News from the Mid-America Trucking Show

Last week’s Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville, Kentucky, provided a close look at the future of trucking and trucking equipment.  From March 27 to 29 industry representatives and trucking professionals learned about the latest products and services at the world’s largest annual heavy-duty trucking event.

There was much for the trucking industry to discuss, and several of those issues were addressed at a preconference panel discussion at the MATS Fleet Forum.  The panel session, Trucking by the Rules:  A Legislative Update, looked at new and proposed government regulations.  Anne Ferro, one of the panel members and Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported that her agency is proceeding with a pilot study of split sleep and is studying the correlation between payment method and safety, as well as looking at the various methods and types of driver compensation.

On March 28, Ferro also held a public listening session on how to implement a new-entrant testing system.  Getting a proficiency exam up and running has been a FMCSA goal for many years, but it has now been put on the fast track by Congress’s 2013 highway bill.

Ferro said that in the past “it has been too easy” for someone to apply for new authority as a carrier, broker, or freight forwarder.  Attendees echoed her stance and suggested that there be an online tutorial to help prepare for the new-entrant test and that the test cover both FMCSA regulations and best practices.  They also voiced concern for the viability of small brokers to survive.  More information here and here.