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The Newsletter of the Non-Profit Research Organization for the Trucking Industry

ATRI Announces Trucking's Top Concerns

ATRI released its 20th annual Top Industry Issues results at ATA’s Management Conference and Exhibition during the “Big Reveal” panel held October 12th. The panel featured ATRI President Rebecca Brewster along with PGT Trucking President Gregg Troian, Netradyne Chief Strategy Officer Adam Kahn and professional driver for Walmart Transportation and an America’s Road Team Captain Antoine Sadler. This year, the state of the Economy and the lack of available Truck Parking retained their #1 and #2 rankings on the overall list, respectively. However, growing concern over the proliferation of nuclear verdicts led to Lawsuit Abuse Reform rising to the #3 spot. The largest climb in ranking this year came in Insurance Cost and Availability, which rose eight spots to be the industry’s #4 overall concern. Rounding out the top five this year was Driver Compensation. 

The continued focus on transitioning the nation’s truck fleet to battery electric – and the aggressive timelines and significant cost for doing so – drove Battery Electric Vehicles into the industry’s 6th overall concern, up four spots from last year. 

Over 45 percent of the survey respondents were motor carrier executives and personnel, while truck drivers represented 31 percent. Among truck driver respondents, Truck Parking, Driver Compensation and the Economy were the top three concerns, while motor carriers ranked the Economy, Lawsuit Abuse Reform, and the Driver Shortage as the top three concerns. The report also includes a ranking of the top concerns of motor carrier enforcement personnel. Read More Here

ATRI has announced the appointment of UPS Corporate Transportation President Joe Boyle to its Board of Directors. Mr. Boyle was appointed by ATRI Chairman of the Board Derek Leathers, Werner Enterprises Chairman and CEO.

As president of UPS Corporate Transportation, Joe leads the company’s transportation operations for the U.S. with a special focus on continuing to build efficiencies, leveraging technology and streamlining the UPS network. Joe began his career in 1989 as a sorter in the Philadelphia Air Hub and was promoted to full-time supervisor in 1994. After experience in hub and preload operations in Metro Philadelphia, Joe was promoted in 1999 to air ramp load planning manager in the Philadelphia Air Hub.



“UPS has been a long-time supporter of ATRI’s research and we are excited to have Joe join our Board,” said ATRI President and COO Rebecca Brewster. “ATRI benefits from a very engaged Board of Directors and we look forward to working with Joe.” Read More Here

Truck Driver Survey — Driver Demographics

ATRI is seeking driver participation in a survey to understand the make-up of the U.S. truck driver population and how it is changing over time. ATRI will assess over 20 years of survey data from truck drivers, and this latest truck driver survey will provide the newest information on the composition of the truck driver population today – allowing the research to compare changing trends.

Truck drivers are encouraged to participate in the survey by clicking here.

Motor Carrier and Broker Survey — Comprehending the Scope of Cargo Theft

ATRI is seeking feedback from motor carriers and brokers on the growing threat of cargo theft. Cargo theft – which has evolved from thieves simply stealing cargo to sophisticated impersonation schemes – is becoming more common according to some industry stakeholders. In March 2024 ATRI’s Research Advisory Committee (RAC), citing FBI statistics that indicate $15 to $30 billion is lost to cargo theft annually, voted to prioritize research on the topic. 

While cargo theft is growing, many industry stakeholders are hesitant to publicly provide cargo theft data. ATRI’s survey is designed to confidentially and anonymously collect accurate loss data as well as identify successful counterstrategies used by both motor carriers and freight brokers.  

Motor carriers and brokers are encouraged to complete the survey by clicking here.

For more than two decades, ATRI has provided award-winning research to improve the trucking industry’s safety and productivity. Our mission is clear and our dedicated team of research professionals deliver on that mission each and every day. And, in recognition of all that ATRI does, the following organizations and individuals have supported ATRI with a charitable contribution this year (as of November 14, 2024).

In Honor of

Phil Byrd

In Memory of

Bob Schaupp

Cliff Harvison

Jack Apple

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. Please consider adding your name to this list of industry leaders by giving to ATRI today.

ATRI Research Analyst Abbigail Huffman presenting at the first ever Women In Motion Symposium in August.

ATRI Vice President Jeff Short (left) sat on a EV panel alongside Alabama Power Electric Transportation Manager Hasin Gandhakwala (right) at the Southeast CMV Summit in September.

ATRI President Rebecca Brewster sat on a panel alongside ISAAC Instruments VP of Public Relations Neil Abt (left) and ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello (center) at the 2024 ISAAC Instruments User Conference in October.

ATRI President Rebecca Brewster presented Senior Vice President Dan Murray his 30th anniversary service award earlier this month.

ATRI Senior Research Associate Alex Leslie presenting at the Illinois Trucking Association Annual Meeting in September.

The ATRI Team at ATA's 2024 MC&E in October, (left to right) Jeff Short, Andrew Fain, Alex Leslie, Abbigail Huffman, Alexandra Shirk, Dan Murray, Rebecca Brewster and Carla Rose.

ATRI President Rebecca Brewster presented Research Associate Alexandra Shirk her 10th anniversary service award earlier this month.

ATRI's Carla Rose, Dan Murray and Abbigail Huffman attend the Women In Trucking Accelerate Conference this week.

ATRI Team Talks Trucking

ATRI Research Associate Alex Leslie joins Commercial Carrier Journal for a discussion on ATRI's Costs and Consequences of Truck Driver Detention research. Watch the video by clicking image above.

ATRI President Rebecca Brewster joins LandLine Now for a discussion on ATRI's 2024 Top Industry Issues Survey. Listen to the podcast by clicking image above.

Upcoming opportunities to hear the ATRI team talk about the latest research:

November 20 at 12:30 p.m. ET: American Bankers Association Webinar – Alex Leslie

November 21 at 1 p.m. ET: Independent Carriers Safety Association Towing Webinar – Alex Leslie

December 4-5: North Dakota State University UGPTI Commercial Vehicle Safety Summit – Alex Leslie

December 12 at 9:00 a.m ET: ATRI on the Air on the Nemo Show on ATRI's 2024 Top Industry Issues 6 through 10, SiriusXM Ch. 146 – Jeff Short

As ATRI continues to work year after year on your behalf to provide critical research to address trucking's top issues, consider this...

So far this year ATRI has released impactful research on numerous critical trucking issues including its analysis evaluating Renewable Diesel as an Alternative Pathway to Decarbonization, its Research that Identifies Strategies for Mitigating Women Truck Driver Challenges and recently, Costs and Consequences of Truck Driver Retention report. Not to mention ATRI's annual reports, the Top Truck Bottleneck List, the Ops Costs and the latest Top Industry Issues report. If you search any of these hot topics online, you’ll most likely find ATRI’s name referenced in the search. Now, multiply that impact by 23 years. That's 23 years that ATRI has been working tirelessly for trucking, and if you are in trucking that means that ATRI is working for YOU. If you’ve ever downloaded a FREE ATRI report from TruckingResearch.org, then you understand and appreciate the value that ATRI delivers each and every day.

Why not join the hundreds of individuals and organizations who have generously provided support and contributions over the years to ensure ATRI’s legacy for the future? 

Click here to make a charitable contribution to support ATRI’s research.

There is no gift too large or too small – please consider giving today.

Critical Issue in the Trucking Industry — 2024

Costs and Consequences of Truck Driver Detention

An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking: 2024 Update

Identifying and Mitigating the Challenges Faced by Women Truck Drivers

Renewable Diesel — A Catalyst for Decarbonization Full Report

2024 Annual List of Top 100 Truck Bottlenecks

AMERICAN TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE | TruckingResearch.org

Atlanta, GA • Minneapolis, MN • Washington, DC • Sacramento, CA

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.