A fuel-conscious, ever-expanding trucking industry will help drive demand for idle reduction technology, according to a survey completed by trucking not-for-profit research organization American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI).
Participants have already spent over $8.8 million equipping sleeper cabs with such technologies, including direct-fired heaters, auxiliary power units, and battery powered air conditioners. Users were generally satisfied with the performance of these products, although initial cost has been a hurdle, ATRI said.
Over the next five years, the participants are expected to invest an additional $56 million in such products.
“This report provides a timely snapshot of the use of idle reduction technologies among trucking companies,” said ATRI chairman Doug Duncan, president & CEO of FedEx Freight.
To access the Idle Reduction Technology Fleet Preferences Survey, go to www.atri-online.org.