Transportation TIP List: Week of July 31st, 2016

Transportation TIP List: Week of July 31st, 2016

The months leading up to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio have been filled with much anticipation and a little bit of angst, but the action finally gets underway with the opening ceremonies on Friday. In honor of the dedicated athletes who will be dazzling viewers all over the world, this week’s TIP List showcases some winning transportation stories. Below, you’ll find info about the ongoing truck driver shortage, a controversial rail switching proposal and a surprise inspection blitz. Let the games begin!

• Combating the Driver Shortage: From the Carrier’s Perspective: There is no denying that the trucking industry is in a state of flux right now. Even though demand is rising, the industry as a whole is facing a monumental shortage of qualified drivers. But why is there a shortage of drivers, and how can we turn it around?

• 2016 Supply Chains To Admire: The 2016 Supply Chains to Admire Winners and Finalists for were announced in order to help supply chain leaders gain new insights from a deep data-driven analysis.

• More Women Join Drayage Industry, But Not Enough to Reverse the Driver Shortage: The opening of the first bathroom solely for female truck drivers in one of the busiest terminals at the Port of New York and New Jersey has highlighted the growing numbers of women drivers in drayage, which could help the driver shortages plaguing the industry.

• Surprise Inspection Blitz Puts 13.9 Percent of Trucks Inspected Out of Service: The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance placed 13.9 percent of inspected vehicles out-of-service during its annual unannounced brake check day on May 4. The inspection blitz was conducted in 31 states and Canadian provinces.

• Demand Is Strong for Multitenant Distribution Warehousing: The trend of multitenant distribution warehouse properties outperforming the broader commercial property market will continue, according to a special report,” Multitenant Distribution Warehouse Segment in the U.S. Outlook 2016.”

• Shippers, Railroads Clash over Switching Proposal: U.S. federal rail regulators have proposed a controversial new rule that would allow shippers without access to other transportation modes to request their freight be moved to a competing rail line.

• Climate Change Bringing More Rain Will Complicate Supply Chains: The nation’s supply chain managers and U.S. businesses in many regions should start preparing now for the increased, extreme rainfall that a changing climate will almost certainly deliver.

What events – both supply chain and Olympic – will you be watching in the coming weeks?