ATRI releases 2026 research priorities to address trucking safety and costs
Key takeaways
- ATRI’s 2026 priorities target safety, driver health, and weather impacts on trucking operations.
- Research will analyze regulatory costs, state business climates, and “Beyond Compliance” incentives.
- Data-driven studies aim to help fleets improve safety, reduce costs, and manage operational risks.
The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) recently released its 2026 Top Research Priorities following a recent board meeting. The company, which is a trucking industry research organization, said the priorities were selected by its Research Advisory Committee to address key operational and regulatory challenges.
The research agenda targets areas including safety performance, driver health, regulatory impacts, and the effects of major weather events on trucking operations. ATRI said the goal is to provide data-driven insights that improve safety outcomes, operational efficiency, and industry decision-making.
2026 research priorities include:
- Outcomes of coaching practices and front-line management on safety
- Advancing “Beyond Compliance” programs and identifying participation incentives
- State benchmarking for trucking business climate factors
- Costs and benefits of federal and state regulations by stakeholder group
- Relationship between medical card status and operational impacts
- Major weather event impacts on trucking operations
ATRI said the research will use data analysis, benchmarking, and case studies to identify best practices and quantify impacts across the industry. The findings are expected to support fleets, policymakers, and stakeholders in addressing safety, cost pressures, and operational disruptions.
