News From ASET - June 16, 2001

ASET Develops Working Group for Productivity Issues

Seeking to try and find a solution to the ever-growing problems facing both shippers and truckers, Americans for Safe & Efficient Transportation has joined forces with two important groups to find a remedy. ASET will be consistently meeting with both the American Trucking Associations and the National Industrial Transportation League to discuss the options available to both the trucking industry as well as the business community that utilizes trucks.

The ATA is the largest trucking association in the U.S. and NIT League is one of the most prominent shipper associations. The combined efforts of both groups, along with ASET, will lead to a realistic approach to solving what has become a major transportation crisis for business throughout the country. Soaring diesel and natural gas prices have crippled many industries. Congestion, a shortage of qualified truck drivers, and an anticipated growth in freight by the Department of Transportation over the next 20 years are all contributing to the alarm many business leaders feel about transportation policy as we enter the 21st century.

ASET will continue to stress our legislative objective of allowing states the decision of whether they should operate 97,000-pound six-axle tractor-trailers. However, this working group will look at other viable options and the issue of productivity as a whole. Regular meetings have begun and will continue until Congress and the transportation community work together to find common ground on solutions that will benefit productivity, but will not harm safety or the environment.

ASET looks forward to the working dialogue with both the ATA and NIT League in the future. It is our hope that together we can help increase productivity for all business while simultaneously decreasing the number of highway accidents and fatalities on America's highways.

TRB Study Due Out This Summer

The Transportation Research Board is due to release their findings on the issue of size and weight sometime before the end of this summer. In the study, the TRB will look at the effect changes in size and weight policy would have on infrastructure, productivity, safety, and other concerns. ASET will make comments regarding the study soon after its release.

New Members of ASET

ASET is proud to announce the addition of several new members to our coalition as well as some new Executive Committee members as well. Joining ASET are Home Depot, Metal Transportation Systems, and Tandem Transport. Recently joining the Executive Committee of ASET were International Paper and Georgia-Pacific. Thanks to all these diverse companies for their support of both safety and productivity advances in transportation policy. If your company has an interest in becoming an ASET member, please contact Jake Jacoby at (703) 549-9467.