Road Scholar | Transport Blog's

For too long, motor carriers, brokers, and drivers have had little recourse when confronted with fraud, coercion, or unsafe practices.   Complaints submitted to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) often disappeared into the void, lost in a system widely seen as outdated and ineffective.   But that may soon change.  The FMCSA has proposed a major overhaul of the National Consumer Complaint Database (NCCDB)—a move that, if implemented properly, could serve as a game-changer for carriers looking to level the playing field.   This modernization effort isn’t just about fixing a clunky portal; it’s about empowering ethical players in the freight industry and bringing consequences to those who cut corners. A New Era of Accountability Prompted by a scathing 2023 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, the FMCSA’s proposed changes aim to inject transparency, traceability, and enforcement into the complaint system.   The overhaul includes:...

As summer temperatures climb, so do the risks associated with transporting alcohol.   Whether it’s a premium craft beer, a carefully aged bourbon, or a fine wine, alcohol is a delicate product that can degrade quickly when exposed to excessive heat.   This makes temperature-controlled shipping not just a matter of quality, but also one of brand protection and legal risk.  When alcohol is transported in non-refrigerated trailers during hot months, the consequences can be severe—ranging from product spoilage and financial loss to vicarious liability for suppliers and distributors.   That’s why selecting the right carrier is not just recommended—it's essential. Why Temperature Control Matters in Alcohol Transportation  Alcoholic beverages are highly sensitive to heat.   Extreme temperatures can cause changes in flavor, aroma, color, and overall composition.   For example: Beer: Heat can cause oxidation, leading to a "skunky" or stale taste. ...

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced a sweeping initiative aimed at modernizing and reducing the regulatory burden on the trucking industry.   In a move lauded by some as long overdue and criticized by others for potentially impacting safety oversight, the DOT’s May 29 proposal includes rescinding or revising more than two dozen federal regulations, many of which are considered outdated or unnecessarily cumbersome for truckers and fleet operators.  A Clear Message from Leadership Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy described the initiative as a way to "slash duplicative and outdated regulations that are unnecessarily burdensome, waste taxpayer dollars, and fail to ensure safety."   He stressed that the reforms are intended to support a larger initiative to make the government more streamlined and adaptable to the current demands of the transportation sector.   “Big government has been a big failure,” Duffy said.   “These are common-sense c...

In a year defined by economic uncertainty and rapidly shifting logistics demands, one trend is raising eyebrows across the freight and supply chain industry: more than half of truckloads in 2024 ran underutilized. According to a new study conducted by Flock Freight and Drive Research, 58% of truckloads last year moved with significant unused space, up sharply from 43% in 2023.   In real terms, that translates to 34 linear feet of trailer space left empty—meaning every third truck on the road could have been completely consolidated into another. The Hidden Cost of Empty Trailers This growing inefficiency is not just a logistical oversight; it’s a serious financial and environmental concern.   While lower freight rates in a soft market have made it more tolerable for shippers to pay for empty space, the long-term costs—in emissions, fuel, and lost capacity—paint a more troubling picture. “We’re seeing more half-empty trucks on the road than ever before,” said Chris P...

The food, agribusiness, and beverage (FAB) industry plays a pivotal role in global trade and food security.   However, as the sector grows more complex and interconnected, it also becomes increasingly vulnerable to transportation and supply chain challenges.   From geopolitical disruptions to rising operational costs and evolving regulatory requirements, FAB companies must now balance agility, resilience, and compliance to remain competitive and trustworthy in the eyes of consumers. Understanding the Landscape: Key Takeaways Capital Optimization and Cost Containment FAB companies are navigating narrow profit margins amidst soaring commodity, labor, and packaging costs.   New regulatory mandates only add to these pressures, requiring businesses to find innovative ways to optimize resources and manage risks. A Shifting Logistics and Marine Cargo Environment Fraud, storage failures, and geopolitical instability are reshaping how goods ar...

A recent analysis of FMCSA data by trucking expert Adam Wingfield revealed a shocking fact: 4% of commercial truck drivers in the U.S. are operating without a valid license.   That means 1 in every 25 truckers sharing America’s highways may lack the proper credentials to safely drive a vehicle that weighs over 26,000 pounds—or more if hauling hazardous materials or passengers. What’s At Stake? When an unlicensed operator is behind the wheel of a big rig, the consequences can be catastrophic.   A commercial driver’s license (CDL) is not just a formality—it’s a rigorous qualification process designed to ensure a driver understands how to safely handle a vehicle that could cause large-scale damage in the event of an error. According to Wingfield, 645 fatal trucking accidents occurred in Q1 of 2025 alone.   With each of these crashes carrying a cost of $7.2 million on average, the combination of human loss and economic fallout is staggering. CDL Breakdown: What’s ...

Every year, the biopharmaceutical industry absorbs an alarming $35 billion in losses — not due to R&D or marketing missteps, but from temperature-control failures in the supply chain.   Shockingly, 1 in 5 temperature-sensitive pharma products are damaged during transit, leading to spoilage, delays, regulatory issues, and worst of all, jeopardized patient outcomes. In an industry where precision is everything, these losses are unacceptable — and avoidable.   Here are six reasons why pharma and life sciences companies must adopt track and trace technology in 2025 — not as an enhancement, but as a necessity. 1. Real-Time Oversight of Product Conditions In a landscape where delays can mean millions lost or lives affected, real-time tracking is essential.   Modern track-and-trace tools offer live updates on location, temperature, and shipment integrity — alerting teams to potential threats before they escalate. If a biologic is stranded without proper refrigera...