Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) have introduced the latest legislative effort to make changes in the powers and structure of the Surface Transportation Board.
March 20, 2015Government
FMCSA Driver Training Panel Grapples with Data Challenges
WASHINGTON — Data linking training to safe driving performance for new truck drivers is shaping up to be the critical component that could make or break another attempt at a federal rule on training standards for entry-level drivers.
March 20, 2015Government
Barletta Bill Would Stop FMCSA From Posting Safety Scores Pending Study
Rep. Lou Barletta ( R-Pa.) has reintroduced a bill that would keep the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration from making public truck and bus operator safety scores until the agency redesigns its measurement system.
March 20, 2015GovernmentBusinessSafetyAutonomous
FMCSA Committee Takes Early Steps on Entry-Level Driver Training
WASHINGTON — Members of a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration committee took several limited steps toward creating a rule on training standards for entry-level truck drivers.
March 20, 2015GovernmentBusinessAutonomous
Bills Introduced to Allow Hair Testing to Replace Urinalysis for Drug Use
Long-sought legislation among many in the trucking and safety communities to allow carriers to use hair testing in place of urinalysis to detect drug use in drivers was introduced in the U.S. House and Senate March 19.
March 19, 2015Government
House Bill Would Create Freight Trust Fund Supported by Waybill Fee
Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.) has introduced a bill to create a freight transportation infrastructure trust fund supported by a 1% waybill fee on the cost of moving goods.
March 19, 2015GovernmentFuelBusinessSafetyAutonomous
Secretary Anthony Foxx, Rep. Bill Shuster: Gas Tax Increase Unlikely This Year
WASHINGTON — Two of the country’s top transportation leaders reaffirmed their opposition to raising fuel taxes to keep highway programs funded for several years, a setback for proponents of increasing the user fees, including trucking industry leaders.
March 19, 2015GovernmentBusinessTechnology
Senators Seek Permitting Reforms For Rail Projects
Sens. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va) have introduced the Track, Railroad, and Infrastructure Network (TRAIN) Act, which they said would streamline the environmental permitting process for rail projects.
March 19, 2015GovernmentBusiness
Trucking’s Share of Nafta Trade Rose 4.5% Last Year
Trucks carried the largest amount of trade among North American Free Trade Partners last year, with trucking trade rising 4.5% from 2013 to $715 billion, the Department of Transportation reported.
March 18, 2015GovernmentBusiness
Legislation Aims to Boost Transportation Funds at Local Level
Local governments would be able to access more federal funds under a bipartisan bill unveiled this week in the Senate.
March 18, 2015