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.
Leading Economic Indicators Rise Slightly
An index of leading economic indicators rose 0.1% in May, the New York-based Conference Board said Thursday.
June 20, 2013Stocks Fall Following Bernanke’s Statement That Fed May Pull Back on Bond Buying
U.S. stocks fell following Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s statement that the Fed may slow the pace of its bond purchases later this year, Bloomberg News reported.
June 20, 2013House Democrats Want $5.5 Billion to Fix Bridges
Driven by the recent collapse of the Interstate 5 Skagit River Bridge in Washington state, Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) and House Democratic transportation leaders introduced legislation Wednesday that would provide $5.5 billion to repair structurally deficient bridges nationwide.
FMCSA Shuts Down Colorado Scrap Hauler
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has shut down E&K Trucking of Commerce City, Colo., declaring the company a hazard to public safety because it does not maintain its vehicles in good working order.
Trucking Executive Tells House Panel HOS Rule’s July 1 Implementation Should be Delayed
The federal hours-of-service rule’s July 1 implementation date should be postponed until the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration completes mandated research on the rule, American Transportation Research Institute Chairman Steve Williams told a House panel Tuesday.
June 18, 2013Congressmen Seek Truck Weight Exemption for Wisconsin Highway
Two U.S. congressmen from Wisconsin introduced legislation to allow trucks heavier than 80,000 pounds now running on U.S. Highway 41 in that state to continuing using the road if it becomes an interstate next year.
HOS Restart Changes to Cost Industry $189 Million a Year, ATRI Says
Upcoming restrictions to the 34-hour restart provision of the hours-of-service rule for truck drivers will cost the trucking industry $189 million annually — a $322 million difference from the $133 million benefit that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration estimated when it wrote the new restrictions, according to a new American Transportation Research Institute study.
FMCSA to Seek CSA Changes to Make Scoring Clearer
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said it would propose changes to the public face of its Compliance, Safety, Accountability program later this year in an attempt to make clearer that the rankings are not necessarily safety scores.
June 17, 2013Consumer Confidence Declines from Six-Year High
Consumer confidence fell in June from a six-year high the previous month, according to the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index released Friday.
June 14, 2013Supreme Court Rules in ATA’s Favor on Los Angeles Port’s Parking, Placard Requirements
The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the Port of Los Angeles cannot require trucking companies serving the port to display placards on trucks that have the proper permits and to submit parking plans before being allowed to operate, saying the rules violate federal law.