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.

Business, Government

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, 2014

TT Podcasts: RoadSigns

Volvo's Chayene de Souza and Magnus Gustafson discuss how new, connected trucks can boost business, enhance safety practices, and reinforce preventative maintenance plans.

Government, Business

Rules 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.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
July 14, 2014
Government, Business

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.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
July 14, 2014
Business, Government, Safety

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, 2014
Business, Government

Mississippi 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, 2014
Government, Business, Safety

Amazon 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
Government, Business

NHTSA Announces Rulemaking on Rear Impact Guards

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced that it plans to initiate a rulemaking on standards for rear impact guards on trucks.

Michele Fuetsch | Staff Reporter
July 11, 2014
Government

FMCSA Still Wants Printed Duty Records From Drivers

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a clarification about printed copies of on duty status records kept by drivers.

Michele Fuetsch | Staff Reporter
July 11, 2014
Government

Key Democrat Supports Private Industry Role Ahead of Panama Canal Expansion

A Senior Democrat on a House panel examining the role private industry plays in transportation called on colleagues on July 10 to facilitate access to private funds for regional ports ahead of next year’s expansion of the Panama Canal.

Samantha Gallegos | Special to Transport Topics
July 10, 2014
Government, Business

Senate Tax Panel Advances Trust-Fund Bill; Floor Action Likely This Month

The Senate Finance Committee on July 10 easily reported a bill to the floor that would allow the transfer of $10.8 billion for a cash-strapped highway account through next spring.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
July 10, 2014