Transport Topics

Transport Topics (Oct. 12, 2022)

12 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The American Transportation Research Institute yesterday released a report showing that previous behavior continues to be an important predictor of wh...

Transport Topics (Oct. 10-11, 2022)

10 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Almost exactly five years after it was first revealed as a prototype, the Tesla Semi will finally be in a customer’s hands. Tesla CEO Elon Musk twee...

Transport Topics (Oct. 7, 2022)

07 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Class 8 orders set a new record in September, hitting 53,700 per truck makers’ preliminary numbers. That’s higher than the previous all-time top r...

Transport Topics (Oct. 6, 2022)

06 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance approved a new standard and procedure designed to govern inspections of autonomous commercial motor vehicles. C...

Transport Topics (Oct. 5, 2022)

05 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

California is among the leaders pushing for wider adoption of zero-emission commercial vehicles, but the state is confronting the dual challenges of r...

Transport Topics (Oct. 4, 2022)

04 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Werner Enterprises Inc. said it is acquiring Baylor Trucking, a move that expands its truckload operations. Through the deal, announced Oct. 3, Werner...

Transport Topics (Oct. 3, 2022)

03 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The state of New York is now permitting trucking companies and other qualified third parties to administer road tests for commercial driver licenses, ...

Transport Topics (Sept. 30, 2022)

30 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is proposing a rule that would require every commercial motor vehicle operating in interstate commerce...

Transport Topics (Sept. 29, 2022)

29 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued an emergency declaration related to Hurricane Ian for commercial vehicles directly assisting in...

Transport Topics (Sept. 28, 2022)

28 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Hurricane Ian is bearing down on Florida and could end up costing a lot in damage, according to forecasters. The storm is forecast to strengthen today...

Transport Topics (Sept. 27, 2022)

27 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

To better position the use of advanced energy in the nation’s heartland, governors of seven states have formed the Midwest Hydrogen Coalition to spu...

Transport Topics (Sept. 26, 2022)

26 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

FedEx expects to save as much as $2.7 billion this fiscal year through wide-ranging cost-cutting measures in response to weakening business conditions...

Transport Topics (Sept. 23, 2022)

23 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Robin Hutcheson, President Joe Biden’s nominee to lead the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, was easily confirmed by the U.S. Senate on S...

Transport Topics (Sept. 22, 2022)

22 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A federal judge has struck down as unconstitutional a truck tolling plan by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation that was challenged in a law...

Transport Topics (Sept. 21, 2022)

21 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Truck tonnage rose 7.4% in August compared with 2021, and is up almost 3% from July’s number. The year-over-year increase was the largest gain since...

Transport Topics (Sept. 20, 2022)

20 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Volvo Trucks unveiled its fully electric rear axle that is designed to free up space for batteries, the company announced Sept. 19. The e-axle was pre...

Transport Topics (Sept. 19, 2022)

19 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Late last week, U.S. DOT announced $1.5 billion in federal infrastructure grants. Called Infrastructure for Rebuilding America grants, the funds will ...

Transport Topics (Sept. 16, 2022)

16 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A deal has been reached between union workers and six Class I railroads, averting a threatened strike that could have snarled the nation’s freight a...

Transport Topics (Sept. 15, 2022)

15 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Commercial vehicle inspectors in the U.S., Canada and Mexico combined to conduct more than 59,000 inspections during 2022 International Roadcheck, pla...

Transport Topics (Sept. 14, 2022)

14 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Daimler Truck North America introduced the Plus Series line of its Classes 6-8 Freightliner M2 and SD models, which the company said feature major upd...

Transport Topics (Sept. 13, 2022)

13 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Shailen Bhatt, President Joe Biden’s nominee to lead the Federal Highway Administration, will head to Capitol Hill tomorrow, to answer questions fro...

Transport Topics (Sept. 12, 2022)

12 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear urged congressional leaders to intervene in the labor dispute between the railroads and their uni...

Transport Topics (Sept. 9, 2022)

09 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is seeking public comment on whether the safety and supply chain benefits of its COVID-19 national eme...

Transport Topics (Sept. 8, 2022)

08 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Class 8 orders hit their highest point so far this year in August, but they’re still far behind last year’s number. Orders reached 21,600, compare...

Transport Topics (Sept. 7, 2022)

07 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Lone Star State is preparing for its transportation future in a big way. A 10-year Texas Department of Transportation plan to spend a record $85 b...

Transport Topics (Sept. 2, 2022)

02 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

To help communities rebuild vital infrastructure damaged by extreme weather and wildfires, the U.S. Department of Transportation on Wednesday announce...

Transport Topics (Sept. 1, 2022)

01 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After a seven-year wait, FMCSA has released a draft copy of the Medical Examiners Handbook that offers revised guidance to help examiners ensure that ...

Transport Topics (Aug. 31, 2022)

31 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Electric vehicle maker Nikola announced two executive level changes and also that it has commenced an exchange offer to purchase all outstanding share...

Transport Topics (Aug. 30, 2022)

30 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is seeking comment on a request by an alliance of large motor carriers for an exemption that would per...

Transport Topics (Aug. 29, 2022)

29 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We just released our list of the Transport Topics Top 100 private fleets in North America. PepsiCo once again topped the list, and there was a shift a...

Transport Topics (Aug. 26, 2022)

26 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The average retail price of a used Class 8 vehicle in July inched past $90,000 to tower over the year-ago price, but it also dipped slightly from June...

Transport Topics (Aug. 25, 2022)

25 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

More autonomous truck testing is happening in Texas, this time an effort between Daimler Truck and Waymo. The companies will partner to put self-drivi...

Transport Topics (Aug. 24, 2022)

24 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

July truck tonnage rose 5.1% year-over-year, but dropped about 1% from June’s number, per American Trucking Associations. The federation’s chief e...

Transport Topics (Aug. 23, 2022)

23 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Heartland Express Inc. on Aug. 22 announced plans to acquire Contract Freighters’ nondedicated truckload business as well as Mexican entities under ...

Transport Topics (Aug. 22, 2022)

22 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

U.S. trailer orders in July roared ahead compared with a year earlier but slumped when measured against earlier months this year, ACT Research reporte...

Transport Topics (Aug. 19, 2022)

19 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Yesterday marked the second day of the National Truck Driving Championships driving portion, and competitors across the vehicle classes reported being...

Transport Topics (Aug; 18, 2022)

18 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

LAS VEGAS — Navistar Inc. premiered a new, integrated powertrain as part of an update for its International LT Series truck line Aug. 16. The S13 In...

Transport Topics (Aug. 17, 2022)

17 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Classes 4-7 U.S. retail sales in July slipped 7.3% compared with a year earlier, and only Class 6 with its typical base of bigger customers posted a g...

Transport Topics (Aug. 16, 2022)

16 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A bill to force truckers to stay away from Delaware residential parking or pay skyrocketing fines up to $2,000 awaits action by Gov. John Carney after...

Transport Topics (Aug. 15, 2022)

15 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Steven Cliff, the head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is stepping down from his post for a leadership role at the California A...

Transport Topics (Aug. 12, 2022)

12 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Debate on a multibillion-dollar budget bill targeting supply chain connectivity concerns, clean energy initiatives and economic incentives remains fro...

Transport Topics (Aug. 11, 2022)

11 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Soaring prices for diesel fuel, rising maintenance costs and higher wages for drivers pushed the price of operating a truck up 12.7% in 2021 to $1.855...

Transport Topics (Aug. 10, 2022)

10 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

President Joe Biden signed into law yesterday legislation designed to enhance domestic semiconductor manufacturing and alleviate supply chain bottlene...

Transport Topics (Aug. 9, 2022)

09 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the first half of 2022, independent engine maker Cummins Inc. supplied a leading 47,713 Class 8 diesel engines, or 35.5% of the 134,373 used, Wards...

Transport Topics (Aug. 8, 2022)

08 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Industry supplier Commercial Vehicle Group reported second-quarter net income and revenue fell, and new pricing began in July. Net income for the qua...

Transport Topics (Aug. 5, 2022)

05 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mario Harik will succeed Brad Jacobs as chief executive of XPO Logistics starting in the fourth quarter, the company announced Aug. 4. Harik also will...

Transport Topics (Aug. 4, 2022)

04 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

GXO Logistics Inc. closed out its first year as an independent company with revenue and earnings growth in the second quarter of 2022, the company rep...

Transport Topics (Aug. 3, 2022)

03 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Western Star is launching a new Class 8 over-the-road model that parent company Daimler Truck North America promises will deliver on the niche brand’...

Transport Topics (Aug. 2, 2022)

02 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Autonomous technology developer Aurora Innovation Inc. and Schneider National Inc. have announced a commercial pilot effort to haul freight for Schnei...

Transport Topics (Aug. 1, 2022)

01 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Truck dealership Rush Enterprises reported record second-quarter net income and revenue, citing strong freight demand and consumer spending that resul...

Transport Topics (July 29, 2022)

29 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Legislation to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing while improving freight access along the nation’s supply chains was sent to President Joe ...

Transport Topics (July 28, 2022)

28 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Operations at the Port of Oakland in California have resumed after a pause due to protesters, who were there to speak out against AB 5. The law, which...

Transport Topics (July 27, 2022)

27 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Researchers from the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and ParkUnload are conducting a truck parking pilot study...

Transport Topics (July 26, 2022)

26 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The price of diesel has fallen for the fifth straight week, and yet it remains nearly $2 a gallon more than a year ago. This week’s 16.4-cent drop b...

Transport Topics (July 25, 2022)

25 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Net U.S. trailer orders in June rose to 25,444, ACT Research reported July 22. It was an increase of about 10,000 orders compared with the preliminary...

Transport Topics (July 22, 2022)

22 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

U.S. trailer orders in June fell to 15,300, by far the low point of the year, ACT Research reported, citing manufacturers’ preliminary data. A year ...

Transport Topics (July 21, 2022)

21 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

One of the largest trucking companies in the U.S., J.B. Hunt, recently announced Q2 earnings and some executive news. The carrier reported more than $...

Transport Topics (July 20, 2022)

20 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Truck tonnage in June soared 7.9% above the same month last year, according to American Trucking Associations' For-Hire-Truck Tonnage Index, which was...

Transport Topics (July 19, 2022)

19 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A number of California owner-operators have taken to protesting the AB 5 law at the state’s busy ports. The law, which was first passed a few years ...

Transport Topics (July 18, 2022)

18 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

President Biden took action on Friday to keep 115,000 rail workers on the job while arbitrators that he appointed develop a set of contract recommenda...

Transport Topics (July 15, 2022)

15 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

With an Aug. 1 deadline looming, states are finalizing their electric vehicle infrastructure deployment plans. Plans must be submitted to the Joint Of...

Transport Topics (July 14, 2022)

14 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Retail sales of Class 8 trucks in June hit the highest point of the year and improved 12.7% compared with the previous June, Wards Intelligence report...

Transport Topics (July 13, 2022)

13 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

XPO Logistics’ new technology-enabled brokerage platform that is set to begin operations in the fourth quarter will be called RXO, Greenwich, Conn.-...

Transport Topics (July 12, 2022)

12 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s officially mid-July, which means the congressional August recess is looming. Relevant on the Senate side is an emphasis on fuel-centric and sem...

Transport Topics (July 11, 2022)

11 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Before the August recess, congressional leaders intend to finalize supply chain-centric legislation designed to boost domestic manufacturing of semico...

Transport Topics (July 8, 2022)

08 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The U.S. Energy Information Administration yesterday released diesel prices covering a three-week reporting delay caused by a network problem. The lap...

Transport Topics (July 7, 2022)

07 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The U.S. Energy Information Administration plans to release diesel prices today for the first time since June 13. EIA says at 4 p.m. Eastern Daylight ...

Transport Topics (July 6, 2022)

06 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Volvo Group is looking to expand its autonomous and electric truck programs to build market share in its key U.S. market and drive revenue and profits...

Transport Topics (July 5, 2022)

05 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The U.S. Energy Information Administration is delaying its weekly release of national diesel prices for a third week in a row due to network issues. E...

Transport Topics (July 1, 2022)

01 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A record number of drivers are expected to hit the road this holiday weekend and although the roads will be crowded, drivers can expect some relief fr...

Transport Topics (June 30, 2022)

30 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said state police will begin inspecting tractor-trailers crossing the border from Mexico in response to the deadly migrant trag...

Transport Topics (June 29, 2022)

29 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Shippers are looking at developing their own truck fleets due to low service levels and greater affordability, a leading logistics report says. The Co...

Transport Topics (June 28, 2022)

28 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

To test the use of liquid hydrogen as a commercial vehicle fuel, Daimler Truck announced it is putting a prototype heavy-duty truck and filling statio...

Transport Topics (June 27, 2022)

27 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

USA Truck announced Friday it is being acquired by DB Schenker in a $435 million deal. Under the terms of the agreement, DB Schenker is acquiring all ...

Transport Topics (June 24, 2022)

24 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As China lifts its latest coronavirus lockdowns, there is concern the resulting influx of goods flowing from the country could renew bottlenecks at po...

Transport Topics (June 23, 2022)

23 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

President Joe Biden’s nominee to lead the federal agency on trucking affairs was easily approved by a U.S. Senate panel yesterday. The Commerce Comm...

Transport Topics (June 22, 2022)

22 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Truck tonnage jumped 3.7% in May compared with year-ago levels, marking the ninth consecutive year-over-year gain and the largest since April 2021, Am...

Transport Topics (June 20-21, 2022)

20 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For-hire motor carriers achieved significant revenue gains and higher profits last year, powered by surging freight demand. This growth among large fl...

Transport Topics (June 17, 2022)

17 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Fleet technology supplier Samsara is rolling out product updates designed to streamline drivers’ daily routines, mitigate unsafe driving and improve...

Transport Topics (June 16, 2022)

16 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

President Joe Biden has sent a letter to U.S. oil refiners to tell them that unprecedented profit margins are unacceptable, while calling for immediat...

Transport Topics (June 15, 2022)

15 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Retail sales for trucks in classes 4 through 7 sank 16.3% in May compared with a year earlier to just below 17,000, Wards Intelligence reported. It wa...

Transport Topics (June 14, 2022)

14 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The nationwide average price for a gallon of gasoline has hit $5 for the first time ever. Auto club AAA said the average price June 11 was a fraction ...

Transport Topics (June 13, 2022)

13 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

U.S. Class 8 retail sales in May rose 13.9% compared with a year earlier to just clear 20,000, Wards Intelligence reported June 10. A trend is buildin...

Transport Topics (June 10, 2022)

10 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

House Transportation leaders called on the nation’s top transportation officer to increase resources for the expansion of parking facilities for tru...

Transport Topics (June 9, 2022)

09 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Robin Hutcheson, President Joe Biden’s nominee to oversee FMCSA, discussed administration efforts to bolster the trucking industry during her confir...

Transport Topics (June 8, 2022)

08 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Uber Freight and Waymo Via have entered into a partnership that aims to integrate Uber’s freight marketplace with Waymo’s automated truck technolo...

Transport Topics (June 7, 2022)

07 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The average price of diesel shot up last week by 16.4 cents to $5.703 a gallon, according to Energy Information Administration data released June 6. T...

Transport Topics (June 6, 2022)

06 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

North American Class 8 orders fell to 14,000 units, ACT Research reported June 3, citing truck makers’ preliminary data, as underlying conditions th...

Transport Topics (June 3, 2022)

03 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg earlier this week kicked off a construction project in Nevada that will upgrade an aging Interstate 15 interch...

Transport Topics (June 2, 2022)

02 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

President Joe Biden’s recent interstate designation of a New Mexico-to-Texas freight corridor will give truckers a less congested route for future U...

Transport Topics (June 1, 2022)

01 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has extended regulatory waivers related to truckers’ allowable work time, citing continuing public h...

Transport Topics (May 31, 2022)

31 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association filed a federal lawsuit on May 27 alleging that California environmental regulators have failed to give...

Transport Topics (May 27, 2022)

27 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The average price of a used Class 8 truck reached $101,192 in April. But April dipped compared with March and its record price of $101,716, marking on...

Transport Topics (May 26, 2022)

26 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A federal court is finally hearing oral arguments in a 4-year-old legal challenge to the state of Rhode Island’s trucks-only tolling program. The tr...

Transport Topics (May 25, 2022)

25 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Truck tonnage in April increased on an annual basis but declined compared with March, American Trucking Associations reported. The seasonally adjusted...

Transport Topics (May 24, 2022)

24 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Cargo continues to flow into Los Angeles despite some of the COVID lockdowns in China, Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka says. “The...

Transport Topics (May 23, 2022)

23 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The spot market has been declining, but with rates and volumes still above historic norms it’s unclear where it will stabilize. Ben Cubitt, senior v...

Transport Topics (May 20, 2022)

20 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

American Trucking Associations in a 29-page written comment on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposal to reduce nitrogen oxides said it gen...

Transport Topics (May 19, 2022)

19 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Classes 4-7 retail truck sales dropped 15.4% in April compared with a year earlier, according to industry analyst Wards Intelligence. Total sales were...

Transport Topics (May 18, 2022)

18 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Nearly 43,000 people were killed on U.S. roads last year, the most in 16 years as Americans returned to the highways after the pandemic forced many to...