New ATRI Report: Top Issues in the Trucking Industry in 2025

ATRI 2025 Report Highlights Trucking’s Top Challenges

The ATRI report on the Top Industry Issues for 2025 lists the biggest challenges facing the U.S. trucking industry this year, including the economy, lawsuit reform, insurance costs, driver pay, and regulations. The report, released in October, includes survey data from drivers, fleet managers, and industry experts. The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) says the results show that trucking is still under pressure from weak freight demand, high costs, and shifting regulations. The report aims to guide policymakers and carriers toward realistic solutions. Still, many of the same problems from recent years remain unresolved.

Economy Still the Top Concern in the ATRI Report

The economy ranked as the number one issue in the ATRI report for the second year in a row. Many carriers said they continue to face slow freight volumes, higher operating costs, and low spot market rates.

The report suggests these factors may keep the freight market soft through early 2026. ATRI notes that carriers might delay buying new trucks or trailers until freight levels recover. Some fleets could also scale back operations or look for new markets to stay profitable.

Lawsuits and Insurance Costs Add Financial Strain

The ATRI report ranks lawsuit abuse and rising insurance premiums as major issues again this year. Carriers continue to deal with the impact of multimillion-dollar settlements, sometimes called “nuclear verdicts.”

ATRI says these lawsuits raise the cost of doing business for the entire industry. Insurance premiums have more than doubled over the past decade, according to the report. Carriers say that small companies are often hit the hardest.

The report notes that many in the industry hope state and federal reforms could reduce legal costs in the future. However, ATRI adds that such reforms will depend on new laws and court actions.

Driver Pay, Parking, and Regulations Remain Key Issues

Driver pay, truck parking, and federal regulations are still major concerns in the ATRI report. These issues continue to appear in the top five each year.

Even though wages have gone up in many fleets, inflation and inconsistent mileage pay have reduced drivers’ real earnings. The report suggests carriers may need to find new pay models that offer more consistency.

Truck parking also remains a serious problem. Despite new funding for parking projects in 2023, many drivers say they still lose time each day trying to find safe places to stop. The report notes that this lost time reduces productivity and adds stress.

Regulatory changes also made the top 10 list. Drivers and carriers are watching new rules on emissions, speed limiters, and compliance programs. ATRI notes that these regulations could increase operating costs and uncertainty in 2026.

New Topics Emerging in the 2025 ATRI Report

The 2025 ATRI report also introduces several newer topics that could shape the industry’s future.

Among them are English language standards for CDL testing, which have received more attention following federal enforcement actions. Environmental policy and diesel emissions rules also rank higher this year. Carriers are watching new proposals from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that may affect truck models and maintenance costs.

The report also highlights the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in fleet management and safety systems. Some carriers hope these tools can improve efficiency and reduce accidents. Others remain cautious about high costs and data privacy concerns.

Training and workforce development also entered the discussion. The trucking workforce continues to age, and the report suggests that attracting new drivers will remain a top priority.

How the ATRI Report Gathered the Data

The ATRI report is based on thousands of survey responses from across the U.S. Each group—drivers, carriers, and industry professionals—ranked their top concerns. ATRI then combined those results to form a national list.

The goal of the study is to help policymakers understand how current issues affect the people who move America’s freight. The institute also hopes the report can guide research into safety, costs, and driver training.

Looking Ahead to 2026

The 2025 ATRI report shows that the trucking industry continues to face many of the same problems as before. The economy, lawsuits, insurance costs, and driver concerns remain at the top.

ATRI suggests that if freight demand improves, financial pressure on carriers could ease in 2026. Even so, regulatory and legal challenges will likely continue to shape the industry. The report concludes that staying informed and flexible will be key for fleets and drivers moving forward.