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The head of American Trucking Associations plans to focus on fighting back against large court verdicts against the industry, continuing the push for a national infrastructure package and working toward reform for federal hours-of-service rules when the industry gathers for ATA's annual Management Conference & Exhibition in San Diego.

WASHINGTON — The spot market is suffering a decline in activity this year, but contract business and the promise of improving trade negotiations between the United States and China are helping to keep the freight market on steady ground, said the chief economist of American Trucking Associations.

The Federal Highway Administration has issued a final rule that it said will provide greater flexibility for states to use proprietary or patented materials in federal-aid highway projects.

WASHINGTON — The transportation committee in the U.S. House of Representatives is likely to consider a long-awaited highway bill early next year, Rep. Peter DeFazio, the chamber’s top transportation policymaker, said in an exclusive interview with Transport Topics.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced more than $77 million in grants to states and training institutions to improve commercial motor vehicle safety.

The U.S. economy grew at a modest 2% annual rate in the second quarter, a pace sharply lower than the 3%-plus growth rates seen over the past year. Many analysts believe growth will slow further in coming quarters as global weakness and rising trade tensions exert a toll.

Cantor Fitzgerald LP is recommending bearish trades on the U.S. transportation sector amid a deteriorating global trade landscape and worsening economic numbers.

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed into law a bill that directs the California Air Resources Board and other state agencies to develop and implement a new smog inspection program for heavy-duty diesel on-road trucks.

U.S. farmers — reeling from trade wars, low commodity prices and bad weather — are set to be the main winners from President Donald Trump’s initial accord with Japan.

U.S. new home sales jumped 7.1% in August, as low mortgage rates pull buyers into the housing market. The Commerce Department said Sept. 25 that new homes sales increased to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 713,000, up from a revised 666,000 in July.