A new study highlights the massive cost of congestion in the trucking industry. The American Transport Research Institute’s Cost of Congestion study shows that congestion is adding almost 110-billion dollars to the industry’s costs. Renee Amar, the executive director of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, says the problem is very prevalent in Louisiana.
“Very unfortunately, Louisiana was ranked in the top 10 of the nation for congestion areas this year, to the tune of about 3.6-billion dollars,” Amar said.
Amar says many factors contribute to the costs of congestion.
“You have truck drivers who end up having to sit on the road longer, and so you’re not able to pick up as many loads. Obviously, the diesel that you’re burning just by sitting in the middle of congestion,” Amar explained.
Amar says in the Baton Rouge area, a big cause for congestion is poorly designed roadways, and she gives an example that is currently being rectified.
“There is an exit and an entrance that when you get near College (Drive) that was not very well-designed at all, and it, itself, causes a significant amount of delaying congestion,” Amar said.
The overall cost of congestion is up 15-percent over last year. The study says the costs are the equivalent of more than 430-thousand commercial truck drivers sitting idle for an entire year.
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