John Gallagher

Based in Washington, D.C., John specializes in regulation and legislation affecting all sectors of freight transportation. He has covered rail, trucking and maritime issues since 1993 for a variety of publications based in the U.S. and the U.K. John began business reporting in 1993 at Broadcasting & Cable Magazine. He graduated from Florida State University majoring in English and business.
Jan - 2020 -
15 January
John Gallagher

DOT chief pushes regulators to keep Wi-Fi safety bandwidth

New agency programs require wireless capacity that FCC wants to reallocate

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John Gallagher

How to reduce driver turnover

Consistently meeting expectations goes a long way toward keeping drivers on board.

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14 January
John Gallagher

FMCSA plans large truck crash study

First survey since 2003 will help inform autonomous vehicle development.

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13 January
John Gallagher

Research panel debates funding sources for truck parking

Advocacy groups differ on effectiveness of public and private financing to meet high demand.

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10 January
09 January
08 January
John Gallagher

Freight services company owner faces fraud charges

Investors in U.S.-based FreightGuru.com bilked out of $800,000, authorities allege.

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07 January
John Gallagher

FMCSA postpones queries after Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse crash

Employers allowed to continue driver hires while agency corrects connection issues.

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06 January
John Gallagher

EPA advances clean-truck NOx-reduction plan

Initiative will consider strategies to cut ozone emissions by 2027.

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03 January
John Gallagher

Coalition warns against U.S. Postal Service privatization

Trump’s influence over new agency chief could lead to service overhaul in 2020.

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01 January
John Gallagher

What is the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse?

High-profile accident leads to database aimed at keeping drug users off the road.

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Dec - 2019 -
30 December
John Gallagher

US drug clearinghouse predicted to launch 2020 capacity shakeout

Database of test results seen as rate booster while unseated trucks pose risk to operations.

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27 December
John Gallagher

US DOT dusts off national freight strategic plan

Trump administration seeks industry comment on Obama-era transportation document.

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26 December
John Gallagher

FMCSA increases random drug testing rate to 50%

Change from 25% on Jan. 1 estimated to raise annual industry costs by $50-70 million.

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20 December
John Gallagher

Knight-Swift takes second swing at FMCSA driver-record exemption

Company cites “staggering costs” after 2016 request went unanswered.

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19 December
John Gallagher

Trump to sign off on 2020 transportation spending bill

Action averts government shutdown, funds key infrastructure programs.

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17 December
John Gallagher

Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse: What drivers need to know

Drivers looking for work or changing jobs should register before Jan. 6.

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16 December
John Gallagher

EPA loosens fuel restrictions in US ahead of IMO 2020

Action allows ship owners to buy less expensive marine fuel to meet Jan. 1 regulation.

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13 December
John Gallagher

STB chief predicts legal challenges to railroad rate reform

Proposal providing relief for shippers could be rolled out next year.

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12 December
11 December
09 December
06 December
John Gallagher

FMCSA rejects UPS driver training exemption request

Safety analysis lacking in petition against ELDT rule, agency finds.

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05 December
John Gallagher

Confidence level low on U.S. enforcement of IMO 2020

Billions of dollars in fuel costs at stake for containership owners.

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04 December
John Gallagher

Trailer costs could rise without action on emissions standards

Manufacturers warn clock’s running out on needed clarity for 2021 models.

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02 December
John Gallagher

CVSA confirms hard enforcement of ELD transition

Automatic onboard recording device users can expect no leniency after Dec. 16.

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Nov - 2019 -
27 November
John Gallagher

FMCSA monitoring weather for potential HOS changes

Midwest storms could trigger exemptions for hauling snow removal materials and equipment.

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26 November
John Gallagher

FMCSA takes heat for driver training delay

Advocacy group warns lack of ELDT rule directly compromises truck safety.

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25 November
John Gallagher

US fines shipbuilder over $75 million in bribe scheme

Conspiracy involved sale of offshore drill ship to Houston chartering company.

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22 November
John Gallagher

Trump restores $7.6 billion for state highway projects

Texas, New Jersey, Pennsylvania had most to lose if funding had been slashed.

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21 November
John Gallagher

Regulators waver on autonomous vehicle crash safety oversight

U.S. senator also wants Tesla autopilot feature improved or shut down.

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20 November
John Gallagher

Truck safety advocates blast FCC spectrum carve-out plan

Proposal could undercut “hundreds of millions” spent on connected-vehicle infrastructure

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John Gallagher

Lawmaker aims to halt sexual assault in transportation

Bill would require DOT to make assault and harassment incidents publicly available.

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18 November
15 November
John Gallagher

Lawmakers told foreign ships threatening US maritime sector

Vessel group alleges “lucrative cost advantage” over American-flagged ships.

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14 November
John Gallagher

US senators introduce ‘Women in Trucking’ bill

Legislation would require FMCSA to step up efforts supporting women

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13 November
John Gallagher

Brake violations decline during latest inspection blitz

13.5% of trucks inspected in U.S., Canada placed out of service.

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12 November
07 November
John Gallagher

Drug/Alcohol Clearinghouse delay: Bad move for truck safety?

Splitting up enforcement deadlines for the rule could cost millions in benefits.

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06 November
John Gallagher

US voters approve state, local transportation funding

Ballot initiatives included a tax on ride-sharing companies in San Francisco.

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01 November
Oct - 2019 -
29 October
John Gallagher

Major automakers side with Trump on emissions rules

GM, Toyota clash with rivals Ford, BMW that are siding with California.

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John Gallagher

USDA rolls out nationwide hemp regulations

Rule will help law enforcement identify legally transported crops.

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28 October
John Gallagher

FMCSA details under-21 military driver program

Werner, UPS Freight among initial companies participating in pilot.

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25 October
24 October
John Gallagher

Cummins presses lawmakers on national emissions standard

Truck engine maker testifies on prospects for “net zero” pollution by 2050.

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John Gallagher

Driver qualification, detention among DOT 2020 priorities

Prioritizing high-risk motor carriers for interventions an added challenge.

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22 October
John Gallagher

Experts warn of China’s influence at U.S. ports

Extension of “Maritime Silk Road” threatens U.S. economic, military standing.

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18 October
John Gallagher

DOT rolls out “freedom gas” rail plan

LNG export proposal immediately slammed by Democrat lawmakers.

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17 October
John Gallagher

U.S. maritime defender Elijah Cummings dies

Maryland congressman was staunch supporter of the Jones Act and U.S. flag shipping.

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16 October
13 October
John Gallagher

California’s AB5 has carriers rethinking vendor relationships

Law firm Benesch warns legislation will likely raise costs but carriers have options.

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12 October
John Gallagher

Supply chain management specialist Lynkit joins BiTA

Significant gains expected from real-time kinematics for the port logistics and trucking industry.

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John Gallagher

FMCSA chief Ray Martinez leaves the agency

Chief counsel Jim Mullen expected to take over as Acting Administrator on Oct. 28.

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09 October
John Gallagher

Trump administration to consider mirrorless trucks

DOT safety group seeks comment on replacing rearview mirrors with cameras.

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08 October
John Gallagher

Carriers in Washington State look to block meal/rest break rules

Chances considered strong for federal hours-of-service preempting state law.

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07 October
John Gallagher

Independent truckers speak out on National Mall

“10-4 DC” rallies against regulations they say will run them off the road.

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04 October
01 October
John Gallagher

UPS certified for unlimited drone operations

First-of-its-kind FAA approval allows company to expand beyond medical deliveries.

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John Gallagher

FMCSA opens registration for drug and alcohol clearinghouse

Sign up required to access database when it’s fully implemented on January 6.

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Sep - 2019 -
30 September
John Gallagher

U.S. DOT’s Chao refutes ethics violations

Calls allegations she used her position to benefit family’s shipping business “false”.

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John Gallagher

USPS investigating drone delivery options

Agency envisions using trucks as launch point for last-mile customers.

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27 September
26 September
John Gallagher

DOT ends century-old restriction on highway construction

Change could reduce congestion caused by accidents and inferior road design.

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25 September
John Gallagher

FMCSA awards $77 million in truck safety grants

Program funding has increased annually from $38 million awarded in 2013.

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24 September
John Gallagher

Trade and tariffs on ATA’s political burner

CEO Chris Spear leading a behind-the-scenes approach to influencing White House.

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John Gallagher

ATA sees more tough times for smaller fleets

Larger fleets positioned to reap benefits from carrier bankruptcies

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19 September
John Gallagher

Former US agriculture chiefs push USMCA ratification

Pressure applied as some Democrats remain concerned about labor provisions.

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18 September
17 September
John Gallagher

DOT chief target of ethics probe into maritime connections

Chao’s influence over budget cuts could also affect national security, lawmakers allege.

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16 September
John Gallagher

Business lobbyist confident in U.S. weathering an oil price storm

U.S. Chamber chief Tom Donohue also commented on status of China trade talks, USMCA.

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13 September
12 September
John Gallagher

ATA considers raising diesel tax for truck-only lanes

Option raised as part of Capitol Hill debate on congestion pricing

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11 September
John Gallagher

Federal labor board ruling seen as win for LTL employers

Decision could make it easier for employers to make unilateral work-rule changes

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10 September
John Gallagher

Air cargo CEOs among new US-UK aviation security group

Classified information in trans-Atlantic markets to be reviewed by advisory board.

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09 September
05 September
John Gallagher

Safety group calls for Tesla recall after NTSB report

Federal agency finds company’s “Autopilot” technology played a role in 2018 accident.

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John Gallagher

FMCSA extending drug clearinghouse deadline for state agencies

Motor carriers will still have to comply with January 6, 2020 deadline.

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04 September
Aug - 2019 -
29 August
John Gallagher

Much of Southeast U.S. exempted from hours of service rules ahead of Dorian

Drivers hauling supplies in response to storm will be exempt from hours-of-service rules.

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