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A U.S. House committee July 27 approved legislation to give the federal government final say over the performance of self-driving vehicles, a measure that would preempt states from trying to set their own standards.

The U.S. House Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection unanimously approved a legislative markup July 19 to advance self-driving vehicle technology. Navigating the autonomous vehicle landscape has been difficult because of the traditional boundaries it breaks.

Old habits die hard, as well as negative perceptions. Such is the case with unfavorable views of retread tires. But many fleets are choosing retreads over new tires due to improvements in product quality combined with cost savings.

In the case of semi-trailers, safety advocates, insurance companies and industry suppliers believe that if side underride guards are built, fleets will come and buy them.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has said that by preventing crashes, electronic stability control will save lives, prevent property damage and reduce congestion.

WASHINGTON — A meeting to gather input on ways to improve the Compliance, Safety, Accountability performance scoring program for carriers will be scheduled this year, the country’s top trucking regulator told House lawmakers on July 18.

The Department of Transportation’s wireless connected vehicle pilot program, currently in its design, deployment and testing phase, is making progress at its demonstration sites in Wyoming, New York City and Tampa, Fla., the program’s manager told members of an agency advisory committee.

Mining companies in Australia, the world’s biggest exporter of iron ore and coal, are poised to approve fresh investments in projects, driven by rallying commodity prices and the need to replace depleting deposits, according to global equipment supply giant, Komatsu Ltd.

California environmental officials are working on a plan to require truck and engine manufacturers to extend emissions system warranties up to more than four times longer than current regulations require.