NASHVILLE — The economy and parking remained the two primary challenges facing the trucking industry this year, the American Transportation Research Institute said Saturday.
Lawsuit abuse reform, insurance and driver compensation rounded out the top five concerns, according to ATRI’s annual Critical Issues in the Trucking Industry report, released at the American Trucking Associations’ 2024 Management Conference and Exhibition.
“Without question, this has been another tough year for the trucking industry,” said Gregg Troian, PGT Trucking president, in the announcement. “Our costs continued to climb while freight demand struggled.”
Top issues in trucking, 2024
| Issue | 2024 rank | 2023 rank |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | 1 | 1 |
| Truck parking | 2 | 2 |
| Lawsuit abuse reform | 3 | 6 |
| Insurance cost/availability | 4 | (Not in top 10) |
| Driver compensation | 5 | 5 |
| Battery-electric vehicles (previously zero-emission vehicles) | 6 | 10 |
| Federal Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program | 7 | (Not in top 10) |
| Detention/delay at customer facilities | 8 | 9 |
| Driver shortage | 9 | 4 |
| Driver distraction | 10 | 7 |
SOURCE: ATRI
The economy taking the top spot again is unsurprising, as the industry’s slog through a nearly two-year freight recession is no secret. Carriers’ costs of operating reaching an all-time high last year, according to a separate ATRI report published in June.
Respondents proposed reforming or repealing “ineffective and burdensome regulations that increase industry costs without providing benefits.” Other economic relief floated in the survey include pushing for tax cut extensions, and advocating for reshoring and nearshoring to reduce reliance on international supply chains.
Only 25 votes separated lawsuit abuse reform from insurance costs/availability in the rankings, “further demonstrating the intricate link between the two,” ATRI said.
Top issues for motor carriers and commercial drivers, 2024
| Rank | Carriers | Drivers, including owner-operators |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Economy | Truck parking |
| 2 | Lawsuit abuse reform | Driver compensation |
| 3 | Driver shortage | Economy |
| 4 | Insurance cost/availability | Detention/delay at customer facilities |
| 5 | Driver retention | Speed limiters |
| 6 | CSA | Broker issues |
| 7 | Truck parking | ELD mandate |
| 8 | Battery-electric vehicles | Fuel prices |
| 9 | Driver distraction | Autonomous trucks |
| 10 | Diesel technician shortage | Driver training standards |
SOURCE: ATRI
Truck parking is the biggest concern for drivers — and increasingly one for carriers, as well. Among drivers, parking was second to driver compensation last year and the No. 1 worry in 2022.
The issue has risen in prominence for carriers, which ranked it eighth in 2023 and 10th the year before.
Emerging technology and looming emissions requirements are also commanding more carriers’ and drivers’ attention.
Zero-emission vehicles, which ranked as a top 10 concern overall for the first time last year, became narrowed to “Battery-electric vehicles” in this year’s survey — and jumped to the No. 6 most concerning issue for the industry. The survey left hydrogen-powered fuel cells and other alternatively powered trucks off the list of provided answers.
Autonomous trucks moved up a spot to No. 9 among drivers, who are naturally concerned about the technology replacing them. Teamsters drivers negotiated prohibitions against driverless trucks in their contracts with ABF Freight and TForce Freight last year. The union has repeatedly, and unsuccessfully, pushed for a ban in California.
More than 3,700 industry stakeholders responded to the survey, according to ATRI. Of the respondents, about 45.9% were carrier executives and personnel, 31.3% were drivers, and about 22.8% were other stakeholders, including suppliers, driver trainers and law enforcement.
