WASHINGTON — Opponents of bigger trucks rallied last week outside the Capitol, urging Congress to limit longer commercial vehicles, including double- and triple-trailers, on the nation’s highways.

Wisconsin-based truckload carrier Schneider National Inc. asked a California Transportation Department administrative law judge to refund the company $10 million in what it said were illegal assessments on its trailers.

American Trucking Associations has planned a one-day training seminar for motor carriers that transport hazardous materials and are required by federal law to develop heightened security practices by September.

An 11% increase in contract maintenance work was a bright spot in an otherwise lackluster 2002 for most of the truck leasing business, according to industry experts.

Many trucking industry leaders have agreed to participate in the upcoming Diesel Engine Emissions Summit in Phoenix on June 10, according to the session’s co-hosts.

House-passed energy legislation included a provision directing the Transportation Department to work with the trucking industry to develop trucks with improved fuel economy.

House and Senate budget resolutions for fiscal 2004 went beyond the Bush administration’s proposals to bolster transportation-related programs at the Transportation, Homeland Security and Energy departments, said congressional and department spokesman.

WASHINGTON — After three days of hearings last week, a House subcommittee is expected to make recommendations in May for which highway and bridge projects Congress should fund in the next six-year highway bill.

WASHINGTON — The General Accounting Office is examining the economic impact of last year's emissions deadline that forced manufacturers to develop cleaner-running diesel engines on a fast schedule, and the agency could recommend ways to avoid such situations in the future, congressional sources said.

Southern California transportation officials said they were evaluating five proposals to rehabilitate an 18-mile stretch of the Long Beach Freeway, three of which would include dedicated truck toll lanes to pay for major construction.