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The Montana Department of Transportation is about to go online with a system that automatically approves size and weight permits, which truckers may print out from their own computers 24-hours a day.

It should have been a banner year for trucking companies in 1999: The U.S. economy was robust and demand for freight-hauling was strong. But fuel prices and a persistent driver shortage ate into profits.

Transportation unions plan to back candidates in 34 congressional districts as part of the AFL-CIO’s efforts to elect a more pro-labor Congress and White House.

In the news this morning: Volvo submits concessions on Renault deal to avoid antitrust problems; EPA says trucks must cut back emissions by 2004; Deaton, Inc. to buy Cardinal Logistics' flatbed division; and more.

This afternoon's headlines: Peterbilt layoffs hit management positions at Tennessee plant; diesel prices continue to fall in most of the nation; OPEC president to urge member countries to stick with production quotas; and more.

Transportation.com waded into the murky waters of online exchanges early last month and is attempting to debunk a rising notion that dot.coms are black holes for money.

Requiring employees to submit to random drug tests is an invasion of privacy, a provincial court in Ontario, Canada, has ruled.

Today's technology headlines: DRIVERNet rolls out new interactive services following GE Capital investment; GATX unveils Web railcar management system; wireless companies race to develop high-speed wireless technology; and more.

The huge digital finger on Yellow Corp.’s annual report to shareholders makes a perfect point about the state of trucking in 1999: It was the year of the Internet.

Congress is considering giving railroads a tax break, but the industry doesn’t like the way it is being accomplished.