The 2010 MCE

As the trucking industry gathers in Phoenix for American Trucking Associations’ annual meeting, the national economic climate is much improved from the gloom that surrounded last October’s meeting in Las Vegas.

While things are far from bustling, the news continues to reinforce that the recovery is well under way, if at a slow pace.

This week’s Transport Topics carries several stories that show continuing growth, including the good news that: nearly all publicly traded trucking companies will show improved profits when they report this quarter; analysts say there will indeed be a peak holiday shipping season this year, after last year’s disappointingly flat fall; and that new heavy-duty truck sales and orders continue to rise.

But even as the economy heals and the general business climate improves, there are still many important issues to be discussed at ATA’s 2010 Management Conference & Exhibition.

Heading the list for discussion at this meeting is the federal hours-of-service rule for the nation’s truck drivers. The latest revision — the result of a decision by the Department of Transportation to settle a lawsuit by opponents of the current rule — is under review by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget.

Only after OMB concludes its review will we get our first look at the new rule, but there is widespread concern that the proposal will further restrict driver work days, even though the current rule has led to a major improvement in highway safety in the years it has been in force.

Also high on the agenda is another federal rulemaking, this one involving the use of electronic onboard recorders to help monitor the hours-of-service rule.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has been ordered to deliver the EOBR rule to OMB by the end of the year, and trucking won’t know what is being proposed until after OMB completes its review.

Another major issue slated to be discussed is ATA’s continuing fight against the onerous portions of the Port of Los Angeles’ clean-air program that seek to ban owner-operators from doing business at that major port.

ATA members also will hear how truck and engine makers are preparing to meet future emissions rules that the Environmental Protection Agency hasn’t yet formally announced.

In all, the 2010 version of MCE promises to be a busy, informative event designed to help fleets and the companies that service them better deal with the present and prepare for the future. See you in Phoenix.