Trucking stakeholders praised the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s approval of the Truck Parking Improvement Act, the spearhead of many recently introduced House bills intended to strengthen America’s supply chain and bolster the freight industry.
“Truck drivers do the hard work to keep our supply chains moving and it’s our responsibility to protect their safety and wellbeing. I’m pleased to see my bipartisan bill heading to the House Floor for a vote—and will be working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get this passed,” said Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minnesota), who introduced the bill.
The committee has approved a series of proposed regulatory changes, many of which apply directly to trucking. In addition to the Truck Parking Improvement Act, proposed legislation addresses driver training and weight tolerances.
See also: House Reps reintroduce bill to strengthen trucking workforce, supply chain
The American Trucking Associations released a statement applauding five proposed bills: The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, LICENSE Act, CARS Act, Dry Bulk Weight Tolerance Act, and HR 3447 for hydrogen vehicle weights.
“ATA has repeatedly engaged with Congress to discuss persistent challenges facing our industry, and we thank Chairman Graves for his attention to these issues and for his leadership of today’s markup,” ATA President and CEO Chris Spear said. “We also commend the bill sponsors who worked with us and other key stakeholders to craft solutions that would benefit our industry, the economy, and American consumers.”
See also: Trucking's story is America's story, so tell it, says ATA's Spear
The Federal Transit Administration also is planning updates to the National Public Transportation Safety Plan, which addresses new requirements from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Licensing Individual Commercial Exam-takers Now Safely and Efficiently (LICENSE) Act of 2023
The Licensing Individual Commercial Exam-takers Now Safely and Efficiently Act would make permanent two pandemic-era U.S. Department of Transportation waivers that made it easier for prospective truck drivers to receive training. CDL skills test examiners would be permitted to administer knowledge tests to applicants, and they would be able to administer tests to applicants regardless of their state of origin.
According to David Heller, senior VP of safety and government affairs for the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), the bill would expedite the CDL-issuing process while not posing a safety risk because of FMCSA’s Entry-Level Driver Training regulations. The regulations, which took effect last year, standardize how truck driving schools teach and train, mitigating the differences that might have existed between states’ curriculums.
“The Entry-Level Driver Training rule standardized what those minimum levels [of training] are, which never happened before,” Heller told FleetOwner. “Previously speaking, you’d have the CDL mills that could get people in and out, and that third party could have been concerning because they’re just pushing it through, whereas now there’s a minimum standard.”
Heller said the delays between completing training, taking tests, and becoming employed with a carrier were so significant that prospective drivers could choose not to enter the industry altogether.
“They may say, ‘Why am I waiting this long when I can get a job in construction?’” Heller said. “The reality is, it speeds up the process between the completion of training, which has been standardized, to taking the test,” which he said speeds up getting drivers on the road.
“Trucking workforce shortages continue to be a persistent challenge for small businesses throughout America, and the downstream effects are harming working families,” Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Illinois). “As we face unprecedented supply chain challenges, this legislation will help streamline the process to obtain a commercial driver’s license and reduce unnecessary red tape. I am pleased that the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has passed this commonsense legislation and hope to see it come before the full House for a vote soon.”
HR 2948, the Carrying Automobiles Responsibly and Safely (CARS) Act
The CARS Act addresses the increasing weight of electric vehicles, allowing a 10% weight allowance increase for stinger-steered car haulers from 80,000 lb. to 88,000 lb.
“The CARS Act would ensure vehicle transportation does not fall behind by restoring lost load capacity to transport carriers that are witnessing a surge in heavier cars on the market,” Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Texas) said. “This bill is a simple solution to a growing industrywide problem, and I appreciate the support of my colleagues and countless stakeholders in the industry that worked with me on the CARS Act to sustain our supply chain.”
See also: House reps hear regulatory, supply chain, carrier safety rating concerns
Some industry groups are concerned that the legislation would weaken safety practices in pursuit of a more robust supply chain.
Teamsters Freight Division Director John Murphy and Teamsters Carhaul Division Director Avral Thompson wrote in a statement, "The Teamsters see these bills for what they clearly are—a naked giveaway to industry special interests more concerned with profit than the safety of experienced commercial drivers or the driving public. This legislation is absolutely not—as proponents are falsely claiming—a good faith effort to address supply chain challenges.”
HR 3372, establishing a safety data collection program for certain 6-axle vehicles
HR 3372 would establish a voluntary 10-year pilot program for states to increase truck weights on federal interstates up to 91,000 lb. on six axles.
“Increasing the amount of cargo a truck can carry on the road with the addition of a sixth axle is a safe and efficient way to further streamline our supply chain,” Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-South Dakota) said. “This commonsense update to the rules of the road lowers greenhouse gas emissions, mitigates factors leading to supply chain backlogs, reduces damage to roads, and provides an extra set of breaks to increase stopping capacity and safety.”
Speaking for TCA, Heller said, “We have any concerns with any talk when it comes to weight increases from 80,000 pounds.”
Heller also expressed concern that with a sixth axle, drivers are essentially introducing 20% more wear and tear to the roadways than by using more common five-axle tractor-trailers.
HR 3318, establishing a 10% axle weight variance for dry bulk
Under HR 3318, trucks hauling dry bulk cargo, such as grain, would be allowed 10% leeway as to the weight on a given axle as long as it remains under the gross vehicle weight limit.
“Commodities such as flour or rice have the tendency to shift when the driver comes to a stop, even when packaged properly,” Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Arkansas). “Current law doesn’t take into account that this movement is inevitable. This legislation is a commonsense solution for truckers transporting dry bulk by giving more flexibility for weight per axle requirements.”
Heller said: “The way I’ve explained this on Capitol Hill time and time again is, let’s say you’re going and you’re buying popcorn … with the dry kernels.”
He said to imagine the kernels shifting in the can without the weight within the container changing, likening this to trucks by saying, “If they're going around a sharp turn, dry popcorn kernels can shift because of that. It could affect the weight distribution on the load and put some axle weights out of alignment, but it wouldn't increase over 80,000 pounds.”
FTA seeks public comment on National Public Transportation Safety Plan updates
Federal Transit Administration published a notice in the Federal Register requesting comment on an update to the National Public Transportation Safety Plan that would replace the plan that FTA published in January 2017.
Updates would include adding safety performance criteria for vehicular collisions and providing voluntary standards for bus transit.
H.R.3447, amending hydrogen vehicle weight limits
Congress is also considering HR 3447, which would authorize a hydrogen-powered vehicle to exceed certain weight limits on the Interstate Highway System.
