Factory orders increased 1.6% in February, the Commerce Department reported April 2.
April 2, 2014GovernmentBusinessFuel
Ontario Orders 3% Biodiesel Mandate
Starting April 1, the provincial government in Ontario is requiring that trucking’s main fuel sold there be at least 3% biodiesel.
April 1, 2014GovernmentBusiness
Institute Takes Closer Look At States’ Gas Tax
As state and federal transportation officials scramble to secure funding sources to repair aging infrastructure, two timely fact sheets released by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy on April 1 highlight what states have done with their gas tax system over the years.
April 1, 2014GovernmentBusiness
FMCSA Shuts Down Texas Carrier
A Texas-based motor carrier was shut down April 1 for what the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said was a disregard for safety regulations and endangering the lives of its drivers, passengers and the public.
April 1, 2014BusinessSafetyGovernment
Manufacturing Index Rises in March
The Institute for Supply Management’s index increased to 53.7 in March from 53.2 a month earlier, the Tempe, Ariz.-based group reported April 1. Readings above 50 indicate growth.
April 1, 2014Government
FMCSA Gathers Input on New-Entrant Testing, ELDs
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Anne Ferro and other Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration officials listened to the public on knowledge testing for new transportation companies, but also heard from truck drivers on the new electronic logging device rule.
March 31, 2014Government
FMCSA Confident Medical Examiner Corps Will Be Adequate
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration remains confident that there will be an adequate number of certified medical examiners as of May 21, when U.S. government certification supplants individual state approaches to truck drivers’ physical exams, an agency official said.
March 31, 2014GovernmentBusinessTechnologyEquipment
E-Log Mandate to Spur First-Time Adopters to Buy Lower-Cost Products, Vendors Say
Demand for basic, low-cost on-board truck technology will surge in the years ahead as first-time buyers look to comply with the federal government’s proposed electronic logging mandate, several suppliers said.
March 31, 2014Government
Official Says Funding for Postal Vehicles Must Stem From Congressional Legislation
A top U.S. Postal Service official said the agency will not ask Congress directly for money to acquire new vehicles.
March 31, 2014BusinessGovernmentAutonomous
Whiting Door Licenses Technology to Make Lightweight Steel Panels
Whiting Door Manufacturing Corp. has licensed technology to produce lightweight steel panels for trailer side walls and doors, a move that expands the company’s truck business beyond doors for the first time.
March 31, 2014