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.

Government, Business, Technology, Safety, Autonomous

Human Drivers Are Afraid to Hand the Wheel to Robots

Autonomous autos are advancing so rapidly that companies such as Uber Technologies Inc. and Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo are beginning to offer robot rides to everyday consumers. But it turns out the traveling public may not be ready.

Keith Naughton | Bloomberg News
June 15, 2017

TT Podcasts: RoadSigns

Greg Hewitt of DHL Express considers whether the trucking industry is prepared for a greener future.

Government, Safety

Ordered to Cut Regulations, FMCSA Panel Identifies 12 'Nothing Burger' Rules

WASHINGTON — A Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration advisory committee gave its blessing to a preliminary plan by the agency to eliminate 12 mostly outdated “nothing burger” commercial vehicle regulations to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order to ease regulatory burdens on businesses.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
June 13, 2017
Government, Technology, Equipment, Autonomous

Senators Preview Self-Driving Legislation

Legislation pertaining to self-driving vehicles would need to prioritize safety, and promote innovation, senators crafting the measure announced ahead of a hearing on the matter.

June 13, 2017
Government

Construction Groups Applaud Lawmakers’ Push for Trust Fund Fix

The endorsement by more than 250 members of the House to ensure colleagues on the tax policy panel adopt a sustainable funding source for a federal highway account drew praise from one of the country’s largest construction groups.

June 13, 2017
Government

Capitol Agenda for the Week of June 13: Chao Meets Appropriators

Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao gets to face more infrastructure budget questions this week, this time from House appropriators. Will they ask about the meal-and-rest-break rule? Here's the week ahead for trucking on Capitol Hill.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
June 13, 2017
Government, Business

Report on Driver Delays Gets More Time to Be Completed

WASHINGTON — A congressionally mandated Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General audit of motor carrier delays in loading and unloading has been delayed until late summer or early fall, a top official with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said June 12.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
June 12, 2017
Government, Technology, Equipment

Supreme Court Denies Hearing on ELD Lawsuit

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association’s request for a rejection of a federal rule requiring electronic logging devices will not be heard by the Supreme Court, the court announced on June 12.

June 12, 2017
Government, Business, Logistics

Former CSX Exec Raises Questions About Jacksonville Port Dredging Project

As Jacksonville, Fla., faces a monumental decision about how to pay for one of the most expensive public works projects in city history, a retired CSX executive has emerged as an unlikely source of do-it-yourself research calling into question the bedrock assumptions the Jacksonville Port Authority uses to justify deepening the St. Johns River.

David Bauerlein | The Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville, Fla.)
June 12, 2017
Government

New Hampshire State House Compromise Reached on Infrastructure Bills

While legislative leaders and New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu continue to try and resolve a two-year state budget, bipartisan consensus has been reached on making significant improvements to the state’s ailing infrastructure.

Kevin Landrigan | The New Hampshire Union Leader
June 12, 2017
Government

Alaska Sends Trump White House Infrastructure Wish List

The Port of Anchorage is among the major infrastructure projects in need of federal assistance that Alaska Gov. Bill Walker (I) highlighted in a recent memo to the Trump administration.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
June 12, 2017