Trucking Issues and Policy Challenges Kristen Monaco Department
- Slides: 11
Trucking: Issues and Policy Challenges Kristen Monaco Department of Economics California State University Long Beach
Issues n n n Capacity Hours of Service Driver Shortage? Other Labor Issues 2007 Engines Tolls
Trends in Total Miles (measured in billions) Source: calculations from Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey
Number of Heavy Freight Vehicles on the Road: 1977 -1997 Source: calculations from Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey
Hours of Service Regulations “Old” HOS Regulations n 15 hours total work time n 10 hours driving n 8 hour “rest break” n 60 hours in 7 days “New” HOS Regulations n 14 hours total work time n 11 hours driving n 10 hour “rest break” n 60 hours in 7 days n 34 hour “restart”
Hours of Service Regulations – Policy Issues and Challenges Perceived Benefits n Reduce idle time for drivers n 34 hour restart can increase productivity Problems n Lack of flexibility in 14 hour “hard stop” n 34 hour restart can compromise safety n Not fully achieving 24 hour cycle
Driver Shortage n n Evidence of shortage versus a churning problem? What industries/occupations provide in and out migration for trucking?
Trends in Number of Drivers Source: calculations from Current Population Survey
Hourly Earnings of Drivers (measured in 2000 dollars) Source: calculations from the Current Population Survey
Drayage at the Ports of LA and Long Beach – Wages and Hours of Drivers Hours n Mean: 11. 6 hours per day n Approximately 50 -60% is waiting time Wages n 87% are owner-operators n Mean income net of truck expenses in 2003: $29, 903 n Median income: $25, 000
Port Drayage and Efficient Port Operations n n n Will the number of available drivers increase without an increase in wages? What is the relationship between current port operations and safety? What will happen with a move to 24 hour operations?
