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Transportation software companies Xata Corp. and McLeod Software on Monday announced joint-development projects to help fleets comply with hours-of-service regulations and improve driver and vehicle performance.

Paccar Parts, part of truck maker Paccar Inc., said its proprietary TruckerLink telematics and fleet-management service is now available to aftermarket customers.

Andy Marchiano has been recruited as president of global logistics firm Longistics, Research Triangle Park, N.C. Marchiano was previously vice president and general manager of Cooper Leasing Inc., Raleigh, N.C.

Standing in front of one of the most crowded, deficient bridges in the United States, President Obama called on Republicans to help him pass a jobs bill that contains $27 billion in construction spending for highways and bridges.

The discussion of further restricting cellphone use by truck drivers likely will not lead to limitations on the use of in-cab communication devices, in part because the devices have built-in safeguards, executives with technology firms said.

Driver turnover among larger fleets rose modestly in the second quarter, but declined slightly at smaller fleets that traditionally have greater success in retaining drivers, American Trucking Associations reported last week.

Back in 2003, Virginia began its ill-advised drive to toll an existing federal highway to raise money for road work, much to the displeasure of the region’s business community, and especially the trucking industry.

With the nation’s transportation system facing a shortage of skilled talent, many industry executives, academic experts and government officials are calling for a national effort to attract and train more people for transportation-related jobs — from truck drivers and warehouse managers to highway engineers and public policymakers.