Challenges facing the trucking industry.

A recent report published by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) says that the trucking industry puts the state of the economy near the top of the challenges it faces. Not surprising. It is second only to fuel costs, which takes the top spot in the top ten challenges the trucking industry says it is facing.

Here's the top ten list:

1. Fuel costs
2. Economy
3. Driver Shortage/Retention
4. Government Regulation
5. Hours-of-Service
6. Congestion
7. Tolls/Highway Funding
8. Environmental Issues
9. Tort Reform
10. Onboard Truck Technology

The information from which the report was compiled had to have been gathered before the economy took its nose dive in September and October. By now, it wouldn’t be surprising if "the economy" dwarfed all the other challenges listed in the top ten.

To read observations from the report on each of the above topics, click here.

-- Karen Carey