This past October, The American Transportation Research Institute released their annual survey of the top 10 critical issues the trucking industry is faced with.
The research study was based on two different categories, concerns of motor carriers and concerns of drivers. The study included 2000 carrier participants.
In the chart below are 10 issues commercial and motor carriers are faced with in the trucking industry.
To elaborate on some of the concerns, drivers have been experiencing an increase in wages but unfortunately the increases have not kept up with inflation. The other concern is that drivers are receiving appropriate wages during non-driving duties.
Hours of Service, The Federal Motor Carriers Safety Association is planning to make changes to the 30-minute rest breaks by adding flexibility in the sleeper berth which would allow drivers to a more flexible schedule. This would alleviate it counting against the drivers 14 hour driving window. This will help drivers from being penalized if they are delayed while trying to make deliveries and going over their hours of service.
Truck parking, there is an issue with truck parking at stops where drivers are forced to drive beyond the allotted hours of service causing them to have to park in undesignated or unsafe areas.
ELD mandate, by December 16th, fleets must have transitioned from AOBRDs to ELDs
Autonomous truck technology, as the trucking industry advances in technology this could affect drivers if the responsibility falls on them.
The American Transportation Research Institute offers a complete report on their website.