NTSB takes aims a railway safety issues in Norfolk Southern after derailments
Good morning! As we near the end of March, we continue to see many challenges and opportunities within the industry. In this week's edition, we'll be taking a look at the latest trends and developments, including updates on global logistics, transportation, and sustainability. So grab a cup of coffee and let's dive in! ☕️
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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent US government agency responsible for investigating transportation accidents and promoting transportation safety. The NTSB is known for its thorough and independent investigations, and its recommendations are highly respected in the transportation industry. The agency has played a critical role in improving transportation safety over the years and continues to be a key player in promoting safety in all modes of transportation.
Therefore, it’s only natural that Norfolk Southern has the NTSB’s magnifying glass upon them. With two serious derailments under its watch in February and a train conductor killed when colliding with a dump truck on the tracks this week… the railroad is facing steep scrutiny from the governmental agency.
Check out today’s featured article from The Hill to read about the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation into Norfolk Southern’s safety practices. Will the public scrutiny make a difference in preemptively avoiding future derailments?
Featured Article:
NTSB opens investigation into Norfolk Southern safety practices after train derailments | The Hill
“The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is launching an investigation into Norfolk Southern’s safety practices as the company faces increasing scrutiny following a string of train derailments, including a high-profile derailment in Ohio last month, the agency announced Tuesday.”
Repair & Maintenance 🧰
$9B Houston highway expansion project is back on after environmentalist push back
The plans to expand Interstate 45 in Houston, TX are part of a larger project known as the North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP) or more commonly referred to as the I-45 expansion project. The project aims to improve traffic flow, enhance safety, and provide more reliable travel times for the millions of people who use this highway daily. The proposed expansion will cover approximately 25 miles of I-45 between downtown Houston and Beltway 8, with construction taking place in three segments: North, Downtown, and South.
The proposed expansion has been controversial, with some community groups and local residents expressing concerns about the impact on homes and businesses located along the highway. With completion of the project expected in 2030, federal authorities have now announced an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation to settle the investigation into the project’s environmental impact.
Logistics & Business Development 💡
Construction of $25 billion World Logistics Center underway in Southern California
The World Logistics Center is a planned industrial development located in the city of Moreno Valley, in Southern California. The project is being developed by Highland Fairview, a real estate development company, and is expected to become one of the largest industrial complexes in the world. While being developed on a 2,610-acre site, the center is expected to include up to 40 million square feet of warehouse and distribution space. The project is being designed to serve as a hub for the distribution of goods and products throughout Southern California and the western United States.
The development of the World Logistics Center has been controversial, with some residents and environmental groups expressing concerns about the potential impacts of the project on traffic, air quality, and other issues. However, supporters of the project argue that it will create thousands of jobs and provide a boost to the local economy.
Let’s Get Global 🌎
⛏️ The US must focus on its domestic mineral supply to shift dependence from China. Many of the minerals that the US currently depends on China for are critical for national security, defense, and high-tech industries. These minerals include rare earth elements, lithium, and cobalt, which are used in electronics, batteries, and electric vehicles. Dependence on China for these minerals creates a strategic vulnerability for the US, as China could use its dominance in the global supply chain to restrict access to these minerals during times of political tension or conflict. Developing a domestic mineral supply chain would create jobs and economic growth in the US. Mining and processing minerals require a significant amount of specialized labor, which could help to revitalize local economies and create new opportunities for workers.
🌊 Logistics is the star of the show in the Pacific Theater. The logistics at sea in the Pacific theater refer to the complex system of supply chain management and transportation of goods, equipment, and personnel by sea that support military operations in the Pacific region. The Pacific theater is a vast area that spans from the West Coast of the United States to the western coast of Asia, and includes the waters surrounding the many islands and nations in the region. These logistics are essential to the success of military operations in the region, as they enable the timely and efficient movement of troops, equipment, and supplies to where they are needed most. This includes the transportation of food, fuel, ammunition, spare parts, medical supplies, and other essential goods.
🍼 US lawmakers are jumping through hoops to try and prevent future baby formula shortages. Lawmakers can increase oversight of the baby formula industry to ensure that companies are meeting demand and maintaining adequate supplies. This can involve requiring companies to report on their inventory levels and production capacity and increasing penalties for companies that fail to meet demand. Additionally, lawmakers can also work to improve transparency in the baby formula industry, by requiring companies to provide more information about their supply chain and inventory management practices. This can help prevent hoarding and panic buying by consumers, which can exacerbate shortages.
iLevel With You 🏡
More topics for the average American household to consider…
💸 As long as the economy remains “strong”, interest rates will rise. Jerome Powell, the chair of the Federal Reserve is warning the American public that the Fed will continue raising interest rates for as long as it takes. The US economy has been hanging on steadfast despite already sky-high interest rates, baffling economists. Increasingly high borrowing costs are a new source of worry as the agency battles stubborn inflation - will this move slide the economy right into a recession? Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA0 is voicing federal predictions that the nation’s unemployment rate will drop to 4.6% from today’s 3.4% by the end of the year. Traditionally, when unemployment moves by more than a percentage point, a recession typically follows suit.
⚡️ YouTuber shows the advantages and disadvantages of Tesla superchargers opening up access. With non-Tesla EVs now having the availability to use Tesla Supercharging stations, YouTuber Marques Brownlee decided to test it out. He took his Rivian R1T to a nearby charging station and charged up the battery, noting that it made his ownership of the vehicle “better” due to not having to use “sketchy public chargers”. However, with this admission - Tesla is losing its advantage. Additionally, Brownlee noted that other electric vehicles testing out the Tesla superchargers had different charging port locations on their vehicles… creating a situation where some EVs were double-parked.
💻 Best Buy suffers another year of declining sales. Customers are treading away from electronics and other discretionary goods as inflation eats at their savings and interest rates increase drastically. The consumer electronics industry is facing significant challenges due to inflation, but companies are responding by adjusting their pricing strategies, investing in innovation and supply chain management, and focusing on customer engagement. By taking these steps, companies can better navigate the current economic environment and meet the evolving needs and expectations of their customers.
Get Smart 🧠
Ramp up that brain power for these advanced topics…
😢 FreightWorks Transport to cut 200+ employees after largest customer cuts ties. Headquartered in Rutherfordton, North Carolina, the trucking company announced massive layoffs after its largest customer demanded “massive rate and volume concessions.” FreightWorks Transportation & Logistics is a full-service transportation and logistics company that provides freight shipping and management services to businesses and individuals across the United States.
⛔️ Risk and resilience are becoming increasingly important in the logistics industry. Overall, risk and resilience are becoming key drivers of innovation and change in the logistics industry, as companies seek to build more resilient supply chains and better manage risks to their operations. By investing in risk management, supply chain visibility, agility, and collaboration, logistics companies can become more resilient and better prepared to weather the challenges of today's complex and rapidly-changing business environment.
💻 Oracle’s tracking supply chain emissions for shipper networks. Oracle, a leading technology company, is now offering shippers a more precise way to track supply chain emissions through its Oracle Transportation Management (OTM) software. The new feature, called the "Emissions Calculation and Analysis" module, allows shippers to track and analyze their carbon footprint across their entire supply chain, from transportation to warehousing and distribution.
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for November 28, 2024, from iLevel Logistics Inc.