Business
Transport Topics business coverage focuses on the financial, economic, and commercial aspects of the modern freight business. Looking at both the microeconomic and macroeconomic forces shaping bottom lines, the news in this category includes labor news, jobs reports, tonnage and sales indicators, operations analysis, money and banking, mergers, acquisitions, e-commerce, bankruptcy, insurance issues, and more.
Bosch Touts Electric-Hydraulic Steering to Facilitate Automated Driving
FLAT ROCK, Mich. — Executives with the North American arm of engineering company Robert Bosch showed off an electric-hydraulic steering system for Class 8 trucks that they said will aid in the transition to autonomous commercial vehicles and announced a “breakthrough” in substantially reducing emissions of nitrogen oxide from diesel.
Oil Declines After Unexpected Increase in US Crude, Gasoline Stockpiles
Oil retreated from the highest price in more than three years after surprise increases in U.S. crude and gasoline stockpiles.
House Appropriators Keep Meal-and-Rest-Break Provision in Transportation Bill
A provision aimed at ensuring uniformity nationwide for meal-and-rest-break laws for truck drivers will stay in a House funding bill after surviving a Democratic-led effort to remove it May 23.
Union Pacific Has Cleared About 80% of Congestion, CEO Says
Union Pacific Corp. operations are about 80% of normal, after it deployed more locomotives and crews to clear network congestion that began eroding service last year, CEO Lance Fritz said.
CVSA Brake Symposium: Maintenance Techs Challenged by New Technology
SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — The good news is that heavy truck brake technology is moving forward at a dizzying pace — a clear boon for highway safety. Unfortunately, there is a troubling knowledge gap among a large segment of the technicians responsible for keeping up with those brake maintenance advances — even a lack of basic brake maintenance.
Transportation Officials Explain Multimodal Funding Options
Ports looking to improve their facilities as well as the roads, tunnels, bridges and rails that link to them may find aid in federal grant programs, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Fear of Autonomous Vehicles Rises After High-Profile Roadway Deaths
Consumer trust in self-driving cars has plummeted after high-profile roadway fatalities, with almost three-quarters of Americans now saying they are too afraid to ride in an autonomous vehicle, according to a new survey.
Critics Contend EPA Can’t Keep Prior Fuel Economy Data in Its Blind Spot
Lawsuits over EPA’s April fuel economy determination are more than just a pre-emptive strike, challengers say: They’re an effort to force the agency to consider thousands of pages of its own data as it considers weakening emissions limits for passenger cars.
OEMs, Startups Compete for the Future of Electric Vehicles
Well-known manufacturers as well as newcomers to the industry are advancing electric trucks, and both sectors will play important roles in the vehicles’ future, industry experts said.
Stoneridge to Move to New Facility in China With Room to Grow
Vehicle component manufacturer Stoneridge reported it would move its operations in Suzhou, China, to a new and larger facility about 11 miles east.
May 23, 2018