Dec 5, 2008 12:59 PM

Safety, infrastructure, and the environment were three of the topics that Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) representatives discussed recently with President-elect Barack Obama's transportation transition team and current Department of Transportation (DOT) employees, according to TCA information.

Other groups at the meeting included the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, American Trucking Associations, Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, National Private Truck Council and truck manufacturers.

The purpose of the meeting was to highlight issues confronting the trucking industry and to garner insights into the challenges facing DOT.

"Although we were in harmony with the vast majority of the other industry groups at the table, we also articulated some of our concerns about the industry's current direction on productivity gains and the recent release of the hours-of-service (HOS) ruling," Ray Haight of the TCA said.

Kevin Burch of TCA pressed the issue of safety during the meeting, as well as emphasizing the importance of rebuilding bridges and highways.

"Overall, we were impressed with the Obama team's desire to hear from us, and we hope this becomes the start of an ongoing communication flow that will continue throughout the new Administration's term in office," said Chris Burruss of TCA.

Todd Spencer of OOIDA raised issues such as vehicle weight limitations, wait lines for loading and unloading, hours-of-service requirements, and reducing truck speed limits. He argued that reducing truck speed limits would negatively impact drivers' income. He encouraged the Obama administration to look at the issues facing truck drivers from a national perspective and not leave issues such as parking and idling restrictions in sole control of the states.

Want to use this article? Click here for options!
© 2009 Penton Media Inc.