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.
Wisconsin Transportation Secretary on Hot Seat as Republicans Clash on Road Funding
The share of state highways in poor condition would double during the next decade without an infusion of new revenue, Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary Mark Gottlieb told lawmakers Dec. 6.
Moving Violations Dominate Citations During Operation Safe Driver Week
Moving violations were clearly the biggest unsafe driving behavior during Operation Safe Driver Week, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance announced Dec. 7.
House Transportation Chairman Bill Shuster Names Senior Staff
The top transportation authorizer in the House announced six staff updates for his committee for the 115th Congress convening in January.
December 7, 2016ATA President Chris Spear: Autonomous Trucks Will Continue to Need Drivers
WASHINGTON — The rapid developments in autonomous trucks that several companies are embracing will continue to require drivers inside the vehicles, the trucking industry’s chief representative told lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Dec. 6.
Rhode Island Soliciting Bids to Design, Build, Operate Trucks-Only Tolls
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation initiated a request for proposals process Dec. 5 for firms to design, build, operate and maintain the state’s planned trucks-only electronic tolls.
NTSB Rules Crew Was Likely Asleep During Fatal Arkansas Freight Train Crash
WASHINGTON — A fatal collision of two Union Pacific freight trains in Arkansas resulted from a fatigued engineer and conductor who were both likely asleep aboard one of the trains, federal investigators ruled Dec. 6.
Capitol Agenda for the Week of Dec. 5: The Long and the Short of It
Congress has to come up with a short-term bill by Dec. 9 to keep the government funded, but a longer view of infrastructure needs was taking shape elsewhere in Washington. Keith Laing of The Detroit News joins TT's Eugene Mulero for a video preview of the week ahead for trucking on Capitol Hill.
DOT Awards Universities $300 Million in Grants for Transportation Research
Carnegie Mellon, the University of North Carolina and the University of California-Davis were among the 32 universities winning research grants totaling $300.3 million, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced Dec. 5.
December 5, 2016Service Industries Grow at Fastest Pace in 13 Months
America’s service industries expanded in November at the fastest clip since October last year, putting the economy’s biggest sector on a robust growth path.
House Speaker Paul Ryan Says Infrastructure Funding Is High Priority Next Year
Determining the most efficient way for boosting funds for new and existing infrastructure projects will be a top priority for the Republican-led U.S. House next year, Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said Dec. 5.