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

ATRI’s annual Operational Costs of Trucking is now in its 11^th year of collecting cost information derived directly from fleet operations. It is among the institute's most requested research reports. The annual analysis provides carriers with a  benchmarking tool, while government agencies use the real-world data analysis to help them make better-informed transportation infrastructure investment decisions, according to ATRI.

Among the for-hire fleet metrics being requested by ATRI are driver pay, fuel costs, insurance premiums, and lease or purchase payments. Carriers are asked to provide full-year 2018 cost per mile and/or cost per hour data.

Last year's update found that fleet operating costs increased to their highest levels since 2014, driven by rising fuel prices and pay and benefit increases for drivers. It showed that average marginal cost per mile for fleets rose 6% in 2017 to $1.69. Over the nine years of ATRI research, costs have only topped that mark in 2011 and 2015, at around $1.70.

“We actively use ATRI’s annual Operational Costs of Trucking as a critical input in our own internal operations review as a benchmark as we strive to be best in class”, said Mike Stephens, USA Truck vice president of finance. “The robust ATRI data, along with the key insights provided in the analysis, make it a top tier benchmarking tool for fleets of all sizes.”  

For-hire motor carriers are encouraged to provide operational cost data to ATRI by Friday, June 14. ATRI's data collection form, which protects all confidential information, is available online here.  Participating motor carriers will receive an advance copy of the full report.