A recent report by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) revealed that the wait times for trucks loading or unloading at company facilities have slightly decreased this year, yet it continues to significantly impact the industry. The study found that out of the 39.3% of trucks experiencing delays, only 4.9% of drivers had to wait for more than four hours.

Truck wait times at company facilities, whether for pickup or delivery, affect both productivity and safety. Data indicates that drivers tend to speed up after delivering or picking up a load to make up for lost time, which increases the risk of accidents. Additionally, although most fleets have implemented detention fees, only 55% of these invoices are paid, resulting in considerable financial losses for both transportation companies and drivers.

In response, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced a new study to assess the impact of loading and unloading delays. This study will use data from electronic logging devices and telematics systems to analyze the frequency and severity of long wait times at company facilities, as well as potential technological solutions to mitigate these delays.

Despite these initiatives, the industry still faces significant challenges, as the detention of trucks and drivers during loading or unloading continues to affect drivers hours of service and their ability to meet subsequent delivery schedules on time. The efforts of the FMCSA and the recommendations from ATRI aim to reduce these losses and improve efficiency and safety in road transportation.