Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021:
ATRI seeks feedback on top industry issues
Owner-operators and other trucking industry stakeholders are being asked to rank their industry-related concerns, as well as potential strategies to address them.
The American Transportation Research Institute on Wednesday launched its annual Top Industry Issues Survey. Now in its 17th year, ATRI’s annual analysis not only ranks the issues overall, but also provides details on where critical topics are ranked differently by motor carriers and truck drivers.
“Completing this survey only takes a few minutes, but its impact can be immeasurable,” said American Trucking Associations Chair Sherri Garner Brumbaugh, president and CEO of Garner Transportation Group. “The data ATRI provides will chart the course for the industry by providing a clear picture of the landscape we face.”
The survey is available online here through Oct. 15. The results of the 2021 survey will be released Oct. 24 as part of ATA’s Management Conference & Exhibition in Nashville, Tennessee.
In 2020, drivers ranked truck parking as their No. 1 issue, followed by pay and detention.
Diesel prices hit 2021 high
Diesel fuel prices across the U.S. hit their highest point of 2021 during the week leading up to Labor Day, according to the Department of Energy’s weekly report.
The U.S.’ average price for a gallon of on-highway diesel now stands at $3.373, which is up 3.4 cents over the previous week. The previous high mark for 2021 was set during the week ending Aug. 2, when prices hit $3.367 per gallon. The most recent week’s national average is also the highest since October 2018.
Last week, the most significant increase in prices across the country was seen in the Gulf Coast region, where prices increased by 4.4 cents, followed by the Midwest region, which jumped by 4.3 cents.
The nation’s most expensive diesel is in California at $4.316 per gallon, followed by the West Coast less California region at $3.664 per gallon.
The cheapest fuel can be found in the Gulf Coast region at $3.104 per gallon, followed by the Lower Atlantic region at $3.24 per gallon.
Prices in other regions, according to DOE, are:
- New England – $3.285
- Central Atlantic – $3.483
- Midwest – $3.284
- Rocky Mountain – $3.645
ProMiles’ numbers during the same week saw fuel prices increase by 2.2 cents, bringing its national average to $3.277 per gallon.
According to ProMiles’ Fuel Surcharge Index, the most expensive diesel can be found in California at $4.263 per gallon, and the cheapest can be found in the Gulf Coast region at $3.047 per gallon.
Iowa 80 hosting more COVID vaccine clinics
Iowa 80 Truckstop has again partnered with Hy-Vee Pharmacy to offer an additional COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic on Sept. 16-17 from 4-6 p.m. both days. This clinic will be a walk-in only clinic and no appointments are needed.
The clinic will offer both the Pfizer and the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccines. It will be conducted on the third floor of the main truck stop building. Anyone 12 and older can receive the Pfizer vaccine, and anyone 18 and older can receive the J&J vaccine. Ages 12-17 need to have a legal guardian present.
Any questions about the vaccines should be directed to Hy-Vee Pharmacy at 563-359-3120.
