Veteran journalist David Barnes has joined the staff of Transport Topics as national affairs writer, where he will head the newspaper’s coverage of Capitol Hill.

The Federal Highway Administration will conduct a symposium on improving transportation communications with the public Dec. 3-4 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Alexandria, Va. The meeting has two goals: to make people more aware of transportation concerns and to improve their perception of transportation. It also aims to better cooperation among communications professionals in various transportation sectors.

John E. Wren, chief executive officer of Lakeville Motor Express, Roseville, Minn., was elected 1998-99 chairman of American Trucking Associations. He succeeded Edward R. Trout, president of Cornhusker Motor Lines, Omaha, Neb.

Ron E. Gant, the voice of Tennessee trucking for the last decade, is leaving the state association to join the staff of Great West Casualty Insurance Co., which writes trucking coverage.

Publisher Bob Rast talks about Transport Topics' relationship to ATA, and consolidation of information services.

Bering Truck Corp. selected Central Truck Center in Landover, Md., as its first dealer. The dealership owned by Jim Burgess will sell the complete line of Class 3 through Class 8 Bering trucks in the Washington, D.C., area.

Atlas World Group expects its 1998 revenue to top $500 million for the first time in the company’s history. Chairman Walter E. Saubert said revenue should increase about 10% over 1997’s $490 million, and profits will exceed $7 million compared with $5.6 million.

United Parcel Service will invest in TanData Corp. and jointly market transportation software designed to make it easier for companies to conduct electronic commerce.

With container ships operating at maximum capacity since spring, Pacific Ocean freight rates may go up 20% to 40% in the contract year beginning next May.

P.A.M. Transportation Services, Tontitown, Ark., agreed to acquire assets of Decker Transport of Riverdale, N.J., for an undisclosed amount of cash.