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As director of safety for Central Freight Lines in Waco, Texas, Gary D. Thomas spends much of his time training rookie drivers. But among his more experienced drivers he noticed what appeared to be a contradiction — an increase, rather than reduction, in the number of accidents after about five years on the job.

Some fleet safety directors are discovering an unusual paradox: accident rates for experienced drivers - who should be safer drivers - are increasing. Safety experts blame it on the human tendency to take more chances as the perception of risk declines.

The proliferation of online exchanges over the past two years among trucking-related companies — from freight haulers to parts dealers — have many casting a watchful eye toward the federal government to see how it may react to such business practices.

TransFinancial Holdings shut down its money-losing Crouse Cartage Co. subsidiary Sept. 16 after giving up on efforts to stem a rising tide of red ink at the 59-year-old Midwest-based trucking company.

Both government and business leaders say collaboration is necessary and often can encourage competition by helping firms expand into foreign markets, fund research and development and lower production and other costs.

Both government and business leaders say collaboration is necessary in today's marketplace to lower production and other costs, but such alliancs have to be carefully constructed to avoid antitrust violations.

The proliferation of online exchanges over the past two years among trucking-related companies have many casting a watchful eye toward the federal government to see how it may react to such business practices.

Trucking companies weighing investments in information technology often have two choices: do-it-yourself or outsourcing the job to someone else. But new firms are cropping up that offer services on an as-needed basis.

Trucking companies weighing investments in information technology often have two choices: Buy the hardware and software and then hire the personnel to run the system, or outsource the job to someone else.

Five years ago, Alan J. Dabbiere knew his retail distribution software business was on the verge of explosive growth. He also knew that he needed to relocate his company, Manhattan Associates, from Southern California to be closer to his major customers in the Eastern and Central time zones.