TT Newsmakers

Since the fall of 2021, the USDOT has overseen the implementation of a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law, distributing billions of dollars for a variety of projects from state-to-state. What progress has been made in maintenance and construction projects funded by this law? 

As part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), 60 billion dollars was dedicated to repair and modernize surface transportation corridors with projects in every state. The necessity of these projects was highlighted in ATRI's recent Top Truck Bottlenecks List which detailed high congestion points that burdened the supply chain and the movement of goods. In the time since IIJA was signed, what progress has been made in the rebuilding and revitalization of the nation's roads and bridges? The American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials (AASHTO) often serves as liaison between state departments of transportation recommending or implementing these projects and the Federal government. Joung Lee, AASHTO's Deputy Director and Chief Policy Officer, joins Dan Ronan and Eugene Mulero to discuss how investments support highway safety, the potential for state EV infrastructure, and what work remains to be done. 

Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) serves his district by the motto, "Every day is infrastructure day." Practically, this means that every day should be spent thinking about what investment could be made into the community - into bridges, roads, broadband, jobs and more. 

The adoption of advanced technologies and cloud-based computing has been a boon for smarter logistics and operations, but it comes with the growing threat of cyberattacks. Whether the threat be ransomed data or operational disruptions, how do you expect the unexpected? How can you prepare your trucking company for the worst?

The recent collapse of the Silicon Valley Bank is the second largest bank failure in U.S. history, leaving many businesses to wonder how it happened and if it could have been prevented. Today's trucking companies must contend with and prepare for issues like nuclear verdicts and ransomware attacks to prevent disruptions to their operations. How does a company plan for any number of threats and what does the best business continuity plan look like?

American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) recently released the 2023 Top Truck Bottleneck List with Fort Lee, NJ claiming the top spot for the fifth year in a row. The in-depth analysis provides vital insight into truck-involved congestion points, highway traffic trends, and infrastructure investment opportunities. How much has the list changed since last year? How can this research be used to further conversations on funding and regional regulations? Rebecca Brewster, President and Chief Operating Officer of ATRI, joins Dan Ronan to help breakdown the top highway bottlenecks and discuss opportunities to address supply chain challenges. 

Many of the country’s leading economists say the U.S. and the global economy faces a possibility of a recession in 2023, with rising interest rates and the war in Ukraine slowing economic growth. Whether the U.S. can avoid a recession or not, what impact will this have on both trucking and the global freight? 

This spring, the White House announced the launch of the FLOW program which is designed to improve supply chain relationships through a data-sharing exchange. With supply chain stakeholders participating in this program, will the government be able to assist in fixing an industry that is largely privately held? 

The standardization of telematics and trailer tracking opened the doors to countless more opportunities for optimization - from tire pressure management and fuel economy, to load sensing and climate controls. The progress made in trailers and safety technology is best told from the perspective of an industry veteran who has become an expert in the field. What challenges - from landing gear issues to a disrupted supply chain - have demanded change and how has the industry responded? On December 7, CEO of Business Accelerants and Transportation Safety Equipment Institute (TSEI) Executive Director Paul Menig joins TT's Dan Ronan to discuss his work with TMC on next gen refrigerated trailers, how retrofitting really works, and his must-have tech list for trailer purchasing. 

For a time XPO made headlines for its number of acquisitions, now XPO is changing its strategy to maximize the efficacy of its respective offerings.

On September 26, Robin Hutcheson was officially confirmed as the new Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. During her time as acting administrator, Hutcheson worked with trucking industry stakeholders to address concerns about the supply chain and workforce development. What are her top priorities as she enters this new role? In this special edition of Newsmakers, FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson joins TT's Eugene Mulero and Dan Ronan to discuss truck parking, automated driving systems, and working with the industry to promote safety.

With the U.S. experiencing a 40-year high on both inflation and fuel prices, the freight transportation industry has much to contend with in addition to persistent supply chain challenges. How much of an impact will state policies like AB 5 have on the industry? Register now to hear ATA President Chris Spear address these concerns and more on Aug. 11.