COLUMBUS, Ind. — ACT Research is planning a long-term study on how regulatory and business changes and technological advances will reshape trucking and transportation during the next decade.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — ACT Research projected that the Class 8 market will peak in 2015, driven by a favorable freight market and improved trucker profitability.

Factory production in the U.S. declined in February for a third consecutive month, a sign cutbacks in manufacturing will hold back economic growth this quarter.

U.S. manufacturing activity expanded at the slowest pace in a year in February as weaker growth abroad limited orders for American-made products, the Institute for Supply Management reported.

Factory production rose less than forecast in January as motor vehicle assemblies declined along with demand for construction materials, indicating U.S. manufacturing is moderating.

U.S. factories expanded at the weakest pace in a year in January as orders cooled, a sign weakness in overseas markets is restraining U.S. manufacturing, the Institute for Supply Management said.

Factory production cooled in December as capital spending and vehicle assemblies slowed, indicating U.S. manufacturers were adjusting to weaker overseas markets.

Manufacturing in New York expanded in January, but growth slowed in Philadelphia, according to the regional reserve banks.

Factory orders dropped 0.7% in November, the fourth straight decline, the Commerce Department reported Jan. 6.

Manufacturing in the U.S. expanded in November at a faster pace than projected, signaling the world’s largest economy is rising above a global slowdown.