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John Gallagher

Based in Washington, D.C., John specializes in regulation and legislation affecting all sectors of freight transportation. He has covered rail, trucking and maritime issues since 1993 for a variety of publications based in the U.S. and the U.K. John began business reporting in 1993 at Broadcasting & Cable Magazine. He graduated from Florida State University majoring in English and business.
Dec - 2022 -
14 December
John Gallagher

Trucking braces for new heavy-duty engine emission standards

New standards aimed at dramatically reducing pollution from trucks come at the wrong time for the economy, according to carriers and drivers.

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11 December
John Gallagher

Is US ready for more Arctic shipping?

AskWaves looks at GAO’s warning that the U.S. needs to step up capabilities and oversight in the Arctic region as emerging shipping routes gain steam.

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08 December
John Gallagher

Biden awards billions for LTL trucker pensions

The White House announced $36 billion in bailout money for the Central States Pension Fund that will benefit thousands of less-than-truckload drivers for Yellow and ABF Freight.

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07 December
John Gallagher

La FMCSA estudia limitar el alcance de las exenciones de emergencia 

El alivio se aplicaría sólo a los límites diarios y semanales de horas de servicio

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John Gallagher

FMCSA considering limiting scope of emergency waivers

Federal regulators are considering changes to a 30-year rule that would affect the type of relief that drivers and carriers receive during highway emergencies.

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01 December
John Gallagher

Senate proposes $755 million for truck parking

Senate lawmakers have introduced a companion bill to a House measure that sets aside grant money to expand truck parking at new and existing facilities.

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Nov - 2022 -
29 November
John Gallagher

La FMCSA rechaza la exención de la regla de trabajo para los transportadores de ganado 

La huelga ferroviaria podría agravar el problema de las horas de servicio, advierte un grupo de ganaderos

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John Gallagher

FMCSA rejects work-rule exemption for livestock haulers

Federal regulators say livestock drivers have not shown they can maintain safety if given an hours-of-service exemption.

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28 November
John Gallagher

La mejora de las rutas marítimas es clave para el corredor de bajas emisiones de carbono entre Estados Unidos y Singapur 

Se espera que la iniciativa “verde y digital” reduzca los costos de la cadena de suministro y las emisiones de carbono

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John Gallagher

Enhanced ship routing key to US-Singapore low-carbon corridor

Shippers and carriers are increasing the pressure on ports and other supply chain participants to roll out “green corridors” using digital technology.

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23 November
John Gallagher

Trucking industry slams FMCSA’s proposed electronic ID mandate

FMCSA’s unique ID proposal for trucks has safety group support but overwhelming opposition from the rest of the trucking industry.

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17 November
John Gallagher

Watchdog finds DOT could be hindering infrastructure grants

A GAO report recommends DOT better explain its grant-funding procedures so that applicants won’t overestimate how much money they must contribute to qualify for funding.

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15 November
John Gallagher

La FMCSA actualiza las directrices para los corredores y los servicios de despacho 

La agencia aclara que el manejo del dinero intercambiado entre transportadores y expedidores no requiere necesariamente la autorización de un agente.

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John Gallagher

FMCSA updates guidelines for brokers, dispatch services

Federal regulators have outlined criteria to help identify dispatching services from authorized truck brokers as part of new interim guidelines.

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11 November
John Gallagher

Oregon: ELDs jacking up roadside inspection costs

CVSA is skeptical about whether third-party certification can alleviate delays encountered by roadside inspectors.

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09 November
John Gallagher

 ¿Son suficientes 69.000 dólares al año por conducir un camión? 

La legislación que obliga a pagar las horas extras se enfrenta a un camino lleno de baches

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John Gallagher

Women of trucking criticize FMCSA crime study

The first meeting of federal panel aimed at promoting women in trucking includes shots taken at a study that one member asserted downplays the prevalence of rape.

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John Gallagher

Is $69,000 a year enough for driving a truck?

“If this legislation were to pass, the big carriers would be able to pressure shippers and receivers to load their drivers who are on the clock sitting at the loading dock,” Lewie Pugh, OOIDA executive vice president, said.

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08 November
John Gallagher

La FMCSA rechaza la solicitud de exención de horas de servicio del conductor 

Leland Schmitt planea volver a intentarlo después de que se le dijera que la solicitud inicial no era suficiente

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John Gallagher

FMCSA rejects driver’s hours-of-service exemption request

Truck driver Leland Schmitt’s bid to be exempt from federal work rules was denied by regulators.

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02 November
John Gallagher

Beyond testing: Scaling autonomous trucks for commercial operations

DHL and autonomous truck operator Embark discuss their partnership and the last hurdles for rolling out automated trucks.

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John Gallagher

A journey from trucker to truck broker founder

Trucking brokerage founder and CEO Brittany Traylor talks about creating a startup — with help from software management system Turvo.

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01 November
John Gallagher

La deslocalización de la cadena de suministro mundial en Norteamérica 

La visión del estratega geopolítico Peter Zeihan sobre el colapso de la cadena de suministro beneficiará a EE.UU., si primero consigue atajar la inflación

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John Gallagher

Technology fuels growth surge at Lean Solutions Group

Lean Solutions Group, a logistics staffing company that recently passed the 10-year mark, has been investing in technology to keep the company’s growth on track.

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John Gallagher

North America’s reshoring of the global supply chain

Reshoring is the global sourcing and supply chain trend for the next decade, according to F3 keynote speaker and geopolitical strategist Peter Zeihan.

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Oct - 2022 -
28 October
John Gallagher

Trucking costs could stifle Biden’s off-site container storage plan

DOT should consider trucking and other supply chain costs in its push to expand off-site and inland container facilities, transportation executives caution.

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26 October
John Gallagher

Both sides blast proposal affecting ocean carrier profits, service contracts

Ocean carrier contracts and carriers’ ability to make a profit are put to the test in a proposed rule, according to reaction from shippers and carriers.

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John Gallagher

Ambas partes critican la propuesta que afecta a los beneficios de los transportadores marítimos y a los contratos de servicios 

Cargadores y transportadores piden que se modifique la propuesta de la Comisión Marítima Federal que afecta a la capacidad de los buques para las importaciones y exportaciones

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25 October
John Gallagher

FMCSA targets early 2023 for decision on broker transparency petition

Federal regulators are considering a rule that would give carriers greater access to broker transaction records.

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John Gallagher

La FMCSA se propone tomar una decisión sobre la petición de transparencia de los agentes a principios de 2023 

OOIDA y SBTC quieren que se prohíba a los corredores bloquear el acceso del transportador a los registros de transacciones

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22 October
John Gallagher

What are FMCSA’s top upcoming proposed rules?

AskWaves checks in with DOT’s latest significant rulemaking schedule.

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21 October
John Gallagher

Robin Hutcheson habla de las prioridades de la FMCSA 

El séptimo administrador de la agencia no ve en el horizonte grandes cambios en las horas de servicio ni en los ELD

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John Gallagher

Robin Hutcheson discusses priorities for FMCSA

America’s top truck safety regulator provides insight into what will be important at her federal agency as she closes in on a year in the driver’s seat.

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19 October
John Gallagher

US DOT to help oversee Ukraine infrastructure rebuilding

The U.S. and Ukraine have signed a letter of intent to facilitate private-sector investment in the war-torn country.

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16 October
John Gallagher

FMCSA cancels emergency hours of service waiver

Federal regulators have not renewed a work rule exemption for truck drivers responding to the pandemic, a move supported by ATA and truck safety advocates.

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John Gallagher

La FMCSA cancela la exención de horas de servicio de emergencia 

La exención vigente desde marzo de 2020 se levanta al aflojar la capacidad de los camiones

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12 October
John Gallagher

2022 Shipper of Choice Profile: Shaw Industries

Driver recognition helps Shaw Industries maintain and build customer relationships.

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11 October
John Gallagher

El gobierno de Biden revisa la norma sobre contratistas independientes 

La propuesta vuelve a la orientación de la era de Obama para determinar la condición de empleado

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John Gallagher

Biden administration revising rule on independent contractors

A new proposed independent contractor rule from the Department of Labor could increase costs for trucking as well as for Uber and Lyft.

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07 October
John Gallagher

FMC proposes tighter container billing standards

Ocean carriers will be subject to stricter requirements when they charge shippers fees on late containers if a proposed rule is adopted.

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06 October
John Gallagher

Truck brake-light exemption denied despite industry support

Federal regulators say there is not enough data to justify an exemption for pulsing brake lights on trucks

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05 October
John Gallagher

Minority and independent truckers challenge hair testing for drugs

A proposal to allow regulators to review hair tests to screen truck drivers for drugs faces strong opposition from large groups of truckers.

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03 October
John Gallagher

Lawmaker introduces bill to guarantee more US-flag shipping

A bipartisan proposal increases minimum tonnages for agricultural products exported by the U.S. government.

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Sep - 2022 -
30 September
John Gallagher

DOT issues truck parking handbook for local planners

A new 80-page handbook from DOT gives local planners detailed information for planning and designing truck parking facilities.

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29 September
John Gallagher

FMCSA considering 5-year ‘special’ waiver for propane haulers

Federal regulators are considering loosening driver work-rule restrictions for propane haulers during periods of peak consumer demand.

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28 September
John Gallagher

Jones Act waiver for Puerto Rico relaxes rules on foreign tankers

The Biden administration has approved a controversial Jones Act waiver for Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Fiona.

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27 September
John Gallagher

UPS gets driver-training exemption for double trailers

Federal regulators are easing training requirements for UPS truckers who want to drive double trailers.

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26 September
John Gallagher

DeSantis levanta las restricciones a los camiones de Florida ante la proximidad del huracán Ian

El tamaño, el peso y las horas de trabajo están exentos durante al menos 60 días para trasladar equipos y suministros de emergencia

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John Gallagher

DeSantis lifts Florida’s trucking restrictions as Hurricane Ian approaches

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is waiving trucking restrictions as Hurricane Ian tracks into Florida.

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25 September
John Gallagher

Are ELDs making the trucking industry safer?

AskWaves checks in on the latest sentiment from the trucking industry on the effectiveness of ELDs.

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23 September
John Gallagher

Hutcheson confirmed to head FMCSA

Acting FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson was unanimously confirmed as the agency’s seventh administrator.

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22 September
John Gallagher

FMCSA considering electronic IDs for all trucks

Federal regulators are considering a proposal first ordered by the Obama administration that could change how trucks undergo safety inspections.

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21 September
John Gallagher

Court rules against Rhode Island’s truck-only toll program

A federal judge has ruled that Rhode Island’s “RhodeWorks” toll system discriminates against trucks and is unconstitutional.

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20 September
John Gallagher

FMCSA to recruit truck drivers for autonomous vehicle study

Federal regulators will use a simulator experiment to assess driver distraction in automated trucks.

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19 September
John Gallagher

Truck safety lobby pressures DOT on crash prevention

Rural states top the latest list of riskiest states for truck accident fatalities.

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16 September
John Gallagher

FMCSA tries to clarify policy on hours-of-service exemption requests

Drivers and trucking companies seeking flexibility from work rules can expect full attention from federal regulators.

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15 September
John Gallagher

Truck parking expansion wins DOT funding grants

A payout from the bipartisan infrastructure law nets $37.6 million for facilities in Florida and Tennessee.

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14 September
John Gallagher

What happens if Congress blocks the railroad strike?

In the unlikely event of a legislative settlement, rail workers could attempt to gain leverage through a risky walkout.

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13 September
John Gallagher

FMC seeks to limit ocean carriers’ leverage on container space

Federal regulators are proposing a “burden-shifting regime” aimed at helping importers and exporters secure container space on ships.

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John Gallagher

El cierre del ferrocarril amenaza con ser un problema, aunque el Congreso intervenga 

El remedio “Cramdown” o Reducción Forzada, tiene pocas posibilidades de resolver el bloqueo, advierte el ex consejero ferroviario

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John Gallagher

Rail shutdown looms large even as Congress steps in

Settlement legislation introduced in the Senate may not be enough to avoid a rail strike or lockout on Friday.

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12 September
John Gallagher

Feds dodging US-flag ship cargo rules, GAO reveals

Government watchdogs have found that maritime regulators are unable to effectively track how shipments of military supplies and food aid are transported overseas.

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08 September
John Gallagher

NHTSA doesn’t see cybersecurity as barrier to 3rd-party repairs

Updated cybersecurity best practices for cars and trucks warn against OEMs monopolizing vehicle repair and maintenance services.

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John Gallagher

La NHTSA no considera que la ciberseguridad sea un obstáculo para las reparaciones de terceros 

Las últimas buenas prácticas cibernéticas dan a los propietarios de camiones cierta seguridad frente a los elevados costos de servicio de los fabricantes

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07 September
John Gallagher

Policy changes on horizon for autonomous and electric trucks

ACT Research’s Ann Rundle discusses policy implications for autonomous and electric trucks at FreightWaves’ one-day summit.

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06 September
John Gallagher

Trucking COVID-related supplies drops 50% under special waiver

Federal regulators release new data and ask for public comment to help determine whether to end the nationwide trucking hours-of-service waiver.

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02 September
John Gallagher

UPS fails in second shot at bypassing driver-trainer rules

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has ruled — again — that UPS has not shown it can maintain safety levels if it were exempted from new driver-training requirements.

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Aug - 2022 -
31 August
John Gallagher

FMCSA extends 50-state hours-of-service waiver through Oct. 15

Truck safety regulators have renewed until Oct. 15 a national exemption from hours-of-service rules for drivers supporting pandemic relief efforts.

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John Gallagher

Michigan trucking company seeks work-rule exemption for food products

A Michigan trucking company owner is seeking major relief from driver work-rule restrictions to help his customers avoid costly shutdowns.

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29 August
John Gallagher

FMCSA names members of new Women of Trucking panel

Federal regulators have appointed 16 members to an all-female advisory board in an effort to boost the ranks of women in trucking.

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John Gallagher

Safety groups urge NHTSA to reconsider underride guard rule

Truck safety advocates want federal regulators to reconsider a “fatally flawed” rule designed to prevent deaths and injuries in tractor-trailer crashes.

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John Gallagher

Unclear guidance makes trucking hemp across state lines legally dicey

Growing hemp has been legal since 2018, but transporting it across state lines remains a risky proposition for trucking.

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23 August
John Gallagher

FMCSA takes on request to allow hair tests into drug clearinghouse

Trucking regulators will consider allowing hair drug test results to be reported into a federal drug clearinghouse — despite asserting a lack of authority.

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22 August
John Gallagher

New York port truckers press FMC for emergency order

Trucking companies want the FMC to require better container storage data from the ocean carriers to speed cargo flow at the Port of New York and New Jersey.

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19 August
John Gallagher

FMCSA considers hours-of-service exemption for truck driver

Federal regulators are inviting the public to comment on a truck driver’s request to be exempt from hours-of-service rules.

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16 August
John Gallagher

FMCSA updates guidance for truck driver medical examiners

Federal regulators are issuing new guidance for truck driver medical qualifications, and sleep apnea regulations could be a next step.

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John Gallagher

La FMCSA actualiza las directrices para los examinadores médicos de conductores de camiones

El nuevo manual podría ser utilizado para lanzar una normativa sobre los riesgos de la apnea del sueño

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12 August
John Gallagher

Congress approves incentive boost for EV truck purchases

President Joe Biden plans to sign the Democrats’ inflation bill containing tax credits for all electric trucks — with a particular boost for last-mile delivery.

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John Gallagher

El Congreso aprueba un aumento de los incentivos para la compra de camiones eléctricos 

Se espera que Biden firme el proyecto de ley que proporciona un crédito fiscal de hasta 40.000 dólares por camión

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11 August
John Gallagher

FMC considering 60-day congestion emergency order

Federal regulators are considering a congestion emergency order to require carriers to share cargo data with shippers, railroads and trucks.

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John Gallagher

Fertilizer shippers seek carrier reforms to address supply chain snags

Fertilizer shippers push for transportation reforms to help products compete amid ongoing supply chain disruption.

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10 August
John Gallagher

Freight companies begin sharing capacity data with feds

DOT officials are calling the start of data sharing among supply chain companies a ‘milestone’ event.

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09 August
John Gallagher

Washington state agrees to dismiss meal/rest break appeal

Washington state is weighing options after agreeing not to appeal FMCSA’s preemption determination on the state’s truck driver meal/rest break laws.

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04 August
John Gallagher

FMC wants ocean carriers to pay for container storage

Federal regulators are pressuring carriers at the Port of New York and New Jersey to compensate shippers and carriers for container storage.

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John Gallagher

La FMC quiere que los transportadores paguen por el almacenamiento de contenedores 

Los cargadores y transportadores deben ser compensados cuando se vean obligados a proporcionar espacio, advierte el jefe

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02 August
John Gallagher

TuSimple sees no change in business model in wake of safety probe

TuSimple CEO Xiaodi Hou responded to a federal safety investigation that raised concerns about a potential setback to its driverless truck technology.

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John Gallagher

Billions in port grants rolled into Democrats’ inflation bill

The Democrats’ inflation bill pares down ‘Build Back Better’ but includes $3 billion to help ports and terminals cut pollution.

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Jul - 2022 -
30 July
John Gallagher

EV maker Rivian laying off approximately 840 employees

Electric vehicle maker Rivian is cutting its workforce by 6% amid growing inflation pressure and tightening capital markets, according to reports.

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John Gallagher

What should drivers expect at a weigh station stop?

Truck drivers should expect at least a Level 3 inspection when they stop at a weigh station.

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27 July
John Gallagher

El tribunal de apelación de DC deniega la impugnación de las horas de servicio de los conductores 

El grupo de seguridad califica el razonamiento de los jueces de “llamada de atención” para la FMCSA

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John Gallagher

DC appeals court denies driver hours-of-service challenge

A federal appeals court upheld the FMCSA’s hours-of-service rules by rejecting a challenge filed by safety groups alleging the 2020 changes make the roads less safe.

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26 July
John Gallagher

FMC needs more staff to enforce ocean shipping reforms, official says

A top regulator says more staff is needed to properly carry out new ocean carrier reforms signed into law by President Joe Biden.

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22 July
John Gallagher

FMCSA’s speed limiters: Unsafe at any speed?

Public comments reveal most truckers believe a proposal to require engines to have speed limiters will make roads less safe.

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20 July
John Gallagher

Avanza en la Cámara el proyecto de ley de estacionamiento de camiones por 755 millones de dólares 

El proyecto de ley se modifica para que los fondos no se puedan utilizar para la carga de vehículos eléctricos

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