The American Transportation Research Institute has approved its 2026 Top Research Priorities. The priorities were identified by ATRI’s Research Advisory Committee at its annual meeting held March 10 and 11 in Washington, DC, and later reviewed and approved by ATRI’s Board of Directors at a recent meeting in Atlanta.
ATRI’s Research Advisory Committee selected a set of research priorities focused on key areas affecting the trucking industry.
Safety coaching and front-line management
One of the approved priorities will examine outcomes of coaching practices and front-line management on safety. Through data collection efforts and statistical analyses, the research will identify industry best practices for driver coaching that have the greatest impact on safety outcomes.
Beyond Compliance
The concept of Beyond Compliance is also included in the 2026 priorities. The research will focus on voluntary investments in safety technologies, strategies, and programs with proven safety benefits, while examining potential incentives for participation and developing a pilot test methodology and evaluation plan.
State benchmarking for trucking operations
Another priority will focus on how business conditions vary across states. The research will develop a benchmarking index using state-level data, including insurance costs and litigation exposure, taxes and fees assessed on truck fleets, labor costs, including workers’ compensation, and operational costs such as fuel prices, tolls, and parking availability.
Regulatory cost and benefit analysis
ATRI will also examine the costs and benefits of federal and state regulations by stakeholder group. The research will develop a template for trucking industry regulatory cost benefit analyses that index regulations based on how beneficial they are, whether they are clearly understood and implemented by the industry, and the degree to which they are enforced.
Driver health and operational impacts
Driver health is another area included in the 2026 priorities. Using medical card status as a proxy, the research will quantify the relationship between driver health and operational costs, including healthcare, workers’ compensation, reduced driver productivity, and increased driver turnover.
Major weather event impacts on trucking.
The impact of major weather events is also part of the 2026 research agenda. The study will use case studies to identify best practices for truck fleets, state departments of transportation, and state trucking associations when major freight routes are closed for an extended period due to events such as hurricanes, wildfires, and snowstorms.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Who identified ATRI’s 2026 research priorities?
The Research Advisory Committee identified the priorities, and ATRI’s Board of Directors approved them.
Q: What topics are included?
Safety coaching, Beyond Compliance, state benchmarking, regulatory cost benefit analysis, driver health, and major weather event impacts.
Q: What is Beyond Compliance?
It is a concept focused on voluntary investments in safety technologies and programs with proven safety benefits.
Q: Why is driver health included?
To quantify the relationship between driver health and operational costs.
Q: How will weather impacts be studied?
Through case studies that identify best practices when major freight routes are closed.
ATRI’s 2026 research priorities outline the areas identified by its Research Advisory Committee and approved by its Board of Directors.
The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering industry research, regulations, and operational topics that impact drivers and carriers. Each article is written to provide clear, accurate information that readers can use.
Last updated: April 20, 2026
Source: Truckers News
