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.
China Trade Surplus With US Widens to Record $34.1 Billion
BEIJING — China’s trade surplus with the United States widened to a record $34.1 billion in September as exports to the American market rose by 13% over a year earlier despite a worsening tariff war.
Editorial: Making Life Easier on the Road
It’s no secret that finding and retaining good truck drivers is a challenge for fleets, but recent reporting has taught us that there are simple options for improving drivers’ quality of life on the road.
October 11, 2018Hurricane Michael Cuts Swath of ‘Unimaginable Destruction’
PANAMA CITY, Fla. — The devastation inflicted by Hurricane Michael came into focus Oct. 11 with rows upon rows of homes found smashed to pieces, and rescue crews began making their way into the stricken areas in hopes of accounting for hundreds of people who may have defied evacuation orders.
October 11, 2018Supreme Court Case Could Block Motor Carriers From Using Arbitration for Contractor Disputes
Legal observers said the outcome of a case before the U.S. Supreme Court could have major implications for the trucking industry.
Four Democratic Representatives Seek IG Investigation of TTU Glider Study
Four House Democrats have asked the Environmental Protection Agency Inspector General to investigate a glider truck study by a Tennessee Tech University researcher. The study already is the subject of a research misconduct investigation by the university.
Fleets Hunt for Strategies to Lower Driver Turnover
Driver turnover is on pace to hit the highest annual rate in five years, but experts point to several ways carriers can limit the churn, including better hiring interviews, bonuses, expanded benefits, use of mobile freight apps and empathy when drivers are confronting hardship.
Senate Autonomous Bill Negotiations Continue After Heated Confirmation Fight
Senators are negotiating safety provisions in an autonomous vehicles bill that proponents insist could advance before lawmakers leave Capitol Hill ahead of the midterm elections next month.
Air Cargo Looks to Single-Pilot Jets as Autonomous Flight Nears
A range of companies, from such aerospace giants as Boeing Co. and Airbus SE to tiny startups, are working on various aspects of a difficult puzzle: how to create the next generation of air travel—one whose pilots are far less ubiquitous and new flying vehicles communicate with each other.
FMCSA Listening Session Attendees Call for Flexible HOS Rules
The majority of the requests brought before top Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration officials at a public listening session on hours-of-service rules can be distilled into one desire: flexibility.
Consumer Prices Up Mere 0.1% in September
WASHINGTON — Consumer prices edged up a slight 0.1% in September as energy prices retreated after a big gain in August