The initiative aims to better understand the relationship between driver health, medical qualification, operating costs, and workforce outcomes.

What Truck Drivers Are Being Asked

ATRI’s driver survey asks participants to anonymously share basic health information, including how long their DOT medical certification lasts, along with their experiences maintaining their health while working on the road.

The research will examine challenges associated with the trucking profession, including access to healthy food and opportunities for physical activity during extended periods away from home.

ATRI noted that health conditions can affect drivers’ quality of life and ability to continue working. The organization hopes to better understand how those personal experiences relate to broader industry outcomes.

Motor Carriers Asked to Participate

A separate survey will collect fleetwide information from motor carriers, including average medical certification durations, insurance costs, and operational performance measures.

The research will examine potential connections between driver health and expenses associated with healthcare, workers’ compensation, productivity and employee turnover.

Jeremy Reymer, founder and CEO of Project 61, said the study would help fleets better understand how driver health may affect operational risks and costs beyond its established relationship with safety.

Motor carriers are also being encouraged to share the driver survey with their employees to increase participation.

Survey Deadline Set for November 13

ATRI is accepting responses from drivers and motor carriers through November 13, 2026. Participation is confidential, and the driver survey does not require participants to identify themselves.

Professional drivers interested in contributing their experiences can access the survey through ATRI’s online research form.

The findings are intended to provide a clearer picture of how health and wellness affect people working in trucking and the companies that employ them.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: October 20, 2026

Source: The Trucker

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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

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ATRI announced it is recruiting candidates for the 2027–2028 Research Advisory Committee (RAC). The committee plays a central role in guiding ATRI’s research agenda by identifying the most pressing issues facing trucking and helping shape how those topics are studied.

A cross-section of trucking voices

According to ATRI, the Research Advisory Committee is made up of individuals from across the trucking ecosystem. Members represent motor carriers, industry suppliers, professional truck drivers, government, and academia, ensuring research priorities reflect real-world industry conditions rather than theory alone.

ATRI President Rebecca Brewster emphasized the value of serving on the committee, both professionally and for the industry as a whole.

“You can talk to any of the 250+ individuals who have served on ATRI’s RAC over the years, and they will almost certainly tell you it is one of the most rewarding professional experiences of their careers,” said Rebecca Brewster, president, ATRI. “RAC members play a critical role in identifying the trucking industry’s top research needs, and we look forward to identifying a new slate of nominees for the 2027–2028 RAC.”

What RAC members are expected to do

RAC members commit to participating in one in-person meeting each year and staying actively involved in ATRI research throughout the term. That involvement includes working on subcommittees alongside ATRI researchers to help develop research methodologies and data collection tools.

Members also contribute industry data when appropriate and assist in sharing ATRI’s research findings across the trucking community. ATRI says this collaboration helps ensure its studies remain relevant, practical, and grounded in industry experience.

How to apply or nominate a colleague

Individuals interested in serving on the Research Advisory Committee are encouraged to complete an online application. Applicants are asked to describe their interest in serving and explain how their industry background positions them to contribute meaningfully to ATRI’s research efforts.

The application process also allows individuals to nominate an industry colleague for consideration. Applications are currently open and will be accepted through Friday, May 15.

ATRI says the recruitment effort is part of its ongoing commitment to engaging industry professionals directly in the research that informs trucking policy, operations, and long-term planning.

Source: The Trucker

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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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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

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ATRI’s Vice President, Jeffrey Short, recently discussed the survey’s significance, highlighting the urgency of this research, Short pointed to alarming FBI estimates indicating that cargo thieves cost the industry $15 billion to $30 billion each year.

The survey seeks detailed insights, such as hotspots for theft and effective prevention strategies. A key focus is identifying which items are most frequently stolen. “We definitely want to figure out what the most targeted products are out there, so that we can inform them, ‘This is the kind of thing you want to keep an eye out for,'” Short explained.

Regardless of the size of the carrier, thieves tend to focus more on the cargo itself rather than the company transporting it. “I don’t think larger carriers or smaller carriers are being targeted more often. I think it more has to do with what it is they’re hauling,” Short stated. He noted that easy-to-sell items are prime targets for thieves.

ATRI has already received around 100 responses from motor carriers and brokers. The deadline to submit your input is September 30. Participants can fill out the survey online here or download a PDF version to return by mail. Rest assured, all information provided will remain confidential, and participants will be given an early copy of the comprehensive report.

Source: Land Line

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