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.
NAFTA Bickering Begins Again
NAFTA talks are set to pick up Nov. 15 for round five where they left off a month ago: with tension and animosity in the air.
Gain in Retail Sales Last Month Signals Steady Demand
U.S. retail sales increased last month after a bigger September advance than previously estimated, indicating resilient demand heading into the holiday shopping season, according to Commerce Department figures released Nov. 15.
November 15, 2017SoCal Port Turn Times Fall 7 Minutes in October
The average time it took a truck driver to enter and exit the major Southern California ports fell 7 minutes in October on a year-over-year basis, according to monthly data from the Harbor Trucking Association.
Analysis: What Tesla's Big Rig Must Do to Seduce Truckers
Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk has promised to unveil an electric semi-truck on Nov. 16 that will drive like a sports car and beat its diesel counterpart in a tug of war. “This will blow your mind clear out of your skull and into an alternate dimension,” he wrote on Twitter this week. But none of that really matters.
Ryder Teams With Embark, Frigidaire for Autonomous Truck Test
Ryder System Inc. teamed with autonomous technology developer Embark and consumer products manufacturer Frigidaire to run a series of autonomous-driving technology tests in October, carrying Frigidaire refrigerators 650 miles at a time, the three partners said in a statement.
Tape of Subordinate Accusing Haslam, Hazelwood Played in Pilot Flying J Trial
Pilot Flying J CEO Jimmy Haslam not only knew one of his vice presidents was ripping off truckers but “loved it,” jurors heard a subordinate claim Nov. 14 in a secret recording.
Uber Plans Self-Driving, Longhaul Trucks on the Road ‘In the Near Future’
Uber is working on a fleet of self-driving semi-trucks, but it won’t completely replace traditional drivers, the company said.
Container Shipping Returns to Portland, Ore., on a Limited Basis
Container ships will resume calls to Portland,Ore., in January, though on an extremely limited basis
Safety Belt Use Increased Since 2007 Among Truck Drivers, New Survey Says
The number of truck drivers wearing safety belts increased by more than 20% since 2007, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Miles Traveled Don't Give Complete Picture of Highway Fatalities, Deborah Hersman Says
MEMPHIS, Tenn. —An improving economy and higher number of vehicle miles traveled “don’t tell the whole story” for continuing increases in the number of fatalities on U.S. highways, National Safety Council CEO Deborah Hersman told executives attending a safety meeting here.