ATRI analyzestrucking costs

Dec. 23, 2008
Total aggregate operational mean costs of trucking average $1.73 cents per mile or $83.68 per hour, according to an analysis sponsored by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) Advisory Committee.

Total aggregate operational mean costs of trucking average $1.73 cents per mile or $83.68 per hour, according to an analysis sponsored by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) Advisory Committee.

The research was conducted to provide more realistic inputs for the various freight and transportation programs and models currently in use.

The analysis of operational costs was based on marginal cost data that accrue from operating a truck for a mile or an hour in a standard operating environment. Fixed costs were not included since they are generally unaffected by system impacts such as congestion or external factors such as fuel price fluctuations, according to ATRI information.

The research, which generated data from detailed carrier surveys and interviews, isolated dozens of cost centers for for-hire and private fleets. The data that is being made publicly available includes marginal operational costs that are differentiated by major sectors, fleet sizes, and geographic regions. Within those groupings, marginal costs are broken out by expense categories that include driver compensation, maintenance, fuel/oil, vehicle purchases/leases, tires, taxes, credentials and particular types of insurance, among others.

"Transportation planners and managers in government need to have real-world, accurate data that isn't generated from speculation and anecdotes," according to Ed Miller, motor carrier policy officer with the Maryland Department of Transportation Office of Freight Logistics and ATRI RAC member. "This data can help us better understand the real impact of transportation policy changes on the trucking industry."

According to the information, vehicle-based marginal expenses included:

•Fuel-oil costs: .634 cent per mile or $33.00 per hour.

•Truck/trailer lease or purchase payments: .206 cents per mile or $10.72 per hour.

•Repair and maintenance: .092 cent per mile or $4.79 per hour.

•Fuel taxes: .062 cent per mile or $3.23 per hour.

•Truck insurance premiums: .06 cents per mile or $3.12 per hour.

•Tires: .03 cent per mile or $1.56 per hour.

•Licensing and overweight-oversize permits: .024 cent per mile or $1.25 per hour.

•Tolls: .019 cent per mile or $.99 per hour.

Driver-based marginal expenses included:

•Driver-based driver pay: .441 cent per mile or $16.59 per hour.

•Driver benefits: .126 cent per mile or $6.56 per hour.

•Driver bonus payments: .036 cent per mile or $1.87 per hour.

A summary of the findings is available on ATRI's Web site at atri-online.org. A copy of the full report can be ordered from ATRI through its Web site.