Traffic congestion on U.S. highways added $94.6 billion in costs to the trucking industry in 2021 according to the latest Cost of Congestion study published by ATRI. This is the highest level yet recorded through this ongoing research initiative.

ATRI has launched a new survey to identify motor carrier strategies for recruiting and retaining women truck drivers. 

Trucking fleets are asked to provide input through an online survey that will document current recruitment communication channels, effective recruitment messaging and initiatives aimed at creating a positive company culture. It also recruits participants for virtual interviews that will provide deeper insights into the issue. A second survey to solicit truck driver input on the same topics will be launched later this year.

This survey is part of a larger study identified by ATRI’s Research Advisory Committee as a top research priority. The study will identify challenges unique to women truck drivers as well as best practices that can be leveraged to overcome those challenges.

“This research is critical if we’re going to meaningfully increase the number of women truck drivers. I encourage my colleagues across the industry to take some time and respond to ATRI’s request,” said Stormie Janzen, Total Transportation of Mississippi Vice President of Safety and Recruiting.

Participating carriers are asked to complete the online survey by Friday, November 17, 2023. All submitted data will be kept strictly confidential.

ATRI released the 19^th annual Top Industry Issues results at ATA’s Management Conference and Exhibition during the “Big Reveal” panel held October 14^th. The panel featured ATRI President Rebecca Brewster as moderator along with panelists Cari Baylor, Baylor Trucking President, and Dean Key, professional driver for Ruan Transportation and an America’s Road Team Captain. In a year full of challenges including high inflation, rising operating costs, and declining freight demand, the state of the nation’s Economy was the number one concern. The lack of available Truck Parking achieved its highest rank to date on the overall list, coming in second. Last year’s number one issue, Fuel Prices, was ranked third this year. Rounding out the top five this year were the Driver Shortage and Driver Compensation. 

ATRI's Top Industry Issues report presents the overall industry results and provides an analysis of how motor carriers and professional drivers separately rank the issues. Read More Here

ATRI has launched an online application for industry stakeholders interested in being considered for a position on ATRI’s Research Advisory Committee. ATRI’s RAC is comprised of government officials, academics, professional truck drivers, trucking company executives and suppliers from a diverse cross-section of the industry, all who understand the importance of sound science to an industry as complex as the trucking industry. The RAC is charged with annually recommending a research agenda for the Institute.

The newly launched online application form allows individuals to indicate their interest in being considered and to more fully describe how their unique experience and perspective would contribute to the research identification process. Additionally, there is a separate form for individuals to nominate a colleague who they believe would be a strong candidate for the RAC. Read More Here

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.

Each Wednesday, ATRI shares a key research finding from one of its studies on social media. In one of the latest posts, ATRI Research Analyst Abbigail Huffman discusses the findings from ATRI's latest Crash Predictor research. Be sure to follow ATRI on LinkedIn to keep up with the latest from ATRI’s research each week.