Government
Transport Topics government and regulatory coverage keeps managers of a highly-regulated industry aware of the policy decisions that can shape their businesses. Covering both the legislative and regulatory aspects of policy-making, at both the state and national levels, the news in this category includes looks at infrastructure, hours of service, emissions rules, funding measures, leadership appointments, and more. Readers can follow what’s happening in Congress, at the Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Administration, and in state and local governments.
Volkswagen’s Scania Fined $1.03 Billion by European Union for Price Fixing
Volkswagen AG’s tarnished reputation suffered another blow after its Scania unit was slapped with a 880.5 million euro ($1.03 billion) fine for fixing truck prices, a year after other members of the cartel reached a record settlement with the European Union.
Wisconsin DOT Announces Inspector General Position
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced the creation of a new Inspector General position within the agency Sept. 25.
Local Forums Key to Boosting Texas’ Middling Infrastructure, State Stakeholders Say
Advocacy at the local level is key to rectifying Texas’s mediocre infrastructure, according to Travis Attanasio, vice president of professional affairs for the American Society of Civil Engineers in Texas.
Sen. Thune Working on Creating Modern-Day ‘Rules of the Road’ for Autonomous Vehicles
As the Obamacare reform debate rages on in full force, U.S. Sen. John Thune doesn’t have his sights set entirely on the headline-stealing topics of health care and tax reform. The always busy South Dakota Republican is also eyeing legislation for the growing autonomous vehicle market, or self-driving cars.
Las Vegas-Area Interchange Gets FHWA Redistribution Funds
The Nevada Department of Transportation will use recently issued federal funds to expand an interchange near Las Vegas to help bolster freight transportation.
Agency, Industry Prepared for Upcoming ELD Mandate
ATLANTA — A delay in the upcoming mandate on electronic logging devices for carriers is highly unlikely to occur, federal regulators and stakeholders said at the Connected Fleets USA conference Sept. 26.
National Tank Truck Carriers Seeks Five-Year Exemption From Rest Break Rules
The National Tank Truck Carriers has requested that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration grant commercial vehicle drivers who transport petroleum-based fuels a five-year exemption from a federally required 30-minute rest break.
Trump To Address Manufacturer Association on Sept. 29
President Donald Trump was due to address the National Association of Manufacturers on Sept. 29, and discuss tax reform in a bid to boost economic growth.
EPA, TTMA Duel in Court Filings Over GHG Phase 2 Trailer Rules
In dueling court filings, Environmental Protection Agency lawyers said they want to postpone the start of a federal appeals court case on the trailer section of the Phase 2 greenhouse gas rule while trailer makers are eager to see the new rule scrapped.
California Considers Following China With Combustion-Engine Car Ban
The internal combustion engine’s days may be numbered in California, where officials are mulling whether a ban on sales of polluting autos is needed to achieve long-term targets for cleaner air.