Trucking industry in the United States
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a5/Kenworth_truck.jpg/300px-Kenworth_truck.jpg)
The trucking industry serves the American economy by transporting large quantities of raw materials, works in process, and finished goods over land—typically from manufacturing plants to retail distribution centers. Trucks are also used in the construction industry, two of which require dump trucks and portable concrete mixers to move the large amounts of rocks, dirt, concrete, and other building materials used in construction. Trucks in America are responsible for the majority of freight movement over land and are tools in the manufacturing, transportation, and warehousing industries.[1]
Driving large trucks and buses requires a commercial driver's license (CDL) to operate. Obtaining a CDL requires extra education and training dealing with the special knowledge requirements and handling characteristics of such a large vehicle. Drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) must adhere to the hours of service, which are regulations governing the driving hours of commercial drivers. Drivers must be at least 21 years old to drive on the interstates, with efforts being made to reduce the age to 18.[2] These and all other rules regarding the safety of interstate commercial driving are issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The FMCSA is a division of the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), which governs all transportation-related industries such as trucking, shipping, railroads, and airlines. Some other issues are handled by another branch of the USDOT, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
Developments in technology, such as computers, satellite communication, and the Internet, have contributed to many improvements within the industry. These developments have increased the productivity of company operations, saved the time and effort of drivers, and provided new, more accessible forms of entertainment to men and women who often spend long periods of time away from home. In 2006, the United States Environmental Protection Agency implemented revised emission standards for diesel trucks (reducing airborne pollutants emitted by diesel engines) which promises to improve air quality and public health.
History
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/VictoryOilNOLAVachon.jpg/220px-VictoryOilNOLAVachon.jpg)
The trucking industry[3] has affected the political and economic history of the United States in the 20th century. Before the invention of automobiles, most freight was moved by train or horse-drawn vehicle.
Trucks were first used extensively by the military during World War I.[4] With the increase in construction of paved roads, trucking began to achieve a significant foothold in the 1930s. Public safety concerns made it necessary to implement various government regulations (such as the 1965 hours of service rule, later revised with a compliance date of July 1, 2012) of how long drivers were allowed to work and drive each day/week. In 1956, Taxpayers provided funds to build the Interstate Highway System, an extensive network of highways and freeways that linked major cities across the continent.[5] The addition of Interstate Highway System also made it possible for the trucking industry to grow substantially in the late 1950s and early 1960s and trucking has come to dominate the freight industry in the latter portion of the 20th century.
Trucking achieved national attention during the 1960s and 70s, when songs and movies about truck driving were major hits. Truck drivers participated in widespread strikes against the rising cost of fuel, during the energy crises of 1973 and 1979. Congress deregulated the trucking industry with the passage of the Motor Carrier Act of 1980.[6]
1990s-present
[edit]Advances in modern technology have enabled significant improvements within the trucking industry. Trucks are commonly equipped with satellite communication features, automatic transmissions are gaining in popularity, and truck stops featuring WiFi Internet access are now commonplace.[7]
Exhaust emissions
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1f/Map_of_current_Interstates.svg/220px-Map_of_current_Interstates.svg.png)
Components of diesel exhaust were confirmed as an animal carcinogen in 1988 by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and by 2002, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considered it "likely to be carcinogenic to humans".[8] The particulate matter of diesel exhaust has been linked to (among other health effects) lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, and aggravated asthma; it has also been identified as a greenhouse gas. "[9] For these and other reasons, alternatives and improvements to standard diesel fuel have been developed.
Biodiesel (in its pure form) is a non-toxic, biodegradable form of diesel fuel made from vegetable oil, usually soybean oil or recycled restaurant grease. Biodiesel promises a reduction in some exhaust emissions,[10] as well as reduced dependence on foreign petroleum supplies.[11]
Starting in June 2006, petroleum refiners were required by the EPA to begin producing ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel, which has 97% less sulfur than the previous low sulfur diesel fuel.[12] When fuel containing sulfur is burned, sulfur dioxide is produced, a main component of acid rain.[13] ULSD, together with new air pollution control technologies required in trucks (starting with model year 2007), will reduce harmful emissions by 90%.[12]
By the time the action is fully implemented, the EPA estimates that 2.6 million tons of smog-causing nitrogen oxide emissions will be eliminated each year. Soot or particulate matter will be reduced by an estimated 110,000 tons a year. The reduction in sulfur will also prevent an estimated 8,300 premature deaths, 5,500 cases of chronic bronchitis and 17,600 cases of acute bronchitis in children. In addition, an estimated 360,000 asthma attacks and 386,000 cases of respiratory symptoms in asthmatic children will also be avoided every year.[14]
When not driving, truck drivers need to idle their engines to maintain climate control within the truck cab (interior), as well as provide electricity for appliances. Engine idling is inefficient and only adds to the problem of air pollution.[15] This unnecessary idling can be remedied with shore power (which is a term and idea borrowed from the shipping industry), or Truck Stop Electrification.[16] When ships are docked in a port, they connect to a land-based power supply to provide electricity and eliminate the need to idle their engines. The idea of shore power was transferred to the trucking industry, and now there are companies such as IdleAire[17] and Shorepower[18] which provide electricity to diesel trucks, which eliminates the need for the driver to idle the engine. IdleAire also provides access to the Internet, cable television, and land line phone services. IdleAire promises to eliminate one-eighth of nitrogen oxide pollution through "electrified parking", however, particulate pollution may increase in those areas where the electricity is provided by coal burning power plants.[19] Some drivers are also experimenting with hydrogen fuel cells, which provide clean and silent power for appliances when trucks are not running.
Fuel efficiency
[edit]With the fuel price increases of the 2000s, the EPA and many companies have sought to increase diesel truck fuel economy. One such example is the hydraulic hybrid vehicle, which stores energy in hydraulic tanks and hydraulic motors (as opposed to the electric hybrid vehicle which uses batteries and regenerative brakes).[20] Electric hybrid vehicles are another option, with savings of 35% to 60% over traditional vehicles.[21] Drivers themselves may improve fuel efficiency by using a method called progressive shifting, in which the driver shifts through the gears (typical trucks may have between 10 and 18 gears) in such a manner as to optimize the power range of the engine.
Pure electric trucks that claim zero emissions are also being increasingly deployed in US fleets across industries. These trucks run purely on electric power without any dependence on fossil fuels. As of February 2022, there were over 1,000 all-electric trucks deployed in the United States from manufacturers such as Hyundai, Orange EV, MAN Truck & Bus, and E-FORCE ONE.[22] The braking system in these trucks are designed to put the energy that is normally lost as heat in the brake pads and drum back into the battery by using the motor as a generator.[23]
Fuel consumption
[edit]According to research from a survey conducted by students from the University of Michigan in cooperation with ATRI (American Transportation Research Institute), as of 2015 "54 billion gallons of fuel were consumed by trucks for business purposes—39 billion gallons of diesel fuel and 16 billion gallons of gasoline. Combination vehicles, which are powered nearly exclusively by diesel fuel, accounted for 75 percent of this diesel fuel consumption."[24]
Technology
[edit]Like many other industries, the trucking industry has benefited from the use of computers and the Internet. The Internet helps firms explore new opportunities by aggressive sales and marketing. The incremental cost of conducting business transactions on the Internet is as little as one-fifteenth as expensive as paper transactions.[25]
Given the limitations on truck weight and size, increased productivity in the industry comes from two sources: fewer empty miles and less time waiting between loads.[25] U.S. Department of Transportation figures indicate that empty routes have continued to account for 29% of single-unit truck traffic;[26][27][28] this has been equated to an annualized 15 billion gallons of gasoline, $30 billion cost, or 149 million tons of excess carbon emissions.[29][30] Traditional freight brokers acted as intermediaries to manage the coordination of freight, helping independent drivers or companies match loads with available empty trucks. Increasingly, computerized brokers are threatening the future of traditional human brokers by offering increased efficiency. In addition, shipper-driven brokerage over the Internet enables shippers to post loads and solicit bids directly from carriers. Instead of relying upon traditional freight brokers, shippers function as their own brokers, dealing directly with freight companies.[25]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ad/FREIGHTLINER_TRUCK_AUGUST_29_2007_LOS_ANGELES_PATRICE_RAUNET_HOLLYWOOD.jpg/220px-FREIGHTLINER_TRUCK_AUGUST_29_2007_LOS_ANGELES_PATRICE_RAUNET_HOLLYWOOD.jpg)
Developments in satellite technology have fostered increased communication and productivity within the trucking industry.[31] Drivers may input the information from a bill of lading into a simple text-only dot matrix display screen (commonly called a "Qualcomm", for their ubiquitous OmniTRACS system).[32][33] This allows the driver to communicate with their dispatcher, who is normally responsible for determining and informing the driver of their pick-up and drop-off locations. Drivers are no longer required to find the nearest public phone in order to relay information regarding their load status, it can be done without leaving the truck cab.[31]
The driver inputs the information, using a keyboard, into an automated system of pre-formatted messages known as macros. There are macros for each stage of the loading and unloading process, such as "loaded and leaving shipper" and "arrived at final destination". This system also allows the company to track the driver's fuel usage, speed, gear optimization, engine idle time, location, direction of travel, and amount of time spent driving.[31] According to trucking industry technologist, Phil Callaghan, in the United States every truck is like "a note on the system" and this digital transparency is driving a standards change globally [34]
Trucks equipped with GPS satellite navigation units have enabled drivers to forgo a traditional paper-based map, saving time and effort.[7] Drivers willing to pay for satellite radio or who work for a company that pays for it[35] can listen to commercial-free music, sports, news, and talk radio coast-to-coast without interruption of signals between cities (as terrestrial radio signals are limited to a certain radius from the broadcasting tower). Digital satellite television allows smaller dish sizes, which means truck drivers are not limited to free terrestrial broadcast television and have more options about what they watch during their off-duty periods.[36]
Automatic transmissions
[edit]Increasingly, companies have been equipping their trucks with automatic transmissions for a variety of reasons. Operating a manual transmission requires more skill and attention of the driver, partly due to the unsynchronized transmission found in heavy-duty trucks. Companies have found that automatic transmission has many benefits, including higher fuel efficiency, higher driver retention (drivers frustrated by a manual transmission may quit his/her job), lower wear of transmission gears (inexperienced drivers sometimes grind the gears if they do not follow proper shifting techniques), lower driver fatigue, and fewer accidents (manual transmissions require more attention from the driver, thus increasing the chances for an accident). All of these factors reduce costs for the company.[37]
Top US trucking firms
[edit]As of May 2015, over 90.0% of companies in the United States long-distance freight trucking industry are owner-operators.[citation needed][38] Therefore, even the top corporate operators only hold a small share of the total market. According to the industry market research firm IBISWorld, J.B. Hunt Transport Services holds an estimated 2.5% market share, YRC Worldwide holds 1.8%, FedEx holds 1.6%, United Parcel Service of America owns 1.5%, and Con-way holds 1.4%.[39]
Top 10 trucking companies by revenue in 2015:[40]
Parent company | Primary service |
Public/ Private |
Revenue (millions) (2015) |
---|---|---|---|
UPS Freight | Parcel | Public | $29,829 |
FedEx Freight | Parcel | Public | $19,827 |
J.B. Hunt | FCL | Public | $6,188 |
YRC Worldwide | LTL | Public | $4,832 |
Swift Transportation | FCL & FTL | Public | $4,229 |
Hub Group | FCL | Public | $3,526 |
Schneider National | FCL & FTL | Public | $3,423 |
Landstar System | FTL | Public | $3,364 |
XPO, Inc. | FCL & LTL | Public | $3,273 |
Old Dominion Freight Line | LTL | Public | $2,788 |
Economic impact
[edit]The importance of trucking is communicated by the industry adage: "If you bought it, a truck brought it."[7][41] Retail stores, hospitals, gas stations, garbage disposal, construction sites, banks, and even a clean water supply depends entirely upon trucks to distribute vital cargo.[42] Even before a product reaches store shelves, the raw materials and other stages of production materials that go into manufacturing any given product are moved by trucks.[25]
Commercial Freight Activity in the US by Mode of Transportation | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Transportation mode | Estimates in millions | Relative shares in percents | ||
Value | Tons | Value | Tons | |
Truck | $9,075,000 | 11,712 | 69.5 | 60.1 |
Rail | $392,000 | 1,979 | 3.0 | 10.2 |
Water | $673,000 | 1,668 | 5.2 | 8.6 |
Pipeline | $896,000 | 3,529 | 6.9 | 18.1 |
Other modes (incl. air, intermodal) | $2,015,000 | 600 | 15.4 | 3.0 |
Total | $13,052,000 | 19,847 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
Source: 2002 estimate by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics[43] Note: Weights listed are measured in short tons. |
Today, railroads are primarily used to haul bulk quantities of cargo over long distances.[44] Unless a manufacturing or distribution facility has a direct connection to the railroad, the remainder of the trip must be handled by truck.[7] Recent implementation of "just in time" strategies have resulted in the increased use of trucks to help satisfy businesses' fluid inventory needs. Using this strategy, businesses gain the ability to reduce the costs associated with excess inventory and larger warehousing facilities by requiring more frequent deliveries.[45][46][47] According to an industry group, many retail, commercial, and government services require daily or weekly deliveries to keep supplies or merchandise on hand. Many hospitals have also moved to "just in time" inventory systems. The nation's busiest gas stations require deliveries of fuel several times per day, while the average station receives fuel every two to three days. Grocery stores require deliveries of perishable food items every two to three days.[42]
Trucks are vitally important to U.S. industry, however, measuring the impact of trucking on the economy is more difficult, because trucking services are so intertwined with all sectors of the economy. According to the measurable share of the economy that trucking represents, the industry directly contributes about 5 percent to the gross domestic product annually. In addition, the industry plays a critical support role for other transportation modes and for other sectors of the economy such as the resource, manufacturing, construction, and wholesale and retail trade industries.[25]
Within the energy industry, approximately 4 percent of crude oil and petroleum products were shipped by truck in 2012.[48] These shipments are handled by oil and gas logistics firms, which are midstream service providers that also handle transport by pipeline, rail, and barge. Dominant companies in this space include Aux Sable, Bridger Group, DCP Midstream, Enbridge Energy Partners, Enterprise Products Partners, Genesis Energy, Gibson Energy, Inergy Midstream, Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, Oneok Partners, Sunoco Logistics, Targa Midstream Services, TransCanada, and Williams Companies.
Agricultural products totaling $118,832,000, or 82.7 percent, were shipped by truck in 2007 (excluding animal feed, cereal grains, and forage products).[49][50] About half of that agricultural freight was shipped by for-hire trucks and half by private trucks.[49] More than 92 percent of prepared foods, including dairy products and prepared fruit, vegetable, and nut products, were moved by truck in 2007.[49][50]
Within the health care industry, trucking moved $501,445,000 worth, or 65 percent of the total value, of pharmaceutical products in 2007.[49]
Lumber and other wood products totaling $168,913,000 were shipped by truck in 2007, accounting for 91.9 percent of this class of product.[49]
Over 80 percent of all communities in the US rely exclusively on trucks to deliver all of their fuel, clothing, medicine, and other consumer goods. The trucking industry employs 10 million people (out of a total national population of 300 million)[51] in jobs that relate directly to trucking. The trucking industry is the industry of small business, considering 93 percent of interstate motor carriers (over 500,000) operate 20 or fewer trucks.[52]
Rules and regulations
[edit]A division of the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates nearly all aspects of the trucking industry.[53] In 2018, 885 large truck occupants died, while 4,678 people died in collisions with large trucks.[54] Truck drivers are limited by the number of daily and weekly hours they may drive, the roads and highways they may drive upon, and a lower legal definition of drunkenness. The Federal Highway Administration has established 0.04 percent as the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level at or above which a CMV driver is deemed to be driving under the influence of alcohol.[55] States maintain a BAC level between 0.08 and 0.10 percent for non-CMV drivers. In some states, trucks also have special speed limits, in addition to restrictions on driving in certain lanes (normally the far right lanes of multi-lane highways).[56]
Commercial driver's license
[edit]Trucks come in many different sizes, creating the need for a truck classification system. Truck drivers are required to have a commercial driver's license (CDL) to operate a CMV carrying more than 16 passengers, carrying a certain amount of hazardous materials, or weighing in excess of 26,000 pounds (12,000 kg).[57] Acquiring a CDL requires a skills test (driving test), and knowledge test (written test) covering the unique handling qualities of driving a large, heavily loaded 18-wheeler (e.g., backing maneuvers), and the mechanical systems required to operate such a vehicle (e.g., air brakes and vehicle inspection procedures).[58] It costs thousands of dollars to attend a CDL school.[59] One ATA survey found that 86% of truckload carriers had a formal relationship with a noncarrier CDL school; 88% of those had a relationship with a private, for-profit CDL school. Critics cite these relationships as evidence that CDL schools are driver mills for trucking companies.[59]
Hours of service
[edit]The FMCSA defines a CMV as a single or combination (truck and trailer) vehicle with a gross weight of 10,001 pounds (4,536 kg) or more, or a vehicle used to transport hazardous materials in quantities requiring the vehicle to be marked or placarded under the hazardous materials regulations.[60] The length of time a driver may spend operating a CMV is limited by a set of rules known as the hours of service (HOS). These laws are designed to protect the general motoring public by reducing accidents caused by driver fatigue.
The first version of the HOS was enacted in 1938, and four revisions have been made since.[61] The more recent revisions have relied on research into the human circadian rhythm (the tendency for humans to follow a natural 24-hour cycle with 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep).[61] As of July 1, 2013, a driver operating under federal property carrying regulations is limited to 11 hours of actual driving within a 14-hour period, and requires a 30-minute break during the first 8 hours of on duty time. After which drivers must rest for 10 hours.[62] The rules do not explicitly require that a driver must sleep, only that a driver must take a period of "rest" within the sleeper berth or off duty (i.e., at home). Distinct regulations exist for passenger carrying drivers as well as vehicles designed specifically for oilfield operations as well as construction related activities. Some US States also allow for special intrastate regulations to be followed if the vehicle is operating entirely within the bounds of the given state.
Keeping track of a driver's HOS requires the use of a log book.[63] A truck driver's log book is a legally defined form containing a grid outlining the 24-hour day into 15-minute increments. Drivers must specify where and when stops occur between driving shifts, what duties were performed (if any), along with the driver's name, truck number, company info, and other information. The driver must also present his or her log book to authorities upon request, for inspection. In lieu of a log book, a motor carrier may substitute an electronic on-board recorder to record the driver's hours.[64]
On December 16, 2019 a new (Electronic Logging Device) Mandate[65] will come into full force.[needs update] This new mandate requires that drivers utilize specifically designed electronic logging equipment which records driving time based upon a direct communication link with a vehicles engine. Once a vehicle reaches a speed of 5 mph it is considered to be "driving" and a vehicle must remain at a speed of zero mph in order for a driving event to be ended automatically.
Weight, size, and route restrictions
[edit]The FMCSA regulates the length, width, and weight limits of CMVs for interstate commercial traffic. Interstate commercial traffic is generally limited to a network of interstate freeways, U.S. highways and state highways known as the National Network (NN). Provided the truck remains on the NN, they are not subject to the state limits. State limits (which can be lower or higher than federal limits) come into effect for intrastate commercial traffic, provided the vehicle is not on the NN.[66]
There is no federal height limit, and states may set their own limits which range from 13 feet 6 inches (4.11 m) (mostly on the east coast) to 14 feet (4.3 m) (west coast).,[66] As a result, the majority of trucks are somewhere between 13 feet 6 inches (4.11 m) and 14 feet (4.3 m) high. Truck drivers are responsible for checking bridge height clearances (usually indicated by a warning sign) before passing underneath an overpass or entering a tunnel. Not having enough vertical clearance can result in a "top out" or "bridge hit," causing considerable traffic delays and costly repairs for the bridge or tunnel involved.[67][68]
The federal gross weight limit for a Class 8 truck is 80,000 pounds (36,000 kg) (combined weight of truck, trailer, and cargo) with axle weights limited to 12,000 pounds (5,400 kg) (steering axle) and 34,000 pounds (15,000 kg) (tandem axles). Truck drivers are responsible for checking their own vehicle's weight, usually by paying to be weighed at a truck stop scale. CMVs are subject to various state and federal laws regarding limitations on truck length (measured from bumper to bumper), and truck axle length (measured from axle to axle, or fifth wheel kingpin to axle for trailers). The relationship between axle weight and spacing, known as the Federal Bridge Gross Weight Formula, is designed to protect bridges.[69] Truck weights and sizes are checked by state authorities at a weigh station or port-of-entry.
Types of vehicles used in trucking
[edit]Tractor
[edit]The cab and drive axle portion of a large capacity truck and trailer. Since the primary purpose of the cab is to pull the trailer, it is rightly referred to as a tractor. The various kinds of tractors are yard, day, and sleepers.
When a tractor is operated without a trailer attached, it can be referred to as a bobtail.[70]
Flatbed
[edit]The flatbed is essentially a trailer without the enclosed portion on the back. The back or bed is flat and open.[71] These are often referred to as stake beds.
Dry van
[edit]An enclosed trailer 53 feet (16 m) long, although they can be shorter.[72]
Reefer
[edit]A refrigerated container is an insulated enclosed trailer typically 53 feet (16 m) in length. They have a stand-alone engine (usually ThermoKing or Carrier) unit mounted at the front or underside of the trailer to cool the cargo. They also have their own fuel tank as to not rely on a tractor for power. They can keep frozen down to −20 °F (−29 °C)
Panel van
[edit]The panel van comes in various sizes. As small as a mini-van and up to having a fairly large box on the bed of a truck. These are seen as box trucks.
Hotshot
[edit]Hotshot trucking is a more downsized version of semi trucking. In semi-trucking, most companies are larger sized companies with multiple trucks, trailers, drivers, etc., whereas, Hotshot trucking is typically single person companies run and operated by the driver themselves. Most hotshots are run using larger 1 ton and heavier Pickup trucks (ex,Ram 3500, Ford F-350, Chevrolet Silverado 3500). These are typically paired with larger fifth wheel trailers such as made by Big-Tex, PJ Trailers, Gatormade and Diamond-C. Most Hotshots run mixed freight and or vehicles, as do semi trucks. One big upside to Hotshot trucking is a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) is not required by law, so long as the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) does not exceed 26,000 total pounds (13 tons).[73]
Truck drivers
[edit]Definition
[edit]Truck drivers are persons employed as the operator of a CMV. CMVs can be of varying shapes and sizes, from 10,000-pound (4,500 kg) pickup trucks assigned to haul specialized or small quantities of freight, all the way up to 105,500-pound (47,900 kg) semi-trailer trucks. Trucks are assigned a class rating based upon the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). The facts in this section refer to drivers of "heavy duty" trucks (with a GVWR of at least 26,000 pounds (12,000 kg), which require a commercial driver's license to operate).[57]
Working environment
[edit]Truck drivers spend up to 11 hours per day driving, and up to 14 hours per day in driving, fueling, paperwork, vehicle inspections and repairs.[74] Long-haul drivers often spend weeks away from home, spending their time off and sleeping at truck stops or rest areas. Driving is relatively dangerous work, as truck drivers account for 12% and the highest total number of all work-related deaths, and are five times more likely to die on the job than the average worker.[75] Drivers lead generally risk-prone lifestyles due to smoking, lack of exercise, unhealthy eating and work-related injuries.[76] A survey by the National Institutes of Health found 67% of long-haul drivers were smokers or former smokers.[77] A global meta-analysis found that a large proportion of long-haul truckers take amphetamines to get through long shifts. Results varied by country, but in one study 30% of long-haul truckers admitted to amphetamine use while driving. A study that employed drug-testing found that 8% of the drivers tested positive for amphetamine use.[78]
Turnover
[edit]In 2006, the U.S. trucking industry employed 1.8 million drivers of heavy trucks.[79] A major problem for the long-haul trucking industry is that a large percentage of these drivers are aging, and are expected to retire. Very few new hires are expected in the near future, resulting in a driver shortage. As of 2005[update], within the long-haul sector, there is an estimated shortage of 20,000 drivers. That shortage was projected to increase to 111,000 by 2014,[80] however the actual shortage of truck drivers in 2014 was around 38,000.[81] The trucking industry (especially the long-haul sector) is also facing an image crisis due to the long working hours, long periods of time away from home, the dangerous nature of the work, and lower earnings than other labor (for example, 1% lower than construction in 2004).[80]
Employee turnover in long-haul trucking is notorious for being high. In the 4th quarter of 2005, turnover for the largest carriers in the industry reached a record 136%,[82] which means that for every 100 new employees hired, 136 quit their jobs. This results in a "revolving door" within most long-haul trucking companies, as drivers are constantly switching jobs or leaving the industry. In the short-haul and less-than-truckload (LTL) sectors, driver turnover is only around 15%,[83] mainly due to the better working conditions, higher pay, and unionized workers. One study suggests that larger companies with irregular routes, longer average haul, and older equipment experience much higher rates of driver turnover.[83] Some believe that the turnover benefits trucking companies by causing wages to be mostly entry-level.[59]
Serial killings
[edit]In 2009, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released the results of a five-year-long study (the Highway Serial Killings Initiative) investigating the unsolved murders of prostitutes, hitchhikers, and stranded motorists.[84] Over 500 female victims have been compiled in a database, most of whom were killed or discarded at truck stops, hotels, and roadsides. The FBI has speculated that many of these victims were murdered by long-haul truck drivers, some of whom may be serial killers. Investigators speculate that the easy access to potential victims, mobility, and lack of supervision enjoyed by long-haul truck drivers have contributed to this phenomenon. The head of the initiative, Michael Harrigan, says most of the victims lead high-risk lifestyles (e.g., prostitution) which left them particularly vulnerable. In 2004, the FBI began investigating a string of murders in which the victims were found along the Interstate 40 corridor in Oklahoma and several other states, which sparked the creation of the Highway Serial Killings Initiative.[85]
In response to the investigation, the executive vice president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, Todd Spencer, said "Truckers are just absolutely outraged that various media sources or the FBI would draw the conclusion that truckers are over-represented in the ranks of serial killers".[86]
Trade groups
[edit]- Women In Trucking Association, Inc
- Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association
- NorthAmerican Transportation Association
Trucking organizations
[edit]See also
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
References
[edit]- ^ "Topic: Trucking industry in the U.S." Statista.
- ^ "Legislation would allow 18 to 21-year-olds to drive interstate". FleetOwner. California. March 21, 2018. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
- ^ "A Detailed Overview of The Trucking Industry". Transportrankings.com. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
- ^ "The Trucking Industry: A Journey through History". truckdrivernews.com.
- ^ Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 (PDF) (Public Law 627). 84th United States Congress. 1956. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2022.
- ^ Motor Carrier Act of 1980 (Public Law 96-296). 96th United States Congress. 1980. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Winslow, Lance (April 26, 2007). "Truck Technologies of the Future" (PDF). Online Think Tank. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 8, 2007. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
- ^ "Summary of Adverse Impacts of Diesel Particulate Matter" (PDF). California Environmental Protection Agency. July 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 28, 2008. Retrieved April 14, 2008.
- ^ "Health Effects of Diesel Exhaust Particulate Matter" (PDF). California Environmental Protection Agency. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 7, 2007. Retrieved April 14, 2008.
- ^ "Biodiesel". U.S. Department of Energy / U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved February 8, 2008.
- ^ "Biodiesel is Part of the Solution to Decrease America's Dependence on Foreign Oil" (PDF). National Biodiesel Board. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 18, 2012. Retrieved March 12, 2008.
- ^ a b "Program Update: Introduction of Cleaner-burning Diesel Fuel Enables Advanced Pollution Control for Cars, Trucks and Buses". U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
- ^ "What is Acid Rain?". Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved April 13, 2008.
- ^ "Heavy-Duty Highway Diesel Program". U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved February 8, 2008.
- ^ "Idle Reduction". Environmental Protection Agency. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 13, 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
- ^ "Truck Stop Electrification". California Energy Commission. Archived from the original on August 8, 2007. Retrieved March 13, 2008.
- ^ "IdleAire Technologies". IdleAire Technologies Corp. Retrieved April 13, 2008.
- ^ "Shorepower Technologies". Shorepower Inc. Retrieved April 13, 2008.
- ^ Erica Gies (May 18, 2009). "Putting U.S. Trucking on a Diet". New York Times. Archived from the original on May 1, 2018. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
- ^ "EPA Unveils UPS Delivery Truck with 60 to 70% Higher Fuel Economy". The Student Operated Press. Archived from the original on July 28, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
- ^ "Diesel/electric trucks drawing attention". Knoxville News Sentinel Co. Archived from the original on September 7, 2008. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
- ^ Stinson, Jim (February 7, 2022). "Electric truck deployments could jump tenfold as interest surges, study says". Transport Dive.
- ^ Toll, Micah (April 24, 2018). "Regenerative braking: how it works and is it worth it in small EVs?". Electrek.
- ^ Schoettle, Brandon (October 2016). "A SURVEY OF FUEL ECONOMY AND FUEL USAGE BY HEAVY-DUTY TRUCK FLEETS" (PDF). ATRI-Online.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 10, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e "The Economic Impact Of Internet Usage In The Trucking Industry" (PDF). The E-conomy Project. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 9, 2008. Retrieved March 12, 2008.
- ^ "Escrow.com Adds Security to Moving and Shipping Transactions: Payment option protects consumers and shippers from fraud". Yahoo! News. February 26, 2013. Archived from the original on October 17, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
- ^ Alam, Maks; Fekpe, Edward; Majed, Mohammed (June 27, 2007). "FAF2 Freight Traffic Analysis". Federal Highway Administration Office of Freight Management and Operations. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
- ^ "2.2.2.5 Cost of Freight Inventory Delay". Work Zone Road User Costs - Concepts and Applications. U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration Office of Operations. December 2011. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
- ^ Danigelis, Alyssa (February 23, 2010). "Package Delivery Gains Citizen Shippers". Tech and Gadgets News. Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2014.
- ^ Shahan, Zachary (May 1, 2010). "Cheap and Green Shipping Service — CitizenShipper". Transport. CleanTechnica. Sustainable Enterprises Media, Inc. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
- ^ a b c Brown, Stewart (July 24, 2000). "Trucking Gets Sophisticated". CNNMoney.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2009. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
- ^ "A-2. Event-Driven Tools". Federal Highway Administration. Archived from the original on September 19, 2004. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
- ^ "MobileCom Wars". Heavy Duty Trucking. Archived from the original on October 30, 2006. Retrieved February 21, 2008.
- ^ Palmer-Derrien, Stephanie (June 24, 2021). "Freelancer acquires Aussie freight marketplace Loadshift for $7.7 million, as logistics tech sector heats up". www.smartcompany.com.au. Archived from the original on August 1, 2022.
- ^ "Con-way Truckload Company Profile". TruckFLIX Trucking Jobs. TruckFLIX. Archived from the original on January 5, 2008. Retrieved February 8, 2008.
- ^ "VuQube mobile satellite TV for truck and RV users". DieselBoss. Archived from the original on March 24, 2017. Retrieved March 17, 2008.
- ^ Mark O'Connell (March 2009). "Transmission Trends". Fleet Maintenance. ISSN 1528-7610. Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
- ^ "Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 2022" (PDF). Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics (2022): 13. December 2022 – via Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
- ^ Rivera, Edward (2015). Long-Distance Freight Trucking in the US (Report). IBISWorld Industry Report 48412.
- ^ "Top 50 Trucking Companies". JoC. 2015. Archived from the original on December 6, 2019. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
- ^ "Home". Ifyouboughtitatruckbroughtit.com. Archived from the original on May 16, 2008. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
- ^ a b "When Trucks Stop, America Stops" (PDF). American Trucking Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 11, 2007. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
- ^ "Table 1 - Commercial Freight Activity in the United States by Mode of Transportation: 2002". Freight in America. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. January 2006. Archived from the original on October 2, 2006. Retrieved February 7, 2008.
- ^ "Overview of U.S. Freight Railroads" (PDF). Association of American Railroads. January 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 5, 2003. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
- ^ "Beating the trucks at Just-in-Time. (short line railroads cooperating with new inventory systems)". HighBeam Research, Inc. Archived from the original on September 21, 2008. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
- ^ "Trucks vs Trains: making truckers pay more won't work". PDE Publications. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
- ^ Tully, Shawn (June 17, 1991). "Comeback Ahead for Railroads". CNNMoney.com. Archived from the original on February 29, 2008. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
- ^ Furchtgott-Roth, Diana (June 21, 2012). "Pipelines: The Safest Way to Move Fuel". RealClearMarkets. Archived from the original on April 15, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "Table 7. Shipment Characteristics by Two-Digit Commodity and Mode of Transportation for the United States: 2007]". Bureau of Transportation Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau. 2009. Archived from the original on June 22, 2013.
- ^ a b "Standard Classification of Transported Goods (SCTG) Commodity Codes" (PDF). Bureau of Transportation Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce. 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 23, 2013.
- ^ "U.S. and World Population Clocks - POPClocks". U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division. Archived from the original on March 17, 2008. Retrieved March 17, 2008.
- ^ "Notice and Request for Comments on the Office of Management and Budget's Proposed Bulletin on Peer Review and Information Quality 68 Federal Register 54023" (PDF). American Trucking Associations. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 9, 2008. Retrieved March 17, 2008.
- ^ "FMCSA's Strategy". Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Archived from the original on January 24, 2008. Retrieved February 3, 2008.
- ^ Hirsch, Jerry (October 22, 2019). "Trucking Fatalities Reach Highest Level in 30 years". Trucks.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2019.
- ^ "Part 382.201 Alcohol concentration". Part 382: Controlled Substances and Alcohol Use and Testing. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Archived from the original on July 15, 2007. Retrieved February 8, 2008.
- ^ "Heavy Trucks: Appendix 9 - Use of Lane Restrictions Involving Trucks". American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Archived from the original on February 21, 2009. Retrieved February 26, 2008.
- ^ a b "Subpart F — Vehicle Groups and Endorsements §383.91 Commercial motor vehicle groups". Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Archived from the original on September 22, 2008. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
- ^ "Appendix to Subpart G — Required Knowledge and Skills — Sample Guidelines". Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Archived from the original on September 27, 2006. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
- ^ a b c Viscelli, Steve (April 12, 2016). The big rig : trucking and the decline of the American dream. Oakland, California. pp. 33–38. ISBN 9780520962712. OCLC 945447558.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ "§390.5 Definitions". Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Archived from the original on March 31, 2008. Retrieved March 26, 2008.
- ^ a b "Hours of Service of Drivers; Driver Rest and Sleep for Safe Operations; Proposed Rule". Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Archived from the original on October 1, 2006. Retrieved February 16, 2008.
- ^ "Hours-of-Service Regulations - Effective July 1, 2013". Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Archived from the original on October 30, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2008.
- ^ "§395.8 Driver's record of duty status". Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Archived from the original on February 15, 2008. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "§395.15 Automatic on board recording devices". Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Archived from the original on April 3, 2008. Retrieved March 8, 2008.
- ^ "ELD (Electronic Logging Device) Mandate" (PDF). Federal Register. December 16, 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 29, 2019.
- ^ a b "Federal Size Regulations for Commercial Motor Vehicles" (PDF). Federal Highway Administration. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 15, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2008.
- ^ Belson, Ken (November 4, 2007). "When the Long-Haul Truck Hits a Bridge". New York Times. Archived from the original on August 1, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2008.
- ^ "Highway 95 bridge damaged by collision". Princeton Union-Eagle. Archived from the original on November 23, 2006. Retrieved March 11, 2008.
- ^ "Federal Bridge Gross Weight Formula" (PDF). Rand McNally. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 18, 2008. Retrieved February 8, 2008.
- ^ Bennett, Sean (February 2, 2010). Heavy Duty Truck Systems. Cengage Learning. p. 924. ISBN 978-1-111-78712-7.
- ^ Rob Scott Colson (2013). Trucks. PowerKids Press. p. 14. ISBN 978-1477700686.
- ^ L, Tongzon, Jose (July 8, 2022). Principles of International Logistics. Edward Elgar Publishing. p. 143. ISBN 978-1-80088-892-0.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "How Are GVWR and GCWR Related to Non-CDL Trucks?". Mickey Parts. June 6, 2019. Archived from the original on August 1, 2022. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
- ^ Security, United States Congress Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and (2012). Oversight of the Federal Truck Driver Hours-of-service Rules and Truck Safety: Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, United States Senate, One Hundred Tenth Congress, First Session, December 19, 2007. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 20.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Andrew T. Knestaut (Fall 1997). "Fatalities and Injuries Among Truck and Taxicab Drivers" (PDF). Compensation and Working Conditions. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 2, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2008.
- ^ "Chronically unhealthy truck drivers urged to get fit". CTVglobemedia. July 16, 2007. Archived from the original on August 1, 2022. Retrieved February 24, 2008.
- ^ Jain, NB; Hart, JE; Smith, TJ; Garshick, E; Laden, F (2006). "Smoking Behavior in Trucking Industry Workers". American Journal of Industrial Medicine. 49 (12): 1013–20. doi:10.1002/ajim.20399. PMC 1945044. PMID 17096359.
- ^ Girotto, Edmarlon; Mesas, Arthur Eumann; de Andrade, Selma Maffei; Birolim, Marcela Maria (October 21, 2013). "Psychoactive substance use by truck drivers: a systematic review". Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 71 (1): 71–76. doi:10.1136/oemed-2013-101452. ISSN 1351-0711. PMC 3888602. PMID 24145953.
- ^ "Truck Drivers and Drivers/Sales Workers". Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. December 18, 2007. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved January 25, 2008.
- ^ a b Global Insight, Inc. (May 2005). "The U.S. Truck Driver Shortage: Analysis and Forecasts" (PDF). U.S. General Services Administration. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 18, 2008. Retrieved February 4, 2008.
- ^ "Truck Driver Shortage Analysis" (PDF). Trucking.org. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 15, 2015.
- ^ Einat Paz-Frankel (April 2, 2006). "Truck driver turnover reaches record level". Memphis Business Journal. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ a b "Driver turnover and management policy: a survey of truckload irregular route motor carriers". Entrepreneur.com. Archived from the original on May 24, 2011. Retrieved February 17, 2008.
- ^ "Highway Serial Killings Initiative". FBI.
- ^ Scott Glover (April 5, 2009). "FBI database links long-haul truckers, serial killings". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 5, 2009. Retrieved April 5, 2009.
- ^ "Long-haul truckers suspected in many highway murders". McClatchy Newspapers. Tulsa World. May 9, 2009. Archived from the original on January 21, 2011. Retrieved August 2, 2009.