The truck financing market, which nearly collapsed under the weight of surplus equipment two years ago, appears to be on the road to recovery as business prospects for trucking companies improve and strong demand has lifted prices for used trucks.

Trucking in 2003 saw some small alterations in the federal hours-of-service regulations mushroom into significant changes for the industry, a merger between two of the largest motor carriers, several key personnel changes, a congressional punt on highway funding and generally improving business conditions.

After first applauding new hours-of-service regulations for truck drivers, many carrier executives now say the rules represent the biggest change ever in the way the industry operates.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — National Industrial Transportation League President John Ficker said he will continue his efforts to have “a dialogue” with the Association of American Railroads over rail service issues despite the fact that AAR officials declined an invitation to appear at its annual meeting here on Nov. 16.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Attendees at the combined TransComp and Intermodal Expo here saw a broad range of equipment and technology that reflected the changing needs of shippers and carriers in today’s business environment.

John Ficker was just getting settled into his job as president of the National Industrial Transportation League on a recent weekend when he met the truck driver who delivered his automobile to his new home in Washington, D.C.

Two months before new driver hours-of-service rules are scheduled to go into effect, officials from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and motor carrier executives said they are still seeking clarification from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on key elements of the plan.

ATLANTA - While some truckload carriers said new hours of service regulations for truck drivers would hurt productivity, shippers said it should not be an excuse to raise rates. And an industry researcher said the HOS rules could improve productivity in the long run.

MARLINTON, W.Va. - Fred Burns Jr. managed to keep his trucking company afloat through devastating floods in 1985 and 1996, but now he is trying to protect the industry he leads from what he believes is an even greater threat — soaring insurance rates propelled by a rising tide of what many consider frivolous lawsuits.

SAN ANTONIO — The Transportation Security Administration made official what virtually all sectors of trucking already knew: The agency will not meet its self-imposed deadline to begin conducting fingerprint background checks for drivers certified to haul hazardous materials.