U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Vehicle Technologies Program
Fact #497: November 26, 2007
Fuel Drops to Third Place in the Trucking Industry Top Ten Concerns
A survey by The American Transportation Research Institute showed that concern within the trucking industry over fuel costs declined from the top concern in 2005 to the 3rd biggest concern in 2007, behind hours-of-service rules and driver shortages. A July 2007 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals on the 11 hour driving provision and 34 hour restart may account for the increased hours-of-service concern.
Top Ten Trucking Industry Issues, 2005-2007
| Ranking |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
| 1 |
Fuel Issues |
Driver Shortage |
Hours-of-Service |
| 2 |
Driver Shortage |
Fuel Issues |
Driver Shortage |
| 3 |
Insurance Costs |
Driver Retention |
Fuel Issues |
| 4 |
Hours-of-Service |
Hours-of-Service |
Congestion |
| 5 |
Tolls/Highway Funding |
Congestion |
Government Regulation |
| 6 |
Tort Reform/Legal Issues |
Government Regulation |
Tolls/Highway Funding |
| 7 |
Government Regulation |
Highway Infrastructure |
Tort Reform/Legal Issues |
| 8 |
Congestion |
Tort Reform |
Truck Driver Training |
| 9 |
Environmental Issues |
Tolls/Highway Funding |
Environmental Issues |
| 10 |
Truck Security |
Environmental Issues |
On-Board Truck Technology |
|
Source: The American Transportation Research Institute, "Critical Issues in the Trucking Industry - 2007" |
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