103 Trucking Industry Facts We Bet You Never Knew
Gallery
The trucking industry is one of the major American industries.
The goods and materials are transferred from the manufacturing plants to retail centers. It contributes a large part to the economy.
About $791.7 billion is generated in the trucking industry. It is also a hub for employment as thousands of workers work in this industry.
In 2019, 80.4% of the freight bill of America came from trucking companies, and commercial trucks comprise 13.4% of all vehicles registered in the country. Many businesses rely on the trucking industry and the freight industry to transport their products. The trucking industry is essential and one of the leading transportation services.
However, the truck driver shortage is a problem because people often look for different alternatives. Continue reading for more trucking industry facts.
Trucking Industry: Overview
The number of truck drivers in the US is about 3.5 million.
The trucking industry travels over 93.5 million highway miles in the whole year. In the federal highway taxes, about 18 billion dollars were paid by commercial trucks. Trucks are used for interstate and intrastate transport of goods. The trucking industry is also used for carrying heavy furniture and cars.
Trucks are also given a license to travel between countries. In 2019, 67.7% of goods between the US and Canada were transported using trucks. Trade between Mexico was done using trucks. In 2019, the numbers jumped to 83.1%. 6.7% of the truck drivers are women.
Before automobiles were invented, most goods were carried through horse-driven vehicles or railroads. In the year 1930, the trucking industry started to gain momentum after World War I as there was a lot of construction of roads.
For the public's safety, the trucks had to be limited to specific hours, as they would disrupt people's security and normal functioning using the roads and other automobiles.
In the 1950s and 1960s, citizens contributed by their taxes to build highways and freeways, and the soo trucking industry became the primary medium of transport to carry freights from one place to another. This also meant that roads would be used less by the trucks and more on the freeways.
Trucking Industry: Market Size
The largest trucking industry in the United States is United Parcel Services.
In the trucking industry, there are many truck drivers, which contributes to the boost in the economy. About $30 billion in the economic industry is contributed by the truckers. 65% of pharmaceutical things, 91% of lumber, 92% of foods, and 83% of farming products are consumed by truckers.
115,000 miles per year on average is driven by truck drivers who are old and retire late. They cannot travel long distances, and that is the best they can average. This time rounds up to 2083 days. It is about five years of a person's lifetime.
Freight tonnage has increased by 70% in the U.S. There are around $3 million trucks overall in the United States. By the year 2022, the number of truck drivers will increase by 21%; the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts this.
Many of the trucking companies, about 97%, are small businesses, and most of the trucks have owner-operators. The trucking industry is essential in today's world.
The trucking industry pumps nearly $40 billion into the American economy. Truck driving is a less lucrative job option in today's world, with many people not opting for physical and hard labor jobs. But, in rural areas, truck driving is an easy way to earn money.
Is trucking a growing industry?
Some companies are rejecting trucking services from 3rd parties and are employing their own truck drivers.
The trucking industry is a rapidly growing industry. Many of the drivers are in the age range of 24 to 45. drivers under the age of 24 amount to only 4.9%. People in the age range of 45-54 amount to 29% of the truck driver population. About 29% of the population regards trucking as their possible outcome.
With the advent of different modes of transportation and automation, it can be said that the trucking industry has seen its heyday in the past, compared to today. There have been many shortages in terms of truck drivers, and people are not opting for that profession as much as they used to in the past.
The trucking industry also contributes a lot to the construction industry. The types of vehicles used in trucking are HotShot, Reefer, Dry Van, Panel Van, Tractor, Bobtail, and Flatbed.
Trucking Industry: Statistics
A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is required to drive buses and large trucks.
Dirt, concrete, rocks, and other construction materials are moved and carried by trucks. Handling such large equipment requires a lot of knowledge and training. The government regulates the driving hours of truck drivers of heavy trucks. The hours of the service should be adhered to by the commercial motor vehicle drivers.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration(FMCSA) issues the rules for interstate commercial driving. It also handles the safety of trucks and their drivers on the highway.
The United States Department of Transportation(USDOT) governs all transportation sectors such as shipping, airlines, trucking, and railroads. FMCSA is a branch of USDOT. The emission standards were revised in 2006 United States Environmental Protection Agency to improve air quality and reduce air pollutants.
The Importance Of The Trucking Industry
Many companies' productivity and operations have increased due to the trucking industry.
Satellite communication and navigation have eased the; labor done by truck drivers. Earlier, there used to be many mishaps and accidents owing to unlit highways and dangerous nighttime driving.
Now, the number of misfortunes happening is significantly less. The time and effort of drivers are reduced by a considerable amount. The heydays of the trucking industry were in the 1960s and 1970s.
When the price of fuel increased, there was a protest staged by truck drivers. The installation of highways made the trucking industry dominate the freight industry in the late 20th century and became an essential industry in the mode of transport in the U.S.
We Want Your Photos!
More for You
See All
Bachelor of Science specializing in Microbiology
Oluwatosin MichaelBachelor of Science specializing in Microbiology
With a Bachelor's in Microbiology from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Oluwatosin has honed his skills as an SEO content writer, editor, and growth manager. He has written articles, conducted extensive research, and optimized content for search engines. His expertise extends to leading link-building efforts and revising onboarding strategies.
Disclaimer
1) Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the Buy Now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published but we cannot guarantee that on the time of reading. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
2) At Kidadl, we strive to recommend the very best activities and events. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
3) Because we are an educational resource, we have quotes and facts about a range of historical and modern figures. We do not endorse the actions of or rhetoric of all the people included in these collections, but we think they are important for growing minds to learn about under the guidance of parents or guardians.
