A U.S. District Judge cleared the air last week, allowing for the Port of Los Angeles to move forward with its Clean Truck Program. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) had challenged the move, contending the program did not comply with federal laws governing interstate commerce and transportation safety. Port officials expressed optimism that the ruling would make it possible for them to expand the port, while enforcing emissions standards. But they are waiting Continue Reading

Recent consumer confidence gauges are showing mixed messages. One CBS News Poll showed a growing number of Americans felt the economy was worsening, while the latest Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan monthly consumer index show improvements. The final index reading for August showed an increase, 68.9 up from 67.8 in July, which was the lowest since November. Consumer confidence is tied to more consumer spending, which accounts for Continue Reading

The latest numbers from the American Association of Railroads may bode well for te overall state of the economy. Considered an important economic indicator, railroad volume hit its second straight weekly high. Intermodal traffic was up more than 24 percent over the same week last year, while container traffic was up almost 3 percent compared to the same time period. U.S. railroad volume was up 6.2 percent from the same week last year, but 11 percent off the comparable week two years ago, AAR said in its weekly report. Intermodal traffic, which tends to be Continue Reading

Sharing what they learned from challenging economic times was the spirit of a panel discussion at the Commercial Vehicle Outlook Conference last week in Dallas. Various fleet executives shared their strategies, which ultimately helped them survive, as well as what they’re preparing for in the future. One of the biggest lessons–and maybe even silver linings–from the recession is that it forced carriers and other businesses to trim all the fat from their operations. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t more challenges ahead. The executives agreed that the driver shortage would continue to Continue Reading

Trucking industry analysts have voiced repeated assurances that the economy is getting better. Even improvements, though slight, are regarded as the slow but steady trend to recovery. But a recent CBS News Poll indicates that not all Americans feel so optimistic. Their outlook, according to the data, shows 34 percent believe things are getting worse. The housing market has fallen into the summer months, and banks and lending institutions continue to be tight with credit. Such a picture has prompted financial analysts to predict another stimulus program by the Continue Reading

Near-term projections for the trucking industry indicate a slow, steady climb to reaching previous peak sales levels, but not without some new challenges along the way. Specifically, FTR Associates President Eric Starks told industry representatives at the Commercial Vehicle Outlook Conference in Dallas that CSA 2010 could ultimately create a driver shortage. Fewer drivers will be able to be processed through the system, which will result in an unprecedented driver shortage by mid-2011. Overall, truck sales and freight volumes continue to improve, though at times at what appears to be Continue Reading