Government

Safety and security remain a top concern for fleets crossing both the northern and southern borders, and motor carriers — including Celadon Group Inc. and Trimac Transportation Services Inc., Calgary, Alberta — are turning to the latest technology, electronic transmissions and voluntary government programs to streamline crossings and protect their freight.

Environmental groups said they back the Obama administration’s push to set standards for heavy- and medium-duty truck fuel efficiency, and last week, they called for making the standards even tougher.

The outgoing chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has urged Congress to approve a one-year extension of current highway legislation so the new Congress that convenes in January will have time to “come to agreement on a funding mechanism for a six-year bill.”

Big-picture executives have the ability to see well beyond the day-to-day grind. If you’re in this category, you support an active safety department and insist on taking a variety of preventive measures.

An index of leading economic indicators rose 0.5%, the New York-based Conference Board said Thursday.

The trucking industry reaffirmed its support of national fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emission standards for heavy- and medium-duty trucks while testifying in Chicago Monday at the first of two federal public hearings on the subject.

The U.S. has fallen behind other high income nations in reducing traffic fatalities and injuries, according to a report released Tuesday by the National Research Council, which studied accident data in the U.S. and 15 other countries.

Manufacturing activity in the New York region contracted this month, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said Monday.

When the executive committee of the Tennessee Trucking Association gathers Dec. 7 for its first meeting since the November election, the conversation probably will mirror discussions among trucking leaders in states across the country.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said it has ordered JBS Carriers of Greeley, Colo., to install electronic onboard recorders on its roughly 700-truck fleet.