The ATRI (American Transportation Research Institute) just released its top 10 list of important issues U.S. truckers face today. The list was unveiled at the ATA’s 2008 Management Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans. Its no surprise that the cost of fuel and the overall economy topped the list in a survey of well over 5,000 executives in the trucking industry. Other issues listed include government regulations and highway funding along with congestion and tolls among others.

The ATA plans to utilize the survey results and various proposed strategies to better direct its advocacy on behalf of ATA Federation stakeholders and the U.S. trucking industry.

Charles Whittington, ATA Chairman, states that these annual surveys are invaluable when it comes to helping the organization properly plan for the future. ATA president and CEO Bill Graves, echoes the sentiments by saying that without these results and solutions, they would have no way to make sure the country’s freight is being transported safe and efficiently.