Equipment

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is developing a commercial trade processing system — the Automated Commercial Environment — designed to facilitate legitimate cross-border trade while strengthening border security.

Ryder System said late Thursday that it will freeze its pension system and shift to a 401(k) savings plan, in a move that will affect about a third of its employees.

Trucking component maker ArvinMeritor and Wal-Mart Transportation have agreed to develop a dual-mode, diesel-electric drivetrain for a Class 8 tractor, the two said.

The Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday it will grant $445 million for fiscal year 2007 to protect critical infrastructure, including ports and transit systems.

Less-than-truckload carrier YRC Regional Transportation said late Monday that its USF Bestway and USF Reddaway units will consolidate into one organization under the USF Reddaway brand.

When Foodliner Inc., a liquid and dry-bulk carrier based in Dubuque, Iowa, put in a mobile communications system to track the location of its trucks and monitor the performance of its drivers, corporate controller Tom Stueck said he expected some resistance.

Engine manufacturers and trucking officials said they recognize the need for onboard diagnostic systems to monitor the performance of emission-treatment systems because diesel engines are growing in complexity.

Canadian transportation firm TransForce Income Fund said Thursday it completed its acquisition of Westfreight Systems and Westfreight Holdings (U.S.A.). Terms were not disclosed.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. said Thursday it will end tire production at its facility in Valleyfield, Quebec, Canada, and convert the facility to a mixing plant.

Less-than-truckload carrier ABF Freight System said late Tuesday it has expanded its regional transportation network to include central and southern states.