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.
S.C. Port Container Volume Rises 12% in 2014
The South Carolina Ports Authority said container volume increased 12% in 2014 as it moves forward on a harbor-deepening project.
January 22, 2015FMCSA Study: Carrier Involvement in Crash Strong Indicator of Future Risk
About 91% of police accident reports contain enough information to determine fault in a truck-related crash, but assessing whether a truck and driver were at fault in a crash does not appear to improve the ability to predict crash risk when all crashes are considered, according to a long-awaited study unveiled by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
DeFazio Names Ranking Dems For T&I Subcommittees
Rep. Peter DeFazio of Oregon, the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, has announced which T&I Democrats will be the ranking members on the subcommittees.
Sen. Inhofe: ‘We Need to Have At Least’ a Five-Year Transportation Bill
Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the transportation policy-writing Environment and Public Works committee, said he will ask senators to consider a variety of funding proposals to advance a five-year highway bill this year.
Obama to Congress: ‘Pass a Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan’
In his State of the Union address Jan. 20, President Obama sought to reassure Americans that his administration is determined to finance big-ticket infrastructure projects with Congress’ help to boost key industries such as trucking and construction.
McMurry Elected Ga. DOT Commissioner
The Georgia Transportation Board elected Russell McMurry as the state’s transportation commissioner, effective immediately, the board said in a Jan. 20 statement.
House Fields Bill to Speed Decisions on LNG Export Terminals
A House Republican from Ohio introduced a bill to expedite decision-making on permits for the construction of liquefied natural gas export terminals.
Wash. DOT Unveils Software to Help Truckers Avoid Low Bridges
Truck drivers planning their routes in the Evergreen State now have access to information online to help them avoid bridges that are too low for their vehicles to clear.
Mexican Trucks OK for US Roads Based on Safety Data, Foxx Says
The United States will grant operating authority to longhaul Mexican carriers that meet the financial and operating standards for U.S. truckers, the Department of Transportation announced, three months after a pilot program for such carriers ended.
January 19, 2015More Than 1,000 Mexican Carriers Held Authority to Operate in US Before Border Opened
Contained in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s announcement of permitting Mexican carriers to run in the United States was a report that showed about 1,000 Mexican carriers already have longhaul operating authority here.
January 19, 2015