Business

Although many motor carriers have readily embraced onboard computers and electronic onboard recorders — largely because they provide easy communication between trucks and company terminals — they have some concerns about the devices, fleet managers and industry observers said.

Nascent electronic onboard recorder maker NavStar Technologies announced it has secured $2.4 million in funding from an unidentified investment group in Southern California.

PeopleNet Communications, ALK Technologies and Paragon Software said they have upgraded their trucking navigation software.

C.H. Robinson Worldwide and Pilot Flying J said they have unveiled new phone apps to aid truck drivers.

Cargo theft is on the rise, and, thanks to various reporting groups, we carriers, shippers and consignees are now able to track theft patterns and take steps to reduce our chances of being involved in such incidents.

Heavy-duty truck sales in the United States skyrocketed in October, doubling from the corresponding month last year, and with a 174.2% sales gain by Navistar Inc. leading to the industry’s greatest single-month volume since January 2007.

Onboard computers, which many drivers and fleet managers greeted with much skepticism when they were introduced, have become a popular in-cab device, according to  several users.

ATLANTA — The Transportation Intermediaries Association and the National Industrial Transportation League are nearing completion on a revised model agreement between brokers and shippers that is designed to serve as a model contract for freight transactions, TIA’s president said.

ATLANTA — Large truckload carriers U.S. Xpress Enterprises and CRST International last week said they are expanding their team-driver service offerings to tap the refrigerated truckload market for produce shipments.