ATRI analysis says operational costs continue to climb

The trucking industry’s operational costs continue to climb, according to recent findings from the American Transportation Research Institute.

In the 2018 version of “An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking,” ATRI analyzed trucking costs from 2008 through 2017.

“With economic activity strengthening in 2017, the average marginal cost per mile incurred by motor carriers increased 6 percent to $1.69,” ATRI wrote. “Cost increases were broad-based in 2017 with grown in nearly every major line-item over the year. Driver wages increased for the fifth consecutive year, and the combined cost of driver wages and benefits represent 43 percent of the overall cost per mile.”

Other factors according to ATRI were that fuel prices rebounded and that newer truck models continued to increase costs for purchasing as well as repair and maintenance.

For more information on ATRI’s report, go here.

ATRI also is conducting a survey on the trucking industry’s top concerns. The results for the 2018 survey are expected to be released later this month.