A rule requiring trucking companies to install reflective tape or reflectors on the sides and rears of older trailers will cost at least $228 million, according to the Federal Highway Administration.

The heads of the leading railroad and trucking associations met March 26 to discuss increases in truck cargo capacity and railroad competitive access, spokesmen for both groups said.

Two federal transportation lawmakers are determined to prevent truckers with bad driving records from keeping their commercial driver licenses.

The debate over truck safety moved in a new direction Thursday as the National Private Truck Council called on the Department of Transportation to focus enforcement activities on drivers and carriers with the worst safety records.

A proposed rule changing unloading operations for haulers of liquefied compressed gases such as propane could cost as much as $3,000 for each truck, an industry official said.

Rep. Jim Oberstar said he will try again to expand the freeze on longer combination vehicles, while American Trucking Associations and other industry groups push their agenda on LCVs and other issues in written comments responding to a Department of Transportation report on truck sizes and weights.

Trucking hopes that the $363,387 the industry gave to members of the House Appropriations Committee during the 1997 to 1998 election cycle bought them some clout.

The Department of Transportation has a familiar face as its new chief spokesman. William Schulz, the department’s deputy director of public affairs, has been named director of public affairs.

Trucking hopes that the $363,387 the industry gave to members of the House Appropriations Committee during the 1997 to 1998 election cycle bought them some clout.

Reps. Bud Shuster (R-Pa.) and Tom Petri (R-Wis.) said they would seek legislation that would prevent truckers with bad driving records from keeping their commercial driver licenses.