17 Jan Presence of Autonomous Vehicles Felt in US WASHINGTON — Technology is changing the transportation landscape as freight carriers move toward self-driving vehicles and public officials look for new ways to develop infrastructure and prepare for what could be a major shift in traffic patterns and driving behavior. Read more...
17 Jan Oil Slips as Record US Production Undermines OPEC Supply Cut Oil retreated below $52 a barrel as data showing record U.S. crude production suggested markets may remain oversupplied despite output cuts by OPEC and its allies. Read more...
17 Jan Chinese Electric Car Manufacturer Set to Crack US Market The Nasdaq-listed company, Kandi Technologies Group Inc., which started making electric cars in 2013, plans to ship two of its models to the United States this year, Chairman and CEO Hu Xiaoming said Jan. 16. Sales will start after the company clears regulatory procedures, which have been held up by the federal government shutdown, Hu said. Read more...
17 Jan TRB Panelists Outline Benefits of Freight Data WASHINGTON — Analyzing and visualizing data can help state departments of transportation and planning organizations better understand traffic flow, safety concerns and capacity needs, according to a group of panelists assembled at the Transportation Research Board’s annual meeting Jan. 16. Read more...
16 Jan H.I.G. Capital Acquires Lipari Foods Global private equity firm H.I.G. Capital has acquired Lipari Foods from Sterling Investment Partners, per a Jan. 8 press release. Financial terms were not disclosed. Read more...
16 Jan Parcel Lockers, EVs Combine for Energy Savings in Final Mile, Researcher Says WASHINGTON — Electric trucks and vans show great promise for energy savings in making suburban deliveries for companies such as UPS Inc., according to an Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientist who presented her findings to a forum at the Transportation Research Board’s annual meeting. Read more...
16 Jan Former Transportation Secretary Mary Peters Receives Lifetime Achievement Award WASHINGTON — Mary Peters, one of two secretaries of transportation during President George W. Bush’s tenure, was recognized with a lifetime achievement award at the annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board. Read more...
16 Jan High Court Rules Contractors May Challenge Fleets in Court In a unanimous decision, the U.S. Supreme Court on Jan. 15 limited the ability under federal law for motor carriers to force disputes with owner-operators to be resolved in arbitration, a ruling that could cause an increase in future class-action lawsuits by truck drivers. Read more...
16 Jan Homebuilder Sentiment Gauge Rises From Three-Year Low Sentiment among U.S. homebuilders rose for the first time in three months amid a decline in borrowing costs, a sign that housing may stabilize in the year ahead even as the industry remains in a broad slowdown. Read more...
16 Jan Wheels Are a Component of Fleets' Lightweighting Efforts The cost of fuel consistently ranks among the top three expenses for trucking fleets, putting fuel economy at the top of fleet managers’ minds. Increasing fuel efficiency and consequently reducing operating expenses is a major reason fleets turn to vehicle lightweighting, especially on components such as truck wheels. Read more...