ATRInsider May 2022 | Vol. 18 Issue 2
ATRI's Latest Research Quantifies the Environmental Impacts of Zero-Emission Trucks
ATRI has released a new report that analyzes the environmental impacts of zero-emission trucks (ZET). This analysis, a 2021 top priority of ATRI’s Research Advisory Committee, utilized federal and industry-sourced data to identify and compare full life-cycle CO2 emissions for a range of truck types, including a baseline diesel truck, battery electric trucks and hydrogen fuel cell trucks. 
 
The study found that while electric trucks have no direct tailpipe emissions, CO2 production associated with vehicle, battery and electricity production would only result in a 30 percent decrease in CO2 emissions when compared to a standard diesel truck.
Comparison of Full Life-Cycle CO2 Emissions for Diesel, Electric and
Hydrogen Fueled Trucks 
The marginal environmental benefits of electric trucks are due, in large part, to lithium-ion battery production – which generates more than six times the carbon of diesel truck production. The research, which utilized outputs from the Argonne National Lab’s GREET Model, also incorporates CO2 emissions that generate from the U.S. electrical grid – which still relies primarily on fossil fuels. (Read More)
New Incentive Offered to For-Hire Motor Carriers to Participate in ATRI’s Annual Operational Costs Data Collection
ATRI has issued a call for motor carriers to participate in its annual Operational Costs of Trucking research.
 
Now in its 14th year, ATRI’s annual “Ops Costs” research collects detailed cost information derived directly from trucking fleets and owner-operators, and it is among the most requested ATRI research studies. This annual analysis is used as a key benchmarking tool by motor carriers of all sizes. Public sector agencies also utilize ATRI’s analysis to make better-informed transportation planning and infrastructure investment decisions. 
 
This year for the first time, participating motor carriers will receive a customized report that compares their fleet’s operational costs to those of peer carriers of the same sector and size.
“ATRI’s Operational Costs report has been a long-standing tool for evaluating our operational efficiencies and identifying where we need to improve,” said Harold A. Sumerford, Jr., J&M Tank Lines CEO. “The new customized fleet report will be a tremendous value for participating fleets, and I encourage carriers of all sizes to contribute data and take advantage of this great offer from ATRI.”

Among the for-hire fleet metrics being requested by ATRI are driver pay, fuel costs, insurance premiums and lease or purchase payments. Carriers and owner-operators are asked to provide 2021 cost per mile and/or cost per hour data using the easy-to-use online data entry form.   ATRI’s data collection form, which protects all confidential information, is available here.  
ATRI Research Advisory Committee Meets to Identify Top Priorities for 2022
ATRI’s RAC held its Annual Meeting March 15-16, 2022 in Dallas, Texas to identify the top research priorities for the trucking industry. Led by ATRI RAC Chair Shawn Brown, the 34 RAC members reviewed and deliberated on over 25 individual research topics before finalizing a list of five top priorities for 2022. Research topics reviewed covered a wide range of critical industry issues including workforce development, safety, industry operations, environmental issues, and transportation infrastructure.
Shawn Brown, RAC Chairman
Vice President of Safety for
Cargo Transporters, Inc.
On May 15, 2022, ATRI RAC Chair Shawn Brown will present the five top priority topics to the ATRI Board of Directors for their review and approval before finalization. Once approved by the ATRI Board, ATRI’s professional research staff will commence on those studies this summer. Stay tuned for the announcement of the 2022 top priority research topics later this month.
Upcoming ATRI Appearances and Presentations
  • May 9-11, Nevada Trucking Association Litigation Forum, Reno, NV – Rebecca Brewster

  • May 11-13, Arkansas Trucking Association 2022 Annual Business Conference & Vendor Showcase, Hot Springs Convention Center, Hot Springs, AR – Alex Leslie

  • May 11-13, Utah Trucking Association 2022 Management Conference & Trucking Expo, Dixie Convention Center, St. George, UT – Jeffrey Short

  • May 12, ATRI on the Air on Dave Nemo, Sirius XM Channel 146, ATRI Senior VP, Dan Murray and ATRI Director of Environmental Research Mike Tunnell

  • May 15, ATRI Research Update, ATA Mid-Year Management Meeting, JW Marriott Camelback, Scottsdale, AZ – ATRI Team

  • May 19-20, MCIEF Western Conference, Hyatt Regency, Phoenix, AZ – Dan Murray

  • May 25-27, International Urban Freight Conference, Hyatt Regency Long Beach, Irvine, CA – Jeffrey Short

  • June 6, ATA’s NAFC Annual Conference and Exhibition, Marriott Downtown, Austin, TX – Rebecca Brewster

  • June 19-22, GMTA’s Annual Convention, Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, FL – Rebecca Brewster
ATRI Needs Your Support
ATRI’s primary mission is research to improve the trucking industry’s safety and productivity. As the trucking industry’s 501(c)3 not-for-profit research organization, ATRI’s work on your behalf relies exclusively on charitable contributions. If you believe that ATRI’s research is making a difference for the trucking industry – please consider making a charitable contribution today.

Whether you make a personal contribution or contribute on behalf of your organization, your financial support will mean that we can continue to produce award-winning research to support your business and your industry.
Thank you in advance for your support of ATRI!
Celebrating the ATRI Staff
ATRI's research benefits from a dedicated staff of industry professionals whose varied backgrounds include expertise in transportation planning, trucking industry operations, statistics, GIS, economics, and human factors research. Combined, these five staff members have celebrated over 115 years of combined service to ATRI and the trucking industry. Please join us in congratulating the following ATRI staff on their recent work anniversaries with ATRI:
Rebecca Brewster
President and COO
January, 29 Years
Mike Tunnell
Director, Environmental Research
March, 27 Years
Dan Murray
Senior Vice President
April, 28 Years
Joy Miller
Contract Manager
April, 31 Years
Danielle Crownover
Research Analyst
May, 1 Year
Download a Free Copy of ATRI's Latest Research
Understanding the CO2 Impacts of Zero-Emission Trucks
The Impact of Rising Insurance Costs on the Trucking Industry
2022 Top Truck Bottlenecks
Owner-Operators / Independent Contractors in the Supply Chain
An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking
Critical Issues in the Trucking Industry - 2021
AMERICAN TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE | TruckingResearch.org

ATRI is the trucking industry’s 501c3 not-for-profit research organization. It is engaged in critical research relating to freight transportation’s essential role in maintaining a safe, secure and efficient transportation system.