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.
Fleet Failures Idle More Trucks in 4Q as Freight Levels Decline
The number of trucks idled because of truck fleet bankruptcies rose 28% in the fourth quarter, driven by weakening used-truck prices, lower freight demand and higher costs, according to a new report.
January 21, 2013New Transportation Funding Proposals Include Replacing Fuel Tax With Sales Tax
WASHINGTON — With the nation’s Highway Trust Fund on the brink of insolvency and states searching for ways to pay for transportation, a flurry of innovative funding proposals surfaced last week.
January 21, 2013Letters: Diesel vs. Natural Gas, Driver Shortage
In a story in your Jan. 7 issue noting that diesel consistently costs more than gasoline, [one source] comments that diesel is being phased out as a fuel of choice for much of the transportation sector.
January 21, 2013Editorial: Protecting Our Drivers
About one-third of the truck occupants who died in crashes during 2011 weren’t wearing a seat belt, according to new data coming from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
January 21, 2013Rules on Drug, Alcohol Clearinghouse, E-Logging Near Release, FMCSA Says
WASHINGTON — Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration officials said they are planning to release at least five new proposed or final rules in 2013, including a supplemental proposed electronic logging device rule and a proposed drug and alcohol clearinghouse rule by the end of March.
January 21, 2013DOE Seeks HOS Exemption for Truck Drivers Hauling Security-Sensitive Hazardous Material
The Department of Energy has requested an exemption from the new hours-of-service rule requiring truck drivers, including those hauling security-sensitive radioactive material, to take a mandatory 30-minute off-duty rest break in the first eight hours of driving.
January 21, 2013Schneider’s Osterberg Urges Stronger Links Between Research and Business Applications
WASHINGTON — Don Osterberg, senior vice president of safety at truckload carrier Schneider National Inc., said transportation research needs to include components to help businesses and regulators make better use of the research.
January 21, 2013UPS Gives Up on TNT Merger, Turns Attention to Other Deals
Flush with a $9 billion stockpile after abandoning their $6.8 billion acquisition of TNT NV last week, UPS Inc. officials said they are evaluating other acquisitions consistent with their long-term growth strategy.
January 21, 2013Speed, Lack of Seat Belts Cited By U.S. in Truck Fatality Spike
WASHINGTON — One-third of the 635 truck occupants who died in accidents during 2011 were not wearing a seat belt, according to a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration analysis released last week.
January 21, 2013‘Sandy’ Recovery Offers Valuable Lessons, Experts Say
WASHINGTON — Less than three months since Superstorm Sandy devastated the East Coast, transportation and federal relief officials still involved in the recovery effort said the lessons learned will save lives and limit the economic damage of future disasters.
January 21, 2013