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As capacity tightens and government regulations make drivers’ time even more valuable, carriers and shippers are embracing technology to choose the most profitable and efficient shipping lanes, set rates and reduce empty miles.

Technology goes beyond helping carriers and shippers find the best rates and routes; it also can help them monitor fleet safety ratings.

Heavy snow and ice buildup on trucks and trailers can sap fuel economy, add weight, damage the equipment and even create a safety hazard if it breaks loose on the road. To avoid these risks, trucking companies are using a variety of specialized snow-removal systems to clear the tops of their vehicles.

Whether carriers are preparing to meet the final requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Modernization Act to comply with size regulations in states, technology providers said tracking technology can help operators comply with those regulatory requirements.

A Senate panel approved measures that would create the nation’s first freight policy act, under which investment would be targeted to freight projects that increase economic competitiveness, improve mobility and promote energy conservation.

A task force formed to address Idaho’s transportation funding shortfall has disbanded after 18 months of work without making any specific road-revenue-raising recommendations.