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Issues * USA - From ATA officials
Feds abdicating long-term infrastructure funding, ATA’s Graves charges
Alexandria,VA,USA -Logistics Management, by John D. Schulz -Jan 10, 2007: -- Freight movements in the United States are threatened by congestion and a lack of funding from the federal government on necessary infrastructure that is reaching a near-catastrophe stage, American Trucking Associations (ATA) President and CEO Bill Graves told reporters in a conference call... Graves, the former governor of Kansas, says that because the federal government has largely bypassed its traditional role of lead investor in paying for necessary road and bridge improvements, states are exploring creative ways to raise funds. Some of those non-traditional methods include the recent sale of the Indiana toll road to a private consortium for $3.8 billion. Governors in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, among other states, are considering similar sales... On other issues, ATA officials said:
* They expect a ruling by March on the court challenges to the hours of service rules, which are in effect but threatened. The industry is hoping for a clear ruling.
* They are looking for any ways to reduce truck speeds, including original equipment, speed governors, electronic onboard recorders and other safety technology.
* The new ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel required by trucks this year is proving to be more expensive, but is available in uninterrupted supply.
* The buzzwords on Capitol Hill for 2007 are energy and alternative fuels. The next generation of engines will be coming on line in 2007.
* Economic conditions for the industry in the first half of this year are not good, but a pickup in the second half is expected.
* The recent Department of Homeland Security-authorized increase to more than $100 to enroll a driver in the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program is excessive, and background checks may be redundant.
* They anticipate the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will issue rules mandating entry-level driver training by the end of the year...
On a said note, Graves called 2007 “a year of transition” that comes after a year of tragedy to the ATA family...
posted by Unknown @ 12:03 PM
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