The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has initiated a comprehensive study on the challenges facing women truck drivers.
The study also will focus on the barriers that discourage women from considering a career as a truck driver and strategies for overcoming industry issues.
Women comprise 8.1 percent of all U.S. truck drivers, and 2.7 percent of over-the-road truck drivers, according to previous ATRI research.
At its 2023 meeting, the ATRI Research Advisory Committee prioritized this new women-focused research initiative.
Research analyst Abbigail Huffman will lead the study and invites industry stakeholders who would like to be involved to participate.
The research will include national surveys and focus groups with women who are former truck drivers, veteran truck drivers, and new drivers. Researchers also will engage different groups of women to identify motivators and issues for women considering careers in trucking, and will collaborating with truck driver training schools to identify recruitment and training issues unique to women.
Certain fleets have substantially more women drivers than others. Researchers will survey and interview motor carriers to identify best practices in recruiting and retaining women truck drivers.
ATRI is a not-for-profit research organization engaged in research relating to freight transportation’s role in maintaining a safe, secure and efficient transportation system.