ATRI Releases Annual List of Top 100 Truck Bottlenecks
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 17, 2026 Contact: Rebecca Brewster (404) 247-8787 RBrewster@trucking.org Washington, DC – Today, the American Transportation Research
February 17, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 17, 2026 Contact: Rebecca Brewster (404) 247-8787 RBrewster@trucking.org Washington, DC – Today, the American Transportation Research
Today ATRI launched its recruitment of candidates for the 2027-2028 Research Advisory Committee. ATRI RAC members represent a diverse cross-section of the trucking industry, including motor carriers, industry suppliers, professional truck drivers, government and academia.
ATRI has released new research on the scope of tort litigation in the trucking industry and the factors that influence case outcomes. Also included are new updates on third-party litigation financing, carrier policies and procedures that impact the likelihood of lawsuits, whether Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations represent full compliance or minimum standards, and a new plaintiff focus on product liability suits.
ATRI is seeking motor carriers to participate in research on rising insurance costs and strategies for managing risk.
Trucking auto liability premiums rose by 36 percent per mile in the past 8 years amid persistent unprofitability for insurers, even as truck crashes declined over the past 4 years. In 2025, insurance cost/availability and lawsuit abuse, a primary contributor to rising insurance costs, were voted as the third- and second-greatest issues facing the trucking industry respectively.
ATRI has announced the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors:
Mike Ludwick, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bison USA, Winnipeg, MB
Michael Kiely, President, Global Government Affairs, UPS, Washington, DC
The appointments were made by ATRI Chairman of the Board Derek Leathers, Werner Enterprises Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
Today, ATRI released its 21st annual Top Industry Issues report that identifies the trucking industry’s leading issues. This year’s list includes the Economy, Lawsuit Abuse Reform, Insurance Cost and Availability, and Truck Parking. The list also debuts four first-time issues including English Language Proficiency for Drivers and Artificial Intelligence in Trucking.
The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has been engaged in critical transportation studies and operational tests since 1954. ATRI is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit research organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., with offices in Atlanta, Minneapolis, and Sacramento.
ATRI’s primary mission is to conduct transportation research, with an emphasis on the trucking industry’s essential role in a safe, efficient and viable transportation system. ATRI’s research focus areas include: Congestion and Mobility; Economic Analysis; Safety and Security; Technology and Operations; Environment; and Transportation Infrastructure.
ATRI’s extensive experience covers a broad range of commercial vehicle operations including leadership and/or participation in numerous national freight analyses, technology research initiatives and field operational tests.
ATRI presently manages the U.S. DOT’s Freight Mobility Program, and has provided freight mobility and performance measures technical assistance to 31 state DOTs and 11 of the 15 largest MPOs in the U.S. ATRI has received top research awards from ITS America, TIDA, University of Minnesota and the Institute of Transportation Engineers.