Trucking news and briefs for Monday, Feb. 23, 2026:
DOT truck parking coalition set to provide update
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Coalition on Truck Parking will host a virtual meeting to provide an update on the state of truck parking.
The Coalition was formed to respond to needs identified in the Jason’s Law truck parking surveys.
Leaders from the Federal Highway Administration, U.S. DOT Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and the Maritime Administration, as well as core parking coalition stakeholders, have been invited to present on the status of truck parking funding, planning, and development.
The meeting, free and open to the public, will be held March 4 at 1 p.m. Eastern time. Registration is available online here.
A recording of the meeting will be made available on FHWA’s website.
Fleets and drivers can still weigh in on the third Jason's Law surveys through Feb. 27.
Lighting manufacturer seeks waiver to allow auxiliary, brake-activated lights on trucks
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has requested public input on a request from truck lighting manufacturer Truck-Lite to allow motor carriers to install auxiliary amber brake-activated pulsating warning lamps on the rear of commercial trucks and trailers in addition to the steady-burning brake lamps required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs).
The company’s exemption, if granted would allow fleets and truck owners to operate trucks equipped with Truck-Lite or ECCO branded auxiliary amber brake-activated pulsating warning lamps. The lamps operate as a Class II amber strobe that pulsates (up to four seconds) with each application of the service brake and then transitions to a steady burning red signal; the auxiliary lamps remain off when the brake circuit is inactive.
Truck-Lite cited FMCSA research, FMCSA Report No. FMCSA-RRT-13-009, to support the potential safety benefits of using its lamps. The company also cited waivers issued to Groendyke Transport, the National Tank Truck Carriers group, and Grote Industries that allow similar lights to be installed.
Comments on Truck-Lite’s request can be filed here through March 20.
[Related: Lighting manufacturer, fleet seek exemption for flashing rear lights]
Averitt plans expansion, facility upgrades through 2027
Averitt (CCJ Top 250, No. 25) completed a series of facility upgrades and new construction projects in 2025 and will continue those enhancements through 2026 and 2027, the company announced.
From 2025 to 2027, the company plans to add approximately 895,530 square feet of warehousing space across its network, expand capacity with 379 dock doors and 260,733 square feet of dock space, and increase parking with 1,953 truck parking spaces and 732 associate parking spaces.
Improvements include service center expansions, warehouse enhancements, and infrastructure upgrades designed to support operational efficiency, service reliability and associate satisfaction.
In February, Averitt opened a newly constructed facility in Ocala, Florida, further strengthening network capabilities. Other 2026 projects include new facilities or expansions in:
- Jackson, Mississippi
- Columbia, South Carolina
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Tulsa, Oklahoma
These investments support Averitt’s Power of One approach, which brings together its five service units – Less-Than-Truckload, Truckload, Dedicated, Distribution & Fulfillment, and Integrated & Global Solutions – to provide customers with a single, comprehensive provider.
“Our facility investments reflect a disciplined, long-term approach to serving our customers,” said Barry Blakely, president and chief operating officer at Averitt. “By strengthening our infrastructure across our footprint, we are positioned to provide more integrated solutions through our Power of One model.”
The multiyear enhancement plan is focused on increasing network capacity, improving freight flow, modernizing facilities and ensuring consistency across markets. By continuing to invest in infrastructure and operational capabilities, Averitt is building additional flexibility and scalability to support customer needs in the years ahead.
