Business

While the solution that Washington “crafted” to the looming “fiscal cliff” was far from perfect, it seems to have gotten the job done.

Lost amid the hoopla surrounding Congress’ last-minute agreement on avoiding the economic “fiscal cliff” as the new year dawned was a provision in the deal that could help the trucking industry as it moves to replace aging equipment during 2013.

Used-truck sales slumped in late 2012, but last week’s “fiscal cliff” agreement created hope that a catch-up effect could buoy sales, industry officials said.

Trimble Navigation Ltd. last week said it has purchased navigation software provider ALK Technologies Inc., continuing its aggressive expansion in the trucking technology field.

A federal appeals court in Washington will hear arguments in March urging it to overturn portions of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s latest hours-of-service rule.

Despite challenges accompanying the use of wide-base tires on Class 8 trucks, experts, carriers and manufacturers said they expect to see substantial growth in their use in 2013.

The forecast for the year ahead for trucking looks a lot like what happened in the year just ended, with economic growth hampered by elevated levels of unemployment, weak spending by consumers and businesses, and ongoing uncertainty about federal spending and taxes.

Dozens of truck drivers will undergo a rigorous two-day test this week in hopes of qualifying for America’s Road Team.

The Transportation Research Board said the new federal transportation funding law and the effects of Superstorm Sandy will be among the topics discussed at its meeting later this month.

Orders for new U.S. trailers tumbled 22.8% to 22,306 in November from the same month in 2011, when new orders hit a recent peak, but manufacturers said they remained very busy at the end of 2012.