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.
S.C. Boosts Container-Weight Allowance to 100,000 Pounds
South Carolina is issuing special weight permits under a new state policy that allows international shipping containers weighing up to 100,000 pounds to run on the state’s roads, up from the previous 90,000-pound limit.
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.
Trucking Adds 300 Jobs as Unemployment Holds at 9.6%
Although private sector employment increased by 159,000 overall during the month of October, for-hire trucking employment only grew by 300, according to the Labor Department.
FMCSA Orders Colorado Fleet to Install EOBRs
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has ordered a Colorado carrier to install electronic onboard recorders on its fleet by March, after deeming the trucking company in violation of federal hours of service rules.
November 9, 2010A Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan
The voters have spoken, and analysts and pundits are busily trying to explain the shifts in the political landscape that will result from the overwhelming Republican victory. But one immediate potential gain that emerged from the cacophony of chatter in the wake of the election is a chance to move transportation and infrastructure improvement programs along quickly.
November 8, 2010CARB Says Changes to Truck Emissions Rules Could Save Trucking More Than $3 Billion
A series of proposed amendments to California’s emissions-reduction regulations for heavy trucks would save the trucking industry more than $3 billion, in part by delaying some compliance requirements, according to a new report by the state’s environmental regulatory staff.
November 8, 2010California Aims to Close Drayage Loopholes to Prevent Transfer of Freight to Older Trucks
California environmental regulators plan to plug a pair of loopholes in the state’s drayage regulation that allow some operators to game the system, port officials and state regulators said.
November 8, 2010Mica Set to Lead House Transportation & Infrastructure Panel
The electoral wave that handed control of the House of Representatives to the Republicans also roiled the body’s transportation committee, ousting the panel’s current chairman and putting Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) in position to lead the key committee.
November 8, 2010Fed Keeps Low Interest Rate; Will Buy $600 Billion in Bonds
The Federal Reserve voted to keep a key U.S. interest rate at a record low and said it would buy $600 billion in government bonds over the next eight months in an effort to shore up the economy.
November 4, 2010NAFTA Surface Trade Gains 25.3% in August
Surface transportation trade among the United States, Canada and Mexico rose 25.3% in August from a year earlier, the Department of Transportation said.
November 3, 2010Truck Tolls to Rise on NYC Tunnels, Bridges
Truck tolls will rise on six of the seven major bridges and tunnels operated within New York City by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, beginning Dec. 30.