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.
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, 2014Daily 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.
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.
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, 2014NHTSA 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.
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.
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.
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.