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House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bud Shuster has come out against rolling back the federal fuel tax, arguing that major road construction and rebuilding projects would be stopped in their tracks.

Trailers in the future may sport small wedge-shaped edge moldings or they may be enveloped in a constant stream of compressed air in the attempt to improve aerodynamics, said researchers at The Maintenance Council's annual meeting.

In the news this morning: DOT Web sites to accept applications, payments of fines; Police thank trucker who aided officer in roadside struggle; and Georgia truckers rally for parking rights.

Members of the Truckload Carriers Association voted March 22 to reject a plan to integrate the 63-year-old organization with American Trucking Associations by a vote of 213-206.

This afternoon's headlines: Most new Interstate 70 overpasses in St. Louis will fall below height standards; Meritor establishes Web exchange for truck aftermarket; and Interstate Bakeries drivers strike spreads.

The Environmental Protection Agency is expected to soon issue new rules that will impose tighter limits on pollution in the exhaust of diesel engines, and the changes could result in sharp fuel price increases.

The communications developments that have revolutionized the freight brokerage industry might also bury it as freight brokers fret about the threat posed by load-matching via the Internet.

I2Technologies, a big player in setting up Internet trading sites, announced the formation of Freightmatrix, a marketplace for transportation.

Schneider Logistics purchased Tranzact Systems, a ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøwood, Ill.-based freight payment company, and will operate the business as a stand-alone freight payment and auditing service.

In the news this morning: Carriers appeal STB's rail merger ban; E-commerce deals send Celadon stock up 30%; and LTL carrier Silver Eagle closes its doors.