Perspective

Two sets of changes in the way freight is moved in the United States will require fleet operators to take a fresh look at transportation strategy and fleet utilization.

Every business wants to hire the most qualified and least risky applicants.

Although new hours-of-service rules include changes that will alter the way trucking companies do business, carriers opting to approach them armed with change-management programs will find they have an edge when it comes to meeting the revised rules’ challenges.

Independent studies have confirmed that anomalies and flaws exist in the relationship between crash likelihood and a trucking company’s BASIC scores as calculated under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability program.

There’s been much talk about expanding natural-gas fuel availability at truck stops now that domestic production is increasing. But while the natural-gas option offers lower prices for the fuel itself, the vehicles and infrastructure cost upward of $50,000 per truck   and about $1 million for each station.

The trucking industry is one of the most innovative and dynamic sectors in our country, and its companies and professionals have been leaders for change in many areas.

With apologies to Charles Erwin Wilson of General Motors in 1919, “What is good for trucking is good for America.” The responsible development of North America’s shale oil and gas reserves has been very good for trucking — especially for the tank truck segment — and represents our nations’ best chance to achieve energy independence.

We’ve all suffered through computer downtime, usually at the worst possible moment. That was certainly the case with a number of freight carriers that experienced it during the hurricane that intensified to become Superstorm Sandy.

At a recent White House forum, we were asked for our “insights on best practices for educating, recruiting, retaining and developing leadership among a diverse cadre of women throughout the U.S. transportation sector and to evolve strategies for overcoming barriers.”

An ever-increasing legal risk faced by interstate motor carriers, transportation intermediaries and private fleets involves disciplined or discharged drivers lodging whistle-blower claims against their employers.