Business
Transport Topics business coverage focuses on the financial, economic, and commercial aspects of the modern freight business. Looking at both the microeconomic and macroeconomic forces shaping bottom lines, the news in this category includes labor news, jobs reports, tonnage and sales indicators, operations analysis, money and banking, mergers, acquisitions, e-commerce, bankruptcy, insurance issues, and more.
Letters: More on Brokers, Harmonized Sales Tax, Cap and Trade
Over the past 25 years of running a freight brokerage operation, I have seen numerous commentaries in Transport Topics written by disappointed and disgruntled carriers putting down the brokerage industry.
September 28, 2009Best Carrier TMS Software in 2024: How to Choose
Transitioning from basic load board tools or spreadsheets to an advanced, integrated Transportation Management System (TMS) is a critical step for mid-sized truckload carriers aiming to scale effectively and sustain long-term competitiveness.
Combating Distracted Driving
The Department of Transportation will host a two-day summit this week on problems surrounding distracted driving and solutions to combat what has become a national epidemic.
September 28, 2009Senate Panel Questions Ferro Over FMCSA Confirmation Bid
WASHINGTON — Anne Ferro, President Obama’s choice to head the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, had her day before the Senate Commerce Committee last week as its members weighed her confirmation.
September 28, 2009House OKs Highway Plan
The House of Representatives last week approved a three-month extension of the current highway funding law, over the objections of many House Republicans who said the bill was a step toward raising fuel taxes.
September 28, 2009TL Driver Turnover Rates Fall to Historic Lows, ATA Reports
The recession, lower freight levels and job cuts at fleets have combined to push driver turnover at truckload carriers to the lowest level in 14 years during the second quarter, according to American Trucking Associations.
September 28, 2009Technological Advances May Help Carriers Haul Loads Farther at Lower Costs
If manufacturers’ claims about the latest developments in cargo refrigeration units are correct, motor carriers now can haul fresh, frozen or deep-frozen loads for any distance with reefer-fuel savings of as much as 80%, compared with past costs — and with little or no reefer maintenance.
September 28, 2009Washington, Oregon Officials Wrangle Over Lanes, Cost of Interstate 5 Bridge
After coming to a consensus that a new Interstate 5 bridge across the Columbia River between Washington and Oregon should have 12 traffic lanes, local officials now have said the plan is too expensive and must be scaled back.
September 28, 2009Electronic Recorder Rule Sent to DOT
BALTIMORE — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has sent its final electronic onboard recorders rule to the U.S. Department of Transportation for review, acting agency Administrator Rose McMurray told Transport Topics last week.
September 28, 2009Senate OKs Budget Funding for DOT, Maine’s Test of Heavier Trucks on I-95
The Senate has approved legislation that would increase the funding for the Department of Transportation in fiscal 2010 and would allow Maine to raise the truck weight on Interstate 95 as part of a pilot program.
September 28, 2009Container Imports to Fall 17% in 2009
Imports at U.S. major retail container ports are expected to decline by more than 17% in 2009 from a year earlier, but a new report by the National Retail Federation and IHS Global Insight predicts the end of the recession is near.
September 28, 2009