Regulatory and Policy Updates
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Automatic Emergency Braking Rule with the White House for Review
It’s been a discussion for many years but automatic emergency braking (AEB) is getting closer to a standardized piece of technology on heavy trucks. As a reminder, the AEB requirement and/or standardization of performance was included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The rule is required to be finalized by November 15, 2023. In […]
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Push to Repeal Federal Excise Tax
Over the last few years, there has been a lot of industry-led attempts to repeal the 12% federal excise tax (FET) on heavy-duty trucks. Last week, there was another push from the American Truck Dealers, American Trucking Association, and Zero Emission Transportation Association as they sent a letter to congressional leadership. The FET was originally […]
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Changes to the FMCSA SMS system?
Back in 2018, the FMCSA released a report indicating how they planned to reform the current Compliance, Safety, Accountability program (CSA). Last week they finally announced some proposed changes to the system for the public to weigh in on. Here are some of the proposed changes: FMCSA also created a new website, Compliance Safety Accountability […]
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Tougher Emissions Standards on the Horizon
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a new rule recently which places tougher emissions standards on heavy-duty engines and vehicles starting with model year 2027. The move was part of the EPA’s larger Clean Truck Plan and a step towards a goal of reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx) by nearly 50% by 2045. At a […]
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Trailer Side Underride Guards May be One Step Closer to Reality
The Department of Transportation (DOT) recently sent a proposed rule to the Whitehouse Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to consider requirements for side underride guards on trailers and semitrailers. Obviously the potential benefit being the reduction of crashes involving a vehicle going beneath a trailer, which can be catastrophic. This topic may sound familiar […]
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New Retirement Rule Changes
At the end of December, President Biden signed a $1.7 trillion spending bill into law. Included in the bill were some significant changes to the retirement system in the US that are known as the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022. Here are a few of the biggest changes included in the bill: Our colleague Steve […]
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A Transportation Shift for the Climate?
The Biden administration released The U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization and it is sure to raise some eyebrows for those in the truck transportation industry. The plan to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions calls for a strategic shift to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The plan has a three pronged approach to get […]
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Mileage Rates for 2023
The IRS has issued updated optional standard mileage rates for 2023. These rates are often used to calculate the deductible cost of operating a vehicle for business purposes as well as used by employers for calculating employee reimbursements for business mileage driven with personal vehicles. Beginning January 1, 2023, mileage rates will be: The mileage […]
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The Missing Pieces from the Omnibus Bill
Congress passed a $1.7 trillion dollar spending bill at the tail end of last week. In likely the last major piece of legislation Congress will pass before Republicans take control in the new year, many initiatives were included as lawmakers pushed to avert a government shut down and get home for the holidays before winter […]
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New Connecticut Highway Use Fee
Starting in January 1, 2023, Connecticut will be imposing a new use fee on certain carriers for the “privilege of operating” certain heavy, multi-unit motor vehicles on any highway in Connecticut. Companies such as transportation or construction companies will be impacted by this as it applies to class 8 through 13 vehicles. Here’s a chat […]