ATRI Critical Issues in the Trucking Industry – 2019

Critical Issues in the Trucking Industry – 2019

After a strong 2018 economy, with record-setting demand for freight transportation, the trucking industry started 2019 with guarded optimism.

The year started with a softening in demand that eased some of the capacity concerns but the driver shortage remained a top issue for the industry.

Primarily in the first half of the year, fleets continued to increase driver compensation to attract and retain qualified drivers – but still struggled to fill seats.

One potential solution for the driver shortage – the DRIVE-Safe Act – was reintroduced in Congress in February as a way for 18-21-year-old individuals to enter trucking as a career.

While not without controversy, the potential implementation of such a policy may mitigate the effects of an aging truck driver workforce by recruiting younger drivers to the industry, but its deployment will require strong industry and government partnerships to ensure success.

Other Critical Trucking Issues

• Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Hours-of-Service (HOS) rules, providing the opportunity for flexibility in the use of the sleeper berth provision, and in the use of the 30-minute rest break.
• Automatic Onboard Recording Devices (AOBRDs) to Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) to be compliant with the December 2017 ELD Mandate.
• Transportation infrastructure, the White House and Congress have yet to advance meaningful legislation to fund the nation’s roadways.

Faced with these and numerous other issues that impact the nation’s supply chain, the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and it's Federation partners in the State Trucking Associations (STA) continually seek opportunities to identify and prioritize the industry’s most pressing concerns.

Recognizing that the top industry issues impact motor carriers and commercial drivers differently, this report includes separate “Top Ten” lists specific to commercial drivers and motor carriers, in addition to the overall ranking.