On this episode of Nemo Nation, Dave Nemo and Jimmy Mac welcome Rebecca Brewster, President and COO of the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI). Rebecca shares insights from ATRI’s 21st annual Top Industry Issues survey, highlighting the differences between national and state-level concerns.

The discussion focuses on the state-specific reports for Virginia and New Jersey, revealing how local challenges shape the trucking industry. Virginia’s concerns center on workforce issues like driver shortages, retention, and diesel technician shortages, while truck parking also ranks high. New Jersey, on the other hand, highlights independent contractor status, cargo theft, and the emerging battery electric vehicle landscape as key issues.

Rebecca explains why drivers’ responses aren’t included in the state reports, emphasizing the unique perspectives of carriers, suppliers, and government stakeholders. She also compares how these state-level trends reflect broader national challenges in trucking.

This episode offers valuable insight for anyone in the trucking industry, from drivers and carriers to industry professionals looking to understand regional dynamics and prepare for the year ahead.

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