According to the OOIDA Foundation, the association’s research and education branch, “most researchers don’t have access to enough owner-operators to properly collect and analyze information from this critical segment of the trucking industry.” To address this gap, the Foundation has actively engaged members since 1998, ensuring that their opinions reach federal, state, and local agencies. This ongoing effort has produced one of the most detailed profiles of owner-operators in the United States.

The 2025 OOIDA survey is now open and can be completed anonymously online. “We want to make sure that we are focusing on the issues that you desire,” the Foundation said. “It’s important to us that we support both your business and lifestyle. We need to know what you think on critical topics so we can direct our energies appropriately.”

Key Findings from the 2024 Member Survey

Last year, more than 19,000 owner-operator members participated in a random sample survey. Among respondents, 46 percent reported being leased to motor carriers, while 44 percent operated under their own authority. On average, drivers covered over 102,000 miles, with roughly 20 percent of those miles being deadhead, often due to challenging market conditions.

Surveyed operators reported annual maintenance costs averaging $18,900, including $3,400 spent on emission-related repairs and $3,300 for damage caused by poor road conditions. Independent operators typically spent more on tires compared with those leased to carriers. Maintenance costs per mile rose to 23 cents.

Freight rates, availability, and carrier reputation were the most important factors influencing leased owner-operators when selecting work. High driver turnover was largely attributed to low pay, a lack of respect, and inconsistent freight. In fact, 40 percent of leased drivers reported working for five or more carriers in the past year.

Challenges Facing One-Truck Operators

Research focused on one-truck operations, which make up nearly half of all motor carriers. These operators face unique hurdles in securing consistent freight and navigating complex regulatory requirements. While direct contracts generally provide higher earnings, most one-truck carriers rely heavily on brokers and load boards.

Many drivers also noted difficulties contesting inaccurate safety violations through the DataQ system. Insurance, permits, and other regulatory fees remain significant concerns, alongside rising fuel costs, declining freight rates, and parking shortages.

OOIDA’s research underscores the importance of listening to owner-operators and addressing the practical challenges they face daily. By capturing and analyzing these insights, the Foundation ensures that small-business truckers have representation and support that reflects both their business and lifestyle needs.

Source: Land Lined Media

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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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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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What is Driver Detention?

Detention time, according to VTTI, refers to the time commercial vehicle operators spend waiting at shipping and receiving facilities due to delays in loading and unloading cargo. Research paints a concerning picture of its impact.

“‘Detention time’ is the time commercial motor vehicle operators spend at shipping and receiving facilities because of delays in loading and unloading cargo,” VTTI explained. “Recent reports indicate detention time is associated with reduced annual driver earnings of up to $1.3 billion, and carriers could gain up to $3.1 billion annually by eliminating these inefficiencies. Detention time can also reduce safety. Drivers who experience detention time might engage in unsafe driving to reach their destination within their hours-of-service limits, drive while fatigued, or improperly log their hours. A 2014 study assessing detention time found that approximately two out of three drivers experienced detention time every month, and 10 percent of stops went beyond two hours at the delivery location.”

Why Participation Matters

VTTI is seeking carriers of all sizes and types to help gather real-world data, utilizing electronic logging devices (ELDs) and transportation management systems (TMS). All information provided during the study will remain completely confidential. Participating carriers will receive personalized consulting reports outlining how detention time affects their fleet’s safety and operational efficiency.

By participating, carriers will play a pivotal role in shaping meaningful improvements across the trucking industry. “Your participation can help to create positive change in the trucking industry,” VTTI noted.

How to Get Involved

If you’re interested in contributing to the study or would like to learn more about it, please visit the official study page on the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute website, titled “Impact of Driver Detention Time on Safety and Operations.”

Help make a difference by joining this initiative to address inefficiencies, improve safety, and drive positive change for carriers and drivers alike.

Source: The Trucker

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“ATRI’s RAC members serve a critical role in identifying and prioritizing the trucking industry’s top research needs,” said Rebecca Brewster, ATRI president. “We received over 160 applications from individuals interested in serving as RAC members. We congratulate all those appointed by the ATRI Board to serve in this important role and look forward to working with them.”

Each year, RAC members are responsible for setting research priorities that address critical issues impacting the trucking sector. Representing a wide range of stakeholders—including motor carriers, suppliers, drivers, shippers, law enforcement, academia, and government—the committee reflects the diverse nature of the industry.

Andy Owens, CEO of A&M Transport, has been named Chairman of the Research Advisory Committee for this term. The full list of 2025-2026 RAC members includes a remarkable lineup of professionals bringing their expertise to support ATRI’s mission.

Industry Leaders Appointed as 2025-2026 RAC Members

• Lindsay Bur, Director of Data Science and Economics, American Trucking Associations

• Robb McCaig, Senior Director of Spend and Analytics, Trimac

• Sheri Call, President and CEO, Washington Trucking Associations

• Steve McKeta, Director of Private Fleet Maintenance, Walmart Transportation

• Jeremy Carmichael, Vice President of Operations, Ruan Transportation Management Systems

• Carson Davidenko, Executive Advisor – Custom Critical Operations, FedEx Freight

• Vallie Dugas, Vice President and General Counsel, Melton Truck Lines

• George Gerth, Vice President of Safety, Carter Express Inc.

• Frank Granieri, COO of Supply Chain Solutions, A. Duie Pyle

• Ben Greenberg, President and CEO, North Carolina Trucking Association

• Josh Hankins, Senior Vice President of Safety, Security, and Driver Personnel, J.B. Hunt Transport Inc.

• Robert Howard, President and COO, Dohrn Transfer Company

• Rich Johnson, Vice President of Business Readiness, Werner Enterprises

• Aravind Kailas, Advanced Technology Policy Director, Volvo Group North America

• Andrew King, Assistant Director of Operations, OOIDA Foundation

• Tim Kordula, Vice President of Risk Management, Skinner Transfer Corporation

• Anne-Marie Forbes Lynn, Director of Business Development and Marketing, U.S. Legal Services

• Mark Manera, Founder and CEO, Offshift

• Chad Marsilio, COO, PGT Trucking Inc.

• Robert Meyer, Vice President of Corporate Transportation, UPS

• Graig Moran, President and Co-Owner, Brown Dog Carriers

• Brad Nelson, President, FreedomTrucks of America

• Randy Obermeyer, Vice President of Safety and Maintenance, Online Transport

• Misti Olszewski, Vice President of Enterprise Safety, Covenant Logistics

• Ted Perryman, Managing Attorney, Roberts Perryman P.C.

• Emily Plummer, America’s Road Team Captain, Prime Inc.

• Todd Reiser, Senior Vice President, Lockton Companies

• Joseph Romero, Captain, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Bureau, New Mexico State Police

• Robyn Smith, Director of Driver Relations, May Trucking Company

• Glissel Soliz, Senior Director of Transportation Operations and 3PL, Coca-Cola North America

• Sam Waltzer, Director of SmartWay and Supply Chain Programs, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

• Kyle Weaver, Assistant General Counsel, K.L. Breeden & Sons

• Adam Whitney, Vice President of Cummins On-Highway Sales in Canada, Cummins Inc.

• Jeffrey Wojtowicz, Senior Transportation Engineer/Operations Management, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

• Lynette Woodie, Manager of Loss Prevention and Administration, ArcBest Corporation

These members bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will help ATRI address emerging challenges and opportunities in the trucking industry. With a clear focus on innovation and collaboration, this RAC cohort is poised to help shape the industry’s future.

Source: The Trucker

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