Opinion: Expecting Changes on the Road Ahead
b>By Patrick Quinn
i>Chairman
merican Trucking Associations
In the months prior to becoming chairman of American Trucking Associations, I had the honor of visiting seven of the annual state conventions — meetings that continually bring new light to the most important issues of the day. Listening to the discussions that took place both inside and outside those meetings further confirmed a belief that I have held since I began my career as a transportation attorney in 1971. Here is the fact and the challenge we all face:
Change is the one constant we can depend on in our industry. If you do not like change and you are unable to embrace change, you will find yourself left on the entrance ramp as the industry continues to move down the highway.
Whether it is historically high fuel prices, continued shortfalls in the driver population, an increasingly unstable and unpredictable litigation environment, the up-and-down economy, the updated hours of service or the upcoming diesel and engine regulations, the issues facing our industry are considerable.
No one in our industry has to face these challenges and others on the horizon alone. ATA has a deep understanding of today’s issues and a keen vision for what our industry will face in the future. The ATA continues to prove that unity offers additional strength.
Through the tireless efforts of Steve Williams, ATA’s immediate past chairman, and under the steady hand of our association’s president, Bill Graves, our federation is stronger than at any time in our history. Even with all the challenges that confront us as an industry, we have tremendous positive momentum. Over the next year, my challenge will be to continue building this momentum.
ATA has become a powerful and respected lobby because of the tremendous support of our membership. At the heart of these efforts is the continued work to further the positive image of our industry.
Image influences the power of perception and public opinion. As the first chairman of ATA’s Image and Communications Committee, I worked closely on the issues that affect the perception of our industry.
Our image as an industry should be vital to every motor carrier, because an erroneous public or governmental perception will only lead to mandated changes that harm the industry and the public we serve. ATA is constantly working to place the spotlight on the ways in which our members can further that image. We must continue to promote programs such as Highway Watch and Share the Road. These programs are difference-makers for the industry because they demonstrate a true sense of caring for all who use the highway. Yet, at the end of the day, it is the responsibility of every motor carrier to work to raise the bar on trucking’s image.
I am looking forward to opportunities to reach out to our membership over the next year and further discuss the issues of today and tomorrow. Industry estimates from earlier this year point to the reality that by 2016, demand for trucking transportation is projected to increase by nearly 35%.
And here is another reality: The anticipated need for trucking transportation is on a pace to grow 20 times faster than the highway infrastructure capacity being added. These numbers simply do not add up — especially when you consider that our current infrastructure is thousands upon thousands short in available parking spaces for trucks.
As part of my work with ATA over the next year, I want to make significant progress in addressing our infrastructure needs for the future. We cannot sit back and rest while the just-passed Highway Act runs its course. We need to look toward the next highway bill and seek out proactive and innovative solutions that can make a difference.
We need to think out of the box — and I’m not talking about a 53-foot dry van trailer. The numbers must add up: An increase in truck transportation by nearly 35% cannot be supported by only a 3% expansion of infrastructure.
Steve Williams has sounded this wake-up call during his term, and I want that call to echo even louder in the coming year. We must be proactive in the future in proposing solutions — not reacting to the imposition of solutions proposed by others. We must have productivity gains into the future.
Along with infrastructure, our dialogue must continue in finding answers to the driver shortage and how we as an industry will address the loss of 219,000 drivers who are scheduled to reach retirement age in the next 10 years. Who will be the new guard, the new knights of the road?
My focus over the next year is to listen to all our membership and work with you on making a difference. Over my career at U.S. Xpress, I’ve had the good fortune to be a part of a small carrier, a mid-sized operation and a publicly held corporation. I have viewed this industry from a number of perspectives. Along with change, one other constant in our industry is good people. I ask your help in ensuring that the good people of our industry receive the positive attention and recognition they deserve.
No matter what the miles in the next year present to us, I will be ready to serve and do my best for the good people of this industry.
Patrick Quinn is co-chairman and president of U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Chattanooga, Tenn., which provides truckload, intermodal and dedicated contract carriage services.
This opinion piece appears in the Oct. 24 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.
