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In a whirl of activity that is expected to accelerate in coming years, states are making toll roads a permanent part of the nation’s highway system and eyeing toll dollars as a way to plug gaping budget deficits.

Weak freight demand and an equipment glut continue to cripple the used truck market, and there is little sign of an immediate turnaround, industry experts said.

Wal-Mart Stores said it will test two types of diesel-electric hybrid trucks and two types of alternatively fueled trucks as part of a continuing effort by the world’s largest retailer to double the fuel efficiency of its 7,200-truck fleet by 2015.

Starting in 2010, fleets buying new trucks will have to decide between two very different engine systems, and manufacturers already are warning that selecting the competing platform will leave the owner with an inferior product.

The U.S. unemployment rate rose to a 17-year high in January, rising to 7.6% from 7.2% in December, the Labor Department said Friday.

Supply chain technology firm Intermec Inc.’s fourth-quarter net income dropped to $9.1 million, or 15 cents a share, from $16.5 million, or 27 cents, a year ago.

Descartes Systems Group said Thursday it acquired the logistics business of privately held Oceanwide Inc., in an all-cash transaction of about C$10.4 million ($8.4 million).

Food-services provider and private fleet operator Sysco Corp. said its fiscal second-quarter operating income fell to $422 million, or 40 cents a share, from $449 million, or 43 cents, a year ago.

Your newspaper this week shows just how difficult things are for carriers these days, as freight rates and volumes continue to nose dive while shippers push for lower fuel surcharges and better deals.