The trucking industry continues to grapple with a wide range of challenges-many of which have persisted for years. According to the latest data compiled by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), truck drivers and fleet operators are still reporting the same core concerns, even as the industry evolves and new issues emerge.

Since 2005, ATRI has conducted an annual survey to rank the top concerns facing the industry. While a few fresh challenges have surfaced in recent years, most of the top issues have remained unchanged, underscoring the industry's ongoing struggles with economic volatility, parking shortages, legal exposure, and compensation.

Below is a breakdown of the most pressing issues identified by the survey, and what they mean for the future of trucking.

1. The Economy: Still the #1 Concern

For the third year in a row, the economy has topped the list of industry concerns. Despite growth in some freight sectors, operational costs continue to rise, and uncertainty lingers around the freight market.

Key factors contributing to the concern include:

• Fuel price volatility
• Soaring insurance premiums
• High equipment costs
• Tariffs affecting parts and production

Economic uncertainty has caused a notable dip in new truck orders, as fleets hesitate to invest amid unstable conditions. Many industry stakeholders agree that a weak economy undermines growth, hiring, and fleet expansion.

2. Lawsuit Abuse: Rising Legal Pressures

Legal liability has become an increasingly urgent concern. ATRI’s findings reveal that lawsuit abuse is now one of the highest-ranking industry issues—marking a sharp increase in concern compared to prior years.

Problems cited include:

• Staged accidents
• Excessive jury verdicts ("nuclear verdicts")
• Third-party litigation funding
• Legal loopholes exploited by aggressive attorneys

Even as several states introduce tort reform legislation, the cost of doing business continues to rise due to legal exposure and skyrocketing insurance premiums.

3. Truck Parking: An Unsolved Crisis

Despite increased awareness and some state-level investments, truck parking remains a critical challenge. While the issue dropped slightly in the national rankings, in many regions it remains a top-three concern for drivers.

With only one legal parking spot available for every 11 trucks, drivers often face impossible choices: violate Hours of Service (HOS) rules or park in unsafe or unauthorized locations. Lack of safe parking directly affects driver safety, compliance, and mental health.

4. Driver Compensation: Not Keeping Pace

As inflation and cost of living continue to rise, driver wages have failed to keep up. Many drivers feel they are undercompensated given the demands of the job, including long hours, time away from home, and high personal risk.

Competitive pay has become a major factor in driver recruitment and retention. Fleets that fail to address compensation concerns risk high turnover and staffing shortages—issues already affecting large segments of the industry.

Additional Concerns Identified in the Survey

Beyond the top four, several other issues round out ATRI’s list of the top 10 industry concerns in 2026:

5. Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA)

FMCSA’s ongoing updates to CSA scoring and enforcement protocols continue to cause confusion and frustration among drivers and fleet managers alike.

6. English Language Proficiency Rules

New federal requirements have tightened language proficiency standards, which has limited access for non-native speakers, even if they are otherwise skilled and experienced drivers.

7. Emissions and Environmental Regulations

Tighter diesel emissions standards and new equipment mandates are making it harder for smaller fleets and independent owner-operators to stay compliant without incurring high costs.

8. Driver Training and Onboarding

Some carriers report that new entrants into the workforce are underprepared, highlighting the need for more standardized, high-quality training programs.

9. Technology and Automation

Many drivers remain wary of the increasing role of AI and autonomous technology in freight. While automation promises safety and efficiency, it also raises fears of job displacement and loss of human oversight.

10. Freight Market Volatility

Persistent fluctuations in freight rates, combined with capacity shifts and contract instability, continue to make it difficult for carriers and drivers to plan long-term.

Final Thoughts: Old Problems, New Pressures

The trucking industry of 2026 is marked by persistent challenges layered with new uncertainties. From economic instability to legal threats and evolving technology, drivers and carriers are navigating a complex environment.

While some of these issues-like truck parking and driver pay-have been on the list for years, others, such as emissions compliance and litigation abuse, are becoming more acute.

What remains clear is that sustainable, long-term solutions are needed. This includes investment in infrastructure, reform of legal processes, and a renewed focus on supporting the human side of the supply chain-America’s truck drivers.

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