Now in its 22nd year, the survey asks participants to rank the industry’s most pressing concerns and identify potential strategies for addressing them. ATRI uses the results to produce its annual Top Industry Issues Report, which highlights the priorities identified by different segments of the trucking industry.

The 2026 survey will remain open through Oct. 2, with results scheduled to be released on Oct. 18 during the American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference & Exhibition in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Survey Compares Priorities Across the Industry

One of the distinguishing features of ATRI’s annual report is its comparison of responses from truck drivers and motor carriers.

The research organization analyzes how different groups rank industry issues, providing insight into where priorities align and where they differ. The report also tracks changes over time, allowing the industry to see which concerns have become more or less significant from year to year.

Drivers Encouraged to Share Their Perspectives

Bob Bramwell, an America’s Road Team Captain and professional driver for ABF Freight, encouraged drivers to participate in the survey and use it as an opportunity to highlight the issues affecting them most.

“ATRI’s annual survey gives all truck drivers a collective voice,” Bramwell said. “If your top concern is the lack of truck parking, driver compensation, detention at customer facilities, driver training, infrastructure or something else, this is your chance to bring those issues to light and have your voice heard.”

He also encouraged drivers to share the survey with others in the industry to help broaden participation.

Results Help Shape Industry Discussions

ATRI’s annual Top Industry Issues Report is widely referenced throughout the trucking industry by carriers, industry associations, policymakers and researchers.

Past reports have identified issues such as truck parking, detention, driver compensation, lawsuit abuse, infrastructure and fuel prices among the industry’s highest priorities, while also tracking how those concerns change over time.

Drivers, carriers and other industry stakeholders interested in participating can complete the survey by clicking here before the Oct. 2 deadline.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: August 27, 2026

Source: Truckers News

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ATRI announced it is recruiting candidates for the 2027–2028 Research Advisory Committee (RAC). The committee plays a central role in guiding ATRI’s research agenda by identifying the most pressing issues facing trucking and helping shape how those topics are studied.

A cross-section of trucking voices

According to ATRI, the Research Advisory Committee is made up of individuals from across the trucking ecosystem. Members represent motor carriers, industry suppliers, professional truck drivers, government, and academia, ensuring research priorities reflect real-world industry conditions rather than theory alone.

ATRI President Rebecca Brewster emphasized the value of serving on the committee, both professionally and for the industry as a whole.

“You can talk to any of the 250+ individuals who have served on ATRI’s RAC over the years, and they will almost certainly tell you it is one of the most rewarding professional experiences of their careers,” said Rebecca Brewster, president, ATRI. “RAC members play a critical role in identifying the trucking industry’s top research needs, and we look forward to identifying a new slate of nominees for the 2027–2028 RAC.”

What RAC members are expected to do

RAC members commit to participating in one in-person meeting each year and staying actively involved in ATRI research throughout the term. That involvement includes working on subcommittees alongside ATRI researchers to help develop research methodologies and data collection tools.

Members also contribute industry data when appropriate and assist in sharing ATRI’s research findings across the trucking community. ATRI says this collaboration helps ensure its studies remain relevant, practical, and grounded in industry experience.

How to apply or nominate a colleague

Individuals interested in serving on the Research Advisory Committee are encouraged to complete an online application. Applicants are asked to describe their interest in serving and explain how their industry background positions them to contribute meaningfully to ATRI’s research efforts.

The application process also allows individuals to nominate an industry colleague for consideration. Applications are currently open and will be accepted through Friday, May 15.

ATRI says the recruitment effort is part of its ongoing commitment to engaging industry professionals directly in the research that informs trucking policy, operations, and long-term planning.

Source: The Trucker

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Make Your Voice Heard in Trucking

The annual survey asks participants to rank the most pressing concerns facing the trucking sector and share potential strategies for addressing each challenge. Feedback collected helps identify trends and areas needing attention across the nation’s supply chain.

“For over 20 years, the industry has relied on the annual Top Industry Issues Survey to highlight the critical issues facing our nation’s supply chain,” said Dennis Dellinger, American Trucking Associations chair and Cargo Transporters president, CEO. “ATRI’s research provides an opportunity for thousands of trucking industry professionals, from drivers to executives, to weigh in on the most challenging topics that affect our day-to-day operations and collectively decide on the most promising strategies for addressing each.”

Tracking Shifts in Industry Priorities

Now in its 21st year, the survey not only ranks issues but also provides insights into how priorities differ between motor carriers and professional drivers. It allows stakeholders to monitor trends over time, understanding which concerns are gaining importance and which are decreasing in criticality.

“ATRI’s annual survey allows truck drivers to make our collective concerns known,” said Lloyd Howell, an America’s Road Team Captain and professional truck driver for TCW Inc. “Whether your top challenge is truck parking, driver compensation, detention at customer facilities, traffic congestion, or something else, this is your chance to bring those issues to light. Please take a few minutes to complete the online survey and encourage your peers to do so also.”

Survey Timeline and Results

The 2025 Top Industry Issues Survey will remain open until October 10. Results will be shared on October 26 during the American Trucking Associations Management Conference & Exhibition in San Diego, California.

Industry professionals are encouraged to participate in the survey by visiting ATRI’s official survey page [here]. Input from drivers, carriers, and other stakeholders is critical in shaping strategies that strengthen the industry and address the challenges affecting daily operations.

Source: The Trucker

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Here’s a breakdown of ATRI’s 2025 top priorities and what they mean for the industry:

1. Rising Insurance Costs and Self-Insurance Advancements

With insurance premiums continually increasing, trucking companies are left exploring difficult choices like decreasing coverage, increasing deductibles, and implementing additional safety technologies. Building on past findings, ATRI aims to expand its research to explore modern trends in commercial auto insurance, including the growing role of insurance captives and self-insured retentions. This research could provide carriers with actionable insights into mitigating insurance-related challenges.

2. Evaluating FMCSA’s Entry-Level Driver Training Program

The FMCSA’s 2022 Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) mandate introduced a structured training program for new drivers before they could test for their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). While this program aims to enhance safety outcomes, questions remain about its real-world effectiveness. ATRI plans to build on previous work, using expanded safety data and statistical modeling to analyze ELDT’s safety impact and its success in adequately preparing drivers for the challenges of the road.

3. The Safety Role of In-Cab Monitoring Systems

Advancements in technology have transformed in-cab monitoring systems into valuable tools for understanding driver behaviors. Previous ATRI research focused on driver sentiment toward systems such as driver-facing cameras. This new initiative plans to take a deeper approach, analyzing confidential data from in-cab technologies to identify measurable improvements in safety outcomes. Additionally, it will document strategies carriers use to maximize the benefits of this data for both safety and operational performance.

4. Revealing the Potential of Telematics Data

Despite decades of advancements, not all trucking companies fully leverage the wealth of data telematics systems can provide. These tools now offer expanded functionalities like vehicle performance analytics, safety monitoring, and compliance tracking. ATRI is set to create a comprehensive guide for carriers of all sizes to better utilize telematics data, enabling more efficient operations and strategic business decisions.

5. Addressing Cabotage Violations Across Borders

The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) allows restricted cross-border freight transportation under specific guidelines. Nevertheless, some non-U.S.-domiciled carriers violate these rules by performing domestic point-to-point deliveries within the U.S., leading to unfair competition and jeopardizing U.S.-based trucking jobs. ATRI’s research will aim to quantify the frequency and magnitude of these violations and assess their broader economic impact.

Driving Solutions for a Complex Industry

The 2025 ATRI research agenda reflects the organization’s commitment to tackling some of the trucking industry’s most significant issues head-on. From insurance costs and driver preparation to utilizing technology and safeguarding trade practices, these studies aim to pave the way for a safer, more efficient, and economically fair industry.

Source: Commercial Carrier Journal

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The top concerns for this year include economic stability, truck parking, fuel pricing fluctuations, the ongoing driver shortage, driver compensation concerns, and, notably, the emergence of zero-emission vehicles.

“ATRI’s list thoroughly and accurately reflects the challenges we’ve faced this year,” said Dan Van Alstine, ATA chairman, president, and COO of Ruan Transportation Management Systems. “Costs were up, and demand was down, all while we worked to navigate a number of workforce and regulatory issues. Thankfully, ATRI’s analysis doesn’t just tell us what the issues are; it spells out a number of data-driven strategies that the industry can pursue to address them.”

In a year fraught with difficulties, marked by escalating inflation rates, heightened operational expenses, and dwindling freight demand, the state of the national economy stood out as the top concern. The persistent issue of insufficient truck parking surged to its highest-ever ranking, securing the second position. In contrast, last year’s primary concern, fuel prices, has descended to the third spot this year. Completing the Top 5 for this year is the driver shortage and compensation.

The introduction of both mandates and timelines aimed at transitioning the nation’s vehicle fleet to low- or zero-emission alternatives has propelled this issue into the Top 10 list for the first time in ATRI survey history. Zero-emission vehicles claimed the tenth spot overall and ranked seventh among the motor carrier respondents.

The survey’s participants comprised over 4,000 stakeholders from the trucking industry, encompassing motor carriers, truck drivers, industry suppliers, driver trainers, law enforcement personnel, and other relevant groups. A noteworthy addition this year was the inclusion of law enforcement personnel, representing nearly 5% of respondents.

The complete findings of this annual survey were unveiled during the 2023 American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference and Exhibition on Oct. 14. Access the full report by clicking here.

Source: The Trucker

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