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.
DOT Announces 7 Smart City Finalists
Austin, Texas; Columbus, Ohio; Denver; Kansas City, Missouri; Pittsburgh; Portland, Oregon; and San Francisco are finalists for the Department of Transportation’s Smart City Challenge, Secretary Anthony Foxx announced March 12 at the South by Southwest conference in Austin.
Port of Virginia Container Volume Rebounds
After a three-month lull, container volume at the Port of Virginia’s terminals bounced back significantly in February, increasing nearly 24% from the same month a year ago.
TCA Changes Weight Policy, Breaking With ATA on Issue
LAS VEGAS — The Truckload Carriers Association has changed its truck weight policy, breaking with American Trucking Associations on the issue and putting the groups at loggerheads for the second time in several months.
Study Finds Additional Research Needed to Better Understand Driver Fatigue
While there is some evidence that fatigue among truck drivers increases the risk of crashes, questions remain about effective ways to minimize that risk, according to a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.
Letters: On Platooning, Exemption Fatigue
While “platooning” of heavy vehicles appears to have some viability, Google’s vaunted, autonomous car recorded its first at-fault accident only last month. The reality is, platooning cannot control the actions of other motorists.
March 14, 2016Editorial: This Week, It's Driver Rules
Truck drivers get almost as much attention as Donald Trump, even though drivers generally have a sense of decorum and don’t crave the limelight.
March 14, 2016Meal, Rest Break Measure Not Included in Senate Panel's Aviation Reform Bill
WASHINGTON — A trucking-related provision hotly debated in the House has not been included in an aviation reform bill a Senate panel will take up March 16.
FMCSA Revises Process to Speed Up Investigations of High-Risk Carriers
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has revamped its carrier prioritization process to enable safety investigators to take more immediate action against carriers with the highest crash risk.
Feds Propose Training Rule
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration last week published its negotiated proposed entry-level driver training rule that would revise standards for a commercial driver license to be obtained by new interstate and intrastate commercial vehicle operators.
House T&I Staff Director, Eno’s Davis Talk Infrastructure at IBTTA March 14-15
The role tolls play in funding infrastructure projects around the country will head the discussions at the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association’s policy summit in Washington, D.C., March 14-15.
March 11, 2016