Figures on retail sales and manufacturing Jan. 15 showed the world’s largest economy ended the year on a weak note, and the start of 2016 wasn’t better. The one saving grace was a pickup in consumer confidence, but that was mainly because households believed inflation will be low, making subdued wage gains look good by comparison.
January 15, 2016FuelGovernment
Wholesale Prices in US Decrease, Led by Plunging Fuel Costs
Wholesale prices in the United States declined in December from the prior month, showing inflation remains well-contained as Federal Reserve officials weigh further increases in the benchmark interest rate.
January 15, 2016GovernmentBusinessSafetyTechnology
Obama Fiscal 2017 Budget to Request $4 Billion for Vehicle Automation
President Obama’s fiscal 2017 budget request will include nearly $4 billion over a decade for the development of automated vehicles, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said Jan. 14.
January 14, 2016Government
Ontario Trucking Association Launches TV, Social Media Ad Campaign
The Ontario Trucking Association has launched a 60-second TV ad campaign intended to spread a positive message about the trucking industry and truck drivers. See the video.
January 14, 2016BusinessGovernment
Port of Virginia Breaks Another Yearly Record for Container Volume
For the third year in a row, the Port of Virginia set a record for cargo container volume in 2015, while also setting all-time highs for truck and rail-container volume.
January 14, 2016GovernmentBusinessEquipmentSafety
Rep. Ken Buck Seeks to Authorize Twin 33s Nationwide
Twin 33-foot trailers would be authorized nationwide under legislation Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) introduced this month.
January 14, 2016GovernmentBusiness
US Transportation Activity Varied at Close of Year, Fed Says
Transportation activity varied throughout the country at the end of 2015, but general economic conditions improved in much of the country, the Federal Reserve reported.
January 13, 2016Government
FMCSA's Scott Darling to Have Senate Hearing Jan. 20
More than five months after he was named acting administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Scott Darling finally will have his confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee on Jan. 20, a committee source told Transport Topics.
January 13, 2016Government
Secretary Anthony Foxx Touts National Freight Strategic Plan, Gets Personal in TRB Address
WASHINGTON — Speaking in a massive, packed ballroom at the Transportation Research Board’s annual meeting Jan. 13, Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx touted “the real possibility that we can go from bottlenecks to relief” through DOT’s National Freight Strategic Plan that was released last October.
January 13, 2016GovernmentBusiness
Canada's Greater Weight Allowance Gives Truckers Advantage Over US, Researcher Says
WASHINGTON — Restrictive federal size and weight policies are causing U.S. motor carriers to lag in heavy-truck productivity when compared with other countries, a leading transportation researcher said at a presentation Jan. 13 at the Transportation Research Board’s annual meeting.
January 13, 2016