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.
Influx of Late-Model, Low-Mileage Vehicles Pushes Up Prices of Used Trucks in October
Used-truck prices have risen in recent months as more late-model, low-mileage equipment has reached the market, according to industry analysts.
December 9, 2013Two Studies Augment NHTSA’s Crash Data on Deaths Involving Medium, Heavy Trucks
When the federal government reported last month that U.S. truck-involved fatalities crept up by 3.7% in 2012 over the previous year, American Trucking Associations labeled the report “incomplete and misleading” because large trucks were grouped with smaller ones.
December 9, 2013Facing Suits, FMCSA Acts to Update Safety Databases
Facing two lawsuits over the accuracy of its driver safety database, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said it will make it easier soon for trucking companies and drivers who want to clear their records of citations that have been dismissed in court.
December 9, 2013OOIDA Sues Calif. Over Soot Filter Mandate
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association filed a lawsuit in a California federal court on Dec. 6, seeking to block implementation and enforcement of the state’s Bus and Truck regulation requiring out-of-state truckers to install soot filters on their trucks.
Consumer Confidence Rises to Five-Month High
Consumer confidence rose to the highest level in five months, according to the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index released Dec. 6.
December 6, 2013ATA: D.C. Bill Would Ban New Diesel Trucks in 2018
A bill being considered by the District of Columbia City Council would effectively ban new diesel vehicles from operating in the nation’s capital starting in 2018.
Nafta Trade Grew Again in 2012
North American merchandise trade continued to grow in 2012, with trucks moving a majority of it, the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics said Dec. 5.
December 5, 2013Economy Grows at 3.6% Rate in Third Quarter
The U.S. economy expanded at a 3.6% annual rate in the third quarter, up from an initial estimate of 2.8% growth, the Commerce Department said Dec. 5.
December 5, 2013Blumenauer Seeks 15-Cent Diesel Tax Increase
WASHINGTON — An Oregon congressman has introduced legislation that would nearly double federal taxes on diesel and gasoline to fill a widening shortfall in the federal government’s main source of transportation funding.
U.S. Economy Improving Moderately, Fed Says
The U.S. economy improved at a modest to moderate pace in the six weeks ended in mid-November, and freight volume shows signs of strengthening, the Federal Reserve said.
December 4, 2013