Although provincial highways are treated throughout the winter for ice and snow conditions, it’s key to check the Highway Hotline, Saskatchewan’s road information system, before heading out,” the ministry advised. “The Highway Hotline provides the most currently available road condition information, such as if a highway is icy, snow packed or not recommended for travel.” Drivers can find the Highway Hotline online at www.hotline.gov.sk.ca. General tips are also available on the hotline’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SaskatchewanHighwayHotline, while closures and travel not recommended notices are on the hotline’s Twitter account under the handle @SKGovHwyHotline. Continued on page 9
2016-11-10 9:54 AM