ATRI’s newly released 21st annual Top Industry Issues report highlights the challenges facing trucking at a time when operating costs remain high and freight markets remain soft.

The issues shaping trucking right now.

The 2025 report identifies the following as the top five concerns across the trucking industry:

• Economy
• Lawsuit Abuse Reform
• Insurance Cost and Availability
• Truck Parking
• Driver Compensation

Several new issues also appeared on the list for the first time, including English Language Proficiency requirements for drivers and the growing role of artificial intelligence in trucking operations.

Industry leaders say the continued dominance of economic concerns reflects prolonged pressure across the freight market.

“We’re in the third year of this extended freight recession, and the pain is real,” said Andy Owens, A&M Transport president. “Operating costs climbed to their highest ever at the same time that freight pricing has bottomed out. ATRI’s annual analysis is so critical for our industry to not only quantify the issues, but more importantly, to understand what we can collectively do as an industry to address each.”

Shifts within the top rankings

While the economy held its position as the number one concern, other issues shifted slightly within the rankings.

“While the Economy retained its #1 spot, Lawsuit Abuse Reform and Insurance Cost and Availability each rose one spot, to be the #2 and #3 top concerns, respectively,” ATRI said. “The lack of available Truck Parking dropped two spots this year to the #4 concern, and Driver Compensation held on to its #5 position.”

Driver Training Standards, which had appeared on truck driver issue lists since 2019, climbed higher this year. It ranked ninth overall among all respondents and seventh among truck driver respondents.

Different priorities for drivers and carriers

The survey results also highlight how concerns differ depending on role within the industry.

Among truck drivers, the top three issues were Driver Compensation, Truck Parking, and English Language Proficiency. Motor carriers, on the other hand, ranked the Economy, Lawsuit Abuse Reform, and Insurance Cost and Availability as their leading concerns.

ATRI noted that more than 46 percent of respondents were motor carrier executives or personnel. Truck drivers accounted for 30 percent of respondents, with the remaining 23 percent representing other freight stakeholders.

Growing participation across the industry

This year’s survey included responses from more than 4,200 trucking industry stakeholders, marking a 14 percent increase compared to the 2024 survey. Participants represented a wide range of industry roles, including motor carriers, professional drivers, industry suppliers, driver trainers, and law enforcement.

The full findings were released during the 2025 American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference and Exhibition. The complete report is available through ATRI.

What the results signal for the industry

The survey results underscore the ongoing strain created by a weak freight economy combined with rising costs. While drivers and carriers experience these pressures differently, the data shows broad agreement that economic stability remains the foundation for addressing many of trucking’s other challenges.

As the industry continues to navigate freight cycles, insurance pressures, and workforce issues, ATRI’s findings provide a snapshot of where concerns are most concentrated and where attention is likely to remain in the year ahead.

Source: The Trucker

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According to ATRI’s 2025 report, the freight recession that started nearly three years ago is still weighing heavily on the industry. More than 4,200 people took part in the survey, including over 1,000 drivers and carriers who said the economy is the biggest issue affecting their work.

“Now three years into a historic freight recession, freight rates and tonnage have remained stagnant across the trucking industry at the same time that per-mile costs increased considerably faster than inflation, a perfect storm that is squeezing fleet operating margins and necessitating extensive cost-cutting measures,” ATRI wrote in its report. “Total trucking employment and driver employment specifically continued to fall year over year amid layoffs, market exits, and bankruptcies. Unfortunately, the challenging economic conditions keep these freight capacity reductions from translating into improved rates.”

For the third year in a row, the economy was ranked as the top concern across the industry. It has become clear that drivers and carriers alike are struggling to stay profitable while operating costs keep climbing.

Rising Costs and Fewer Loads

Drivers on the road every day have seen it firsthand. Freight has been slow, spot market rates have dipped, and steady runs are harder to come by. The cost of fuel, insurance, and maintenance has not backed down either, which means many fleets are doing more with less. Some have even shut down or cut routes to stay afloat.

ATRI’s data mirrors what truckers have been talking about for months. After years of higher pay and strong freight demand, the market has cooled to the point that even large carriers are tightening their budgets.

What Truckers Are Most Concerned About

The survey showed that concerns stretch far beyond just rates and loads. Lawsuit abuse reform and insurance costs jumped ahead of other issues this year, showing how expensive it has become to operate a truck safely and legally. Truck parking, which ranked second in 2024, fell to fourth on the 2025 list.

Here are ATRI’s overall top 10 issues for 2025:

1. Economy
2. Lawsuit abuse reform
3. Insurance cost and availability
4. Truck parking
5. Driver compensation
6. CSA
7. English language proficiency
8. Diesel emission regulations
9. Driver training standards
10. AI in trucking

About 46 percent of survey respondents were from motor carriers, 30 percent were truck drivers, and the rest were other freight stakeholders.

Drivers and Carriers See the Market Differently

While everyone agrees that money is the biggest concern, the way each group views the challenges is slightly different. Drivers placed compensation as their top issue, while motor carriers focused on the economy as a whole. Both groups pointed to new technology, regulations, and detention delays as growing frustrations.

2025 Top Concerns for Truck Drivers:

1. Driver compensation
2. Truck parking
3. English language proficiency for drivers
4. Broker issues
5. Detention and delays at customer facilities
6. AI in trucking
7. Driver training standards
8. Autonomous trucks
9. ELD mandate
10. Diesel emission regulations

Motor Carrier Top Concerns for 2025:

1. Economy
2. Lawsuit abuse reform
3. Insurance cost and availability
4. CSA
5. Driver shortage
6. Driver retention
7. Driver distraction
8. Diesel emission regulations
9. Truck parking
10. Broker issues

Life on the Road Reflects the Data

The report may come from spreadsheets and survey responses, but the story it tells is one every driver already lives. When freight slows down, everyone feels it. For drivers who are paid by the mile, every empty trailer and canceled load adds stress. For carriers, keeping trucks running and drivers paid without solid freight rates is a constant balancing act.

Until freight demand rebounds, the numbers from ATRI will likely stay the same. For now, truckers continue to grind through one of the toughest markets in recent memory, hoping the road ahead brings better rates and more stability for everyone behind the wheel.

Source: Land Line Media

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2025 ATRI Research Focus Areas

Here’s an overview of ATRI’s newly approved research priorities for 2025, showcasing how the organization is targeting better data and solutions for a range of industry concerns:

Exploring the Impact of Rising Insurance Costs and Self-Insurance Trends

Previous ATRI research has shed light on how escalating insurance premiums affect motor carriers, prompting them to lower coverage levels, increase deductibles, and implement more safety tech. The upcoming research will expand on these findings by analyzing current auto insurance market trends and examining the role of alternative options like insurance captives and self-insurance models.

Evaluating Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) Effectiveness on Safety

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration introduced the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) mandate in 2022, requiring structured instructional programs for new drivers before earning their Commercial Driver’s License. While the ELDT aims to enhance safety, some questions linger about the actual effectiveness of these training initiatives. Building on earlier research, ATRI will now utilize comprehensive safety data and statistical modeling to evaluate how well the ELDT achieves its intended safety improvements.

Analyzing Safety Impacts of Advanced In-Cab Monitoring

Technology for in-cab monitoring has progressed significantly, with many fleets using systems like driver-facing cameras to gain insights into on-road driver behavior. ATRI’s earlier research focused on understanding drivers’ perspectives on such technologies, but this new project will take it a step further by collecting confidential in-cab data. The goal? To identify clear statistical links between monitoring technologies and reductions in safety incidents. The study will also outline best practices for carrier and driver collaboration in using in-cab data effectively to enhance safety.

Maximizing the Potential of Telematics Data

Telematics technology has revolutionized the trucking industry by offering advanced tools for fleet management, asset tracking, and driver communication. Despite this, many carriers have yet to fully tap into the expansive possibilities of modern telematics, such as monitoring vehicle performance or improving regulatory compliance. ATRI’s new research will compile actionable resources and strategies to help carriers better utilize telematics data and enhance operational performance, regardless of their size.

Understanding the Scope of Cabotage Violations in the U.S.

Under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), specific guidelines restrict non-U.S. domiciled carriers to limited operations, such as delivering goods from Mexico or Canada to U.S.-bound shippers. However, “cabotage violations” occur when these carriers perform unauthorized point-to-point deliveries within the U.S., creating unfair competition and threatening jobs in the domestic trucking industry. This study will provide critical insights into the prevalence and consequences of such violations, offering data to drive informed policy decisions.

Why ATRI’s Research Agenda Matters

ATRI aims to drive advancements that will benefit the entire trucking ecosystem by tackling these topics. Whether it’s addressing growing insurance concerns, evaluating the success of driver training programs, or helping carriers harness the potential of telematics, these priorities highlight ATRI’s commitment to finding actionable solutions for real-world challenges.

Source: Truckers News
Image Source: FlowBelow

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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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