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.
Alabama Gov. Signs Steel-Coil Control Law
Alabama Gov. Bob Riley (R) signed into law a measure requiring truck drivers transporting steel coils to be properly trained so that coils are tied down securely, according to the governor’s Web site.
March 23, 2009Gas Dips 1¢ to $1.95, Lundberg Says
The national average price of regular gasoline fell by a penny over the past two weeks to $1.95 a gallon, the first decline of the year, according to the latest Lundberg Survey of filling stations released Sunday.
March 23, 2009Mexico Retaliates With Tariffs After U.S. Halts Border Program
Just days after Congress and the Obama administration shut down the controversial cross-border trucking pilot program with Mexico, government officials there struck back last week, imposing new tariffs on about 90 U.S. products valued at about $2.4 billion.
March 23, 2009EPA to OK Copper Zeolite for SCR, Cummins Says
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Cummins Inc. said it is confident the Environmental Protection Agency will approve the company’s use of copper zeolite in engines de-signed to meet 2010 emission rules, removing any potential roadblock for the new models.
March 23, 2009FedEx Corp. Profit Tumbles
FedEx Corp.’s freight unit last week posted its first-ever operating loss, falling victim to the recession that cut both rates and freight volumes. It announced cost-cutting moves that included job reductions and the closing of its California general office.
March 23, 2009Chicago Area Has Worst Traffic Bottleneck, Study Finds
The worst U.S. traffic bottleneck is on the south edge of Chicago, according to a pioneering study that uses electronic data from trucks — a research method that could influence future transportation spending debates.
March 23, 2009Testing of AutoSock Under Way in Colorado
Transportation officials in Colorado said initial feedback from commercial drivers who have used the AutoSock, a heavy-duty cloth covering for tires, has been positive, and it could become an accepted alternative to metal snow chains.
March 23, 2009OEMs Battle Over Engines
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Truck and engine makers took advantage of one of the last major marketing forums before the onset of new federal emission rules to starkly set the stage for buyers of heavy-duty vehicles in choosing between SCR and EGR for their diesel engines.
March 23, 2009Court Backs ATA on SoCal Ports’ Truck Plan
A federal appeals court ruled Friday in favor of an American Trucking Associations appeal that a plan put in place by the Southern California ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to regulate trucking violates federal law.
March 20, 2009ODFL Sets New Service for Border Shipments
Old Dominion Freight Line’s OD Global unit said Friday it is expanding its global trade management services to help importers comply with new border security regulations.
March 20, 2009