How Autonomous Technology Will Change Trucking Liability Law
The rise of autonomous trucking technology is reshaping liability law, moving responsibility from solely the driver to a broader set of parties including OEMs, software developers, and carriers. As Level 4 trucks automate driving functions, courts are likely to see more multi‑party lawsuits that blend traditional negligence with product‑liability theories. The recent Tesla autopilot verdict, which assigned 33% fault to the manufacturer and imposed over $200 million in punitive damages, illustrates how product‑liability claims can target vehicle software and design. Meanwhile, fragmented state regulations leave the industry without a clear federal framework, complicating risk management.
Harriet Quimby
Harriet Quimby became the first American woman to earn a pilot’s license in 1911, breaking gender barriers in early aviation. Born in 1875 in Michigan, she grew up amid family financial instability before her mother’s herbal medicine business provided stability....
The Risks of Autonomous Vehicle Self-Certification in Freight
The article warns that allowing autonomous‑vehicle (AV) manufacturers to self‑certify their freight trucks could bypass critical safety oversight that human drivers currently undergo. It highlights the stark contrast between mandatory medical exams for Class 7/8 drivers and the proposed lack of...
How to Vet Trucking Fleet Vendors
The article outlines a structured approach for trucking companies to vet fleet vendors, emphasizing criteria beyond price such as experience, financial stability, and service‑level agreements. It advises firms to define their needs, issue RFPs, score proposals on expertise, cost and...
Lytx Reports Noticeable Drop in Commercial Collision Severity
Lytx’s 2026 Road Safety Report, based on 341 billion miles from 6.3 million commercial drivers, shows a mixed safety picture for 2025. While overall collision rates rose 4.53% due to more low‑severity incidents, severe collisions fell 4% and moderately severe crashes plunged...
‘New Week, We Try Again’: The Mantra Driving a South African Township Delivery Service
Delivery Ka Speed, a logistics firm serving South African townships, has made “New Week, We Try Again” a weekly mantra, placing the note in parcels each Monday. Founder Godiragetse Mogajane says the phrase reflects the resilience of township residents who...
Why Travel Infrastructure Remains a Core Pillar of Economic Expansion
Travel infrastructure—airports, highways, railways, ports, and private‑jet networks—remains a foundational driver of economic expansion in 2026. Efficient transport lowers trade costs, fuels tourism, and ensures workers reach jobs on time, while resilient systems mitigate geopolitical and climate shocks. Governments and...
CMA CGM Introduces PSS for Shipments From China to West Africa
CMA CGM will impose a $500 per TEU Peak Season Surcharge on shipments from China to West Africa beginning April 6, 2026. The fee applies to all cargo types on short‑term contracts and remains in effect until further notice. The...
Delta Adds New York Times To Seatback Screens — ‘Free Access’ Is Really A Subscription Pitch
Delta Air Lines has partnered with The New York Times to provide SkyMiles members aged 18 and older with free, all‑access NYT content through its seat‑back entertainment system, Delta Sync. The offer grants up to 24‑hour access and can be used up to...
New Hyatt Promo Worth Up To 100K Points, JetBlue Raises Bag Fees & Delta Is Ditching Starlink
Delta Air Lines and Amazon’s Leo platform announced a partnership to embed next‑generation connectivity and digital services across Delta’s fleet, signaling a strategic shift from satellite‑based solutions like Starlink. Hyatt’s Under Canvas brand launched a limited‑time promotion that rewards glamping...
Containers Fall Into Kaohsiung Waters as ONE-Operated Ship Scrapes Feeder Vessel
Four containers fell into the waters of Taiwan’s Kaohsiung port after a large container ship operated by Ocean Network Express (ONE) collided with a stationary feeder vessel at Pier 77 on April 1 around noon. The impact caused the containers to slip...
Scaling Security and Speed in Pharmaceutical Cold Chain Delivery at the Last Mile
Consumer expectations have shifted to hour‑level delivery, prompting big‑box retailers to add pharmaceutical cold‑chain shipments to their last‑mile services. This introduces stringent temperature, security, and compliance requirements that differ sharply from general‑merchandise fulfillment. Companies must blend rapid order processing with...
MSC Updates Emergency Fuel Surcharge for Asia–North America Trades
MSC, the world’s second‑largest container carrier, announced an updated Emergency Fuel Surcharge for its Asia‑to‑U.S. and Canada services, effective May 1, 2026. The surcharge reflects rising marine fuel prices and limited bunker availability linked to Middle‑East tensions. Rates differ by destination,...
SSR Performance Teases Project Leo: The Ultimate Track Porsche 911
SSR Performance unveiled a teaser for Project Leo, its first ground‑up Porsche 911 GT3 RS track car. Developed over two years, the model features a bespoke gearbox, custom cooling, a unique body kit and high‑downforce package. While engine specifics remain...
Dizzying Fuel Prices Mostly Outside Gas Stations’ Control
U.S. gasoline prices have risen above $4 per gallon, the highest level since 2022, driven primarily by surging crude oil costs linked to geopolitical tensions such as the Iran war. While consumers often blame stations, retailers only capture roughly 10%...
Passengers Keep Stealing From Carry-On Bags On Hong Kong Flights — But Cabin Cameras Still Aren’t Standard
A passenger on a Hong Kong Express flight from Phu Quoc to Hong Kong caught a thief rummaging through carry‑on bags, prompting police to intervene after cash was discovered missing. Airline data reveal more than 15 theft incidents per month...
HIMA Expands Into Colombia and Peru
HIMA Group announced the opening of new facilities in Lima, Peru on March 3 and Bogotá, Colombia on March 5, expanding its Latin American footprint. The sites will deliver safety automation, engineering, commissioning and after‑sales services to oil, gas, chemical and petrochemical...
Short Sea Shipping Under the Hormuz Pressure Architecture
The escalating crisis in the Hormuz Strait, traditionally a deep‑sea chokepoint for VLCCs and ultra‑large container ships, is now reverberating through short sea shipping (SSS) networks. Heightened geopolitical risk is prompting carriers to reassess routing, insurance and cost structures for...
Ford GT Mk IV May Have Set a New Nurburgring Lap Record
Ford’s latest GT Mk IV was photographed at the Nürburgring with a reported 6:15 lap time, sparking speculation of a new lap‑record. The limited‑edition track car produces roughly 800 hp from a twin‑turbo EcoBoost engine and is built for high‑speed circuit performance....
Talking Headways Podcast: Civil Rights, Civic Transport
The Trump administration issued an executive order directing federal agencies to rescind regulations that require disparate‑impact analysis for transportation projects, a key tool for enforcing Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The Department of Transportation is poised to withdraw...
Hormuz: Open — But Still Not Usable at Scale
The Strait of Hormuz, handling roughly 20% of global oil, is technically open but remains unreliable for commercial use. Selective vessel passages and unpredictable closures have eroded shippers' confidence, turning the corridor into a sporadic route. Alternative pathways are absorbing...
Smart Track Strategies for London Underground: Video | PWI
The Railway Engineering Institution (formerly PWI) showcased innovative track‑renewal methods for the London Underground that aim to extend mileage while cutting costs. Strategies highlighted include longer welded rail panels, mechanised track‑laying equipment, predictive‑maintenance analytics, and recycled ballast. Case studies from...
Aviation Materials and Sustainability: What Science Actually Shows
Aviation is rapidly embracing sustainable materials as regulators and airlines push for lower emissions. Advanced composites now make up more than half of the structure in modern jets such as the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350, delivering 15‑20% fuel savings...
Icelandair Keen On Acquiring Stake in Fly Play’s Maltese Entity
Icelandair disclosed a letter of intent to acquire a 49% stake in Fly Play Europe, the Maltese‑registered entity that retained an Air Operator Certificate after the Icelandic low‑cost carrier’s bankruptcy. The transaction is contingent on due‑diligence and creditor approval. By...
Hapag-Lloyd Announces PSS Increases From Europe to North America
Hapag-Lloyd will impose new Peak Season Surcharges (PSS) on shipments from Europe to North America and Mexico starting in April and May 2026. For North Europe routes, the surcharge is $250 per 20‑foot container and $500 per 40‑foot or 40‑foot...
Building Ethical Leaders in Freight: Inside TIA’s Freight Leadership Lab
The Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) launched the Freight Leadership Lab, a certification program aimed at mid‑level brokerage managers to develop ethical, high‑performing leaders. The curriculum includes six modules covering profit mechanics, communication, problem‑solving, decision‑making, and a dedicated ethics component taught...
In the Gulf, GPS Jamming Leaves Delivery Drivers Navigating Blind
GPS jamming by military forces in the Persian Gulf is spilling over into civilian navigation tools, leaving delivery drivers in Dubai unable to rely on maps. The interference, which also affected more than 1,650 ships on March 7, can either block...
British Airways Passengers Stranded in Newfoundland For Two Days Slam Airline as an “Utter Disgrace”
British Airways flight BA195 from London to Houston diverted to St. John’s, Newfoundland on March 31 after a passenger became seriously ill. The 787‑10 Dreamliner, carrying up to 265 passengers, was forced into a two‑day layover while the crew awaited...
You Can Now View TSA Checkpoint Wait Times Directly in the United Airlines Mobile App At These Seven Airports
United Airlines has added estimated TSA checkpoint wait times to its mobile app for seven major hub airports, covering both standard security lanes and TSA PreCheck. The feature appears on the app’s ‘day of travel’ page, giving passengers a quick...
(Unedited) Podcast Transcript 573: Civil Rights Enforcement in Transportation Projects
The Talking Headways podcast featured Laurel Paget‑Seekins of Public Advocates discussing how civil‑rights enforcement in transportation projects is under threat, especially as the U.S. Department of Transportation moves to rescind disparate‑impact regulations. She highlighted the chronic staffing and capacity crises...
How the Growth in Vehicle Size Impacts Our Climate, Health, and Economy
SUVs and other large passenger vehicles now account for 48% of global car sales, making them a rapidly expanding source of CO₂ emissions. A new report by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy and UC Davis examines this trend across...
EU, Germany to Accelerate Rail Investment in Response to Iran War
The German government and the EU unveiled a massive rail investment package in response to the Iran‑induced oil supply shock after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Germany will allocate about €100 billion (≈$109 billion) for urban, regional and intercity rail,...
Opinion: A Rail Line Would Better Serve the Ring of Fire – by Peter J. Barnett (Sudbury Star – April...
The Ring of Fire in northern Ontario contains vast deposits of critical minerals such as nickel, copper, chromium and platinum‑group elements, but its remote location limits development. Current access relies on seasonal winter roads, driving up costs and threatening Canada’s...
Carbon Taxes and Fuel Costs Drive ACMI Fleet Realignment
Avion Express is pulling 15 Airbus A320‑ceo aircraft out of the European ACMI market and redeploying them to its Brazilian operation as EU carbon taxes and soaring fuel prices raise operating costs by roughly 25%. The shift reflects a broader...
We’re Hiring: T4America Policy Lead (Senior Policy Manager or Policy Director)
Transportation for America, the policy arm of Smart Growth America, is hiring a senior policy leader to steer its federal surface transportation reauthorization strategy and manage a growing policy team. The role focuses on advancing three priorities—repairing infrastructure, prioritizing safety,...
FMCSA Stops Short of Saying 2020 HOS Changes Caused More Crashes
The FMCSA’s latest congressional report finds a 17.3% rise in post‑crash inspections that reveal at least one out‑of‑service hours‑of‑service (HOS) violation since the 2020 rule changes, yet crash and fatality rates remain statistically unchanged. Injury rates have actually declined, and...
Significant Changes to Air India Maharaja Club Effective Immediately
Air India announced sweeping enhancements to its Maharaja Club loyalty program, effective immediately. The airline reduced Maharaja Points required for award flights and cabin upgrades on over 90% of routes, introduced a simplified tier‑based rescheduling policy, and lowered flight‑count thresholds...
D.C.-area ATC Evacuations Followed 2025 Smoke Event Which Injured Controllers
The Potomac Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) experienced three smoke‑related incidents within a year, beginning with an unreported April 2025 event that caused nausea, dizziness and permanent loss of FAA medical certificates for several controllers. In March 2024 the facility was evacuated...
Chevy Corvette Has an Identity Crisis: Senna GTR or Aventador SVJ?
A heavily modified Chevrolet Corvette has been spotted sporting a hybrid visual identity that merges McLaren Senna GTR and Lamborghini Aventador SVJ cues. The kit includes a massive rear wing, aggressive SVJ decals, and a custom twin‑pipe exhaust that produces...
Telematics and Trust: The UBI Revolution
In 2024, more than 21 million U.S. drivers—representing a 28% compound annual growth since 2018—are sharing telematics data with insurers, moving usage‑based insurance (UBI) from niche to mainstream. Trust has become the primary catalyst, with 53% of policyholders expressing high confidence...
How Will London’s Driver Market Respond to Autonomous Vehicles?
London is poised to become the next major robotaxi market as Waymo, Wayve and China’s Apollo Go plan trials this year, targeting over 146 million annual taxi and private‑hire trips. The UK’s Automated Vehicles Act 2024 fast‑tracks driverless licensing to spring 2026,...
Strategic Logistics: Optimising Equipment Safety for High-Value Asset Transport
Transporting high‑value AV and precision engineering equipment now demands purpose‑built containers rather than generic industrial crates. Flight‑certified cases, meeting ATA 300 Category 1 standards, combine rigid outer shells with engineered foam to absorb shocks and vibrations. Their ergonomic handles, heavy‑duty castors and...
United Launches Real-Time TSA Wait Time Tracker in Mobile App
United Airlines has added a real‑time TSA wait‑time tracker to its mobile app, launching a pilot at its seven major U.S. hub airports. The tool displays up‑to‑the‑minute estimates for standard security lines and TSA PreCheck, helping travelers decide when to...
10 Must-Knows From Robert Maersk Uggla on the New Rules of Global Shipping
Global shipping is shifting from growth scarcity to growth management, as volumes rise while margins compress and uncertainty spikes. Geopolitical disruptions, especially heightened U.S. tariffs, are reshaping trade routes and forcing carriers to adapt to a multipolar world. Robert Maersk...
Cuba, the Oil Blockade, and the Internal Contradictions of Trump’s Policies in the Western Hemisphere
The Trump administration adopted a "hybrid economic warfare" model, deploying naval blockades such as the Anatoly Kolodkin tanker to choke Cuba’s oil imports. This tactic sits between traditional sanctions and outright conflict, aiming to pressure Havana without a formal declaration of...
American Express Centurion Lounge Updates (New Lounges At BOS, CLT & Expansion At DFW)
American Express announced a series of Centurion lounge developments, including a two‑story lounge with an outdoor terrace at Boston Logan Airport slated for 2029, a new sidecar lounge in Charlotte Douglas International’s Concourse A opening in 2027, and a 50 % larger...
Air Serbia Ends 2025 with a Slightly Lower Profit
Air Serbia reported 2025 revenue of €719.5 million ($834.7 million), up from the previous year, while pre‑tax profit slipped to €45.3 million ($52.5 million) versus €50 million ($57.9 million) in 2024. Passenger traffic rose 3% to 4.5 million and the network‑wide load factor improved to 77.3%, a...
R&J Trucking Migrates From Legacy System to Cloud-Based TMS
R&J Trucking, a bulk carrier with over 600 trucks and 1,000 trailers, retired its IBM AS/400‑based system in favor of a custom cloud transportation management system called BulkOffice. The new TMS was built on the Microsoft Power Platform by TwoSommers,...
A Simple Rule for Level 2++ Safety Accountability
The U.S. regulatory gap lets automakers market Level 2+ (or Level 2++) driver‑assistance systems without dedicated safety oversight, despite their robotaxi‑like capabilities. A proposed liability rule would presume any crash caused by non‑malicious driver inattention to be a product defect, shifting the...
Southwest Switches Back to Open Seating
Southwest Airlines announced it is reverting to its classic open‑seating model after just over two months of a pilot assigned‑seat program. The reversal is framed as a move to recapture the free media buzz that the airline relies on for...