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.
Consumer Price Index Declines for First Time in Six Months
The consumer price index declined 0.1% in October, the first decline in six months, the Labor Department said Nov. 20.
November 20, 2013Volvo’s Oct. North American Deliveries Jump 47%
Volvo AB’s North American truck deliveries jumped 47% in October over the previous year, the company said Nov. 20.
November 20, 2013Congress Passes Bill to Set Drug Distribution Standards
A bill that establishes new national standards for the distribution of prescription drugs and pharmaceuticals has been approved by Congress and is expected to be signed into law by President Obama.
Group Seeks to Stop New Tolling on Interstates
The Alliance for Toll Free Interstates is recruiting members to join truck-stop operators, truckers and other highway users to fight attempts by states or Congress to toll existing interstate highways.
Minn. Announces $300 Mln. in Freight Infrastructure Projects
Minnesota has announced that 10 highway projects will be funded under the $300 million Corridors of Commerce program created this year to help improve freight mobility across the state.
FHWA Proposes Primary Freight Network Designation
The Federal Highway Administration unveiled Nov. 18 the draft of the nation’s first ever Primary Freight Network — 26,966 centerline miles of roadway deemed most critical to freight movement.
HOS Rule Reduced Productivity for Most Truckers, ATRI Says
More than 80% of the carriers surveyed by the American Transportation Research Institute said they’ve suffered a loss in productivity since the new hours-of-service rule went into effect, changing the requirements for the 34-hour restart.
Legislation Would Let States Keep Federal Fuel Taxes
A bill has been introduced in the House and Senate that would dramatically reduce federal diesel and gasoline taxes and let the states keep most revenue from the two levies rather than sending the revenue to the Highway Trust Fund.
Government Studies Focusing on CSA, Effectiveness of FMCSA Safety Actions
The Department of Transportation’s inspector general’s office and a congressional watchdog agency are examining how effective federal commercial vehicle regulators are at keeping bad operators off roads.
November 18, 2013Diesel Avg. Falls 2.5¢ to $3.832
The average price of diesel fuel continued its gradual decline last week, dropping 2.5 cents to $3.832 a gallon, the lowest price in more than four months, the U.S. Department of Energy reported.
November 18, 2013