Business

About Business News...

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.

Government, Business, Equipment, Autonomous

Senate Committee Approves Self-Driving Vehicles Bill Without Trucking Policy

An effort to attach trucking-centric provisions to Senate legislation on self-driving vehicles did not materialize during the bill’s consideration Oct. 4.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
October 4, 2017
Business

Service Industries Index at 12-Year High Following Storms

America’s service industries expanded in September at the fastest clip in 12 years, signaling vibrancy across the bulk of the economy following two major hurricanes, a survey from the Institute for Supply Management showed Oct. 4.

Agnel Philip | Bloomberg News
October 4, 2017
Business, Technology, Equipment, Autonomous

Mining Giant Vies With Tech Firms for Workers in Push for Self-Driving Trucks

Rio Tinto Group, the world’s second-largest mining company, is focused as much on driver-less trucks and automated drills as conventional shovels and loaders these days. That means it needs a whole lot more high-tech workers.

Joe Deaux | Bloomberg News
October 4, 2017
Business, Technology, Equipment

FHWA Awards $1.5 Million Grant for Truck Reservation System at Va. Ports

Federal Highway Administration officials today awarded a $1.5 million grant to the Virginia Port Authority for a state-of-the-art truck reservation system that will save time for freight shippers.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
October 4, 2017
Business, Equipment

Used Class 8 Sales Climb as Average Price Falls to Six-Year Low

Sales of used Class 8 trucks improved in August, rising 16% year-over-year, while the average price slipped to a six-year low, according to ACT Research Co.

Roger Gilroy | Senior Reporter
October 4, 2017
Business

Companies Add Fewest Workers in Nearly a Year, ADP Says

Companies last month added the fewest number of workers in nearly a year, reflecting a hit to the U.S. job market from hurricanes Harvey and Irma, according to data released Oct. 4 from the ADP Research Institute in Roseland, New Jersey.

October 4, 2017
Government, Business, Technology, Autonomous

ATA Chief Applauds Senators Supportive of Trucking Policy in Autonomous Bill

Efforts to include trucking-centric provisions in autonomous vehicle legislation that a committee will consider Oct. 4 were applauded by American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
October 3, 2017
Business, Equipment, Logistics

Spot Market Activity Still Bustling One Month After Devastation of Harvey, Irma

One month after two devastating hurricanes ripped through Texas and Florida, spot market activity remains hectic across the country, setting records along the way.

Ari Ashe | Staff Reporter
October 3, 2017
Business

White House Nominates Economist for Top Research, Technology Post at DOT

Diana Furchtgott-Roth, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, was nominated for the post of assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Transportation for research and technology, the White House announced on Sept. 28.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
October 3, 2017
Business, Technology, Equipment, Safety, Logistics, Autonomous, TCA

Australia Expands Use of Caterpillar’s Self-Driving Truck Technology

Self-driving truck technology being developed by Caterpillar Inc. at its Tucson, Ariz., division headquarters will soon be used more extensively by iron ore mines in Australia

Gabriela Rico | The Arizona Daily Star
October 3, 2017