Safety

Bulk and tanker carrier Quality Distribution Inc., Jacksonville, Fla., said it purchased an insurance policy to cover all accident liability claims between $2 million and $5 million.

Last week’s Institute of Supply Management report that showed continued contraction may actually be good for the trucking industry’s outlook, according to an industry analyst, the Associated Press reported.

Eastern freight rail line Norfolk Southern Corp. said Monday it will take a first-quarter charge of 2 cents per share, related to settlement of an accident claim.

As we move closer to the next federal mandate on emissions — which comes into force for 2010-model heavy-duty trucks — proponents of the two competing technologies are beginning to publicly argue over the superiority of their choices.

Volvo Trucks North America said its heavy-duty engines can now be equipped with an option to meet California’s anti-idling restrictions.

The February increase in truck tonnage that American Trucking Associations reported late last month — the fourth straight rise — may signal better times ahead for truckers and the U.S. economy, several industry analysts and observers said.

Auxiliary power units, initially pushed by federal and state governments to reduce air pollution despite concerns by fleet owners and owner-operators over their initial cost, are attracting more buyers who purchase them for the fuel savings, now that average diesel prices are about $4 a gallon.

The national average retail diesel price dipped 2.5 cents a gallon last week after six straight increases, the Department of Energy reported, even as gasoline rose 3.1 cents to set a new record high.

The cost to drive on the Indiana Toll Road rose for all vehicles with three or more axles, as well as two-axle vehicles that were not using the I-Zoom electronic tolling system, which debuted on the road last week.