LAS VEGAS, NV — A pending mandate for Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) is topping a list of the Top 10 critical issues facing North America’s trucking industry, as compiled by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI).

More than 65% of about 3,200 carriers and commercial drivers who responded to a recent survey were concerned about productivity impacts the devices might cause.

Hours of Service dropped from the top ranking it has held for the last three years, although uncertainty about a final Hours of Service rule remains.

The cumulative economic impact of trucking industry holds the third spot, reflecting the collective frustration with increasing and often costly regulatory requirements, ATRI said.

The lack of available truck parking moved to fourth place overall, and the state of the nation’s economy rounds out the top five concerns on the list.

“The results of ATRI’s survey reflect what I’ve heard from carriers and drivers as I’ve traveled the country this year on behalf of ATA,” said ATA Chairman Pat Thomas, senior vice president for state government affairs at UPS Inc. “The ever-increasing regulatory burdens placed on the industry, coupled with the sluggish economy, are creating challenges for trucking as we work hard to keep America moving forward.”

The remaining five issues were CSA safety ratings, the driver shortage, driver retention, infrastructure and congestion, and driver distrations.