Did You Know?

How much does the average American spend in gas taxes? Americans will spend, on average, $264 each year in gasoline taxes (Assuming 12,000 miles driven per year and the average fuel efficiency of 23.6 mpg). Americans pay, on average, 51.96 cents of taxes per gallon of gasoline (18.4 cents of federal taxes + 33.56 cents, average state gasoline tax). In contrast, Americans will spend, on average, $963 annually for mobile phone service and $1,237 annually for digital cable or satellite TV.

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Fortune.com

MOU to eliminate confusion over infrastructure decision

One Federal Decision framework assists in processing environmental reviews and permits for major infrastructure projects across agencies.

Pre-deadline US ELD truck violations sound louder alarm

Full enforcement of the US electronic logging device (ELD) mandate has been under way since April 1, but federal statistics show that even before that deadline enforcement was far from lax. Data reported online by the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA) reveal a marked increase in the number of truck driver violations associated with ELDs in early 2018.

FRA: PTC operating on 56 percent freight route miles

Positive train control (PTC) systems are operating on about 56 percent of freight railroads' route miles that are required to be governed by PTC systems, up from 45 percent in third-quarter 2017 and 16 percent on Dec. 31, 2016, the Federal Railroad Administration announced yesterday.

Brazilian grain producers explore increased use of Panama Canal

Brazilian farmers in top soy state Mato Grosso signed a memorandum of understanding with the Panama Canal Authority to evaluate ways to cut transportation costs and boost Brazilian grain volumes using the waterway, the authority's chief administrator said.