Logistics

Intermodal traffic increased 17.3% last week from a year earlier, the highest volume in 2010, the Association of American Railroads said.

CSX Corp. said it would raise its quarterly dividend 8% to 26 cents per share, from the previous 24 cents.

Consumer confidence dropped in September to the lowest level in seven months, the New York-based Conference Board said Tuesday.

Commercial trailer net orders rose 55% in August from a year earlier, ACT Research Co. said.

As demand for people with transportation and logistics skills grows, many colleges and universities are finding it difficult to expand programs to meet the needs of shippers and freight carriers who are seeking trained workers and management personnel.

Many students who take master-level courses in logistics and supply chain management are required to undertake a special project, called a capstone project, to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.

Please keep step-van drivers in the National Truck Driving Championships. I attended my first truck-driving rodeo two years ago because the step-van category was added, and I had a blast. Now, I’m hooked on NTDC.

Port of Los Angeles staff members are recommending that harbor commissioners push back until the end of 2011 the first phase of the port’s clean trucks program requiring that employee-only drivers move drayage trucks.