ATRI Research Lays Foundation for Retaining Women Truck Drivers 

The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has recently conducted research on increasing the number of women truck drivers in the industry. By identifying six key challenges that women truck drivers face, the research outlines an action plan to make trucking careers more appealing to women. This research was prioritized by ATRI’s Research Advisory Committee in March 2023, recognizing the need to understand the obstacles faced by women drivers. The research provides specific strategies that the industry can adopt to address the low representation of women in trucking. 

ATRI’s research involved gathering input from thousands of truck drivers, motor carriers and truck driver training schools through surveys, interviews and focus groups with women drivers. This inclusive approach aimed to identify the underlying factors contributing to the challenges faced by women drivers and develop effective strategies to overcome these barriers to success. 

The research highlights various challenges identified by ATRI, including industry image and perception, completion of truck driver training schools, truck parking shortages, restroom access and gender harassment and discrimination. By addressing these challenges, the industry can create a more welcoming environment for women in trucking. 

One significant finding of the research is that women are attracted to driving careers due to the income potential. The trucking industry demonstrates better pay parity between women and men compared to other fields. This serves as a positive aspect that can be leveraged to attract more women to the industry. 

Furthermore, the analysis reveals that motor carriers implementing women-specific recruiting and retention initiatives have a higher percentage of women drivers (8.1%) compared to those without such initiatives (5.0%). The report provides detailed guidance on how fleets can implement these initiatives to increase the representation of women drivers. 

Overall, ATRI’s research provides valuable insights and actionable strategies for the industry to address the challenges faced by women truck drivers. By implementing the recommended approaches, the industry can create a more inclusive and appealing environment for women, leading to increased representation and retention of women in trucking careers. 

View the full report here.