On this edition of Road Gang Radio, host Jimmy Mac welcomes Abbigail Huffman, Research Analyst at the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI).

Abbigail joins us to discuss ATRI’s latest report, Evolving Truck Driver Demographics: Issues and Opportunities. This research provides fresh insights into the makeup of today’s trucking workforce and highlights opportunities for the future of the industry.

Read the press release here: ATRI Announcement

Learn more about ATRI: http://atri-online.org/

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ATRI Senior Research Associate Alex Leslie joins Jimmy Mac on Road Gang Radio for an in-depth look at the 2025 Operational Costs of Trucking Report, released July 1st.

Trucking is facing a tough road ahead. Profitability is being severely squeezed by a mix of rising costs and falling freight rates—and Alex is here to break it all down. From fuel and driver wages to equipment and insurance, the latest ATRI report details what’s hurting fleets and what trends are shaping the industry’s financial future.

Catch the full conversation, key takeaways from the report, and what it all means for drivers, carriers, and the road ahead.

The diesel technician shortage is reaching a breaking point—and it’s putting the entire trucking industry at risk. Jimmy Mac sits down with Alex Leslie, Senior Research Associate at the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), to unpack the findings of ATRI’s latest report on why fleets can’t recruit or retain enough qualified diesel techs.

From training gaps and outdated curriculum to tool costs and uninspiring work environments, Leslie breaks down the root causes of the shortage—and what shops, schools, and fleets can do to fix it. Whether you're behind the wheel or under the hood, this conversation is essential for understanding where the trucking workforce goes from here.