Comments By Alex K.

In California it seems that they sometimes have too many choices for information. Some CHP offices might post on Twitter before CalTrans updates QuikMaps, etc. I have not tried to compare it to calling 511 at the same time. I noticed some discrepancies last winter when my son was asking me if I had seen any changes when he was trying to decide between "no" and "go". He got through fine and just thrown for a surprise when they threw up chain requirements while he was going over even though there was only about an inch of snow but it was just starting to come down hard (more than forecasted) and I don't think any system is going to give a warning on that.

Hi, Harvey!

Thanks for this info and the anecdote! I agree with you when you say there can be "too many choices for information". Being spoiled for choice isn't always a good thing - especially when it comes to situations that are time-sensitive and require decisive action.

I also agree that the weather is inherently fickle, and its predictability can often be beyond the capabilities of any systems in place.

Living in the high desert of Reno, NV, I'm ALL-too-acquainted with weather changing on a dime, outpacing apps or weather reporters. This unpredictability absolutely poses a pretty legitimate challenge to any weather info system that are in place. I suppose, the goal is to provide proactive and actionable weather data as up-to-date and as accurate as possible!

Of the top of my head, I can't think of anything new that I would need to know that I cannot already determine through the internet, the CB, talking with other drivers, my cellphone, or my own driving experience.

The two biggest things we need out here:

Better trained drivers.

More legal truck parking locations within 100 miles of metropolitan areas.

Yeah, I've heard a lot about the issues surrounding viable parking locations.

I'm not sure what it's like outside of Nevada / California / into Utah, but I know there are a lot of our truck stops out west are simply closed, and drivers have to make ad-hoc parking and facilities arrangements. It sounds frustrating.

I'd guess that drivers with regular routes eventually find their own parking areas that are legal and work for them, but I'm sure that's a big challenge when it comes to new, unknown routes.

Hay, Alex!

Welcome to Trucking Truth, for one.

For two, MOVE to OHIO, hahaha!!

What PackRat DIDN'T share .. is his lady friend's secret cache of all the places/states/laws, for every season; she's got built into her phone; all the 511's !! Ms. Laura, IDMtnGal ~ I can't get the pic to load!!

It's all the "511" apps for EACH state in your lanes. It's in MY photo gallery and hers, as well. SORRY, I tried. It's awesome, tho!

~ Anne & Tom ~

ps: A CB is still a necessity, to many... should be for most, if not all.

pps: If you'd put the 'Reno, NV' in your profile, you'll get a LOT more replies and/or chatter within Trucking Truth.... !

Hey, Anne and Tom!

Firstly, thanks so much for the warm welcome. :-)

Secondly, moving to OH isn't at all bad advice, hehe. In fact, I love Ohio! (I spent a lot of time during the summers in Alliance, OH as my grandparents lived there.)

That's a really interesting / really slick system having all of the 511 apps for each state. It sounds like great aggregation of data. This is great food for thought.

Also, I can imagine that straightforward, human-to-human CB interaction can prove to be pretty darn invaluable on the road. "Cutting-edge tech" can be helpful and serve its purpose within reason, but there's simply no replacing the "human element" in plenty of cases!

Finally, thanks for that great piece of advice! "Reno, NV" is now proudly displayed on my profile. :-)

- Alex

Yeah, I've heard a lot about the issues surrounding viable parking locations.

I'm not sure what it's like outside of Nevada / California / into Utah, but I know there are a lot of our truck stops out west are simply closed, and drivers have to make ad-hoc parking and facilities arrangements. It sounds frustrating.

I'd guess that drivers with regular routes eventually find their own parking areas that are legal and work for them, but I'm sure that's a big challenge when it comes to new, unknown routes.

Great info, PackRat. Appreciate your thoughtful replies!

Are there, perhaps, certain pieces of information that are less obvious than daily chain controls that you think knowing in advance would help to improve safety or convenience?

Thanks for the reply, PackRat!

This may not be your experience, but I've heard this signage - while available and present eventually - sometimes doesn't give drivers the advance notice and details they'd prefer.

I know certain routes are the only available option, and sometimes crossing a path with chain laws in effect is simply part of the job, but would you (and anyone else reading) find it helpful to know the latest about what's to come in terms of chain requirements along your trips on a day-to-day basis as well as state-by-state? Of course, weather can change quickly with chain requirements changing in lockstep, but I'd imagine even a little extra notice might be helpful.

It seems like things can get a little complicated from state-to-state, too, since so many things seem to vary. For example, there are different chain ratings (e.g., California's R1, R2, R3 ratings), different distances allowed between the posted chain notifications and the point at which chains must be installed, different rules regarding "traction devices" vs normal chains, and so on...

I'm curious if all of this info is something drivers just have to live with looking up and figuring out on the fly each day. :-)

Hey, everyone!

I know it's summertime in the northern hemisphere at the moment, but I live in Reno, Nevada - where we see some pretty snowy winters and treacherous driving conditions. We also have a near-by mountain pass that sees a LOT of chain controls during the winter called, Donner Pass. Donner Pass has TONS of truckers bridging that gap between California and Nevada, and I know this can be pretty rough in the winter.

Even outside of my corner of the world, I've heard that chain controls are often times not well-communicated to drivers. (e.g. The signage isn't always clear, chain notifications don't make it drivers' ways until it's too late, etc.)

What experience do you all have on this front? Do you agree that communicating up-to-date chain controls to drivers is a problem?

[Also, in the interest of full disclosure, I work for a weather/travel technology company. We're looking to make life on the road safer for commercial drivers, so here I am looking to learn and connect with the community! :-) ]

Thanks, everyone!

-Alex