At its recent meeting in San Antonio, the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) Board of Directors, led by Chair Derek Leathers of Werner Enterprises, approved the 2024 Top Research Priorities. which include the following:
- Mining Driver Demographic Data: This study will analyze ATRI’s extensive driver demographic data to identify trends and potential new recruitment pathways, including young adults aging out of the foster care system.
- Impact of Nuclear Verdicts – Update: Building on a 2020 study, this update will explore recent data on nuclear verdicts, their impact on insurance premiums, contributing factors, and effects of state-level lawsuit abuse reform legislation.
- Comprehending the Scope of Cargo Theft: This research will quantify the scale of cargo theft by examining existing data and collaborating with motor carriers. It will also identify best practices in theft prevention.
- Calculating the Cost of Truck Bottlenecks: Utilizing ATRI’s truck GPS data, this study will analyze the cost of congestion at specific bottleneck locations and assess the return-on-investment from infrastructure improvements.
- Federal Excise Tax (FET) Cost-Benefit Analysis: This analysis will examine the impact of the 12 percent FET on heavy-duty trucks and trailers, focusing on how it affects carrier decisions regarding new equipment investment and associated safety and emissions improvements.
ATRI, the trucking industry’s 501(c)(3) not-for-profit research organization, is dedicated to critical research for a safe, secure, and efficient transportation system.
