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Symbolism is a major element of life in Washington, which is one of the many reasons why the recent passage of the House bill to create the National Motor Carrier Administration was so important to the trucking industry.

A trucker’s tale — more bitter than sweet — unfolded in the pre-dawn hours of Oct. 3, when a woman pulled a big rig to safety as her unconscious husband drew his last breaths in the driver’s seat.

Guaranteeing on-time delivery is easy for carriers when shippers don’t demand refunds for missed targets. But a new software product could drastically increase the amount of money carriers will have to return to shippers for late deliveries.

With a piece of string, a tape measure, some masking tape and a low-tech tool called a trammel bar, a driver should be able to check the alignment of steer wheels and dual axles in the field with minimum fuss.

Transportation companies employing the X12 messaging sets used by most American companies for electronic data interchange may face a change to the international Edifact messaging sets as multinational companies in the United States look to expand their horizons.

Shipments of truck trailers during August totaled 23,652, according to the Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association, behind last year's record-setting pace.

A Postal Service committee is scheduled to vote this week on whether to issue a stamp commemorating the 100th anniversary of trucking for the year 2003.

Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater issued a report card on what the Department of Transportation has done to improve truck and bus safety since its action plan was announced in May.

It could be a RIG or it could be a RUG, but the difference appears to be a minor issue compared with an ongoing debate over how underride or impact guards should be maintained.