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.
U.S. Border Crossings Rose 3.6% Last Year
The number of commercial trucks that crossed into the United States from Mexico and Canada rose 3.6% last year from 2011, the Department of Transportation said Friday.
April 5, 2013Trade Deficit Narrows on Drop in Oil Imports
The U.S. trade deficit shrank by 3.4% in February, as demand for imported crude oil fell, the Commerce Department said Friday.
April 5, 2013Two Mexican Carriers Fail Safety Audits for Cross-Border Trucking Program
Two Mexican trucking companies have failed safety audits that are required for admission in the pilot program that allows some Mexico-based carriers into the interior of the United States, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said.
Virginia Lawmakers Ratify Transportation Bill
Virginia’s General Assembly voted to ratify the provisions in the transportation bill signed by Gov. Bob McDonnell (R), the Associated Press reported.
April 4, 2013Idaho Gov. Signs Anti-Indemnification Law, Approves Heavier Trucks
Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter has signed bills that will protect truckers from unfair shipping contracts and make permanent a 129,000-pound weight limit for trucks on state routes.
Ohio Transportation Law Will Raise Speed Limit to 70 MPH
Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) signed a two-year, $7.6 billion transportation measure into law that will raise the top speed limit on the state’s interstate highways to 70 mph, news reports said.
April 3, 2013Expansion in Service Sector Slows in March
Expansion slowed in the U.S. economy’s service sector in March, the Institute for Supply Management said Wednesday.
April 3, 2013Utah Mulls Allowing 80-MPH Speed Limits in Some Areas
State transportation officials in Utah said Monday they will first conduct an analysis of speed-related crash data before deciding whether to increase the speed limit to 80-mph on three stretches of rural Interstates.
FMCSA Shuts Ga. Carrier for Not Cooperating With Investigators
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ordered Atlanta-based Southern Transportation Inc. to stop operating, using new authority that allows the agency to shut down carriers that refuse to release safety records to investigators.
Maryland Senate Approves Fuel-Tax Increase
Maryland’s Senate passed a bill to increase the state’s taxes on diesel and gasoline and tie them to inflation to pay for transportation projects, sending the measure to Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) for his expected signature.
April 1, 2013