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Concern over the economy was the top-ranked trucking industry issue of 2024, according to ATRI. Researchers noted that rising operational costs, the lingering freight recession, and declining freight rates make the economy a top concern for motor carriers and drivers alike.

Economy continues to be trucking’s top concern going into 2025

Oct. 12, 2024
Fleet leaders continue to stress over the economy and lawsuit abuse. While commercial drivers’ economic concerns grew this year, their top worries continue to be truck parking and pay, according to ATRI’s 20th annual survey of trucking industry stakeholders.

NASHVILLE, Tennessee—It’s economy, trucking. Still. 

As we hit the middle of this transformational decade for transportation, the trucking industry is still grappling with a sluggish freight economy. For the second consecutive year, the economy was the top concern of thousands of trucking stakeholders the American Transportation Research Institute surveyed for its annual list of trucking’s most pressing issues heading into 2025.

Along with economic concern reigning atop ATRI’s 20th annual Top Industry Issues report, truck parking remained No. 2 this year, marking the 10th consecutive year it ranked within the top 10. Rebecca Brewster, ATRI president and COO, unveiled the list on the opening day of American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference & Exhibition here in Music City.

Fuel prices (ranked No. 3 in 2023) and driver retention (No. 8 in ‘23) fell off the 2024 top 10 list. They were replaced by the federal Compliance, Safety, and Accountability program, which didn’t make the 2023 list after being a perennial topic for years; and insurance cost/availability, which last appeared in 2021.

About the Author

Josh Fisher | Editor-in-Chief

Editor-in-Chief Josh Fisher has been with FleetOwner since 2017, covering everything from modern fleet management to operational efficiency, artificial intelligence, autonomous trucking, regulations, and emerging transportation technology. He is based in Maryland. 

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