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In It for the Long Haul, Logistics and Truck Freight

The trucking industry is divided into several categories, depending on the type of freight and the distance moved. For the long haul, the type of truck used is referred to as a semi truck. These vehicles are a key element in business for moving raw materials and works in progress as well as finished goods. In the United States, trucks haul the majority of merchandise moved over land and are essential to virtually all elements of the economy. Keeping track of what is going where is formally known as logistics. While the trucks themselves continue to show improvements in such vital areas as safety and fuel economy, it is the logistical end of the business that has seen the greatest advances in the last several decades. Computers, GPS units, and mobile communication devices have revolutionized how goods are tracked, and have streamlined the billing end of the business. The Motor Carrier Act passed in 1980 did much to reform and energize the industry, which had fallen on hard times in the late 1970’s primarily due to the high costs of fuel in the era. The industry continues to be pressured into complying with ever stricter restrictions on emissions and higher…
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