What You Missed in the Biz Brief This Week: January 22, 2014

In today’s information-overloaded business world, we often find ourselves deluged with literally hundreds of news items from dozens of sources. While it is likely impossible to read every article and remain productive, by not doing so we risk missing the one article that could change a key business practice or thought process. And that is where the NATSO Foundation’s newest publication, Biz Brief, provides assistance! The NATSO Foundation's Biz Brief is a daily collection of the most relevant business intelligence for truckstop and travel plaza operators. 

While we think the Biz Brief is a must-read every day, if you only read ten news articles this week, these ten most-clicked Biz Brief articles are the ten to read. 

1. World's Largest Truck Parking Lot 
   The Iowa 80 Truckstop is about to be replaced as the world's largest truck parking lot. The Waseef Company has announced the opening of the world's largest truck parking yard at a port in Qatar. The Al Baraha Barwa Truck Parking Center will accommodate 4,200 trucks and has 8 entrances and 12 exits. The center, which provides 24-hour security, will have garages and refueling stations. Click here to read more >

2. Truckstop Crime Spree Hits Virginia 
   Four truckstop robberies occurred in a six-day period along Interstate 95 in Virginia. The crime spree began Jan. 9 and victimized locations along a nine-mile stretch of the highway north of Richmond. A service station in the area was also held-up in late-December. Three of the armed robberies occurred at the same truckstop location over a four-day stretch. Fortunately, suspects were arrested Jan. 13. Click here to read more >

3. Marketing To Smartphones Pumps Gas Sales 
   Some midwestern convenience stores have increased gasoline sales by 8,000 gallons per month by communicating directly to incoming customers' smartphones. Using smart antenna technology, operators obtain information from a customer's cellphone and send discount offers directly to the smartphone. A coupon for a gasoline discount is sent to the customer, who then comes into the store to activate the discount. The process also gives retailers an opportunity to capture inside sales. Click here to read more >

4. Mile Marker 419.99? 
   Interstate 70 in Colorado is one of the few locations that you will see a mile marker sign indicating mile 419.99. The state has had a problem keeping their 420 mile marker signs erect. As it turns out, "420" is drug culture slang for marijuana. Thieves have been stealing the popular mile marker signs and the state decided move the signs a few feet and re-label them as 419.99.Click here to read more >

5. Fuel Gelling Reported During Winter Blast 
   Wisconsin authorities report a significant incidence of fuel gelling in commercial trucks along the state's highways during the recent winter storm. The freezing temperatures cause components of diesel fuel, such as paraffin, to become dense and difficult to push through the engine's fuel injection systems. In addition to offering a blended fuel, most truckstops in severe weather environments retail a variety anti-gelling additives for use in these situations. Click here to read more >

6. Cummins Slows NG Engine Plans 
   Several months ago, Cummins announced that it would be eliminating production of its 12 liter natural gas engine to focus more on the 15 liter motor. The engine manufacturer has now announced that it plans to "pause" development of the 15 liter liquid natural gas power plant until demand catches up. According to a company spokesperson, “While we believe natural gas power will continue to grow in the North American truck market, the timing of the adoption of natural gas in long haul fleets preferring 15 liter engines is uncertain.” Click here to read more >

7. Love's Celebrates 50th Anniversary 
   2014 is the 50th anniversary of the first Love's Travel Stop. The company has announced that it will celebrate by stepping up its already aggressive expansion efforts. Love's has been opening 20 stores per year in the recent past, however, the company plans to open 30 in 2014. Additionally, Love's will open a unit in Maryland, which marks the 40th state it has entered. The location on I-70 in Cumberland, Md. is scheduled to open in the fall. The Oklahoma-based firm will also expand its Truck Tire Care centers and its CNG fueling stations. Click here to read more >

8. Love's And Pilot To Continue With Transflo Scanning 
   Two of the truckstop industry's largest chains have extended their partnership agreements with Pegasus TransTech Corp. to continue offering Transflo scanning services. Over 900 travel centers now provide the company's scanning capabilities to thousands of trucking companies across the country. Pegasus boasts the largest truckstop scanning network in the US. Click here to read more >

9. What Would A Re-Do Of Interstate System Look Like? 
   When Pres. Eisenhower designed the Interstate system he envisioned it mirroring Germany's, but instead of bypassing cities, he wanted to connect them. And so most interstates built in the 1960s and 1970s were routed directly through major cities. Since then almost every metropolitan area has seen interstate bypass routes spring up to carry through-traffic. In hindsight, most traffic planners would likely develop two separate systems with one acting as an inter-metropolitan system and the other being an intra-metropolitan network. Click here to read more >

10. Flying J Opens Oregon Unit 
    Pilot Flying J has announced the opening of a new Flying J facility on Interstate 5 in Aurora, Ore. The location touts 93 truck parking spaces, nine diesel lanes, 16 gasoline fueling stations, a Subway restaurant, a Cinnabon and a PJ Fresh Market. The location is the company's 10th location in Oregon. Click here to read more >     

I might be biased, but I think if you aren't receiving Biz Brief, you are missing out! Not a subscriber? Be sure to submit a request to be added to the email list. Already receive it and have feedback for me? Be sure to email me at editor@natso.com.

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