WASHINGTON -- The top costs for truck owners continue to be diesel fuel-oil prices, driver wages and truck/trailer lease or purchase payments.

The American Transportation Research Institute released its latest analysis on the operational costs of trucking in the U.S.

"Operational costs are difficult to benchmark due to variations in the way companies account for different costs, however, the marketplace is in need of current data," said John Culp, chief financial officer for Maverick USA. "Some of the industry data being used today for infrastructure investment considerations is 10 years old or more."

Total marginal costs for the industry were $1.73 per mile and $83.68 per hour. Marginal costs were divided into vehicle- and driver-based.

The analysis of operational costs was based on marginal cost data that accrue from operating a truck for a mile or an hour in a standard operating environment. Fixed costs were not included, since they are generally unaffected by system impacts such as congestion or external factors such as fuel price fluctuations.

The research, which generated data from detailed carrier surveys and interviews, isolated dozens of cost centers for for-hire and private fleets.

The data that is being made publicly available includes marginal operational costs that are differentiated by major sectors, fleet sizes and geographic regions. Within those groupings, marginal costs are broken out by expense categories that include driver compensation, maintenance, fuel/oil, vehicle purchases/leases, tires, taxes, credentials and particular types of insurance, among others.

A summary of the findings is available on ATRI's website (click here). You also can order a full hard copy of the report at the website.