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.
Mack Unveils 2017 Powertrain
AUSTIN, Texas — Mack Trucks celebrated Earth Day here by rolling out its 2017 powertrain designed to meet the second part of Phase 1 federal greenhouse-gas limits that start in January, including new technologies for its MP7 and MP8 engines.
ATA Wins EPA SmartWay Award for Fifth Straight Year
American Trucking Associations has been honored for a sixth time, five of them consecutively, with a SmartWay Affiliate Challenge Award from the Environmental Protection Agency.
'Inland Port' Stirs Dissent in Quiet Corner of Georgia
CRANDALL, Ga. — State officials want to turn a 42-acre cow pasture into a train-and-truck depot along a lovely stretch of U.S. 411 that abuts the Cohutta Wilderness Area near the Tennessee state line.
Georgia Planning Truck-Only Lanes
Georgia will build truck-only lanes that aren’t designed solely as an alternate for heavy-duty trucks on steeply graded roads.
Convoys of Automated Trucks Set to Help Manufacturers Hone Driverless Car Technology
Although driverless cars grab headlines, it may take decades before truly autonomous vehicles rule the road. In the meantime, semiautomated convoys can help manufacturers hone the technology while cutting emissions and fuel consumption.
Forward Air, Marten Earnings Rise, But Profit Slips at Swift
Expedited carrier Forward Air Corp. and refrigerated fleet Marten Transport Ltd. reported higher earnings as the parade of first-quarter truckload results continues, but Swift Transportation Co. net income dipped amid continuing pressure in the dry van freight market.
Senate Panel Advances Bill That Caps Drivers' Workweek at 73 Hours
WASHINGTON — A fiscal 2017 transportation funding bill that would set the allowable time truckers may work per week before taking a break at 73 hours was advanced by a Senate panel April 21.
Union Pacific Profit Beats Estimates Amid Cost Cutting
Union Pacific Corp. reported first-quarter earnings higher than analysts’ expectations as the railroad cut costs and boosted prices to mitigate a steep drop in cargo demand, pushing shares to their highest value in five months.
Senate Panel Approves DOT Issuing Speed Limiters Proposal in Fiscal 2017 Transportation Bill
WASHINGTON — Legislation that would require the U.S. Department of Transportation to advance a proposal on speed limiters for trucks was approved by a Senate panel April 21.
Dana Says Earnings Reflect Commercial-Sector Slowdown
Commercial vehicle supplier Dana Holdings Corp. said revenues slipped to $1.5 billion in the first quarter ended March 31 compared with $1.6 billion a year earlier.
April 21, 2016