The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) Board of Directors has approved the organization’s 2024 research priorities. These priorities were identified by ATRI’s Research Advisory Committee during their annual meeting on March 12-13 in Washington, DC.
According to a statement from ATRI, the selected research topics aim to tackle some of the industry’s most pressing issues. The top research priorities for 2024 are as follows:
Analyzing Driver Demographics to Discover New Trucking Career Pathways
This study will leverage decades of demographic data collected from truck driver surveys by ATRI. The goal is to identify shifting trends among drivers, which can help the industry refine its recruitment and retention strategies. This research will also explore potential pathways into the trucking industry for underutilized groups, such as young adults aging out of the foster care system.
Updating the Impact of Nuclear Verdicts
In 2020, ATRI published a study on the occurrence and effects of nuclear verdicts in the trucking industry, including the rise of third-party litigation financing. The update will use recent data to assess changes in verdicts, their impact on insurance premiums for motor carriers, contributing factors to these large verdicts, and the potential effects of recent state-level lawsuit abuse reforms.
Understanding Cargo Theft in the U.S.
Cargo theft is a growing concern for motor carriers, shippers, insurers, and consumers. This study will review existing data and collaborate with motor carriers to better quantify the extent and frequency of cargo theft, a crime that often goes unreported. The research will also evaluate current and emerging cargo theft tracking and prevention programs to identify best practices.
Calculating the Cost of Truck Bottlenecks
For years, ATRI has used its vast database of truck GPS data to monitor and measure traffic congestion on U.S. highways. This research will offer a detailed analysis of the costs associated with congestion at specific bottlenecks from ATRI’s top 100 list. It will also include case studies that quantify the return on investment (ROI) for infrastructure improvements that have successfully reduced congestion.
Federal Excise Tax (FET) Cost-Benefit Analysis
The 12 percent FET on heavy-duty trucks and trailers is viewed by many as a deterrent to investing in newer, safer, and cleaner equipment. This analysis will explore the FET’s impact on decisions made by carriers to avoid investing in new equipment, including lost opportunities for safety and emissions improvements.
Source: Truckers News
