Truck driver detention at customer facilities cost the U.S. for-hire trucking industry $11.5 billion (all numbers US) in lost productivity and another $3.6 billion in direct expenses in 2023, according to a new report by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI).
The report—which surveyed 587 truck drivers and 245 motor carriers—highlights the operational and economic impacts of truck drivers being held at customer facilities for extended periods. Among the fleets surveyed, 30% were truckload fleets, 24% were refrigerated carriers, and 42% were specialized fleets.
In 2023, drivers reported being detained in 39.3% of all stops, with detention rates significantly higher for specific groups.
Women drivers experienced detention in 49.1% of their stops, while refrigerated trailers had the highest detention rates at 56.2% of stops. Drivers operating in the spot market also faced higher-than-average detention, with 42.5% of their stops being delayed.
“Detention is so common that many industry professionals have accepted it as inevitable without realizing the true extent of its costs,” said Chad England, C.R. England’s chief executive officer, in a related press release.
Driver detention trends show mixed improvements
While there have been moderate improvements in driver detention over the past decade, the issue remains a significant challenge for the trucking industry.
According to ATRI, the overall frequency of stops involving detention decreased by 6.5 percentage points between 2014 and 2023. There is an improvement in the duration of detention times, too, especially for detentions lasting more than two hours. These long delays became 11.4 percentage points less common over the decade. However, shorter detention times (up to two hours) increased by 4.9 percentage points, indicating that while extreme delays have decreased, shorter detentions remain widespread.
Detention trends by sector and gender
Sectoral differences also play a significant role in detention time per stop.
Drivers of refrigerated trailers face the most frequent detention, experiencing delays in 56.2% of stops in 2023. In contrast, truckload dry van drivers saw detention in 32.6% of their stops, flatbed drivers in 26.2%, and specialized drivers in 19.3% of stops. Detention times exceeding two hours occurred in 9.9% of all stops.
In terms of gender, last year women drivers faced detention more often and for more extended periods than men. While the gap in long detention times ( more than four hours) between men and women narrowed from 13.2 percentage points in 2014 to 5.4 percentage points in 2023, women experienced a 6.5 percentage point increase in shorter detention times (up to two hours).
“Though men and women drivers both experienced improvements in detention times over the past decade, this persistent gender discrepancy is an area of top concern, especially for motor carriers seeking to employ and retain more women,” the report reads.
Lost time, fuel consumption
In 2023, truck drivers lost between 117 and 209 hours annually to detention, depending on their sector.
Refrigerated drivers experienced the highest detention-related time losses, averaging 209.4 hours of lost time per year. Truckload drivers also faced significant delays, losing 173 hours annually to detention.
The time loss was still notable even in sectors with less frequent detention. Specialized carriers lost around 117 hours yearly due to customer facility delays. These delays contribute not only to reduced productivity but also to substantial fuel consumption.
In 2023, it was estimated that over 72 million gallons of diesel were wasted due to trucks idling during detention. This idling cost the trucking industry approximately $286.1 million, based on an average diesel price of $4.214 per gallon. Refrigerated trucks accounted for a significant portion of this fuel consumption, with an estimated 18.2 million gallons of diesel wasted while waiting at facilities.
Drivers frequently keep their engines running during detention due to inadequate facilities at customer locations, as only 22% of customers offer drivers a waiting area or lounge. Weather conditions also contribute to increased idling, as drivers keep their vehicles running to maintain cabin comfort in hot or cold conditions.
This fuel waste adds to the already substantial costs of detention, including lost productivity, idling wear on engines, and additional expenses for carriers who cannot fully recoup their losses from unpaid detention fees.
Fleets charge fees, but payment rates lag
Truck drivers are also losing significant income due to detention at customer facilities, with compensation often falling short of what they could earn while driving.
While 96.9% of fleets offer detention pay, it doesn’t fully cover the miles drivers would have earned on the road.
Drivers in the refrigerated sector were hit the hardest, losing an average of $1,283.62 annually to detention, followed by truckload drivers, who lost $889.22, and specialized drivers, who lost $640.38.
Though 94.5% of fleets charge detention fees, the report reveals that fewer than 50% of these invoices are paid. Truckload carriers, for instance, were paid on only 55% of their detention invoices, with 45% of charges going unpaid.
These figures underscore detention’s financial toll on drivers and fleets, with many carriers struggling to recoup lost revenue from customer delays.
Even when detention fees are paid, they often fall short of the revenue that could have been earned if the truck had been moving. The average trucking revenue per hour (excluding fuel) is $99.54 for truckload carriers, while the average detention fee charged is only $50 per hour.
Safety concerns rise as detention leads to faster driving
ATRI’s report also highlights a troubling link between detention and unsafe driving practices. Trucks that were detained drove 14.6% faster on average after leaving facilities compared to trucks that were not detained. Interestingly, drivers also tended to drive faster on their way to facilities known for detention, further raising safety concerns.
As Hours-of-Service (HOS) regulations limit drivers to a maximum of 14 on-duty hours, delays at customer facilities create cascading operational challenges. More than half of surveyed truckload drivers reported running out of HOS time while waiting at customer facilities in 2023, disrupting their schedules and increasing pressure to meet deadlines.
Credit: Source link
