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.
FMCSA’s Top Priority in 2020: Reducing Large-Truck Fatalities
WASHINGTON — Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Acting Administrator Jim Mullen has tasked his entire agency with finding ways in 2020 to turn around an increase in large-truck fatalities over the past four years.
ATRI Calls on Feds to Step Up AV Policy Efforts
The federal government needs to do more to establish a comprehensive policy regarding autonomous vehicle technology in the trucking industry, according to the latest research from the American Transportation Research Institute.
States Question Safety of Shipping LNG by Rail
The Trump administration’s plan to allow liquefied natural gas to be shipped by rail, in trains with as many as 100 tanker cars, lacks essential safeguards and exposes communities nationwide to the risk of lethal fires and explosions, representatives of California and other states said Jan. 13.
US Core Consumer-Price Gauge Climbs Less Than Forecast
A gauge of underlying U.S. inflation rose less than forecast in December, restrained in part by a deceleration in shelter costs and underscoring the Federal Reserve’s view that price pressures are muted.
Shipping’s Big Bang Sends Two Global Industries Spinning
Starting Jan. 1, the vast majority of the world’s ships were forced to change the fuel they use. Some big winners — and potential losers — are starting to emerge from what was a historic switch for the world’s oil refining and maritime industries.
China Welcomes Currency Decision Ahead of US Trade Deal
BEIJING — China on Jan. 14 welcomed a U.S. decision ahead of the signing of a trade deal with Beijing to drop it from a list of governments accused of manipulating the value of their currencies to gain an unfair advantage in trade.
State DOT Representatives Share Tips for Stretching Dollars
WASHINGTON — State department of transportation officials shared the creative ways they’ve completed projects with tight budgets at the Transportation Research Board’s annual meeting Jan. 13.
Court Extends TRO on Trucking Component of California’s AB 5
Judge Roger Benitez of the Southern District Court of California on Jan. 13 extended a temporary restraining order against the implementation of the trucking component in California’s Assembly Bill 5.
Diesel Falls 1.5¢ to $3.064 Per Gallon
The U.S. average retail price of diesel fell 1.5 cents to $3.064 a gallon, the Department of Energy reported Jan. 13. Oil plunged more than $5 a barrel as fears of war with Iran faded.
FMCSA Seeks Comments for New Large-Truck Crash Causation Study
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Jan. 14 issued a formal request for public comment on how best to design and conduct a major study to identify factors contributing to all large-truck fatal, injury and tow-away crashes.