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SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — The trouble with brakes is that so many things can go wrong. That was one of the takeaways from the first day of a two-day Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance brake symposium aiming to educate motor carriers, commercial vehicle inspectors and technicians on the latest advances and challenges in keeping brakes in good working order.

Interest in Boeing’s 747-400 freighter family already was rebounding last year, even as Delta Air Lines Inc. and United Continental Holdings Inc. hosted nostalgic farewell tours to mark the end of U.S. passenger service on the four-engine behemoth nicknamed the “Queen of the Skies.” With Boeing’s factory-fresh models sold out through 2021, cargo carriers are snapping up jumbo freighters that were built from 1993 to 2009 — if they can find them.

This spring, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded nearly $6.4 million to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to replace older diesel trucks for those that run nearly 90% cleaner, and older farm tractors for those that meet the latest emissions standards.

When Jeff Harris, vice president of maintenance at USA Truck Inc., first started as an apprentice truck mechanic 29 years ago, he had a trade school diploma, a basic set of tools, a couple of crusty old mechanics who took him under their wing and showed him the ropes, and a desire to learn.

Downtown Las Vegas is under construction. The consistent rise in tourism and population persuaded city and state officials to invest in wider roadways, additional transit and walkability options, and improve connectivity across freight corridors.

Johnson Controls’ power solutions unit announced it has been awarded contracts to supply absorbent glass mat and flooded batteries to two heavy-duty commercial truck and bus industry leaders — Navistar Inc. and MAN Truck & Bus Co., a unit of Volkswagen AG — in an effort to meet increasing electrical demands on fleets around the globe.

As trucking fleets prepare for the availability of all-electric, plug-in Class 8 tractors, they are evaluating existing power capabilities at terminal locations and working through what’s needed for charging infrastructure to support these vehicles.