Top 5 Trends in Trucking

Top 5 Trends in Trucking - As an integral part of the trucking industry, you understandably want to keep updated on the top trucking trends for 2019.

1. Driver Shortage and Wages

The driver shortage remains the #1 challenge as reported by fleet owners. Some fleets say more than a third of their trucks were empty at any given time in the last year. One company even said that of the 800 drivers they interviewed, they only hired two – and neither one of them ever showed up for work, according to Trucking Info.

Driver wages are estimated to rise this year, with driver pay conditions being more in favor of drivers today than just a year ago.

2. New Data-Driven CSA

In terms of Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA), be on the lookout for more scientific based scores. The FMCSA rolled out CSA back in 2010 as a better way to determine which fleets should be targeted. However, while it was a solid idea in theory, it just didn’t live up to its promises in reality. In 2016, looking for a fix of the situation, Congress ordered that data kept from the public be looked over by the National Academies of Science. It was less than thrilled with the agency for its unscientific methods, recommending the use of Item Response Theory, currently used in standardized testing.

3. The Economy

The economic outlook now, compared with a year ago, isn’t as bright. In fact, it’s the second longest economic expansion in history. However, experts say there seems to be enough momentum to carry us through the first half of this year. Going into the second half, though, more challenges await. With troublesome economic indicators on the horizon, much remains to be seen in regards to factors like the stock and housing markets, tax cuts in favor of buybacks rather than capital investment, tariffs and trade wars, and more. As a result, experts are predicting a slowdown heading into 2020.

4. Drugs

Legalization of marijuana, whether for recreational or medicinal use, continues to spread all over the country, and even into Canada. The trucking industry is caught in an awkward position. On one side, you have positive public opinion and liberal state laws on cannabis. On the other, you have the federal government which takes a hard stance on marijuana. In fact, it still classifies it as one of the most dangerous illegal drugs around.

5. Regulatory Relief

The relationship has never been stronger between trucking lobbyists and the agency that regulates trucking. Last October, at the American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference and Exhibition, ATA chief Chris Spear applauded the unprecedented level of engagement that hasn’t been witnessed since the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration was introduced two decades ago.

The FMCSA recently granted the American Trucking Associations' petition to pre-empt duplicative and confusing state rest-break rules, with additional talk about the restoration of split-sleeper-berth flexibility.

Contact Taylor Oil

To learn more about top trucking industry news, contact Taylor Oil Co. today. We can offer information on our services, such as 24/7 on-site fueling, mobile fueling and tank rentals throughout the Northeast.