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Your Dec. 16 Pre-Trip: ATA lauds Customs Reauthorization passage

Dec. 16, 2015

Here are five things worth knowing today.

Here are five things worth knowing today: 1. The American Trucking Assns. is praising the House for passing a Customs Reauthorization that it says improves safety, security and efficiency of cross-border trucking. ATA urges the Senate to quickly follow suit. “Trucks move the majority of freight between the U.S. and its neighbors Mexico and Canada,” ATA president Bill Graves said. “This compromise bill will help move that commerce safely and efficiently across those borders and we urge not only its quick passage, but urge President Obama to sign it into law.”2. The U.S. Department of Transportation announced that it has released an online course that highlights the basics of connected vehicle technology. According to DOT, the course is free and targets transportation planners, managers and engineers interested in learning more about the technology and its benefits. Participants will learn about safety, mobility and environmental applications envisioned for the connected vehicle environment, DOT said.3. The Texas Department of Public Safety and Kilgore Economic Development Corporation recently finished a 1,700-sq.-ft. CDL testing facility, the Kilgore News Herald reports. The facility, poised to help many find jobs, will feature a driving skills course dedicated to CDL testing and three customer service stations, according to the report. The News Herald has more. 4. According to AAA, holiday travelers are expected to top 100 million this year for the first time, USA Today reports. Two factors contributing to the increase in travelers are low fuel costs and rising incomes, AAA’s CEO said. Most travelers will be driving, and the group expects people will travel at least 50 miles from home from Dec. 23 through Jan. 3.5. Nissan North America will offer its Titan XD pickup with a 5.6-liter Endurance gasoline fueled V-8 engine available early next spring, Heavy Duty Trucking reports. The new engine features four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing and direct fuel injection, according to the report.

About the Author

Cristina Commendatore

Cristina Commendatore was previously the Editor-in-chief of FleetOwner magazine. She reported on the transportation industry since 2015, covering topics such as business operational challenges, driver and technician shortages, truck safety, and new vehicle technologies. She holds a master’s degree in journalism from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut.