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WASHINGTON — As they become more prevalent, autonomous technologies will bear a bigger impact on freight transportation, according to panelists assembled at the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ winter meeting.

The strain of a 34-day partial government shutdown is weighing on the nation’s air-travel system, both the federal workers who make it go and the airlines that depend on them. Air traffic controllers and airport security agents continued to work without pay — they will miss a second biweekly paycheck Jan. 25 — but high absentee rates raise the threat of long airport lines, or worse.

An appeals court has rejected a challenge by a group of trade and energy organizations to block California’s low-carbon fuel standard aimed at reducing the rate of greenhouse gas emissions in the state’s transportation sector.

Camera monitor systems designed to replace a truck’s conventional side mirrors are getting favor­able reviews from drivers, according to exec­utives at fleets that are testing the new technology, which also recently received a nod of approval from federal regulators.

California environmental regulators are aggressively moving forward with plans to require significant reductions in nitrogen oxides and particulate matter emissions for heavy trucks, improvements in “real time” on-board diagnostics, and lengthening the “useful life,” durability and warranty periods for heavy trucks.

If the United States decides to deploy a slate of sanctions that it is said to have drafted against the Latin American nation, American refiners would be forced to cease purchases. That may mean more supply becomes available for the OPEC producer’s other big customers: China and India.

Filings for U.S. unemployment benefits fell last week to the lowest level since 1969, signaling the labor market remains tight despite the partial federal-government shutdown.

WASHINGTON — Officials representing the United States, Canada and Mexico expressed support for advancing the treaty that is meant to serve as a replacement for the North American Free Trade Agreement.

WASHINGTON — Members of the Transportation Research Board’s Truck Size and Weight Committee said they continue to face stiff headwinds to garner public and political support for heavier and longer trucks, despite evidence that demonstrates the potential for reducing carbon emissions and increasing cargo efficiency.