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WASHINGTON — When policymakers craft their next transportation reauthorization bill, they should consider every available tool that would result in long-term funding for infrastructure projects, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Federal Highway Administration told a Senate panel Jan. 29.

The truce between congressional Democrats and President Donald Trump on Jan. 25 halting the longest federal government shutdown in history meant more than 16,000 staffers at the U.S. Department of Transportation will no longer be furloughed.

Talks between President Donald Trump and congressional leaders seem to be lacking one key ingredient: infrastructure. Here's your Capitol Agenda look at the week ahead for trucking on Capitol Hill.

Large freight railroads functioned with the use of automatic braking technology for 83.2% of miles required by law, the Association of American Railroads announced Jan. 24. That proves the Class I railroads met 2018 requirements, and they are expected to finalize the implementation of positive train control technology by the final deadline of Dec. 31, 2020.

More than a month into a partial government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Transportation indicates that it’s business as usual for trucking regulators and officials responsible for the country’s surface transportation network.

When policymakers kick off debate on “pay-fors” for a long-term infrastructure plan, the vehicle-miles-traveled funding approach that seems to be gaining bipartisan support in Congress is expected to play a major role.

WASHINGTON — While the debut of automated vehicles in the marketplace remains years away, the technology already available has the potential of improving safety for commercial drivers, officials and experts at the annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board here said.

Why don't consumers trust autonomous vehicles? Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao says it's partly because manufacturers need to do a better job explaining the vehicles' capabilities. Here's the week ahead for trucking on Capitol Hill.

President Donald Trump on Jan. 16 nominated Heidi King to lead the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and also announced more nominees for senior roles at other agencies that oversee safety and commerce.

WASHINGTON — D.J. Gribbin, the architect of President Donald Trump’s 2018 infrastructure proposal, touted the administration’s efforts to streamline the federal permitting process for major infrastructure projects.