29 Aug US Pending Home Sales Fall in July Amid 'Overheated' Markets An index measuring contracts to buy previously owned U.S. homes unexpectedly declined in July, signaling that buyers are balking at higher prices and a lack of choices in some regions, according to data released Aug. 29 from the National Association of Realtors in Washington. Read more...
29 Aug US Economy Grew at Brisk 4.2% Annual Rate Last Quarter WASHINGTON — The U.S. economy grew at a strong 4.2% annual rate in the April-June quarter, the best showing in nearly four years, as growth stayed on track to produce its strongest gain in more than a decade. Strength in business investment offset slightly slower consumer spending. Read more...
29 Aug Flatbed Companies Offer Drivers Incentives, Focus on Training to Keep Cargo Secure Flatbed carriers haul a wide variety of cargo, but securing that cargo requires extra work from drivers. To attract and retain those drivers, flatbed companies said they’re offering incentives and investing heavily in equipment and training to ensure loads are properly secured. Read more...
28 Aug Exceptional Demand Builds for Used Trailers The used trailer market is surging. Values are high and inventory is sometimes scarce as buyers look for alternatives to higher-priced new equipment, largely available only after long lead times, industry experts said. Read more...
28 Aug ATRI Study Highlights Benefits of HOS Flexibility Flexible hours-of-service breaks have the potential to benefit the drivers of sleeper berth trucks, according to a new analysis released by the American Transportation Research Institute on Aug. 28. Read more...
28 Aug New Rule Gives Small Railroads Option to Use Automated HOS Record Keeping The Federal Railroad Administration has issued a final rule to allow small railroads and their contractors to comply with employee federal hours-of-service record-keeping regulations using automated systems rather than paper records. Read more...
28 Aug Summit Partners Acquires MercuryGate International Investment firm Summit Partners announced the acquisition of MercuryGate International Inc., a provider of SaaS-based transportation management system solutions. Read more...
28 Aug Driver Shortage in Japan Speeds Up Commercial Use of Self-Driving Tech In Tokyo, self-driving taxis that transport passengers for a fee are being trialed. A serious shortage of taxi drivers lies behind the move, but the development of laws and regulations to deal with accidents and other issues still is lacking. Read more...
28 Aug Trucker Shortage Forces Some Restaurants to Buy Local A labor crunch in the trucking industry is making it more expensive to deliver everything from apples to zucchini. And restaurants of all kinds are turning to local ingredients to avoid surging shipping costs. Read more...
28 Aug Melting Arctic Ice Opens New Energy Trade Route A new trade route for energy supplies is opening up north of the Arctic Circle as some of the warmest temperatures on record shrink ice caps that used to lock ships out of the area. Read more...