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.
Fatalities From Large-Truck Crashes Up Just Slightly in '13, Says NHTSA Report
U.S. fatalities from crashes involving large trucks increased by 0.5% in 2013, rising to 3,964 from 3,944 people the year before, according to a Dec. 19 report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Mary Phillips Joins Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
Mary Phillips, a former senior vice president for Legislative Affairs for American Trucking Associations, is joining the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit as a senior professional staff member.
December 19, 2014DOT Awards $2 Million to Assist California Repair of Flood-Damaged Roads
The federal Department of Transportation is sending California $2 million to assist communities in repairing roads damaged by recent floods.
Super-Heavy Trucks Can Stay on U.S. 41
On his way out the door toward retirement, Rep. Thomas Petri (R-Wis.) included a technical provision in “Cromnibus” that allows trucks to keep using U.S. 41, the main highway between Milwaukee and Green Bay.
FMCSA’s Website Updates HOS Enforcement Guidance
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration updated its website on Dec. 17 to reflect the recent suspension of parts of its hours of service rule, a change that took effect when President Obama signed a $1 trillion bill into law Dec. 16.
Cuomo to Ban Fracking; Health Officials Call It Unsafe
The New York state Health Department said fracking for natural gas can’t be done safely, dooming prospects that Governor Andrew Cuomo will end a six-year moratorium.
Meet ATRI's Top Congested Freight Highways
The nation’s worst traffic bottleneck is located in Fort Lee, New Jersey, where Interstate 95 and State Road 4 merge just west of Manhattan’s George Washington Bridge, according to the American Transportation Research Institute’s 2014 survey of congested U.S. freight highways.
Senate Approves Bill That Would Save Trucking Industry Millions
A bill that provides millions of dollars in tax credits to the trucking industry in everything from truck buying to using natural gas has been approved by the Senate and sent to President Obama.
Mark Rosekind Confirmed to Head NHTSA
The U.S. Senate approved the nomination of Mark Rosekind to become administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Dec. 16 among a batch of nominees to federal positions.
December 16, 2014FedEx Agrees to Buy Genco
FedEx Corp. said it has agreed to buy third party logistics provider Genco to broaden the buyer’s presence in the retail and e-commerce markets.
December 15, 2014