The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has set its sights on addressing the trucking industry’s most pressing challenges with its 2025 research priorities. Recently approved by ATRI’s Board of Directors, these priorities reflect the organization’s Research Advisory Committee (RAC) recommendations. This year’s agenda includes an array of initiatives targeting escalating insurance costs, safety improvements, driver training, and cabotage violations, among other critical topics.
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
