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The Daily Dash: FMCSA shuts down Washington’s break rules; the robots are coming

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has told Washington state that it can’t enforce meal-and-rest break rules for commercial truck drivers subject to federal hours-of-service regulations. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

The Daily Dash is a quick look at what is happening in the freight ecosystem. In today’s edition, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has ruled that commercial truck drivers operating under federal hours-of-service regulations are not subject to Washington state’s meal-and-rest break regulations. Plus, carriers continue to be in a strong position as peak season rolls on, and delivery robots are suddenly in hot demand.

No break for you

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has told Washington state that it can’t enforce meal-and-rest break rules for commercial truck drivers subject to federal hours-of-service regulations.

John Gallagher explains why FMCSA has ruled: FMCSA rules Washington state can no longer enforce meal/rest break laws

A good place for carriers to be

The holiday outlook for truckload and parcel demand is strong and peak season is underway, and that is driving both the Outbound Tender Volume Index and the spot volume indices from Truckstop.com higher.


Seth Holm dives into the numbers: Outbound tender volumes keep cruising higher

The robots are coming!

As more Americans purchase groceries online, robotic delivery companies are seeing an opportunity, and that is pushing more innovation in the space.

Linda Baker explains why you may soon see robots navigating sidewalks: Grocery, new tech approaches define next phase of robotic delivery

Pop-up e-commerce distribution

To address growing e-commerce demand, Walmart will install pop-up e-commerce distribution centers inside 42 of its regional distribution centers.


Mark Solomon explains the reasoning: Walmart to place pop-up e-commerce DCs inside regional facilities

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Adoption of workflow automation solutions spikes after COVID-19

New TIA chief Reinke stepping right into the fire


Restaurant grease for renewable diesel in short supply

Did you miss this?

Third-quarter earnings are in, and the trucking sector performed quite well. Todd Fowler, lead transportation analyst at KeyBanc, shares some thoughts on the results in the Drilling Deep podcast.

Listen to Fowler’s interview with John Kingston: Drilling Deep: Analyzing the trucking earnings numbers from the third quarter

Hammer down, everyone,

Brian Straight

Managing Editor

Click for more FreightWaves articles by Brian Straight.

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Brian Straight

Brian Straight leads FreightWaves' Modern Shipper brand as Managing Editor. A journalism graduate of the University of Rhode Island, he has covered everything from a presidential election, to professional sports and Little League baseball, and for more than 10 years has covered trucking and logistics. Before joining FreightWaves, he was previously responsible for the editorial quality and production of Fleet Owner magazine and fleetowner.com. Brian lives in Connecticut with his wife and two kids and spends his time coaching his son’s baseball team, golfing with his daughter, and pursuing his never-ending quest to become a professional bowler. You can reach him at bstraight@freightwaves.com.