Business

Four of the largest publicly traded truckload carriers in North America posted higher earnings in the final three months of 2012, despite higher fuel prices and an uncertain economic environment.

Truck tonnage fell 2.3% in December from an all-time high the same month a year ago, but freight levels were strong enough to offer at least some short-term market optimism, American Trucking Associations reported.

WASHINGTON — Employees from nearly every state’s department of transportation came together with federal officials here to set a course for future transportation funding decisions.

The percentage of truck drivers testing positive on random drug tests during 2011 dropped to the lowest level since mandatory testing began almost two decades ago, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

HOUSTON — Natural gas is here to stay as a major transportation industry fuel, even as its growth path remains uncertain, according to several experts addressing a fuel conference here.

WASHINGTON — University of Michigan officials said they are beating the bushes looking for money to salvage key, long-term research into commercial vehicle crashes since the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration cut them off in late September.

LAS VEGAS — Fleet executives said they are turning to the aftermarket to avoid potential parts shortages and also are finding value in performing more maintenance in-house.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said last week he would “be sticking around for a while” in President Obama’s Cabinet as the administration’s top transportation official.

Oil finished near $96 a barrel on Friday, ending the week higher for a seventh straight week, the longest string of weekly gains in almost four years, Bloomberg News reported.

Trailer manufacturer Wabash National Corp. said Friday it has agreed to buy the tank and trailer business of Beall Corp., a maker of aluminum tank trailers and related equipment, for $15 million.