LAS VEGAS, Nev. — A US research group has released its list of the top 10 critical issues facing the North American trucking industry, with the economy – not surprisingly – coming in at number one.

The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) surveyed of more than 5,000 trucking industry executives to compile the list.

The complete results were released at the 2009 Management Conference and Exhibition of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) meeting in Las Vegas.

The ATRI Top Industry Issues report also solicited and tabulated specific strategies for addressing each issue.

Government regulation, which officials said has been climbing the list since the survey started in 2005, came in at number two this year. Other issues included fuel, congestion, Hours-of-Service and the environment, while truck size and weight made its first appearance ever on the list.

The ATA, which commissions the survey, says the group will use the results “to better focus its advocacy role on behalf of the US trucking industry and ATA Federation stakeholders.”

“The annual ATRI survey proves invaluable in helping us chart a course of action for the future,” said ATA chairman Charles “Shorty” Whittington (Grammer Industries, Grammer, IN).

“On every legislative and regulatory topic, issues come and go so quickly today,” said Bill Graves, ATA president and CEO.  “If we’re not at the table with sound, science-based information and a common sense plan of action, then we’re going to get left behind, and saddled with solutions that have no bearing on moving America’s freight safely and efficiently.”