Trucking companies need a way to monitor driver behavior, even as they struggle to cope with a rising number of potential distractions in the cab, says Bill Shepard, co-founder of Geo-Point Partners LLC.

Truckload motor carriers see demand picking up and are optimistic that 2010 will mark a strong recovery for the sector, says Kevin Burch, chairman of the Truckload Carriers Association and president of Jet Express.

Activity-based costing (ABC) is an important financial tool for trucking companies, says Paul Dugent, vice president of pricing and traffic at Estes Express Lines. The cost elements allocated to customers through ABC are used to help determine the price of services, though pricing "is more art than science."

Sustainability has moved from buzzword to boardroom mandate, says Michael Youn, logistics manager for Cintas, a provider of uniforms, apparel and other services. Leadership from the top is required to effectively engage the team charged with carrying out the initiative.

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.