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Although 2009 approaches, and technology seems to surround us everywhere we turn, many companies still don’t consider fleet maintenance a first-tier, mission-critical function, putting it instead in the “necessary evil” category.

North America’s five biggest railroads flexed their pricing muscles to earn $2.85 billion in the third quarter, raising revenue per shipment 20% despite lower freight traffic.

Publicly traded less-than-truckload carriers generally posted lower earnings in the third quarter, with several fleets warning that freight volumes would get worse as the fourth quarter unfolds.

NEW ORLEANS — Fleet executives said that despite the benefits of using safety technology, attitudes within the industry need to change in order to have wider acceptance.

Arkansas Best Corp.’s third-quarter net income fell to $15.4 million, or 61 cents a share, from $18.9 million, or 75 cents, a year ago.

Truck dealership Rush Enterprises’ third-quarter net income fell to $8 million, or 21 cents a share, down from $13.1 million, or 34 cents, a year ago.

Truckload carrier Knight Transportation’s third-quarter profit rose to $16.1 million, or 19 cents a share, from $14.5 million, or 17 cents, a year ago.

Greatwide Logistics Services, a provider of non-asset-based transportation and third-party logistics services, said it will be acquired by a private investor group.

Canadian National Railway, Canada’s largest railroad, said its net income rose 14% to C$552 million in the third quarter, or C$1.16 a share, from C$485 million, or 96 cents, a year ago.