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.
Intermodal Traffic Sees Slight Gain
Intermodal rail traffic in the United States increased 0.2% last week from the same week a year ago, the Association of American Railroads said in its weekly report.
September 11, 2009DOT Freight Index Falls Year-Over-Year in July
The Department of Transportation’s freight transportation services index fell year-over-year in July by the most in 20 years, but showed an increase from June, DOT said Thursday.
September 10, 2009U.S. Trade Gap Widens in July
The U.S. trade deficit widened 16% in July, the most in more than a decade, the Commerce Department said Thursday.
September 10, 2009DOE Forecasts Higher Diesel, Gas Prices
The national average price of diesel fuel will rise to $2.74 in the fourth quarter, from $2.62 in the third quarter, as the winter heating-fuel season begins and oil prices rise, the Department of Energy said Wednesday.
September 9, 2009Economy Shows Improvement, Fed ‘Beige Book’ Says
The U.S. economy showed signs of stabilization in late July and August, though trucking and transportation industry reports were mixed, the Federal Reserve said Wednesday.
September 9, 2009UTi Worldwide’s Profit, Revenue Decline
Air and freight forwarder UTi Worldwide reported a decline in net income and revenue for its fiscal second quarter.
September 9, 2009NTSB Bans Employee Cell Phone Use While Driving
The National Transportation Safety Board has instituted a policy banning texting and talking on cell phones by its employees while they are working, the Associated Press reported.
September 9, 2009DOT Launches Freight Management Software
The Department of Transportation has released a new software application that it said will help the transportation industry to deliver products more efficiently.
September 8, 2009E&MU: Regular Check-Ups Prevent Costly Fixes
Ken Eggen at Tango Transport in Shreveport, La., knows that one size doesn’t fit all. That is why he has separate preventative maintenance checklists for each of the three engine models his fleet runs. He goes a step further and sits down with his shop managers quarterly to pick through those checklists and make adjustments.
September 8, 2009Obama to Decide Next Week on Chinese Tire Tariffs
The Obama administration will decide by next week whether to put a 55% import tariff on imported Chinese tires, which are gaining a growing share of the U.S. market, the Washington Post reported Tuesday.
September 8, 2009