'Regulatory roulette'

Plus: Why outdated dispatch drains profits

Trucking executives are weighing in on how English enforcement might affect the market and if visa pauses may drive up costs for American businesses.

Plus, is a power-only or tractor-focused strategy preventing your fleet from reaching its fullest potential? We're sharing a podcast that dives into the topic 🎙️

First though, how beautiful and scenic is this drive?!

ROADSIDE READS

What they're saying. A collection of six trucking executives weighs in on what they think English proficiency enforcement will do to their businesses and the broader trucking market.

Managing maintenance. How do you decide whether predictive or preventive maintenance is the better strategy for your fleet? This guide breaks down the pros and cons of each model.

Happy truckers. In this wholesome thread, drivers share what makes them smile, from arm pumps to shiny trucks.

Front-seat view. Enjoy a ride-along of this trucker's journey from Texas to Oklahoma. A perfect background video if you're at the office.

INDUSTRY VOICES

How spinning the regulation wheel hurts trucking businesses

Rick Mihelic of NACFE calls it "regulatory roulette." Regulators push through new bills, revoke existing laws or tweak regulations, but often without thinking about the impact on businesses in the trucking industry.

"Regulatory changes are not free, rarely instantaneous, and often have unintended consequences," Mihelic writes, noting that even small changes have ramifications for the infrastructure, service providers and companies.

Why this matters: Fleet owners have plenty on their plates, and keeping up with constantly shifting regulations only adds to the to-do list. Executives have to keep their companies nimble, while also being aware of the fact that regulations could change again before there's even time to make a business adjustment.

Get more details at CCJ Digital.

FAST LANE

PRICE HIKE? Visa pause, English rules could drive up U.S. company costs

NEW STUDY: FMCSA will examine causes of fatal heavy-duty truck crashes

JOB LOSS: FedEx lays off 600+ workers at Cummins-owned facilities

NO BENEFIT: OOIDA speaks out against heavier truck weights in letter to Congress

OPEN AGAIN: I-26 reopens nearly a year after Hurricane Helene damage

HIGH TECH: Aurora picks McLeod for first-ever TMS designed for AVs

SEEN & HEARD

"The ones that are winning are the carriers and the small fleets that are staying really flexible and on their toes." - Matt Harb, VP Product & Operations at Repowr

In the past, small carriers used to grow their fleets with roughly equal tractor and trailer investments. But today, the dynamic has shifted, with shippers often needing trailer services instead of power-only. The key to surviving, says Harb, is flexibility and agility. Listen to his insights on the "This Week in Trucking" podcast here.

ROAD REPORT

Guaranteed pay is becoming the standard for truck drivers

The days of paying per mile, per load or per hour may be in the rear-view mirror. The number of trucking fleets offering their drivers guaranteed pay has steadily climbed over the last decade. An annual survey found that 14% of fleets offered guaranteed pay in 2017. But today, more than 40% of trucking companies in the survey use this payment method.

Why this matters: The industry knows that driver retention is essential, and many businesses have stepped up their game to prove how much they value their drivers. For fleet executives whose companies don't offer guaranteed pay, they may risk losing current drivers or potential new recruits to motor carriers that do promise a steady paycheck. (Fleet Owner)

CONNECTED FLEET

Logistics players tap into TMS generative AI capabilities

Technology vendors that provide transportation management systems have heard request after request from their carrier and shipper customers: more AI. As the software companies have incorporated AI, the industry sees immense potential for logistics use cases, like identifying breakdowns in the shipment process or optimizing transportation schedules.

Why this matters: While it's early days for many applications of AI, the technology is already proving its ability to cut down manual work and headaches for trucking companies and their shippers. As the tech advances and adoption grows, greater efficiency and more use cases could emerge—but so could skepticism and a fall from the peak of the hype cycle. (Supply Chain Dive)