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A bill to keep states from tolling existing roads in the National Highway System has been introduced in Congress by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas).

Trucking fleets and tire makers said increased use of tire-pressure monitoring systems and automatic inflation systems is saving lives and money.

BOSTON — Volvo Trucks joined the argument over allowing longer, heavier trucks on U.S. highways, saying Congress should allow them on the interstate system to relieve congestion, increase productivity, conserve fuel and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

SAN DIEGO — A “perfect storm” of a weak economy, high fuel prices and governmental missteps have led to a 70% drop in new-truck sales in North America, according to Jim Hebe, senior vice president of North American sales for Navistar.

Rhode Island transportation officials said construction has begun on one of two bridges so deteriorated that trucks are limited to 18 tons and two axles.

Prices of most key commodities used in making heavy trucks have dropped 50% or more since last year, but price reductions for tires, components and trucks have been difficult to find.

Weak Class 8 truck sales around the world led to plunging revenue and either losses or vastly diminished first-quarter profits for three of the four major heavy-duty truck manufacturers and both independent engine makers operating in North America.

Hino Motors Ltd., Japan’s largest heavy-duty truck maker, had a wider-than-expected annual loss because of falling sales and one-time costs from a change in its pension system, Bloomberg reported Tuesday.