Federal regulators are having a hard time recruiting drivers to participate in a congressionally mandated study for the restart portion of the hours-of-service rule, a top U.S. Department of Transportation official told a Senate subcommittee.
March 30, 2015GovernmentBusinessSafetyAutonomous
Sen. Debra Fischer Chides FMCSA for Approach on Restart Rule
If the federal government had taken a performance-based rather than a “prescriptive” approach to its 34-hour restart rule, the regulation might have enhanced safety rather than adversely affected trucking operations, Sen. Debra Fischer (R-Neb.) said at a hearing last week.
March 30, 2015BusinessGovernmentSafety
Bill to Expand STB Authority Approved; Measure Backed by Railroads, Shippers
For the first time in almost two decades, a Senate bill to expand the powers and structure of the Surface Transportation Board could move forward with shipper support and a new rail industry stance on changes at the regulatory agency.
March 30, 2015BusinessGovernmentSafety
Navajo Express Execs Foil Bomb Threat as Passenger Charges Cockpit on Flight
Navajo Express executives Don Digby Jr. and Scott Maldonado were feeling good about closing a business deal earlier in the day and planning on a relaxing evening flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Denver.
March 30, 2015BusinessLogisticsFuelGovernment
Diesel Falls 5.3¢ to $2.864 in Second Weekly Price Drop
Diesel’s national average price dropped 5.3 cents to $2.864 a gallon, the second consecutive weekly decline after five straight increases, the Department of Energy reported March 23.
March 30, 2015Special CoverageGovernment
FMCSA Official Defends New CSA App
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration senior official at the Mid-America Trucking Show defended a new smartphone application designed to facilitate access to certain performance data, a feature strongly opposed by the industry.
March 28, 2015Special CoverageGovernment
FMCSA Recruits Drivers for HOS Study at MATS
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration encouraged commercial drivers at the Mid-America Trucking Show to sign up for an hours-of-service study that aims to determine fatigue factors among truck operators.
March 28, 2015Special CoverageGovernment
Scott Darling Makes Unscheduled Appearance But Keeps Low Profile
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Sporting a Boston Red Sox cap and a beige trench coat when he arrived, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration head Scott Darling kept a low profile while visiting the Mid-America Trucking Show on March 27.
March 27, 2015Special CoverageBusinessGovernmentAutonomous
House Bill Would Give LNG Tax Parity With Diesel
Four members of the U.S. House have introduced a bipartisan bill that would provide tax equity for carriers that use liquefied natural gas rather than diesel in their trucks.
March 27, 2015GovernmentBusinessFuel
Safety Agencies Seek to Increase Budgets to Hire Inspectors for Oil Transport
The three agencies that oversee truck, railroad and pipeline safety are asking to hire more inspectors to address concerns generated by the nation’s energy boom.
March 27, 2015