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

The post Economy Continues to Top Trucking’s List of Concerns, ATRI Survey Finds appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Make Your Voice Heard in Trucking

The annual survey asks participants to rank the most pressing concerns facing the trucking sector and share potential strategies for addressing each challenge. Feedback collected helps identify trends and areas needing attention across the nation’s supply chain.

“For over 20 years, the industry has relied on the annual Top Industry Issues Survey to highlight the critical issues facing our nation’s supply chain,” said Dennis Dellinger, American Trucking Associations chair and Cargo Transporters president, CEO. “ATRI’s research provides an opportunity for thousands of trucking industry professionals, from drivers to executives, to weigh in on the most challenging topics that affect our day-to-day operations and collectively decide on the most promising strategies for addressing each.”

Tracking Shifts in Industry Priorities

Now in its 21st year, the survey not only ranks issues but also provides insights into how priorities differ between motor carriers and professional drivers. It allows stakeholders to monitor trends over time, understanding which concerns are gaining importance and which are decreasing in criticality.

“ATRI’s annual survey allows truck drivers to make our collective concerns known,” said Lloyd Howell, an America’s Road Team Captain and professional truck driver for TCW Inc. “Whether your top challenge is truck parking, driver compensation, detention at customer facilities, traffic congestion, or something else, this is your chance to bring those issues to light. Please take a few minutes to complete the online survey and encourage your peers to do so also.”

Survey Timeline and Results

The 2025 Top Industry Issues Survey will remain open until October 10. Results will be shared on October 26 during the American Trucking Associations Management Conference & Exhibition in San Diego, California.

Industry professionals are encouraged to participate in the survey by visiting ATRI’s official survey page [here]. Input from drivers, carriers, and other stakeholders is critical in shaping strategies that strengthen the industry and address the challenges affecting daily operations.

Source: The Trucker

The post ATRI Invites Trucking Professionals to Highlight Top Industry Concerns appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.