Transportation Compliance News

About Government News...

Transport Topics government and regulatory coverage keeps managers of a highly-regulated industry aware of the policy decisions that can shape their businesses. Covering both the legislative and regulatory aspects of policy-making, at both the state and national levels, the news in this category includes looks at infrastructure, hours of service, emissions rules, funding measures, leadership appointments, and more. Readers can follow what’s happening in Congress, at the Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Administration, and in state and local governments.

Government, Business

Construction Spending Falls 1.2%

Construction spending fell 1.2% in December, the Commerce Department said Monday.

February 1, 2010
Government, Business

Michigan Seeks Private Partners For Bridge Project

Michigan has issued a request for “proposals of interest” from private investors to partner with the state and Canada in building the planned new bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario.

February 1, 2010
Government, Business, Safety

Small Plane Makes Rush Hour Landing on N.J. Turnpike

A small airplane reporting on traffic made an emergency landing on the New Jersey Turnpike Monday morning, the Associated Press reported. No one was injured.

February 1, 2010
Business, Government

Consumer Spending Rises for Third Month

Consumer personal spending rose 0.2% in December, the third straight increase, the Commerce Department said Monday.

February 1, 2010
Letters to the Editor, Business, Government, Safety

Letters: Truck Size & Weight, HOS Not Safe, Game Plan

In questions of safety, heavier trucks are not the answer.

February 1, 2010
Editorial, Business, Safety, Government

The Return of Growth

At long last, we report this week that American Trucking Associations’ freight index actually rose, as tonnage carried by fleets in December was 6.6% greater than what was moved in the same month of 2008.

February 1, 2010
Business, Safety, Government

Sleeper Flexibility Would Improve HOS Rule, Trucking Industry Tells FMCSA at Hearing

DALLAS — Carrier officials and drivers told federal regulators that the hours-of-service rules work well, but could be improved by allowing more flexibility in the use of truck sleeper berths.

February 1, 2010
Business, Government, Safety

DOT Bans Truck, Bus Operators from Texting While Driving

WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood last week issued an order immediately forbidding commercial drivers from texting on handheld mobile devices and instituting steep fines for violators.

February 1, 2010
Business, Government

Infrastructure Funds, Tax Cuts Can Create Jobs, Obama Says

In his first State of the Union address, President Obama called on Congress to pass legislation to create jobs through infrastructure spending and tax cuts, but his proposed freeze in nondefense spending starting in 2011 could complicate the passage of a new highway bill, observers said last week.

February 1, 2010
Business, Government, Safety

Trucking Responds to Earthquake in Haiti, With Donations, Transportation Assistance

Within hours of the devastating Haitian earthquake, the president of TEC Equipment Inc., a chain of West Coast truck dealerships, received an e-mail from an employee asking, “What are we doing about Haiti?”

February 1, 2010