Breaking down trucking's top issues survey: Fuel, CSA, and AI
The American Transportation Research Institute's (ATRI) president, Rebecca Brewster, joins The Fleet Lead to examine the findings of the 2026 Top Industry Issues survey.
The survey's latest findings, unsurprisingly, place fuel back on top as the industry's greatest concern. Pending 2027 diesel emissions rules, CSA impacts in the courtroom, and AI concerns also top the list this year.
This episode also marks Brewster's final MC&E conference appearance before retirement! She reflects on more than three decades of transportation research, the evolution of trucking, and what she will miss most about the industry.
Timestamps:
- 0:45 – Fuel prices rank #1
- 3:00 – The truck parking shortage
- 4:43 – CSA scores, legal risks, and small fleet vulnerabilities
- 7:05 – Artificial intelligence in fleets
- 9:37 – 2027 diesel emissions regulations
- 11:58 – Fuel price spikes against operating margins
- 12:38 – Brewster's retirement
- 15:35 – Reflection on the industry's evolution
trucking's top industry issues 2026 thumbnail
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About the Author
Josh FisherJosh Fisher
Editor-in-Chief
Editor-in-Chief Josh Fisher has been with FleetOwner since 2017. He covers everything from modern fleet management to operational efficiency, artificial intelligence, autonomous trucking, alternative fuels and powertrains, regulations, and emerging transportation technology. Based in Maryland, he writes the Lane Shift Ahead column about the changing North American transportation landscape.