@Risk

The US Congress is considering new legislation that would allow states to increase the Interstate truck weight allowance from 80,000 to 97,000 pounds, provided that trucks operating above 80,000 pounds add a sixth axle.

Current law limits the weight of five-axle trucks traveling on the interstate system to 80,000 pounds, and interestingly, these US weight limits are the lowest in the developed world.

The legislation was introduced in the Senate earlier this month, and according to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), it will allow states to authorize the operation of more efficient commercial trucks, resulting in safer highways, cleaner air and less costly freight transportation.

“ATA supports a number of reforms to federal truck size and weight regulations as part of our Sustainability Initiative,” says ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. “More efficient trucks, like those allowed under this legislation, will significantly reduce the trucking industry’s carbon output.”

However, not everyone sees the proposed legislation as beneficial. (more…)

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) isn’t mincing words.

In its new report Unlocking Freight, AASHTO says the US freight transportation system is facing a crisis,  and that the nation’s highways, railroads, ports, waterways, and airports require investments well beyond current levels to maintain – much less improve – their performance. (more…)

President Obama has signed a memorandum ordering federal agencies to prepare plans for the first fuel efficiency standards ever established for big-rig trucks.

Specifically, the memorandum orders the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to establish greenhouse gas emissions standards for commercial medium- and heavy-duty vehicles beginning with model year 2014. The goal is to issue a final rule by July 30, 2011. (more…)

I’m hearing more and more rumblings about a growing shortage of truck drivers beginning this year and then continuing for the next few.

In fact, according to eTrucker.com, Noel Perry, the managing director and senior consultant at FTR Associates, is forecasting that the driver shortage could be close to 200,000 this year –and then swell to as much as 400,000 in 2011 and 2012.
(more…)

Facing an unpredictable economic recovery, ever-expanding supplier networks, impending regulations and often volatile fuel prices, many companies today are struggling to contain transportation spend. After all, these days, successful transportation cost management means not only immediate survival, but also significant competitive advantage going forward.

So, how are today’s Best-in-Class shippers keeping costs under control while optimizing carrier and freight performance? What are the key capabilities needed to make transportation procurement and payment a winning strategic initiative? (more…)