During the peak shopping season and holiday rush, many supply chain leaders were preoccupied with sales, returns, and meeting demand. However, behind the scenes, transportation policy and freight market dynamics were rapidly changing. The U.S. Department of Transportation made several announcements in the past month, signaling a more regulated and infrastructure-heavy freight environment in the future. This, coupled with emerging capacity signals in the trucking market, has highlighted the need for shippers to be more strategic in their transportation planning and to minimize errors.
One of the major developments in this regard was the DOT's announcement of over $118 million in grant funding to strengthen Commercial Driver's License oversight, enforcement, and training. This move, led by Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, aims to keep unqualified drivers off the road and improve safety outcomes. While this is a positive step in the long run, it may restrict driver availability in certain areas where compliance gaps already exist.
David Stone, director of transportation at WSI, emphasizes that compliance and safety are no longer optional factors in freight planning. As enforcement tightens, shippers must be aware of potential capacity shortages and plan accordingly. WSI, a transportation consulting firm, closely monitors the factors impacting the freight market and provides valuable insights for shippers.
Apart from the funding for CDL programs, the DOT has also indicated a continued focus on state-level CDL programs. This has caused concern among freight stakeholders, who fear uneven implementation across states may create regional imbalances in driver availability. This, coupled with legal disputes and policy reversals, adds to the complexity of the freight market and makes it harder for shippers to manage internally.
In addition to these developments, the DOT also announced nearly $1 billion in funding for roadway safety improvements through the Safe Streets and Roads for All program. This funding supports over 500 projects across the country, with the aim of reducing serious injuries and fatalities. While these infrastructure upgrades will eventually improve reliability, they may also cause temporary disruptions and chokepoints during construction, affecting transit times for shippers.
At the same time, structural capacity indicators suggest that the U.S. trucking market is operating with less built-in slack than in previous years. Tractor and trailer orders remain down double digits year over year, leading to limited near-term fleet expansion and reduced ability to absorb sudden surges in demand. This creates a "less buffer" situation for both carriers and shippers, with carriers having less flexibility to add capacity and shippers facing greater exposure to volatility and reduced service consistency.
However, there is some relief in the form of cross-border freight between the U.S. and Mexico, which has seen a 15% increase in recent months. This is due to sustained manufacturing activity and supply chain adjustments related to tariffs and sourcing strategies. While this has helped offset some of the softness in other segments of the trucking market, it also brings added complexity in terms of customs compliance and contingency planning.
Amidst all these changes, freight brokerage is evolving from a transactional role to a strategic one. Modern freight brokers provide scenario-based capacity planning, access to compliant carrier networks, alternate routing strategies during disruptions, and real-time regulatory and market intelligence. This is becoming increasingly important for shippers as they face a more regulated and complex freight environment.
Looking ahead, federal investments in safety and infrastructure show a long-term commitment to improving the transportation system. However, in the near term, shippers must navigate a more regulated, capacity-constrained, and operationally complex freight market. This requires transportation strategies that prioritize compliance, adaptability, and expert brokerage support. As we approach 2026, shippers who embrace these strategies will be better equipped to handle the challenges that lie ahead. This report was produced by WSI and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
