ATRI Finds Truck Drivers Detained on 39% of Deliveries
A recent report highlights the significant costs associated with driver detention at customer facilities in 2023. The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) study examines the impact of driver detention on fleets, truck drivers, and the U.S. supply chain last year.
A key finding from the report is the link between detention time and increased truck speeds. According to ATRI’s GPS data analysis, detained trucks averaged 14.6% faster speeds compared to undetained trucks. The study also noted that trucks tended to drive faster on routes to facilities where they expected to be detained, suggesting drivers are aware of which facilities are likely to cause delays.
Image: American Transportation Research Institute
The study revealed that truck drivers experienced detention at shipper and receiver facilities for 117 to 209 hours annually, totaling 135 million hours of detention in 2023. Additionally, detention occurred at 39.3% of all stops, with higher rates observed among women drivers (49.1%), refrigerated trailer drivers (56.2%), and fleets operating in the spot market (42.5%).
ATRI's report also noted that 44% of customer facilities do not provide restroom access during detention, and 78% lack amenities such as lounges or waiting areas for drivers.
The study found that although 94.5% of trucking companies charge detention fees, less than half of these invoices are paid, leading to industry losses of $3.6 billion in direct expenses and $11.5 billion in lost productivity in 2023.