ARLINGTON, VA – A new study shows operational costs in trucking are on the rise again, at least south of the border.

The American Transportation Research Institute on Tuesday released the findings of its 2015 update to An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking.

It found the average marginal cost per mile in the U.S. during 2014 was US$1.70, an increase from the US$1.68 found in 2013.

Despite falling fuel prices, the rise in average operating costs in 2014 is attributed to an increase in equipment purchases, as well as driver wage increases driven by the ongoing driver shortage and the need to retain the industry’s most experienced professional drivers, according to the study.

The report was put together using financial data provided directly by motor carriers throughout the U.S., this research documents and analyzes trucking costs from 2008 through 2014 providing motor carriers with a high level benchmarking tool. ATRI’s report also documents average costs per hour, cost breakouts by industry sector, and operating cost comparisons by region of operations

“ATRI’s release of its annual Operational Costs of Trucking research is among our association members most eagerly anticipated. They understand and appreciate the value of ATRI’s operational cost analysis to their own fleet benchmarking and as such, are always willing participants when ATRI issues its call for cost data,” said Brenda Neville, president and CEO of the Iowa Motor Truck Association and a member of ATRI’s Research Advisory Committee.

ATRI is the non-profit research arm of the American Trucking Associations.

A copy of this report is available on the ATRI website.