America’s transportation infrastructure serves as the backbone of our economy – moving people, resources and goods to where they are needed throughout the United States and around the world. FedEx supports transportation policies that invest in projects that most effectively and efficiently improve the supporting infrastructure – both on the ground and in the air.

The United States needs modern, 21st century infrastructure to seamlessly and safely deliver those goods and services into the hands of consumers. That includes upgraded and well-maintained roads and efficient and technology-friendly seaports. Simply put, we need infrastructure that allows us to make the most out of the transportation options we have in a safe and sustainable manner.

America's roads and bridges are dangerously deteriorated, and our interstate system is over 60 years old. Nearly 70% of all the freight tonnage in the U.S. moves on trucks. The U.S. Dept. of Transportation projects that by 2045 freight volume will increase by 45%. Without immediate improvements in infrastructure, the trucking industry and our economy risk coming to a crawl. We need both short- and long-term investment updating current roads and bridges and adding interstates and highways. The integrated transportation system in the U.S. of roads, ports, bridges, rail and airports is severely stressed, creating dangerous and deteriorating conditions in need of immediate improvement. This continues to be a significant concern to companies like FedEx that drive the economy through the movement of goods.

America must combine infrastructure enhancements, efficient trucking, sound public policies, and incentives for better safety and fuel technology. Our federal and state governments must work toward modernizing our infrastructure and our transportation regulations to keep pace with technology and to maximize competitiveness. We must upgrade our roads and bridges and adopt common-sense policy solutions, such as longer combination vehicles, to increase the efficiency, safety and capacity of our transportation system.

FedEx, along with the Americans for Modern Transportation and the American Trucking Associations supports federal investment in highways through both increases in gasoline and diesel taxes and – in the future – user-style fees on the beneficiaries of the system. Even though the trucking industry now contributes more than 40 percent of federal highway revenue, FedEx would support an increase in highway user fee payments if the fee were:

• Easy and inexpensive to collect
• Has a low evasion rate
• Is tied to highway use
• Avoids creating impediments to interstate commerce.

In concert with many others engaged in the transportation industry, FedEx, including Americans for Modern Transportation strongly supports the proposal to increase the national standard for twin trailers from the existing 28 feet to 33 feet. It is important to note that this solution does not require any change to gross vehicle weight and would be a big step toward reducing the burden on our nation’s highways by significantly slashing the number of trips and miles required to move freight.

FedEx is a platinum-level sponsor of Truckers Against Trafficking,  supporting the organization’s work with the trucking industry to combat human trafficking. FedEx has launched a training program to educate, equip, empower, and mobilize team members in this effort.