Safety

About Safety News...

Transportation businesses face a host of dynamic risk issues that can significantly impact their financial and operational health. The news in this category focuses on the latest safety and security initiatives, resources and regulations and addresses topics that include fleet safety, claims administration, driver hiring and retention, risk management and compliance.

Business, Safety, Government

Congress Considers 2-Month Funding Patch

The Senate was expected to consider a House-passed two-month transportation funding extension after Transport Topics went to press last week.

May 18, 2015
Business, Safety, Government

Trust Fund Extensions Pitched; Proposals Clash Over Length

WASHINGTON — The top Democrats on the Senate Environment and Public Works panel unveiled legislation May 14 that would extend surface transportation authorization into July, even as House GOP leaders say they soon will offer an extension through December.

May 18, 2015
Business, Government, Safety, Technology, Autonomous

Daimler’s Bernhard Wants Governments to Speed Approval of Self-Driving Trucks

Speaking at the Hoover Dam in Nevada just prior to formally introducing the Freightliner Inspiration autonomous-driving truck, Wolfgang Bernhard, head of Daimler’s global truck and bus unit, said “whoever has the regulatory framework in place” will be the first to get autonomous vehicles.

May 18, 2015
Business, Government, Safety

Reefer Manufacturers Seek Delay in Adoption of New EPA Proposal

Manufacturers of refrigerated trailers and trailer refrigeration units are seeking a delay in adoption of a new federal regulation that could have a profound effect on the equipment used by reefer fleets.

May 18, 2015
Business, Government, Safety, Autonomous

ATRI, Minnesota Trucking Assn. Plan Study on Safety Records of Younger Truck Drivers

The American Transportation Research Institute and the Minnesota Trucking Association are joining forces to conduct a pilot project that will compare the records of young drivers with those of more experienced drivers.

May 18, 2015
Business, Safety, Autonomous

US Trucking Revenue Sets Record in 2014, Surpasses $700 Billion, ATA Report Says

Trucking industry revenue set a record last year, reaching $700.4 billion, American Trucking Associations reported.

May 18, 2015
Business, Safety, Government

Bankruptcy Trustee Sues Carriers, Seeks Millions in Past Payments

The trustee for TransVantage Solutions Inc., a bankrupt freight bill payment firm, is suing more than 500 truckers and other transport companies in a bid to recoup hundreds of millions of dollars by claiming payments made over several years were improper.

May 18, 2015
Business, Safety

Intermodal Gains Accelerate; Tops All Freight Over 4 Weeks

Truck-rail freight shipments reached a milestone in recent weeks by exceeding all other combined U.S. rail shipments for the first time, driven by such factors as a recent surge in international cargo, industry officials said.

May 18, 2015
Government, Business, Safety

EPW to Mark Up 6-Year Highway Bill in June, ‘Can No Longer Wait On Congress’

Leaders of the transportation policy committee in the Senate said May 13 they will schedule a markup in June to consider a bill that reauthorizes surface highway programs for six years.

May 13, 2015
Government, Business, Safety, Technology, Equipment

Former DOT Chief to Congress: Raise Gas Tax 10¢, Index it

WASHINGTON — A way for Congress to ensure long-term funding for the country's highway system would be to approve a 10-cent gas tax increase and index the tax to inflation, former Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told Transport Topics May 13.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
May 13, 2015