Here is a quick summary of some of the most talked about transportation, supply chain and logistics topics from September 2015:
- Diesel Prices Fluctuating. The US average retail diesel price dropped 4.7 cents a gallon in early September – this was the 14th straight week of declines. The diesel average has shed .40 cents since Memorial Day. The week of September 14th, after a week of price increases, the price of diesel fuel fell by 1.7 cents again.
- Infrastructure Causing Congestion, Traffic. According to the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, American motorists are stuck in traffic about 5% more than they were in 2007. Overall, Americans experienced 6.9 billion hours of traffic delays in 2014. Trucks account for about 18% of urban congestion, but represent only 7% of urban travel. DOT said Americans drove more than 3 trillion miles in the past 12 months.
- #NTDAW. Canada celebrated National Trucking Week from September 6-12. America celebrated National Truck Driver Appreciation Week from September 13-19. It’s important to recognize the importance of these individuals and this industry.
- Planning for Pope Visit. Transportation officials are expecting about 2 million people and 100,000 to 250,000 vehicles to travel through New Jersey during the papal visit. The Benjamin Franklin Bridge is closed to vehicular traffic.
- XPO to Purchase Con-way. XPO Logistics agreed to buy Con-way Inc. for $3 billion – the highest price ever paid for a US trucking company. Last week’s announcement was the latest of transport-related acquisitions.
