The Clean Trucks Programs at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach has accomplished impressive results, reducing truck pollution by 80 percent almost 3 years ahead of schedule. The industry-supported program reduces truck pollution through the retirement of older, more polluting diesel engines. Since 2008, drayage companies at the ports have purchased more than 6,500 clean trucks to haul freight from the ports, with the majority of new trucks financed through private investment, not port subsidy programs. ... Read More

Motor carriers have endured some difficult times over the past 18 months, but the American Trucking Associations (ATA) believes freight tonnage volumes will continue exhibiting modest growth. Though recovery will be gradual, we expect overall freight tonnage to increase more than 26 percent by 2020, with the modal share moved by truck increasing to 71 percent. The federal government must seriously consider the adoption of more productive trucks to accommodate this large influx of freight demand. ATA supports allowing more productive vehicles - including 6-axle trucks carrying 21 percent more weight than currently allowed - to operate on the Interstate Highway System, consistent with sound engineering standards and safety.... Read More

Professional drivers, company owners and trucking industry experts consistently told the Federal Motor Carriers Administration (FMCSA) at recent Hours of Service (HOS) listening sessions that the current HOS rules are working.

The four listening sessions - in Dallas, Los Angeles, Davenport, Iowa, and Arlington, Va. - were prompted by special interest groups who insist that the FMCSA amend the HOS rules. The current rules are based on a decade of extensive research and analysis and offer an effective and balanced approach to promote driver alertness. Additionally, the government now has extensive data and information from several years of real-world, operational trucking experience since the new HOS regulations took effect in 2005.... Read More

According to U.S. railroads' advertising, shifting freight from highway to rail through government incentives will result in a "greener" transportation system. However, a new report says the railroads' claim isn't true.

"When all factors are considered, most freight currently moving by truck would consume more energy if converted to a 100 percent rail move," said FTR Associates' Noel Perry, who authors a report titled Transportation Fundamentals.... Read More

In response to the rising costs associated with inefficiencies in the national surface transportation system, lawmakers and pundits alike continue to promote "travel efficiency" policies to increase the accessibility of transportation options, expand travel choices and reduce vehicle miles traveled. There's no denying the need to continually improve the sustainability and efficiency of our nation's transportation system. However, many of the proposed solutions encroach upon our freedom of mobility and our right to live where we want. Smart growth land-use strategies are simply ways to encourage living in high-density areas offering mass transit, which counters the preferred lifestyles of most Americans. Instead of changing the transportation systems to modify our behavior, we should improve our transportation systems to match people's behaviors and preferences.... Read More

Over a year ago, trucking industry leaders called the nation's attention to the dangers of text messaging and cell phone use on the road. ATA recommended restricting texting and cell phone use by all drivers. While many trucking companies already restrict their drivers' use of these technologies, the rest of America is just waking up to the dangers of distracted driving.... Read More

In 2008, the number of traffic fatalities reached its lowest level since 1961, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The number of people killed in motor vehicle crashes in the United States declined 9.7 percent, from 41,259 in 2007 to 37,261 in 2008. Truck-involved crash fatalities in 2008 declined 12 percent. This encouraging trend should act as a catalyst for highway users to focus on greater improvements. Safety is the responsibility of all motorists sharing our nation's roads.... Read More

Lawmakers continue to propose reduced vehicle travel as a strategy to lower fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Unfortunately, getting people out of their cars and off the roads also means less revenue for the ailing Highway Trust Fund (HTF), which recently required a $7billion transfer from the general fund to meet its funding commitments for the current fiscal year.... Read More