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ATRI Seeks Motor Carriers to Participate in Operational Cost Report

ATRI’s annual Operational Costs of Trucking report collects cost information derived directly from trucking fleets and owner-operators, and is among the most requested ATRI research studies.

May 28, 2021
ATRI Seeks Motor Carriers to Participate in Operational Cost Report

"Understanding how 2020 affected fleet costs ... will help the industry better position itself for future global emergencies,” said Carbon Express President Steve Rush.

File Photo: Carbon Express

2 min to read


The American Transportation Research Institute issued a call for motor carriers to participate in ATRI’s annual update to its Operational Costs of Trucking report.

Now in its thirteenth year, ATRI’s annual Operational Costs of Trucking collects cost information derived directly from trucking fleets and owner-operators, and is among the most requested ATRI research studies.

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Among the for-hire fleet metrics being requested by ATRI are driver pay, fuel costs, insurance premiums and lease or purchase payments. Carriers and owner-operators are asked to provide full-year 2020 cost per mile and/or cost per hour data using the easy-to-use online data entry form.

“While 2020 was a challenging year for everyone, America’s trucking industry kept moving and freight demand has since returned to pre-pandemic levels. Understanding how 2020 affected fleet costs – from driver pay to insurance to vehicle leases – will help the industry better position itself for future global emergencies,” said Carbon Express President Steve Rush. Rush was named HDT’s 2015 Truck Fleet Innovator.

ATRI’s annual analysis is used as a key benchmarking tool by motor carriers of all sizes. Public sector agencies also utilize ATRI’s real-world data analysis to make better-informed transportation planning and infrastructure investment decisions.

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Most recently, ATRI’s Operational Costs of Trucking data was used to quantify impacts from the I-40 bridge closure in Memphis.

For-hire motor carriers are encouraged to provide operational cost data to ATRI by Aug. 20. ATRI’s data collection form, which protects all confidential information, is available here. Participating motor carriers will receive an advance copy of the full report.

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