Managing costs and taking advantage of low freight rates, to be sure - but their real concern is maintaining a high level of customer service in a time of reduced demand.

This recession required trucking companies to exhibit new levels of grit and business acuity. Lessons learned and changes implemented will have implications that stretch well into the next business cycle.

Logistics and transportation companies were hit early and hard by the economic downturn. Those that survived had to adapt operations and adopt new ideas and strategies. Many of those will remain and provide competitive benefits as the recovery takes hold.

Anyone doing transportation-related business in California, or planning to, must be aware of the environmental requirements imposed by the country's biggest state, says Yvonne Sanchez, air resources engineer with the California EPA Air Resources Board.