Transportation TIP List: Week of March 6th, 2016

Transportation TIP List: Week of March 6th, 2016

Daylight saving time begins this Sunday in the U.S., which is a sure sign we’re one step closer to putting winter behind us. And as we turn the clocks ahead, we’re looking forward to a spring filled with TIP List highlights such as new regulations, global trade projections and trends in trucking. Read on to find out what topics are springing up!

• U.S. Needs Consistent Driver Rest Break Rules: The American Trucking Association called on Congress last week to reject efforts that would impose a patchwork of state scheduling rules on the nation’s foremost movers of goods.

• U.S. Truckers: Container Lines Retain Too Much Control Over Chassis: Drayage operators say container lines’ continuing influence over chassis lowers efficiency at ports and is an obstacle to the creation of truck appointment systems at marine terminals.

• U.S. Regulators Seek More Input on Truck Fuel Efficiency Rules: U.S. regulators said on Thursday they are reopening a proposal to boost fuel efficiency of medium and heavy duty trucks through 2027, asking for additional public comments on the planned toughening.

• Shippers’ Desire for Data Offers Fleets Opportunities: Shippers remain more data-driven than ever, and that can present opportunities for carriers, a panel of experts said. Shippers are “maniacs about data,” said Ben Cubitt. “Shippers respond to data and fact-based selling.”

• What’s Happening to Global Trade?: A quote from a WTO describes the situation best: “If current projections are realized, 2015 will mark the fourth consecutive year in which annual trade growth has fallen below 3 per cent and the fourth year where trade has grown at roughly the same rate as world GDP.”

• Intermodal Continues to Carry the Day: Aided by a labor dispute at West Coast ports last year that impacted volume, intermodal traffic experienced a spike of nearly 13% in February 2016, compared to the prior-year period, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) said on March 2, 2016, reporting weekly traffic as well as February traffic. Carload traffic remained weak.

• The New R&D Tax Credit: A Game-Changer for Manufacturers: At the end of last year, Congress did U.S. manufacturers a major favor. Along with providing manufacturers much-needed certainty in filing their annual tax returns, one specific — and perhaps overlooked — enhancement to the credit could mean millions in added tax savings for the industry.

What transportation trends are on your radar this spring?