ATRI Issues Report on Trucking and Security

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he American Transportation Research Institute and the University of Minnesota have jointly issued a report highlighting the role of trucking in national security and how security technologies can be incorporated into the trucking industry.

The report, “Homeland Security and the Trucking Industry,” documents developing trends in commercial vehicle operations pertaining to various economics and technology investments, and their impact on preparedness and security.

It provides an in-depth review of smart-card applications, biometric verification systems and cargo management devices. It also documents the security implications of such industry trends as the driver shortage as well as rising fuel and insurance costs.

“The trucking industry has instituted numerous precautions and taken the lead on various national freight security programs,” said Greg Owen, chief executive officer of Ability-TriModal Transportation Services. “But this report will help the trucking industry better target limited resources.”

ATRI and the University of Minnesota were contracted by truck manufacturer International Truck and Engine Corp. to analyze commercial vehicle operations and determine how new technologies and post-9/11 security programs and policies impact the operational environment of the trucking industry.

ATRI and the university’s Intelligent Transportation Systems Institute conducted a series of interviews, literature scans and analyses on security programs, industry trends and technology systems.

ATRI is a research arm of American Trucking Associations. A copy of the report is available on ATRI’s Web site at www.atri-online.org/research/results/index.htm, under the "Transportation Security" section.