Business

WASHINGTON — Automated vehicles can be the biggest asset in improving the safety of America’s roads, Christopher Hart, chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, said in a speech June 30 at the National Press Club.

NEW YORK — Oil prices surged 4% on June 30, with Brent settling above the psychological $50 a barrel mark, after a larger-than-expected drawdown in U.S. crude inventories.

UPS Inc. reached a tentative agreement with the pilots union on a five-year labor contract after protracted negotiations over the last several years. Details of the agreement will not be released until it is presented to the UPS pilots.

Telematics provider Geotab introduced a telematics device, Go Rugged, intended for harsh outdoor environments and developed for fleets with industrial heavy-duty and service vehicles.

Peter Mills sees an inconsistency. One arm of the U.S. Department of Transportation is recommending two-person crews be required for freight trains as another plans to spend billions to help develop driverless technology for longhaul trucks.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc., based out of Lowell, Arkansas, has opened two new sales branches in San Antonio and Portland, Maine.

U.S. traffic fatalities over the Independence Day weekend will probably climb this year to the most since 2008 as an improved economy and lower gas prices encourage more people to get behind the wheel, a safety group said.

North Central Utility has broken ground on a dealership in Mankato, Minnesota.

A bright red 18-wheeler traveling down a hill overlooking a skyline and an ocean liner next to an impressive billboard promoting a safety message, and a school bus approaching celebrants at a green park were the top drawings in this year’s “Be Ready. Be Buckled.” art contest.

InstiCo Express, the truckload unit of third-party logistics company InstiCo Freight Management Inc., has acquired trucking assets from Morrison Road Transportation to expand the buyer’s service options and network.