Since 2008 the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has annually published the report, Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking, to provide more accurate marginal cost data on motor carrier operations. In the literature review for the inaugural study in 2008, ATRI identified previous research that reported cost calculation findings ranging from $22 per hour to over $370 per hour1; figures which were considered unreasonably high or low by many in the trucking industry. Additionally, some of these studies calculated costs using highly subjective “value-of-time” calculations that may extend far beyond direct costs – resulting in dramatic variability for industry costs depending on the metrics used. Consequently, ATRI undertook research to document and quantify motor carriers’ key operational costs, stratified by fleet size, sector, and region of the country. The goal of the research was to accurately identify current operational costs based on real-world data provided directly from motor carriers. The resulting analyses could then be used by both motor carriers as a high level benchmarking tool, and by government agencies for various transportation impact calculations. This research was initially identified as a top research priority by ATRI’s Research Advisory Committee (RAC)2. The RAC sought to better inform policymakers on the impact that new and potentially inefficient transportation funding strategies could have on freight movement. The trucking industry, which is heavily reliant on the 4 million miles of public roadway in the United States3, has a vested interest in efficient, effective, and equitable funding and maintenance of the nation’s transportation system. Since its original publication in 2008, ATRI has received nearly 10,000 requests for the Analysis of the Operational Cost of Trucking reports. Based on this continued high demand for the research, ATRI updates the “ops cost” data on an annual basis, making minor adjustments and improvements to the data collection methodology as necessary. Over the years, these improvements have led to a more streamlined process for obtaining sensitive fleet cost data on an annual basis. This report includes the most recent 2014 cost data. This research is predicated on the need for current and accurate trucking industry operational cost data. Previous iterations of this research by ATRI in 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 20144 have resulted in more precise cost metrics over the years. Although previous studies conducted by consultants and academic entities have attempted to quantify these costs, the use of highly subjective value-of-time metrics produced immensely inconsistent results that were considered inaccurate or political by industry stakeholders. These disparate results can be detrimental to both the trucking industry and public sector transportation planners seeking objective, standardized data. For instance, lower operational cost estimates have been used to downplay the value or significance of certain transportation investments, while unreasonably high figures have been used to minimize the financial impact that innovative financing initiatives have on trucking companies and drivers. The result is a standardized survey methodology that captures and analyzes sensitive motor carrier operational costs. The data presented in this report reflects 2014 cost data collected from a wide range of motor carriers. With the addition of this 2014 data, ATRI now has seven complete years (2008 – 2014) of detailed operational cost data. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting