The American Trucking Assns. (ATA) has contracted with the University of Idaho's National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology to perform three studies of significant interest to the trucking industry.

The projects result from a program established by an Idaho District Court after ATA's successful February 2000 challenge to the Idaho weight-distance tax system.
The court ordered that all refund monies that could not be distributed to weight-distance taxpayers be used to fund projects and activities that benefit the trucking industry.
ATA, along with the Idaho Trucking Assn., was awarded more than $3 million in "undistributable" refunds and instructed to pursue various safety, security and other projects proposed to the court by the associations.
The principal study to be done by the university involves analysis of winter road management practices and their impact on trucking operations and equipment.
It is estimated that corrosion caused by anti-icing chemicals costs the U.S. transportation industry $23 billion annually in terms of damage to trucks and highway infrastructure. The study will evaluate the benefits, costs and detrimental effects of anti-icing methods and evaluate the corrosiveness and effectiveness of various chemical applications. Ultimately, the results will be used to educate affected parties (including manufacturers and government agencies) in an effort to mitigate the consequences of corrosion.
The University will also be undertaking research on the load securement procedures to develop best-practices information and a study of the safety performance of longer-combination vehicles in the western states.
The Idaho Trucking Assn. will also begin working with area law enforcement and transportation officials to develop uniform accident reporting practices and procedures in western states where longer-combination vehicles operate.
ATA is making a contribution to the funding of the University's ongoing asset management program designed to assist local highway agencies justify and prioritize highway expenditures.
ATA has also begun work on several other security and safety projects to benefit the trucking industry. With the funding, ATA is expanding its Highway Watch program into five western states, including Idaho. The program is designed to train drivers to identify potential terrorist activities and instruct them on how to properly report those activities. Highway Watch also provides a mechanism by which drivers can report accidents, breakdowns and other hazardous road conditions to appropriate authorities.
ATA is also developing educational materials to assist motor carriers find affordable insurance, and is planning on funding public service announcements encouraging seat belt use and adherence to speed limits.