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Manufacturers and sellers of components, parts and systems for heavy-duty trucks will examine the state of their industry, the economy at large and issues of corporate culture at two meetings in Las Vegas, Jan. 23-26.

Many truckers started the new year digging deeper into pockets as 10 states imposed higher tolls.

A federal advisory committee studying electronic onboard recorders did not reach a consensus on the best way to transmit hours-of-service data from the truck cab to roadside inspectors, but did offer recommendations on items including safeguarding carrier and driver privacy.

While heavy-duty truck makers said last week that they do not share Navistar International’s assessment that engine castings are in short supply, foundry executives said the recession eliminated industry capacity and problems could become more noticeable if demand for metal parts continues to rise.

Without a doubt, however, the single most dangerous thing our employees do in the course of our workday is commuting to and from the job.

Claiming that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s safety scoring system is unfair, a prominent freight broker and a transport attorney are pursuing multiple steps to stifle the agency’s Safety Management System.

Once again, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation has failed to put forth common sense with regards to longhaul truckers’ hours of service.

Diesel refineries must produce 1 billion gallons of biodiesel in 2012, a 25% increase from last year, the Environmental Protection Agency said last month, but the agency decided to delay its planned 2013 mandate.

Trade organizations representing motor carriers and freight brokers generally backed a federal move to streamline the federal registration process, but complained that the registration form is too long and complicated for many in the industry.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s new hours-of-service rule is a serious and major disappointment for the trucking industry.