Driver shortage and increased demand pushing driver pay higher

Driver shortage and increased demand pushing driver pay higher

For years, the trucking industry has been sounding the alarm about a driver shortage, talking about a deficit of drivers numbering in the hundreds of thousands. Those warnings have arrived at the industry’s doorstep. With a pandemic-induced rise in online shopping, trucking companies are seeing increased demand for truck capacity and are having to sweeten…

Owner-operators say freight volume and rates are biggest concerns

Owner-operators say freight volume and rates are biggest concerns

An early July survey conducted by American Truck Business Services (ATBS) found that falling freight volumes and rates have been the biggest impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey of more than 300 owner-operators was designed to shed light on how the pandemic has affected owner-operators. When it comes to financial aid, the survey found…

Online driver survey reveals COVID-19 challenges for truckers

Online driver survey reveals COVID-19 challenges for truckers

A May online survey conducted by Professional Driver Agency (PDA) found that 72 percent of the 1,600 trucker respondents are most concerned about bringing the COVID-19 virus home to family and friends. “For us, this was the key takeaway from the survey,” said Scott Dismuke, director of operations at PDA. “While risking personal exposure to…

ATRI research shows an increase in trucking operational costs

ATRI research shows an increase in trucking operational costs

The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) recently released the findings of its 2019 update to “An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking,” a report that showed “considerable upward pressure on nearly every line-item cost center experienced by carriers.” ATRI used detailed financial data provided directly by motor carriers of all sectors and fleet sizes…

Women increasingly answering the call for more truck drivers

Women increasingly answering the call for more truck drivers

With a truck driver shortage still considered the top issue facing the industry, trucking companies are increasingly recruiting women drivers to fill the void. Once a male-only profession, the numbers are starting to nudge. According to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), the number of women drivers has increased from 4.5 percent in 2003 to 6.6…

Trucker associations front and center in D.C. hearing

Trucker associations front and center in D.C. hearing

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Todd Spencer, CEO of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) and Chris Spear, CEO of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) had their day in Congress June 12 as part of the House Highways and Transit subcommittee hearing titled “Under Pressure: The State of Trucking in America.” Spencer painted a bleak picture of…

E-commerce reshaping the trucking industry

E-commerce reshaping the trucking industry

The emerging online and e-commerce market is reshaping the trucking industry, according to recent research by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI). ATRI’s analysis looks at challenges and opportunities that more regionalized retail supply chains and the proliferation of urban “last mile” deliveries have presented. This research was identified as a top research priority by…