MTA Signs Letter Urging Support for TSA Threat Assessment Enrollment Bill

Mileage Matters | July 19, 2022

MTA signs letter urging support for TSA Threat Assessment Enrollment Bill

Transport Topics- MTA, in partnership with American Trucking Associations, is among the stakeholders calling on congressional committees to pass a bill that expedites applications for commercial drivers seeking security credentials.

MTA cosigned a letter to Congress expressing support for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Security Threat Assessment Application Modernization Act.

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August 11

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September 8-9

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September 19-23

Government

PennDOT’s bridge tolling plan dealt crushing legal blows

Transport Topics- Pennsylvania General Assembly legislators and a judge dealt legal blows to permanently stop the state Department of Transportation’s effort to toll nine bridges to create revenue for repairs.

PennDOT was evaluating putting four bridge tolls on Interstate 80, one each on I-78, I-79, I-81, I-83 and I-95.

PHMSA considers electronic hazmat communications

FleetOwner- The U.S Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is considering revisions to the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMRs) that would authorize the use of an electronic alternative to the existing physical, paper-based hazard communication requirements.

FMCSA commenters debate whether load boards should register as brokers

Freight Waves- Should electronic bulletin boards — known in trucking as load boards — be considered brokers and therefore required to register as such with federal regulators?

The question was posed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in soliciting comments for future guidance on how freight brokers, bona fide agents and truck dispatchers should operate.

Regulators still mum on details of final hair testing rule

Transport Topics- A highly anticipated federal rulemaking that would permit carriers to drug test drivers using hair samples continues to slog its way through the regulatory process, nearly six years after it was mandated by Congress and two years since it was first formally proposed.

Operations

Use of cargo cameras is on the rise

Commercial Carriers Journal- Cargo thieves often conduct surveillance outside of distribution centers and follow trucks in hopes the driver will go directly to a truckstop for dinner or road snacks, a shower or just to rest before hitting the road.

While there are multiple devices to help prevent theft, cargo camera solutions are being developed to help retrieve lost loads in addition to helping trucking companies increase capacity, among other benefits.

Tire safety risks can rise with the temperature

Commercial Carriers Journal- Hotter temperatures can lead to increased tire wear and blow-outs, experts warn, which makes maintenance during the summer months all the more critical.

Recruitment & Retention

Younger drivers look beyond pay when choosing carriers, ATRI finds

Transport Topics- The American Transportation Research Institute found the majority of young truck drivers are motivated by factors besides pay when choosing a carrier.

ATRI surveyed drivers ages 21 to 30 who are currently enrolled in, or recently completed, an apprenticeship program. It found 40% view pay as the top factor when it comes to joining or remaining with a carrier. But the majority — 60% — consider other factors equally or even more important.

ATA says 4 factors will fuel worsening driver shortage

Transport Dive- The American Trucking Associations renewed concerns last month at a meeting with New Jersey officials about labor issues in the industry.

ATA projects that the industry will have a 160,000 driver shortage by 2030 if changes aren’t made.

Eliminating distractions for new drivers

FleetOwner- Every new commercial driver must pass basic standards for safety as they move into an unfamiliar environment, but making new employees familiar with equipment and policy will ensure they are not distracted by the changes.

Pet passengers can benefit driver health both physically and mentally

Commercial Carriers Journal- According to a survey from Truckstop.com, most professional truck drivers who travel with a pet passenger (54%) would reconsider their profession if they could not take their pet with them on the road.

However, FMCSA ruled against a request that drivers traveling with their pets be exempt from electronic logging device requirements.