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There were more signs of the trucking industry’s resurgence last week, as a number of publicly-held fleets reported improved earnings, while analysts said trailer and used trucks sales surged during 2010.

A few stories in this edition of Transport Topics illustrate quite well the current state of the national economy.

For years, we all have watched the travails of the Highway Trust Fund, as the nation’s infrastructure has crumbled and the nation’s roadway and bridge needs have grown along with the population.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has finally responded to our request for a federal mandate to limit heavy-duty truck speeds to 68 mph in order to improve safety on the nation’s highways.

The trucking industry these days can be likened to the proverbial watchful child lurking at the top of the staircase, glancing to see if Santa already has deposited the presents under the tree.

There are worrisome signs that commodities speculators are returning to the nation’s fuel markets, pushing prices higher than the normal forces of supply and demand would warrant.

The evidence continues to mount that 2011 will turn out to be a pretty good year for the U.S. economy in general and for trucking in particular.

When the next freight transportation capacity shortage makes itself known, whether it’s in the second half of next year or at the start of 2012, no one should say they weren’t warned well in advance.

It just shouldn’t be this difficult. Here we are with virtually everyone involved agreeing that there is a major problem with the country’s aging infrastructure that needs to be addressed, and quickly.

The voters have spoken, and analysts and pundits are busily trying to explain the shifts in the political landscape that will result from the overwhelming Republican victory.

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But one immediate potential gain that emerged from the cacophony of chatter in the wake of the election is a chance to move transportation and infrastructure improvement programs along quickly.