Bouncing back proved easier said than done for most of the country in 2010.  While things did not appear quite as bleak as they did throughout 2009, this year many continued the struggle for financial security, with unemployment remaining high.  Consumer confidence ebbed and flowed, and for some 2010 ended no better than it started.  Overall the trucking industry showed positive growth as more freight began to move and those remaining in the transportation industry picked up the business of those who had departed.  As the trucking industry has often led the way, either up or down the economic hill, the increase in freight is a welcome sign that things are, indeed, getting better.

Ray LaHood continued strong as the leader of the DOT, pushing forward on his mission to protect the country’s road ways.  Distracted driving has become a focal point of the DOT, with regulations and education on the use of cell phones and texting at the forefront of the news.  Starting initially with a ban on texting with a cell phone, the prohibitions have now extended to any type of texting and any use of hand held phones by commercial drivers.  The Inspector General’s annual report on the DOT applauds the DOT on its mission but recognizes that budgetary concerns will make it even more challenging to reach its goal.  In addition, while lauding the implementation of CSA2010, the report points to the need for improvement in carrier census data so that the reporting is correct and safety is improved.

The anticipated political change and momentum of the Obama Administration slowed as midterm elections returned the power of the House back to the Republicans.  The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure lost its leader, with the departure of Representative Oberstar at the end of 2010.  Republican John Mica has taken over the leadership of this very influential committee and the coming year will see him place his mark on the transportation industry.  Rep. Mica has indicated support for a National Strategic Transportation Plan that will allow the creation of a long-term strategic vision for the transportation system.

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Simple survival was the main objective for most of the country in 2009.  The trucking industry held on and hoped for the best. The events of 2009 were unprecedented as industry and individuals faced financial disaster.  With so many industries affected by the dramatic drop in finances, there was little the trucking industry could do to minimize damage to its own operations.  Overall the country saw over 1.4 million reported bankruptcy filings, both personal and corporate, to say nothing of the number of companies which simply closed up shop.  The overall decline in truck tonnage pushed many carriers out of the industry and forced others to operate on an even smaller shoe string. Fleet size shrunk and profits dropped as carriers looked for new and innovative ways to stay in business. Even truck stops disappeared as more states were forced to close them in the face of budget constraints.

The inauguration of Barack Obama changed the political landscape.  With a new administration we saw new leaders emerge in the different agencies, all with their own agenda.  Ray LaHood took over the helm at the DOT, after serving for many years on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and, after that, on the House Appropriations Committee.,Mr. LaHood has indicated that he will be leading a series of meetings throughout the country to assist in getting feedback on what is needed for the new highway bill.   Anna Ferro now leads the FMCSA and has set forth her own agenda for the coming decade, with a primary focus on safer operations of the trucks on the road.  The economic stimulus package moved monies into the country’s infrastructure. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act included a decidedly ambitious undertaking to improve infrastructure, approving funding for over 11,300 projects which is anticipated to create tens of thousands of jobs.

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