Business

About Business News...

Transport Topics business coverage focuses on the financial, economic, and commercial aspects of the modern freight business. Looking at both the microeconomic and macroeconomic forces shaping bottom lines, the news in this category includes labor news, jobs reports, tonnage and sales indicators, operations analysis, money and banking, mergers, acquisitions, e-commerce, bankruptcy, insurance issues, and more.

Business, Safety

U.S. Freight Railroads Report Record-Breaking Year

U.S. freight railroads completed a record-breaking year in 2006, moving record numbers of carloads and intermodal containers, the Association of American Railroads said.

January 8, 2007

Infographic: Ryder’s Foundation for a Successful Freight Brokerage

Globally, supply chains are facing unprecedented levels of disruption. As a result, shippers and carriers are challenged more than ever to keep goods moving while remaining profitable. While most brokerages point to technology as the key to achieving success, today’s setbacks have proven that technology alone isn’t enough.

Business, Technology, Equipment, Safety, Autonomous

Carriers, Drivers Embrace Mobile Tracking Technology

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.

Daniel P. Bearth | Staff Writer
January 8, 2007
Business, Government

Gasoline Price Rises 3 Cents from Mid-December, Lundberg Says

Average U.S. retail gasoline prices rose 3 cents over the past three weeks to $2.32 a gallon, according to the latest Lundberg survey of gasoline prices released Sunday.

January 8, 2007
Business, Fuel

EPA Certifies ’07 Diesel Engines as Dealers Await Clues on Sales

Manufacturers of new heavy-duty engines designed to meet Environmental Protection Agency emission regulations that went into effect Jan. 1 said EPA has certified all engine models submitted for approval.

Frederick Kiel | Staff Reporter
January 8, 2007
Business, Government, Safety, Technology

Technology Briefs — Jan. 3 - Jan. 8

TransCore Inks Satellite Pact with Norwegian Firm • WTO Urged to Scrap Duties on ‘Green’ Technology • Iowa Judge to Rule on Speed Cameras

January 8, 2007
Business, Government, Safety

Electronic Recorder Rule Near as White House Gives Approval

The White House late last month gave its approval for a proposal that could force truckers to use electronic recorders to monitor their hours of service, clearing the way for the rule to be published after more than two years of discussion.

Sean McNally | Staff Reporter
January 8, 2007
Government, Business, Technology, Fuel

Crude Oil Closes Higher but Falls Almost $5 for Week

Crude oil prices tracked upward 76 cents Friday to close at $56.35 a barrel, Bloomberg reported, and the price tumbled almost $5 for the week and hit a one-year low closing price on Thursday.

January 5, 2007
Business

December Payrolls Rise 167,000; Unemployment Holds at 4.5%

U.S. payrolls rose jumped by 167,000 in December and the unemployment rate held at 4.5%, the Labor Department said Friday.

January 5, 2007
Business, Fuel, Government, Safety

November Air Cargo Shipments Jump 2.9%

November air cargo shipments jumped 2.9% compared with the same month a year ago, the Air Transport Association said Thursday.

January 4, 2007
Business, Fuel, Technology, Equipment, Safety, Autonomous

Truck Officials Wrestle With In-Cab Systems for Monitoring Sophisticated Diesel Engines

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.

Andrea Fischer | Staff Reporter
January 4, 2007