The American trucking industry provided Congress with testimony on how to foster innovation in the industry during a hearing on Capitol Hill this week.
American Trucking Association President and CEO Chris Spear told lawmakers during the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Freight, Pipelines, and Safety hearing, titled “The Need for Speed: How Technological Advances are Driving Transportation Innovation,” that Congress needs to enact smart, targeted policy decisions. Convened by Subcommittee Chairman U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN), the hearing focused on modernizing America’s transportation networks, with testimony centering on how emerging technologies are transforming the movement of people and freight.
Spear said the trucking industry is already investing billions to modernize operations, but to fully unlock the benefits of new technologies, and to create a safer, stronger, and more competitive freight network, the country smart, targeted policy decisions.
“Trucking moves the vast majority of our nation’s freight, connects manufacturers to markets, keeps store shelves stocked, and delivers essential goods to communities in every state,” Spear told the Subcommittee. “Innovation-driven solutions not only improve outcomes but also help lower the prices paid by consumers and businesses alike.”
Spear provided the hearing with six steps to foster innovation in the industry – repealing the 12 percent Federal Excise Tax on new trucks and equipment; preserving national vehicle safety standards by reaffirming the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s role as the primary authority over motor vehicle safety standards; establishing a federal framework for autonomous vehicle trucks; modernizing the federal systems to combat cargo theft and fraud; prioritizing proven technologies; and protecting critical spectrum for transportation systems.
“The trucking industry is not waiting to innovate; it is already investing in the technologies that will define the future of freight,” the ATA said in a press release. “But federal policy will determine how quickly—and effectively—those innovations can be deployed nationwide. By advancing these six recommendations, Congress can send a powerful signal that the United States is ready to lead, strengthen supply chains, improve safety, reduce costs, and ensure American competitiveness for years to come.”