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

Savvy trucker JB Hunt heads east, by train! Truckers traveling via train? Yep, the smart do so with increasing frequency. Earlier this month, J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. announced that its already successful "Secret Formula" for Intermodal success will henceforth include much more of a current ingredient, one known as "NSC" or Norfolk Southern Corporation, which reported Intermodal revenues for this year's 1st nine months of just slightly less than JBHT's $1.2 billion of Intermodal biz. for the same three quarters.... 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

When financial times are troubled, it becomes increasingly important to manage your business effectively and efficiently. This is especially true in capital-intense enterprises such as the truckload segment of the transportation industry. As the trucking industry has struggled through the process and aftermath of deregulation, it has become increasingly apparent that many companies are not managing their assets properly. The lack of effective marketing efforts and appropriate management techniques has allowed the trucking industry to become a buyer's market.Read More