Trucking Issues this 2019

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{"text":"2018 was a year of change for the trucking industry in many ways. We saw electronic logging device (ELD) implementation and enforcement, a new Administrator for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) was sworn in, freight rates hit record highs, and much more. With change comes an adjustment period and after some time passes, we can see the impacts of those changes.\r\n\r\nHere are some of the issues we are looking at this 2019\r\n\r\nProductivity\r\nMaintaining efficient productivity in the trucking industry has been difficult for most truck drivers and company owners because of the consistent decrease in the available workforce and strict compliance rules. We’re all aware of the driver shortage, but there is also a shortage of trucks and qualified technicians to repair them. Add in increasing freight demands and hours-of-service (HOS) rules and you get a perfect storm of challenges.\r\n\r\nPending Hours-Of-Service Reform\r\n\r\nELDs shined a bright light on the inefficiencies of the HOS regulations. The FMCSA spent the majority of 2018 talking about reforming HOS rules. They held listening sessions and asked for comments from trucking industry professionals. They’re actively working toward making new rules in 2019, but their early March timeline of revisions will most likely be delayed.\r\n\r\nInfrastructure\r\nImproving the nation’s infrastructure is vital to the trucking industry. ATRI’s research shows that congestion-related delays cost the trucking industry $74.5 billion in added operational costs in 2016. No one is opposed to an infrastructure plan, but what is still up for debate is how to fund the infrastructure plan. Spear thinks that President Trump’s infrastructure plan will pass in 2019.\r\n\r\nTariffs\r\nWhen trucks account for most of the border crossings into Mexico and Canada, paying attention to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and tariffs is important for the trucking industry. As it stands NAFTA is now facing major changes as the Trump Administration wants to renew trade talks. If the trade deal is removed, it could result in $15.5 billion in tariffs for businesses as well as an increase in consumer costs by at least $7 billion. The majority of our nation’s economists don’t think it will happen.\r\n\r\nIncreasing tariffs impacts the entire United States economy but especially the motor carriers who transport goods from ports. So far in 2019 the increase on tariffs for products from China, like steel and aluminum, has been postponed until March 2, 2019, pending further trade negotiations.\r\n\r\nThere you have it; those issues cross each other in a lot of ways and touch all things trucking. While it might seem like there hasn’t been a lot of forwarding momentum with these top four issues in the trucking industry, consider what we said about changes taking time. How does the saying go? “Good things come to those who wait.” Truckers know a thing or two about waiting.\r\n","pics":"[{\"description\":\"\",\"height\":581.0,\"name\":\"980/android_1550583973369.jpg\",\"url\":\"\",\"width\":960.0}]","canComment":true}