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.
J.J. Keller Working on ELD Fix; FMCSA Offers Short-Term Waiver
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is allowing carriers that have deployed electronic logging devices from J.J. Keller & Associates to temporarily revert to paper driver logs until Feb. 28 as the technology supplier works to resolve technical issues with its ELDs.
Study Identifies Benefits for Driving Simulators as Companion to In-Cab Trainers
A recent study found that driving simulators can be as effective in training truck drivers as a live teacher for tasks such as braking and shifting gears.
Carriers Try Creative Compensation Programs to Bring in New Drivers
The driver shortage appears to be getting worse, with fleets launching new and enhanced compensation programs. These include Boyd Bros. Transportation trying a weekly salary, a sizzling $50,000 team bonus program from U.S. Xpress Enterprises, and a host of other deals to recruit and retain qualified drivers.
Homebuilder Sentiment Remains Near Highest Level Since 1999
Confidence among American homebuilders held steady in February near the highest level since 1999, suggesting that demand for housing is expected to remain strong, according to data Feb. 15 from the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo.
Output at Manufacturers Was Unchanged for Second Month
U.S. factory output was unchanged in January for a second month after a run of healthy advances consistent with ongoing expansion in the industry, Federal Reserve data showed Feb. 15.
Consumer Comfort Jumps Despite Stock-Market Turbulence
U.S. consumer sentiment jumped last week to the highest level since February 2001, indicating Americans were shaking off turbulence in the stock market, according to the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index.
Lawmakers Say Trump Supports 25-Cent Fuel Tax Increase to Fund Infrastructure
President Donald Trump told lawmakers he would support a 25-cent-per-gallon increase in federal gasoline and diesel taxes to help pay for upgrading American roads, bridges and other public works, Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware said Feb. 14.
February 14, 2018Philadelphia Airport, in Effort to Bolster Shipping, Buys More Land
A massive, mostly vacant land parcel beside Philadelphia International Airport could become a bustling shipping hub for everything from medicine to car parts under a plan to develop the site into a new air-freight complex serving a swath of the northeastern United States.
In the Debate on Who Will Own Autonomous Cars, Hyundai Picks Uber
As Google’s Waymo, General Motors Co. and others race to bring driverless automobiles to showrooms, the argument over who will buy cars in the technology era is getting louder.
Rail Carrier Genesee & Wyoming Buys Stake in Cargomatic
Genesee & Wyoming Inc., a rail freight carrier with operations in North America, Australia and Europe, has purchased a stake in Cargomatic, a Long Beach, Calif.-based firm that uses a mobile app to connect shippers with local truck drivers.
February 14, 2018