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.
Senate Panel Approves Top DOT Nominees
The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation on July 15 easily approved the nominations of two Transportation Department officials for senior positions.
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.
NTSB Approves Safety Regulations at I-5 Bridge Hearing
The National Transportation Safety Board on July 15 said poor preparation on the part of a trucking company, a distracted pilot escort driver, and a weak permitting process by Washington transportation officials resulted in last year’s collapse of the Interstate 5 bridge.
FMCSA Unveils New Hazardous Material Route Registry
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on July 14 unveiled an updated list of routes truckers are not allowed to use for carrying hazardous materials.
DOT Secretary Foxx Pushes for Long-Term Highway Funding
Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx will continue to advocate for long-term funding to pay for highway construction projects during an appearance at the National Press Club today at 1 p.m. EDT.
Business Inventories Rise in May
Business inventories rose 0.5% in May, and sales increased 0.4%, the Commerce Department reported July 15.
July 15, 2014Rules Committee Paves Way For Trust Fund Bill On House Floor
The House Rules Committee adopted a closed rule process on July 14 for a bill that would fund a cash-strapped Highway Trust Fund through May.
Funding Transportation Projects Reduces Bottlenecks, Helps Trucking Industry, WH Report Says
If Congress approves significant funding to upgrade the country’s aging roads and bridges, travel times throughout the freight industry would improve dramatically, according to a report released July 14 by the Obama administration.
Vehicle Makers Revise Shipping Methods As Train-Service Slowdowns Continue
Ford Motor Co. will ship some 2015 Transit vans in railcars that have been modified to accommodate larger vans, reflecting revised shipping preferences by vehicle makers as train-service slowdowns continued.
July 14, 2014Mississippi Trucking Names Miller President; To Focus on Member Services, Legal Issues
Hal Miller III, a fleet manger with 31 years of experience, will be the next president of the Mississippi Trucking Association, the group said.
July 14, 2014Amazon Seeks FAA Permission to Test Delivery Drones Outdoors
Amazon.com Inc., which wants to deliver packages by drone, asked aviation regulators for permission to expand testing outside its research laboratory.
July 11, 2014