Arlington, VA — The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has officially launched its recruitment drive for the 2025-2026 Research Advisory Committee (RAC), inviting professional drivers, executives, and academics to influence the upcoming national research agenda. This committee serves as the primary engine behind ATRI’s data-driven projects, which frequently provide the groundwork for future FMCSA regulations and industry best practices.

Since the committee was established in 2002, more than 220 industry professionals have participated in identifying the most pressing challenges facing the trucking sector. The institute relies on this diverse group to prioritize research topics, ranging from infrastructure bottlenecks to driver safety initiatives. By opening a standardized online application portal, ATRI aims to streamline the selection process and ensure that the voices of those actively working in the industry are represented before the Board of Directors makes final appointments.

Members selected for the upcoming term commit to a two-year tenure. Responsibilities include attending a mandatory annual in-person meeting and participating in periodic research webinars throughout the year. ATRI President Rebecca Brewster noted that this committee appointment remains one of the most prestigious roles in the industry, as it grants stakeholders a direct line to the research that shapes carrier operations and public policy. Applications are currently open, with the Board of Directors scheduled to review candidate files next summer.

What This Means for Drivers

For the average CDL-A driver or owner-operator, the RAC represents a rare opportunity to move beyond complaining about industry issues and actually help fund the data needed to fix them. Research projects championed by this committee often result in white papers that influence state and federal lawmakers. If you are tired of seeing policy decisions made by people who have never sat in a cab, this committee is the venue to provide the ground-level perspective required for effective advocacy. Those interested in nominating a peer or applying themselves can find the portal through ATRI’s website.

Industry Reaction

The trucking industry has long looked to ATRI as a neutral, data-heavy source for solving complex logistical puzzles. By mixing academics with government officials and actual drivers, the institute ensures that its reports carry weight in the halls of Congress and within the boardrooms of the largest trucking companies hiring today. This collaborative approach prevents the research from becoming too theoretical, keeping the focus firmly on the realities of the road and the economic pressures affecting modern freight movement.

Key Points

• The Research Advisory Committee (RAC) has appointed over 220 members since 2002.
• Selected members serve a two-year term involving in-person meetings and research webinars.
• A new online application portal is now available for interested individuals and nominations.
• The Board of Directors will review all applications for the 2025-2026 cycle during the summer of 2026.

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