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Cass Information Systems’ freight index, based primarily on trucking, dipped 1.5% in March on a year-over-year basis, but gained 1.4% from February of this year.

As the trucking industry prepares for the federal electronic logging mandate, carriers and equipment providers are grappling with one of the murkier aspects of the regulation — how to use the technology in lease and rental vehicles.

With more regulations on greenhouse-gas emissions and fuel economy coming soon, smaller engines are one of the latest equipment trends, according to one of the cover stories in this issue of Equipment & Maintenance Update.

As they seek to expand, many carriers eye opportunities in new markets. One potential and unexplored area for U.S.-domiciled carriers could be north of the border in Canada, but carriers must consider truck spec’ing factors to make the most of those opportunities.

Not that long ago, the mindset of many fleet operators was to get as much muscle power in engines as they wanted or could afford. That often meant 15-liter engines that could deliver a whole lot of horsepower. But times have changed.

If fleets were expecting to see lower prices for trucks, trailers and components as the cost of raw materials continued their downward trajectory, they may be waiting for some time if comments from industry executives are accurate.

Maryland-based Ramar Moving Systems hauls specialty items such as art, satellites and, once, a moon buggy.

General Electric Co. could become one of the top players in the oil services and equipment industry if it decides to bid for Baker Hughes Inc.

Federal Railroad Administration officials in recent months have stepped up efforts to reduce what they say are preventable fatalities and injuries from train collisions with trucks and cars at U.S. highway rail-grade crossings.