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WASHINGTON — When the economy recovers and freight traffic begins to grow again, the nation needs to turn its attention to broader transportation issues that address everything from funding to livability, said Victor Mendez, newly appointed Federal Highway Administrator.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration said it would issue a new regulation early next year that will prohibit the transportation of flammable liquids in unprotected product piping on both existing and newly manufactured cargo tank trucks.

BETHESDA, Md. — Law enforcement officers, government officials and trucking executives joined together to emphasize the dangers of driving aggressively around large trucks, particularly among younger motorists.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration should identify commercial truck and bus drivers who are at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea, and require drivers diagnosed with the condition to prove they are being treated, the National Transportation Safety Board recommended last week.

The average U.S. price of diesel jumped more than 10 cents a gallon and gasoline rose nearly as much last week, while petroleum closed above $81 a barrel on national commodities markets for the first time in more than a year.

The Port of Long Beach and American Trucking Associations last week reached an out-of-court settlement of ATA’s federal lawsuit challenging portions of the port’s Clean Trucks Plan. The agreement will simplify the registration process for carriers moving containers at the port.

An index of leading economic indicators rose 1% in September, marking the sixth straight increase, the New York-based Conference Board said Thursday.

Heavy equipment manufacturer Caterpillar Inc. said Thursday that Douglas Oberhelman will become its chief executive officer in July 2010.

Universal Truckload Services said its third-quarter net income plunged 68.6% to $1.7 million, or 11 cents per share, from $5.4 million, 34 cents, a year ago.

Transportation and third-party logistics firm C.H. Robinson Worldwide reported a third-quarter profit of $95.5 million, or 57 cents a share, up slightly from $93.6 million, or 54 cents a share, a year ago.