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In this issue of Transport Topics, President Eisenhower’s Advisory Committee on a National Highway Program proposed increasing the nation’s highway expenditures by $101 billion over the next 10 years, expanding the National System of Interstate Highways to 400,000 miles.  

WASHINGTON — Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), chairman of the transportation policy committee in the House, said there is not enough congressional support to approve an increase of fuel taxes to pay for infrastructure projects vital to the trucking industry.

Rep. Peter DeFazio (Ore.), ranking Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, blasted the Department of Transportation for what he called repeated failures to address “longstanding and undisputed” pipeline and hazardous materials safety issues, including oil train safety.

In his State of the Union address Jan. 20, President Obama sought to reassure Americans that his administration is determined to finance big-ticket infrastructure projects with Congress’ help to boost key industries such as trucking and construction. 

WASHINGTON — Automated vehicle operation is under way, and the technology could expand the availability and types of transportation options for commercial and consumer vehicles in years to come, industry and government experts said. 

The United States will grant operating authority to longhaul Mexican carriers that meet the financial and operating standards for U.S. truckers, the Department of Transportation announced, three months after a pilot program for such carriers ended.

WASHINGTON — The top U.S. trucking regulator pledged to step up its safety initiatives and outreach programs this year to aggressively go after commercial drivers unfit to operate on the nation’s highways.