As new diesel standards took effect in 2006, refiners and fuel retailers said the nationwide transition to ultra-low-sulfur diesel was smoother than expected, despite concerns that the new fuel would cause supply shortages in some parts of the United States.

An official with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance told Transport Topics the group will vote next year on whether to include performance-based brake-testing devices as an enforcement tool during roadside truck inspections.

he biodiesel industry’s largest trade group has issued a “winter weather advisory” after 50% of the samples in a national test failed to meet quality standards. br clear="all">

DALLAS — Trucking executives will continue to advocate insurance and legal reforms in state legislatures and will work to institute primary seat-belt laws across the country, industry officials said during American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference & Exhibition here.

The Federal Highway Administration said it has approved final criteria for a program aimed at helping truckers find parking near interstates.

Although the Canadian trucking industry may face several regulatory changes in the years ahead that could improve operations for carriers, it’s unlikely that it will become less difficult for them to cross the U.S. border in the near future, said David Bradley, chief executive officer of the Canadian Trucking Alliance.

California’s Superior Court last week overturned a state regulation that required all trucks with 1993 to 1998 model-year engines operating in the state to be reprogrammed to include more stringent emission controls.

ll major U.S. heavy-duty diesel engine manufacturers said they have submitted applications to the Environmental Protection Agency for certification of their 2007 models and expected to have the new, cleaner-burning engines available for sale by the beginning of next year.

Fuel retailers said they would be ready to sell ultra-low-sulfur diesel when the Environmental Protection Agency’s final implementation phase of the new fuel takes effect Oct. 15.

Truck makers and fleet managers said they are concerned new diesel particulate filters and engine-cooling systems in 2007 trucks could decrease hauling capacity.