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North American truck manufacturers sold 22,499 Class 8 trucks in May, prompting a leading industry analyst to call 1999 sales “about as good as we have seen since the advent of the diesel age.”

As the driver of Eaton’s “innovation” truck approached a slow-moving car, a single beep from a small box on the dashboard of the cab indicated that the truck was within two seconds of a collision if the car stopped suddenly. The Eaton-Vorad collision warning system, along with other high-tech gadgets, was on display during a June 14 demonstration that gave Transport Topics a look at Eaton’s view of the future truck.

SALEM, Ore. - The AAA of Oregon threatened to refer a proposed 5-cent-a-gallon gasoline tax hike to the voters because the package also eliminates Oregon's weight-mile tax on truckers.

One cash-strapped state has passed a measure to increase its fuel tax, and at least three others are considering similar laws to aid their highway funding woes. The Maine Legislature approved a 3-cent fuel tax increase and a $2 vehicle registration fee hike on June 5. Kentucky, Oregon and Virginia are considering raising pump prices — one of the most significant expenses for trucking companies.

Donald J. Schneider, president of Schneider National, made it onto Forbes magazine's 1999 list of the world's richest people. He is listed as having a net worth of $1.0 billion, coming in at number 458 on a list of 465.

United Parcel Service has established a land-based radio system that provides customers real-time tracking information in a way that cuts the package carrier’s cellular network costs. UPS worked with Motorola Corp. to develop and deploy the system, known as DIAD III, at a cost of $100 million. It is being used in 13 metropolitan areas, the carrier said.

The Canadian Trucking Alliance said if Michigan and other states don’t abandon plans to impose business taxes on foreign truckers, the association might seek similar levies on U.S. drivers who cross the border.

The focus was squarely on the bottom line at the first full board meeting of the Truckload Carriers Association since it opted to focus resources on “management issues” and leave policy advocacy to American Trucking Associations.

The vision of the Truckload Academy started to take shape during an organizational meeting of 50 carriers, suppliers and educators held June 15 by the Truckload Carriers Association. TCA staff outlined a draft curriculum and described ways to deliver education and training programs to trucking personnel, ranging from drivers to chief executives.

It will be harder for disabled people to sue employers for discrimination under the Americans With Disabilities Act, now that the U.S. Supreme Court has seriously limited the law's reach in a trio of trucking-related cases.