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LAS VEGAS — The federal CSA safety ratings program replaced the economy atop the list of the most critical issues facing the trucking industry, the American Transportation Research Institute announced.

LAS VEGAS — American Trucking Associations announced it has joined with Truckers Against Trafficking to raise awareness about human trafficking.

ATLANTA — T. Boone Pickens renewed his call to convert the nation’s 8 million heavy-duty trucks from diesel fuel to domestically produced natural gas and criticized leaders from both major political parties for not having the “guts” to pass legislation providing tax incentives to help buyers cover the higher cost of the trucks.

Trucking’s growing use of alternative fuels was the focus of separate announcements by Florida companies last week to increase fueling options and the number of compressed natural gas tractors on the road.

This is in reference to your Sept. 17 issue story about the proposed 85 mph speed limit for 41 miles of State Highway 130 in Texas (p. 3).

As an industry as connected to the highways as trucking, we know an awful lot about roads. We know about smooth roads — those that are easy to traverse, the ones where you can feel the wind at your back and the sun on your face.

The leaders of the nation’s for-hire trucking fleets and the suppliers that serve them are gathering in Las Vegas this week to address the state of the industry as American Trucking Associations holds its annual Management Conference & Exhibition.