The secret to surviving a down market

Plus: What to consider before your next tech investment

What can trucking leaders learn from fellow fleet owners? Today, we're sharing examples of how one fleet uses AI and how another slashed driver turnover by 15%.

Plus, the American Transportation Research Institute wants to know the top issues you see in the industry.

First though, is this a trailer or a work of art? (Or why not both!)

ROADSIDE READS

Taking notes. We're reading the case study of one trucking company that cut down its driver turnover by 15%.

Disney in Iowa? Check out this video of the world's largest truck stop, located along I-80 in Iowa. The stop is sometimes referred to as "Disney World for truckers."

Good and bad. This reel keeps it, well, real when it comes to the ups and downs of trucking.

Pop quiz. Test your knowledge of iconic Hollywood films and the trucks they feature with a fun quiz 🎬

IN NUMBERS

56%

The number of companies that rely on third-party organizations to support their logistics.

Source: Tech.co

INDUSTRY VOICES

Could better safety enforcement improve trucking's image?

"When unqualified drivers are allowed behind the wheel, they tarnish the reputation of the entire industry and undermine public trust."

That's the message from Chris Spear, president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations. His organization is calling for greater, more uniform enforcement of safety regulations, especially in light of the recent tragic crash in Florida.

Spear says the problem isn't a lack of drivers per se, but a lack of qualified drivers who meet high standards and a lack of enforcement to ensure drivers meet the standards necessary to keep the industry safe.

Why this matters: Trucking, as an industry, already struggles with its reputation among the general public and potential recruits. The image problem could persist if standards vary from state to state, especially if the result is a fatal crash.

Get more details at American Trucking Associations.

FAST LANE

OPPOSING VIEWS: OOIDA, ATA at odds over highway bill issues

COURT LOSS: Federal court rules many Trump tariffs are illegal

DRUG CHANGE: DOT proposes adding fentanyl to drug-testing panels

SURVEY SAYS: ATRI calls for industry to name top issues

NEW TECH: Volvo adds start/stop for heavy-duty diesel engines

BIG PRIZE: Pilot to give Kenworth truck, $50K to Road Warrior winner

ROAD REPORT

Preparing for the long game in the trucking industry

Trucking's current conditions and near-term future continue to look grim, with tariffs hurting demand, rates at years-long lows and the equipment market showing weakness. So, how does a fleet handle it all? Experts say trucking companies should build financial buffers, get a sense of tariff exposure on their business and position themselves to adapt to change when it eventually does come.

Why this matters: Planning for the future may seem impossible in an environment with razor-thin margins and rock-bottom rates. But the trucking leaders who can get out of purely survival mode and manage to think beyond the next few days and months will likely be in better shape to start winning business when the market turns. (Fleet Equipment Magazine)

CONNECTED FLEET

The key factors Saia evaluates before a tech/AI investment

LTL carrier Saia likes to think of itself as a nimble and forward-looking business, but it's also cautious to look beyond the hype before it picks an AI or tech solution. The elements it considers: productivity and efficiency benefits, enhanced visibility, predictive capabilities, and whether the tech fits its customer-first strategy.

Why this matters: Saia's strategy can serve as a lesson to other trucking fleets looking to implement technology. By establishing the parameters of what's most important, trucking leaders can guide their decision-making and determine which tech is—and isn't—right for their specific business. (Trucking Dive)