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.
Intermodal Rail Traffic Rises 7.7% for Week
U.S. rail intermodal traffic increased 7.7% in the week ended May 10 compared with the same week last year, the Association of American Railroads reported.
May 16, 2014Consumer Confidence Drops From Nine-Month High
Consumer confidence fell in May from a nine-month high, according to the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan preliminary sentiment index.
May 16, 2014FMCSA Extends ELD Proposed Rule to June 26
FMCSA is extending by 30 days the public comment period for its supplemental proposed rule requiring interstate carriers to install electronic logging devices on all trucks.
ATRI Surveying Carriers on Operational Costs
The American Transportation Research Institute has launched a confidential survey to update its 2013 Operational Costs of Trucking report.
May 16, 2014Housing Starts Rise 13.2% in April
Housing starts climbed 13.2% in April to a 1.07 million annualized rate following March’s 947,000 pace, the Commerce Department reported.
May 16, 2014TIGER Applications Far Outpace Available Funding
Applications for the grant program known as TIGER total $9.5 billion, 15 times the $600 million that the federal government set aside for the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grants.
Lawmakers Unveil Bill That Invests in Ports
House and Senate transportation leaders said they will vote next week on a final water policy bill that approves myriad improvements to ports nationwide.
Senate Committee Approves Six-Year Transportation Bill
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee unanimously approved a six-year, $265 billion highway reauthorization bill that makes freight a core element within the federal highway program.
Biodiesel Board Hits ‘Weak’ Renewable Fuel Proposal
A survey by the National Biodiesel Board found that nearly 80% of biodiesel producers have scaled back production this year, and more than half have idled production, due in part to what it called a “weak” renewable fuel standard proposal in Washington.
May 15, 2014Radiant Logistics’ 3Q Income Rises
Third-party logistics company Radiant Logistics’ fiscal third-quarter net income rose from a year ago.
May 15, 2014