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Hazardous material shipments will increase in the United States and so may the potential for disasters involving multiple deaths unless the Department of Transportation does a better job, warns a federal investigative team.

The Delaware Department of Transportation has announced plans to use biodiesel in its state vehicles, and Ruan Transportation said it has completed field tests of a soy-based lubricant.

In the news this morning: Con-Way expansion may help Sterling Truck; Police break up heavy equipment theft ring running on the East Coast; and Maine fuel rebate bill dies in committee

This afternoon's headlines: NYC towing crackdown complicates UPS and FedEx deliveries; Intrenet taps Chandler as new CEO; and English firm develops electronic system to detect brake wear without removing the wheels.

Proposed hours-of-service rules from the Department of Transportation sustained serious injuries after being broadsided and then sideswiped by both irate safety advocates and disgruntled truckers.

The quick return to an 80% meals expense tax deduction, supported by trucking and passed by the House of Representatives, may not come up for Senate consideration for at least two weeks, said the press secretary for Majority Leader Trent Lott.

The federal regulations that govern how much time a professional driver can spend behind the wheel have been around for more than 60 years, but not without changes or opposition from the trucking industry.

As the National Private Truck Council holds its convention this week, the organization has an identity crisis. It is not well-known among its potential members and may be suffering from an outdated designation.

In the news this morning: Utah trucking company finds more women are becoming truckers; Arizona study could undo split speed limits for cars, trucks; and Arkansas provides $500,000 grant for new driver training center.

Overnite Transportation reported last week that a Teamsters local in Philadelphia and a picket line captain were found in contempt of court and fined a total of $30,000 in connection with an assault on an Overnite driver.