Executives with companies that manufacture driver-fatigue and other safety technologies said they are seeing growing interest from carriers as prices fall and the economic consequences of accidents become clearer.

Less-than-truckload carrier Arkansas Best Corp. said in a regulatory filing Tuesday it has reached an agreement in principle to sell its Clipper intermodal subsidiary to a Canadian firm for $20 million.

Executives with technology firms and carriers said mapping software that optimizes delivery routes is becoming an important tool for reducing expenses as fuel prices rise.

Technology firms Terion Inc. and DriverTech Inc. said they have streamlined the transfer of data between a truck cab and the trailer by integrating systems.

Fleet executives say fuel cards have evolved into a data-gathering tool that allows them to alert drivers to the best fuel prices across the country, track and plan vehicle maintenance and repairs and monitor driver spending by comparing fuel expenses with operating data.

Radio frequency identification tags are likely to become commonplace on trucks and could replace the traditional fuel card in the coming years, as carriers seek faster ways to complete their transactions at truck stops, according to industry and fuel card executives.

American Trucking Associations last week announced two initiatives aimed at helping address the shortage of qualified drivers.

Communications hardware provider Argo Tracker said it has developed a new tracking system to help carriers prevent the theft of equipment and cargo traveling by air, land or sea.

Trucking, government and safety officials involved in a new program that sends electronic alerts about missing children to truck drivers said it is another important tool for law enforcement agencies.

SiriComm, Joplin, Mo., said it has started offering Maptuit Inc.’s FleetNav Express mapping software at its Wi-Fi locations. The company said in a statement it will offer a bundled services package that includes FleetNav Express.