Government

About Government News...

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.

Business, Government

August Retail Sales Rise 0.3%

Retail sales gained 0.3% in August, the Commerce Department said Friday.

September 14, 2007
Business, Safety, Government

Senate Bill Blocks Some Tolls

A transportation spending bill passed by the Senate Wednesday includes a ban on tolls for existing Texas roadways, the Associated Press reported.

September 13, 2007
Business, Safety, Government

Conn. Sets Truck Ban on Dangerous Decline

The Connecticut State Traffic Commission has put in place a temporary ban on big trucks from the a steep portion of state Route 44 on Avon Mountain, the Hartford Courant reported.

September 13, 2007
Business, Safety, Government

DOT Freight Transport Index Drops

The Department of Transportation’s freight transportation services index for July declined 2.9% from the same month a year ago, DOT said Wednesday.

September 13, 2007
Business, Safety, Government

TSA Assessing Results of Trucking Security Program

A recently concluded pilot program in Missouri will help the Transportation Security Administration assess and improve the security of U.S. highways and motor carriers, TSA said Wednesday.

September 12, 2007
Government, Business, Safety

FMCSA Waiting on Hours-of-Service Actions

John Hill, head of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, said Friday that the agency was waiting to see if other interested parties took action to delay implementation of a court ruling eliminating significant portions of the hours-of-service rule.

Sean McNally | Staff Reporter
September 12, 2007
Government, Business

DHS Sets Radiation Detection Project

The Department of Homeland Security’s nuclear detection office has begun a pilot program to provide maritime radiation detection capabilities for state and local authorities in Washington state and California, DHS said Sept. 5.

September 12, 2007
Business, Safety, Government

Senate Votes Against Mexican Trucks Program

Less than a week after the first Mexican trucks were allowed by the Transportation Department past a border zone, the Senate voted on Tuesday to ban Mexican trucks from U.S. roadways, the Associated Press reported.

September 12, 2007
Government, Business, Safety

FMCSA Finishes Initial Testing of Technology for Wireless Roadside Vehicle Inspections

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said it successfully completed phase-one testing of wireless roadside inspection technology for commercial vehicles.

September 12, 2007
Business, Government, Safety

Letters to the Editor: Opening the Borders, HOS (Cont’d.)

If the U.S. Department of Transportation grants entry to a Mexican truck, Transport Canada won’t do anything to keep it out of Canada.

September 12, 2007