The survey is part of the TechCelerate program, a research initiative sponsored by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and supported by ATRI, the American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council, and the OOIDA Foundation.

Researchers will use the latest responses to compare current feedback with information gathered during the original TechCelerate survey conducted in 2023.

Three Years After the Original Study

When the first TechCelerate survey was conducted in 2023, the goal was to better understand how trucking companies and drivers viewed onboard safety systems.

Since then, technology adoption has continued to evolve across the industry, creating an opportunity to revisit many of the same topics and see whether opinions and experiences have changed.

According to ATRI, the updated survey will help researchers compare findings from both studies while identifying areas where additional communication or issue resolution may be needed.

Drivers And Carriers Will Answer Different Questions

The project includes separate surveys for truck drivers and motor carriers. Drivers are being asked about their familiarity with onboard safety technology and their experiences using those systems during daily operations. The driver survey also asks participants which technologies they believe provide the greatest safety benefits and which provide the fewest benefits from a driver’s perspective.

Motor carriers will focus on a different set of issues, including technology preferences, adoption levels, driver acceptance, maintenance and repair concerns, and perceived safety benefits. The survey can be found here.

ATRI estimates that both surveys take approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

Researchers Hope to Track Industry Trends

One objective of the follow-up survey is to better understand how adoption levels and user perspectives have shifted since 2023. Comparing the two sets of responses may help researchers identify emerging trends, common concerns, and changes in how onboard safety systems are being viewed throughout the trucking industry.

The information collected will also support efforts to improve messaging surrounding onboard safety technology.

TechCelerate Continues Its Research Efforts

The TechCelerate program brings together industry organizations to study how technology is being adopted and experienced across trucking operations. The latest survey represents another step in that effort, providing updated feedback from both drivers and carriers as onboard safety systems become increasingly common throughout the industry.

Researchers say the information will help support future work focused on truck safety, operational efficiency, and technology adoption.

The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering industry topics, job trends, and real-world decisions that impact drivers at every stage of their careers. Each article is written to provide clear, accurate information that drivers can use.

Last updated: June 10, 2026

Source: The Trucker

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The update gives drivers and fleets the ability to book overnight and longer-term parking at participating locations across North America. It also adds a paid reservation option to a platform already used by more than 1 million drivers for parking information, route planning, and real-time updates.

Chris Oliver, chief marketing officer at Trucker Path, said the company will continue adding locations until the network reaches national coverage.

App Adds Booking Option to Existing Parking Tools

Trucker Path has long offered drivers parking information built from real-time user reports and crowd-sourced availability updates.

The new reservation network adds another option. Drivers can still use the app to search for free parking availability, but they can also reserve paid parking in advance when they want more certainty before the end of a shift.

The company said the reservable network includes professionally managed locations and is designed for both overnight and longer-term parking.

Parking Search Time Remains a Costly Problem

The update comes as drivers continue to struggle with limited truck parking in many parts of the country.

Trucker Path said parking availability is estimated at one space for every 11 trucks on the road. The company also cited American Transportation Research Institute data showing drivers spend about 56 minutes per day searching for parking.

That lost time can add up to six or seven hours per week, reducing productivity and adding pressure near the end of a driver’s available hours.

Oliver said the average reservation cost is about $20 and argued that recovering roughly 50 minutes of drive time can offset that cost.

Predictive Data Will Support Parking Reservations

Trucker Path said the reservation tool will be supported by predictive analytics based on historical parking use and time-of-day patterns.

That means the app is intended to do more than show a list of parking locations. The company says the data will help drivers identify bookable parking options before they reach a stop.

The added certainty may be especially useful in busy freight markets, unfamiliar routes, or areas where legal parking regularly fills up before the end of the day.

Security And Yard Utilization Are Part of the Pitch

Trucker Path also pointed to safety and cargo security as reasons for expanding reservable parking. Oliver said freight is increasingly targeted during unsecured dwell times, and reserved parking can help drivers and fleets plan stops at managed locations.

The company also said the program can benefit parking providers. Cody Horchak, CEO of Realize Mobility, said reserved parking through Trucker Path has helped the company better monetize yard space while improving utilization and customer predictability.

What Drivers Can Take from the Expansion

The new parking network does not eliminate the truck parking shortage, but it does give drivers another option inside an app many already use.

Drivers who prefer free parking can continue using Trucker Path’s existing parking availability tools. Drivers who want a guaranteed space can now reserve parking directly through the app at participating locations.

As the network grows, the biggest impact may be planning. More reservable spaces could help drivers spend less time hunting for parking late in the day and more time deciding where a stop fits into the rest of the trip.

The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering industry topics, job trends, and real-world decisions that impact drivers at every stage of their careers. Each article is written to provide clear, accurate information that drivers can use.

Last updated: June 8, 2026

Source: The Trucker

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Federal law generally prohibits foreign truck drivers operating under B-1 visas from performing point-to-point freight transportation inside the United States beyond a limited permitted activity.
Under current rules, B-1 visa holders are typically allowed to complete one pickup or delivery within the U.S. tied to an international movement. However, ATRI said anecdotal reports suggest some foreign drivers may be operating outside those limitations and conducting additional domestic freight activity beyond border commercial zones.

ATRI Says Research Will Focus on Industry Impact

ATRI’s new survey asks truck drivers and motor carriers to share information about where and when suspected unauthorized cabotage activity is being observed.
The organization said survey responses will help support a larger research effort aimed at measuring the economic impact unauthorized cabotage may have on U.S. freight operations, trucking jobs, and carrier competition.
“Cabotage laws were created to protect U.S. jobs and ensure that a level playing field exists,” said Kaitlyn Holmecki, American Trucking Associations’ director of international policy. “When illegal low-cost transportation services undercut domestic freight operations, the entire trucking industry pays the price.”
ATRI said the research findings will eventually be used to help build an economic model estimating the broader financial impact unauthorized cabotage activity may have across the trucking industry.

Survey Responses Will Remain Confidential

The organization said all responses submitted through the survey will remain confidential and will only be used in summary statistical reporting.
The survey remains open through June 12 and is available to both truck drivers and motor carriers.
Cabotage enforcement has remained a recurring topic throughout trucking as concerns continue surrounding cross-border freight operations, labor costs, regulatory enforcement, and competitive pressure tied to international freight movement.

Industry groups supporting stronger enforcement have argued that unauthorized domestic freight activity involving foreign drivers can place downward pressure on freight rates and create competitive disadvantages for U.S.-based carriers and drivers operating under domestic regulations.
ATRI encouraged truck drivers and fleets with firsthand observations related to cabotage activity to participate in the survey as part of the ongoing research effort.

The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering industry topics, job trends, and real-world decisions that impact drivers at every stage of their careers. Each article is written to provide clear, accurate information that drivers can use.

Last updated: May 19, 2026

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The American Transportation Research Institute is collecting input from motor carriers to better understand how telematics data is shaping performance tracking, safety decisions, and maintenance planning.

This effort is part of a larger research initiative titled Capitalizing on Telematics, which was selected by ATRI’s Research Advisory Committee in 2025 as a top priority. The goal is to capture what is actually working in the field and where technology is headed next.

What the Survey Is Looking At

The survey focuses on how fleets are currently using telematics systems and what kind of value they are getting from that data.

That includes:

• How performance metrics are tracked across drivers and equipment
• Ways telematics is being used to improve safety outcomes
• The role of data in maintenance planning and reducing downtime
• Emerging tools and capabilities that fleets are starting to adopt

The research is aimed at building a clearer picture of how data is being turned into real operational improvements.

“The result of this research will be a best practices guide for leveraging telematics data to improve overall performance, with a focus on safety, operations, and maintenance metrics,” ATRI said.

How to Participate

Motor carriers can take part in the survey through ATRI’s online survey here. Responses are confidential and will be used strictly for research purposes.

The survey is open for a limited time, with a deadline set for April 17.

The post ATRI Launches Telematics Survey Focused on Real-World Fleet Performance appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The American Transportation Research Institute has opened participation for its 2026 Operational Costs of Trucking annual report, an industry resource that tracks how expenses and performance metrics are shifting year over year. The report is designed to help operators better understand cost pressures, efficiency trends, and broader market conditions.

The data collected will reflect full-year 2025 operations and will be used to establish anonymized cost averages and performance benchmarks across different fleet sizes and operating models.

Why Cost Data Matters Heading Into 2026

As market conditions evolve, understanding cost structure has become increasingly critical for organizations balancing labor, equipment, insurance, and utilization pressures. One carrier executive participating in the study highlighted how the report supports operational planning during uncertain economic cycles.

“There are signs of growing opportunities for trucking in 2026, but only if fleets can maintain disciplined, nimble operations,” said Andrew Hadland, CFO, Hirschbach Motor Lines. “ATRI’s Operational Costs of Trucking and the customized report we receive as participants are important inputs for ensuring healthy performance in our costs and operations despite economic headwinds.”

The annual study has become a planning reference point for organizations evaluating where expenses are rising, where efficiencies can be gained, and how internal performance compares to peers.

What the Operational Costs of Trucking Report Measures

According to ATRI, the report is used each year by thousands of industry decision-makers as a high-level indicator of freight market conditions and cost trends.

“ATRI’s Operational Costs of Trucking is trusted by thousands of industry decisionmakers every year as a key barometer of freight market conditions and is the leading public benchmarking tool for motor carriers of all sectors, from owner-operators to 10,000+ truck fleets,” ATRI said.

The report analyzes a wide range of financial and operational data points, including:

• Driver compensation
• Equipment and maintenance expenses
• Insurance premiums
• Non-revenue mileage
• Driver utilization
• Mileage between breakdowns
• Revenue per truck per week

These metrics allow participants to assess both cost control and operational effectiveness within a broader industry context.

What Participants Receive in Return

Organizations that submit data receive a customized benchmarking report comparing their costs and performance against an anonymized peer group of similar size and sector.

New for 2026, ATRI will also provide multi-year participants with year-over-year comparisons in their customized reports. This added feature allows organizations to more directly evaluate trends over time rather than relying solely on single-year snapshots.

All submitted data remains confidential and is published only in aggregated, anonymized averages.

How and When to Participate

For-hire motor carriers are invited to participate by April 24. Data for the 2025 calendar year can be submitted online or by PDF. Sample customized reports and additional participation details are available here.

All submitted data is kept confidential and is published only in anonymized averages.

To read the previous Operational Costs of Trucking report, click here.

Source: The Trucker

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ATRI explained, “The study is an update to research published by ATRI in 2008, and this latest study will focus on the efficacy of FMCSA’s Entry-Level Driver Training requirements.”

What Kind of Data ATRI Needs

Carriers that choose to participate will be asked to provide specific information about their new-entrant drivers, including:

• Demographics such as CDL training provider, days employed, and total miles driven.
• Safety-related details such as crash history, selected violations, and telematics events.

For this research, a new entrant is defined as a CDL driver who has been working professionally for three weeks to 24 months, and whose first professional trucking job was with the reporting carrier. Any driver meeting this definition since March 2022 qualifies for the data request.

Carriers will also be asked to share fleetwide averages related to training and retention. This may include details such as the average number of hours new drivers spend with a trainer and how often they can spend nights at home.

To be eligible, carriers must have hired at least 25 new-entrant drivers between March 2022 and August 2025.

Confidentiality of Submitted Data

ATRI has emphasized that all information provided will remain confidential. Data will be anonymized and aggregated before publication, and ATRI is willing to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement to reassure carriers about privacy.

Carriers interested in supporting this initiative can complete the motor carrier questionnaire directly through ATRI.

This project comes shortly after ATRI’s most recent survey of industry stakeholders, which asked trucking professionals to identify their top concerns.

Source: The Trucker

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Sustainable Freight Practices Compendium: What’s New

First introduced in 2014, ATRI’s Sustainable Freight Practices Compendium serves as a comprehensive reference for adopting greener freight operations. The latest updates cover three central areas:

• Driver: Actionable steps truckers can take to lower fuel use and support sustainability goals.
• Vehicle: Current data and solutions on vehicles and equipment that improve efficiency and cut emissions.
• Public Sector: How government measures—like congestion relief, new research, and incentive programs—further promote sustainable practices.

All three segments are now updated with fresh research and data, giving industry professionals direct paths to more sustainable operations.

The Idling Regulations Compendium: Staying Compliant

ATRI continues its decades-long effort to track and update information on idling rules for commercial vehicles. The compendium, free to access, compiles diverse state and local regulations that govern how long trucks may idle, helping carriers and drivers avoid compliance pitfalls.

ATRI continues to monitor the development of idling regulations across the country and provides the compendium as a free service to help trucking companies and truck drivers comply with the myriad state and local idling regulations.

Staying up to date with these rules not only helps fleets steer clear of fines but also supports environmental responsibility.

Access the Updated Compendiums

The latest Sustainable Freight Practices Compendium and Idling Regulations Compendium are available online:

• Sustainable Freight Practices Compendium
• Idling Regulations Compendium

These resources are designed to make compliance and sustainability clear and simple for industry professionals.

With these newly updated compendiums, ATRI reinforces its commitment to helping trucking companies and drivers meet changing environmental expectations while ensuring ongoing compliance and operational success.

Source: Truckers News

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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

The post ATRI Announces 2025 Research Agenda to Tackle Industry Challenges appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

A Collaborative Effort

This research was conducted in partnership with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), which represents all 50 state Departments of Transportation, as well as those in Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

Shayne Gill, Program Director for Multimodal Transportation at AASHTO, stated, “State DOTs strive to deliver the most safe, effective, and efficient transportation network possible; as a result, they continue to pursue a wide range of investments that enhance the nation’s multimodal freight system. Addressing truck parking needs across the country is one of those investments crucial to ensuring we maximize the benefits our highway system provides. American quality of life and economic mobility depend in large part on the quality and vibrancy of our transportation infrastructure to connect people as well as goods to their destinations safely. And adequate truck parking is key to ensuring we achieve those goals.”

The Ongoing Truck Parking Shortage

The shortage of truck parking continues to be a major concern for the industry, gaining attention from both federal and state authorities. Current estimates suggest only one truck parking space is available for every 11 truck drivers nationwide.

To better understand the situation, ATRI and AASHTO conducted a survey addressing the costs and requirements associated with creating public truck parking spaces. The research analyzed factors such as land acquisition, construction costs, maintenance budgets, and amenities offered to truck drivers. On average, public rest areas provide just 19 truck parking spaces, with Southern states offering 25 spaces per rest area and Northeastern states averaging only 15 spaces.

Insights from Case Studies

The research also includes case studies examining specific states’ innovative efforts to improve truck parking options. Key topics covered within these studies include:

• Implementation of truck parking information systems.

• Repurposing state-owned properties to create new parking spaces.

• Provisions for truck parking during severe weather conditions.

These case studies were informed by feedback from over 500 truck drivers, offering valuable insights into the effectiveness of specific measures and policies.

State-by-State Truck Parking Dashboard

Drawing on data from the survey, ATRI developed a public truck parking dashboard that evaluates each state’s current parking capacity. The dashboard also highlights the availability of amenities and safety measures at rest areas, with metrics tailored according to state size, road mileage, and proximity to major freight routes. Truck parking data from 47 participating DOTs is accessible online through ATRI’s website.

Alix Miller, CEO and president of the Florida Trucking Association, emphasized the importance of this research, saying, “ATRI’s research underscores the importance of public sector truck parking and provides multiple tools for states to evaluate their progress in meeting this critical industry need. We applaud FDOT for their commitment to expanding truck parking capacity, and our association is committed to continued collaboration to improve freight safety and mobility in the state of Florida.”

Access the Full Report

If you’re interested in deeper insights or want to explore the state-by-state truck parking assessments, the full report and dashboard are available here.

Source: The Trucker

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Shape the Future of Trucking with Your Input  

“With the industry cost data that comes from ATRI’s Operational Costs of Trucking report, our fleet is able to apply the operational metrics to better manage our expenses,” said Dr. Robert Howard, Dohrn Transfer Company president, COO. “This information will help every carrier benchmark their financials and prepare them for contract negotiations. Equally valuable are the customized insights into how our costs and performance measure up to our peers in this challenging freight market.” 

The Importance of ATRI’s Benchmark Tool  

Recognized as the leading public resource for trucking cost benchmarking, ATRI’s Operational Costs of Trucking report aggregates confidential data from carriers of all sizes, regions, and specialties. Whether it’s a single-truck owner-operator or a fleet of 10,000+ vehicles, participants contribute valuable information that tracks cost trends and helps companies maximize profitability and efficiency. 

The data points gathered include key operational cost metrics like driver wages, insurance expenses, and equipment financing or purchasing costs. Insights into operational performance indicators, such as non-revenue mileage, average dwell times per stop, and miles driven between vehicle breakdowns, are also included.  

How to Participate  

Data for the 2024 calendar year can be submitted confidentially via ATRI’s online form or through an emailed PDF form. A simplified version for owner-operators has also been introduced, making this process accessible for smaller trucking operations. 

Motor carriers who contribute will gain access to a customized report comparing their fleet’s costs and performance against anonymized data from similarly sized companies in their sector. Additionally, participants receive an early release of the full report. 

To add your input, submit the requested information no later than Friday, April 25. The data collection form, a sample customized report, and an FAQ resource are available online here. ATRI emphasizes that all contributions will remain confidential and will only be published in an aggregated, anonymized format. 

Source: The Trucker  

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