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

Trucking Responds to Limiter Proposal

In written comments to federal regulators, several large trucking companies and trade organizations echoed concerns of owner-operators that a proposed rule for a heavy-truck speed limiter will not improve safety on U.S. highways, and may even cause more crashes due to speed differentials.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
December 19, 2016

Daily Briefings from Transport Topics

Transport Topics has partnered with Spoken Layer to make one-minute daily briefings available on all your smart devices. Simply say “Alexa, play Transport Topics” or “Okay Google, talk to Transport Topics” to get the day’s biggest trucking headlines.

Business, Government

NHTSA’s Proposed V2V Mandate Would Start Connectivity Network

By the early 2020s, cars and trucks could well be swapping data with each other automatically while cruising the nation’s highways and streets, providing a broad platform to improve safety and save lives, if a proposed new federal rule on vehicle-to-vehicle connectivity is enacted.

December 19, 2016
Government

Use of TWIC for Proof of ID Appears Likely as Defense Policy Bill Passes Congress

The 2017 National Defense Authorization Act passed by Congress earlier this month contains a provision that will soon permit truck drivers to use their Transportation Worker Identification Credential as sole proof of identity when entering any of the nation’s 700 military installations.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
December 19, 2016
Government

Gov. Terry McAuliffe: Road Improvements Enhance Virginia’s Freight Corridors

ARLINGTON, Va. — A recent federal grant aimed at improving traffic mobility along Interstate 95 and the port system at Norfolk will help position Virginia as a premier freight corridor on the East Coast in the coming years, the state’s governor told regional road builders here Dec. 16.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
December 16, 2016
Government, Business, Logistics

Illinois Department of Transportation Seeks $160 Million to 'Untangle' Freight Rail Congestion

The Illinois Department of Transportation is applying for a $160 million federal grant to help pay for a project that aims to clear up rail congestion around 75th Street in Chicago, cutting delays for Metra, Amtrak and freight railroads.

Mary Wisniewski | Chicago Tribune
December 16, 2016
Government

Winter Truck Load Increases Begin on Some Minnesota Roads

Winter truck load increases will begin Dec. 16 on unrestricted highways in the north and north central frost zones, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Tim Engstrom | Fergus Falls (Minn.) Daily Journal
December 15, 2016
Government

Former Secretary Ray LaHood: ‘Stars Are Aligned’ for Congress, Trump to Adopt Massive Highway Funding Plan

WASHINGTON — President Obama’s first transportation secretary said he sees potential for the country’s transportation funding concerns to be addressed when President-elect Donald Trump’s administration and the Republican-led Congress kick off talks to reform tax policy over the next few months.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
December 15, 2016
Government

Maryland Gov. Hogan Makes Overturn of Road Project Scoring 'Top Priority'

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said Dec. 14 he will introduce emergency legislation to overturn a contentious transportation scoring law passed earlier this year, calling its repeal his top priority in the coming General Assembly session.

Amanda Yeager | The (Annapolis, Md.) Capital
December 15, 2016
Government

Delaware DOT Reroutes Truck Traffic After Complaints

The signs are down, but the issue of truck traffic in Delaware along the Route 41, Route 48 and Route 7 corridors remains a concern for area legislators.

Shawn Weigel | Middletown (Del.) Transcript
December 15, 2016
Business, Government, Logistics

Port of L.A. Sets New Cargo Record, Long Beach Lags Due to Hanjin Bankruptcy

Containerized cargo volume at the nation’s top two largest ports was mixed in November as Los Angeles continues to experience a record-breaking year and Long Beach suffers from the bankruptcy of the Hanjin Shipping Co.

December 14, 2016