Transportation Compliance News

About Government News...

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.

Business, Logistics, Fuel, Government

Diesel Rises 3¢ to $2.893; Gas Jumps 4.7¢ to $2.796

The average national retail price of diesel climbed 3 cents to $2.893 a gallon, the Department of Energy said Tuesday.

September 5, 2007
Government, Business, Safety

FMCSA Submits Court-Ordered Guidelines for Driver Training

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has sent its court-ordered revision of new-driver training guidelines to the White House Office of Management and Budget, and trucking industry and safety officials said they hoped the agency would publish the new rule before the end of the year.

September 5, 2007
Business, Government, Safety, Equipment

Feds Propose Rail Brake Rule

Federal rail regulators are backing a technological change that will enable trains to stop more quickly while permitting them to travel longer distances between required brake tests, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.

September 5, 2007
Business, Government, Technology, Equipment, Safety

Ryder to Manage China Operations for Italian Firm

An Italian manufacturer chose Ryder System to manage its supply chain operations in China, Ryder said late Tuesday.

September 5, 2007
Government, Business, Safety

Opinion: HOS’ Safety Benefits Hang in the Balance

A court decision vacating two aspects of the regulations that determine the work hours of professional truck drivers could erase a rule that contributed to a 4.7% decline in large-truck-related crash deaths in 2006 — unless cooler heads prevail.

September 5, 2007
Business, Safety, Government

Letters to the Editor: Hours of Service (Cont’d.)

On the front page of the July 30 issue of Transport Topics, there was an article titled, “NHTSA Revises ’06 Deaths Down to Lowest Total Since 2002.†On the same front page, there was another article titled, “Court Rejects HOS Rule.†Does anyone in the government read their own reports?

September 5, 2007
Business, Safety, Government

ISM Factory Index Drops for August

The Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing index declined last month, ISM said Tuesday.

September 4, 2007
Government, Business

Construction Spending Declines in July

Construction spending fell in July by the most since January, the Commerce Department said Tuesday.

September 4, 2007
Government, Business, Fuel, Technology

Tweaking Specifications on Truck Engines Can Raise Fuel Economy, Study Finds

Fleets can save fuel — possibly by as much as 5% — by “overspec’ing†engines, according to PHH FirstFleet, an asset, financial and technology management company for fleets.

September 4, 2007
Business, Government, Safety

iTECH: Volvo Sentry ‘Integrates’ Actual Human Response

In a time when a computer is more likely to answer a business phone than a live human being, getting a call from a breathing, thinking person at 2 a.m. telling you that your Volvo is showing some unusually serious departures from its normal coolant temperature has to qualify as unique

September 4, 2007