Hours-of-service regulations and the driver shortage are the two biggest concerns of fleet managers, according to a study conducted by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) and released Sunday, Oct. 21, at the American Trucking Associations annual management convention.
The survey was based on responses from more than 5,000 trucking executives. Other top 10 issues included fuel issues, congestion, government regulations, tolls and highway funding, tort reform and legal issues, driver training, environmental issues, and onboard truck technology.
ATA plans to use the survey’s findings to help steer its policy initiatives. The full report, “Critical Issues in the Trucking Industry – 2007,” is available online at www.atri-online.org. The survey also outlines strategies that could be employed to help address each of the concerns identified.
“On every legislative and regulatory topic, issues come and go so quickly today,” says Bill Graves, ATA president and chief executive officer. “If we’re not at the table with sound, science-based information and a common-sense plan of action, then we’re going to get left behind and saddled with solutions that have no bearing on moving America’s freight safely and efficiently.”
“I have long advocated for the industry to better prepare itself to deal with change,” says Ray Kuntz, ATA chairman. “One way to do so is to better anticipate the challenges ahead. The ATRI survey results are invaluable in telling us what is important to motor carriers and which strategies ATA should pursue on their behalf.”
