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The decision by United Parcel Service to sell 10% of its shares to the public — in what analysts said could be the largest initial public stock offering in history — is likely to have a major impact on the global transportation industry.

Some truckload carriers joined their counterparts in the less-than-truckload sector in imposing rate surcharges after the average cost of diesel took another jump.

A measure to speed the return of the 80% tax deduction for truckers’ meals cleared a hurdle last week as the Senate Finance Committee approved a $792 billion tax-cut bill.

Jon Charleston didn’t have to die. Trapped in his overturned car in a rural area, he was able to contact 911 using his cellular phone. He didn’t make it, though, because one piece of the emergency response information was missing — his location.

The staff of the powerful House Transportation Committee is circulating a rough draft of a proposal to create a separate motor carrier administration within the Department of Transportation.

Eddie R. Brown, who was brought in as president of Landair Corp. last year, resigned July 19 as the Tennessee-based truckload carrier announced it would incur significant losses in the second quarter.

As state workers posted signs last week banning in-transit truckers from many New Jersey roads, some industry officials complained about the sweep of Gov. Christie Whitman’s emergency order that sought to calm citizens’ ire about truck traffic, especially in rural areas.

As trucking companies continue to buy new Class 8 tractors at a record pace in order to meet the heavy demand for freight transportation, companies that sell components to truck makers have seen their sales and earnings lifted to new heights.

Louisiana forbids the owner of a vehicle to offer a chassis or container in intermodal exchange that does not meet federal safety regulations, under a new state law. Truckers would have the right to inspect the equipment and demand that repairs be made if necessary.

A federal grand jury in Richmond, Va., indicted a mother and two of her sons on charges of running a violent hijacking ring that appeared to target older, independent big rig drivers at truck and rest stops along Interstate 95 in Virginia.