The U.S. Department of Transportation plans on Jan. 1 to begin testing truck drivers and other “safety-sensitive” transportation employees for the semi-synthetic opioids hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxymorphone and oxycodone, the agency announced Nov. 9.
November 9, 2017GovernmentBusiness
Canadian Lumber Tariff Raises Questions About Ramifications on Trucks, Railroads
The Commerce Department slapped a 20.83% tariff on Canadian softwood lumber Nov. 2, a decision that may boost the U.S. flatbed market but suppress demand for trucking and railroad companies that operate across the nation’s northern border.
November 9, 2017GovernmentBusinessLogistics
US Proposes Freezing Mexican Trucks Out of New NAFTA
The U.S. has proposed another difficult change to the North American Free Trade Agreement that could eventually prevent long-haul Mexican truckers from operating in the country, according to people familiar with the discussions.
November 9, 2017Government
FHWA Extends Comment Period on State Performance Measurement Requirement to Nov. 15
Federal Highway Administration officials have extended the public comment period on a proposal that includes a provision that would drop an Obama administration requirement that state departments of transportation measure the percentage of change in tailpipe carbon dioxide from a base of 2017 levels.
November 8, 2017GovernmentBusiness
Senators Advance Nominee for Top Job at FMCSA
A Senate panel easily advanced the nomination of Ray Martinez on Nov. 8 to lead the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
November 8, 2017GovernmentBusinessTechnologyEquipmentSafety
Paper Logs Can Ease ELD Transition, FMCSA Officer La Tonya Mimms Says
KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Drivers bracing for the upcoming electronic logging device rule should practice driving with the new units and old-fashioned paper logs, according to La Tonya Mimms, transportation specialist with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
November 8, 2017Government
Congressional Watchdog Faults DOT FASTLANE Grant Selection Process
U.S. House transportation leaders have requested that a congressional watchdog agency be permitted to continue oversight of a five-year Department of Transportation grant program after investigators concluded that it lacked transparency in how it selected 18 projects totaling $759 million in 2016.
November 7, 2017GovernmentBusiness
Pennsylvania Legalizes Gambling at Truck Stops
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf signed a law Oct. 30 that expands the state’s gaming options by allowing gambling at truck stops, in airports and online.
November 7, 2017Government
Rhode Island Truck-Only Tolling Plan Pushed to Spring 2018
Rhode Island transportation officials are delaying implementation of the initial phase of a trucks-only toll plan until February or March to shore up work on the plan’s environmental permitting, technical, engineering and financial requirements, a state Department of Transportation spokesman said.
November 7, 2017GovernmentSafety
Senate Panel to Vote on FMCSA Nominee Ray Martinez
The Senate Commerce Committee has scheduled a Nov. 8 hearing to consider the nomination of Ray Martinez as the country’s top trucking regulator.
November 7, 2017