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Trucking is quickly feeling the consequences of the financial meltdown that has paralyzed the nation’s banking and lending community.

Freight demand for U.S. trucking companies is likely to decline as credit stays tight, a Wachovia Corp. economist said at American Trucking Associations’ annual meeting in New Orleans, Bloomberg reported.

New legislation to boost U.S. infrastructure — roads, highways and bridges — will be American Trucking Associations’ top priority in the coming year,  the Associated Press reported.

FedEx Express said its Mexican unit has begun operations under the name FedEx Express Nacional, a domestic overnight service in that country.

TransCore, a provider of radio-frequency identification devices, introduced a new transponder that is compatible with multiple electronic toll-collection systems.

Accellos Inc., Colorado Springs, Colo., a provider of warehousing and logistics management software, said it acquired Prophesy Transportation Software of Bloomfield, Conn., for an undisclosed amount.

Qualcomm Inc. added an in-cab scanning service to its mobile computing system, and launched a new reporting module designed to help carriers monitor how much fuel their drivers are burning, the company said last week.

Goldman Sachs, which recently announced that it will convert into a federally regulated bank holding company, has purchased a minority stake in closely held American Traffic Solutions, a Scottsdale, Ariz., provider of electronic toll payment and video-based traffic enforcement systems.

Ryder System said it will acquire Transpacific Container Terminal Ltd. and CRSA Logistics Ltd., as well as CRSA’s operations in Hong Kong and Shanghai, China.