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While proposed changes in trucking’s hours of service are under an intense spotlight, the work conditions of railroad personnel responsible for the movement of trains also have been targeted for reform.

Interstate Insurance Management and Swiss Re's Commercial Insurance have expanded their insurance program for the trucking industry into Virginia and Indiana.

In the news this morning: NY/NJ eyes bridge incentive for trucks; Airborne expanding ground deliveries; oil-consuming nations to push OPEC to lower prices; and more.

If you're a commercial truck driver, TransportTopics.com would like to know what you thought about voting in this year's elections.

Today's technology headlines: FMCSA expands Web services; ClearCross merging with hazmat handler Atrion; ex-U S West CEO to head wireless technology firm; and more.

This afternoon's headlines: GE Capital links with Innovative Fleet Services to sell used trucks; parts maker Lund International reports greater 3Q loss; truck accessories manufacturer TransCom posts 3Q loss; and more to come.

A razor-thin majority for Republicans in Congress could lead to gridlock on issues critical to trucking, while the outcome of the presidential election will affect the regulatory climate for the industry for the next four years, analysts said last week. That was the assessment as the nation waited for the winner of the Nov. 7 balloting to be determined.

Intermodal service is an important business for the nation’s railroads, but it continues to fall short of the industry’s oft-stated goal of diverting truck traffic to trains.

American Trucking Associations, industry groups and three states argued Nov. 7 before the U.S. Supreme Court that the Environmental Protection Agency exceeded its administrative authority in establishing new state standards to regulate ozone and airborne particulate matter in 1997.

The retail price of diesel fuel dropped by 1.9 cents to $1.61 per gallon last week, marking the third straight week of a downturn that now totals six cents and has fueled a kind of wary optimism about prices in the long term.