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.
Senate Panel Questions Ferro Over FMCSA Confirmation Bid
WASHINGTON — Anne Ferro, President Obama’s choice to head the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, had her day before the Senate Commerce Committee last week as its members weighed her confirmation.
September 28, 2009House OKs Highway Plan
The House of Representatives last week approved a three-month extension of the current highway funding law, over the objections of many House Republicans who said the bill was a step toward raising fuel taxes.
September 28, 2009Technological Advances May Help Carriers Haul Loads Farther at Lower Costs
If manufacturers’ claims about the latest developments in cargo refrigeration units are correct, motor carriers now can haul fresh, frozen or deep-frozen loads for any distance with reefer-fuel savings of as much as 80%, compared with past costs — and with little or no reefer maintenance.
September 28, 2009Washington, Oregon Officials Wrangle Over Lanes, Cost of Interstate 5 Bridge
After coming to a consensus that a new Interstate 5 bridge across the Columbia River between Washington and Oregon should have 12 traffic lanes, local officials now have said the plan is too expensive and must be scaled back.
September 28, 2009Electronic Recorder Rule Sent to DOT
BALTIMORE — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has sent its final electronic onboard recorders rule to the U.S. Department of Transportation for review, acting agency Administrator Rose McMurray told Transport Topics last week.
September 28, 2009Senate OKs Budget Funding for DOT, Maine’s Test of Heavier Trucks on I-95
The Senate has approved legislation that would increase the funding for the Department of Transportation in fiscal 2010 and would allow Maine to raise the truck weight on Interstate 95 as part of a pilot program.
September 28, 2009Container Imports to Fall 17% in 2009
Imports at U.S. major retail container ports are expected to decline by more than 17% in 2009 from a year earlier, but a new report by the National Retail Federation and IHS Global Insight predicts the end of the recession is near.
September 28, 2009Recession Spurs Shippers to Reduce Costs, Improve Operations, Prepare for Recovery
CHICAGO — The economic downturn presents an opportunity for shippers to pare costs and strengthen transportation and distribution operations, industry experts said here at the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals’ annual conference.
September 28, 2009Diesel Price Dips 1.2¢ to $2.622; Report Shows Ample Supplies
U.S. retail fuel price averages continued their slow downward drifts last week, the Department of Energy said, as diesel dipped for the third consecutive time.
September 28, 2009Logistics Experts See Manufacturing Shift
CHICAGO — An increase in manufacturing activity in Mexico along with a pullback in outsourcing to China could lead to “fundamental change” in the flow of freight in North America, a logistics industry researcher said here.
September 28, 2009