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The Federal Railroad Administration is seeking public comment on whether railroad cars should be fitted with reflective materials that would make it easier to see them at grade crossings.

Intrastate truckers must obey the federal hours-of-service regulations for seven days before and seven days after they cross a state line, according to a ruling by FMCSA Acting Deputy Director Julie A. Cirillo.

Cyprus Truck Lines of Jacksonville, Fla., has purchased Ploof Truck Lines and will operate the flatbed truckload carrier as a separate business.

As 1999 drew to a close, shipments of truck trailers continued to run well behind the record pace of 1998, according to the Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association.

This afternoon's headlines: Consolidated Freightways misses Wall Street forecast; Northern opposition mounts to BNSF-CN rail merger; and Bill proposed to slow down trucks in Missouri.

In the news this morning: FMCSA still searching for a boss; Arizona House OKs bill on truck speed limits on interstates; and Interstate trucker with stolen CDL is arrested on drug charges.

The Associated Press is reporting that Overnite Transportation Co. is suing the Teamsters for $5.2 million in damages resulting from the 3-month-old strike against the trucking firm.

This afternoon's headlines: Critics rap San Antonio's hazmat route plans; FedEx starts service to East Malaysia; and J.B. Hunt announces safe driver awards.

Diesel fuel prices surged in the Northeast as cold weather pinched heating oil supplies. The price in the New England region skyrocketed to $1.836 from $1.441 a week earlier.

Much has been written and said about the shortage of qualified drivers facing the trucking industry. But an often underreported problem exists, and that is the equally threatening shortage of truck technicians.