Government

About Government News...

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.

Fuel, Government

Wholesale Prices in US Decrease, Led by Plunging Fuel Costs

Wholesale prices in the United States declined in December from the prior month, showing inflation remains well-contained as Federal Reserve officials weigh further increases in the benchmark interest rate.

Michelle Jamrisko | Bloomberg News
January 15, 2016
Government, Business, Safety, Technology

Obama Fiscal 2017 Budget to Request $4 Billion for Vehicle Automation

President Obama’s fiscal 2017 budget request will include nearly $4 billion over a decade for the development of automated vehicles, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said Jan. 14.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
January 14, 2016
Government

Ontario Trucking Association Launches TV, Social Media Ad Campaign

The Ontario Trucking Association has launched a 60-second TV ad campaign intended to spread a positive message about the trucking industry and truck drivers. See the video.

January 14, 2016
Business, Government

Port of Virginia Breaks Another Yearly Record for Container Volume

For the third year in a row, the Port of Virginia set a record for cargo container volume in 2015, while also setting all-time highs for truck and rail-container volume.

Robert McCabe | The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot
January 14, 2016
Government, Business, Equipment, Safety

Rep. Ken Buck Seeks to Authorize Twin 33s Nationwide

Twin 33-foot trailers would be authorized nationwide under legislation Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) introduced this month.

January 14, 2016
Government, Business

US Transportation Activity Varied at Close of Year, Fed Says

Transportation activity varied throughout the country at the end of 2015, but general economic conditions improved in much of the country, the Federal Reserve reported.

January 13, 2016
Government

FMCSA's Scott Darling to Have Senate Hearing Jan. 20

More than five months after he was named acting administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Scott Darling finally will have his confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee on Jan. 20, a committee source told Transport Topics.

David Elfin | Staff Reporter
January 13, 2016
Government

Secretary Anthony Foxx Touts National Freight Strategic Plan, Gets Personal in TRB Address

WASHINGTON — Speaking in a massive, packed ballroom at the Transportation Research Board’s annual meeting Jan. 13, Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx touted “the real possibility that we can go from bottlenecks to relief” through DOT’s National Freight Strategic Plan that was released last October.

David Elfin | Staff Reporter
January 13, 2016
Government, Business

Canada's Greater Weight Allowance Gives Truckers Advantage Over US, Researcher Says

WASHINGTON — Restrictive federal size and weight policies are causing U.S. motor carriers to lag in heavy-truck productivity when compared with other countries, a leading transportation researcher said at a presentation Jan. 13 at the Transportation Research Board’s annual meeting.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
January 13, 2016
Government, Safety

Driver Fatigue Makes NTSB’s 2016 Top Issues List

WASHINGTON — Policymakers and industry stakeholders need to put in place programs designed to reduce fatigue among truckers on the roads and other commercial operators while on duty, the National Transportation Safety Board announced Jan. 13.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
January 13, 2016