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.
Job Market Off to Healthy Start in January
Companies added more workers than forecast to U.S. payrolls in January, signaling a healthy start to the year for the job market despite the partial government shutdown.
January 30, 2019ELD Era Brings Fleets, Shippers Toward More Collaboration, Experts Say
The advent of ELDs is influencing how carriers and shippers work together to control costs, deploy capacity, design networks, offer and charge for services, make capital investments, recruit and assign drivers and leverage new technology.
Growth of Electric Vehicles Could Jeopardize Iowa’s Road Fund
In about 20 years, the growing use of electric vehicles could take a quarter-billion-dollar-a-year hit on a state fund relied upon to finance better roads, the Iowa Department of Transportation said Jan. 29.
Opinion: Using Analytics to Help Retain Drivers
Key variables can be analyzed using machine learning to predict a driver’s risk of leaving a company, and insights from those data points can provide — and prescribe — recommendations on what type of intervention is needed, says Chris Orban of Trimble.
Self-Driving Truck Startup Embark Releases Performance Data
Self-driving truck startup Embark has issued a voluntary report on the performance of its automated trucks, providing a more detailed look at its testing process and the current capabilities of its technology.
FHWA Nominee Nicole Nason Says All Options on the Table for Infrastructure Funding
WASHINGTON — When policymakers craft their next transportation reauthorization bill, they should consider every available tool that would result in long-term funding for infrastructure projects, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Federal Highway Administration told a Senate panel Jan. 29.
Tariffs, Trade Policies Concern Shippers in North American Markets
ATLANTA — Disruption is increasingly happening for freight movers as they seek to cross the United States’ borders with Mexico and Canada, and it’s not the positive technological change often associated with that word. Instead, it’s delayed freight or higher costs.
Transportation Agencies Reopen After Truce Ends Historic Shutdown
The truce between congressional Democrats and President Donald Trump on Jan. 25 halting the longest federal government shutdown in history meant more than 16,000 staffers at the U.S. Department of Transportation will no longer be furloughed.
Tax Refunds Will Be Paid on Time Despite Shutdown, Mnuchin Says
The U.S. Treasury Department is ready for the tax season and will pay tax refunds “as normal,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told Fox Business News on Jan. 29.
January 29, 2019Diesel Price Unchanged; US Average Now Less Than a Year Ago
The U.S. average retail price of diesel was unchanged the week of Jan. 28 at $2.965 a gallon and now is about 10 cents a gallon cheaper than it was a year ago, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
January 28, 2019