Simple survival was the main objective for most of the country in 2009.  The trucking industry held on and hoped for the best. The events of 2009 were unprecedented as industry and individuals faced financial disaster.  With so many industries affected by the dramatic drop in finances, there was little the trucking industry could do to minimize damage to its own operations.  Overall the country saw over 1.4 million reported bankruptcy filings, both personal and corporate, to say nothing of the number of companies which simply closed up shop.  The overall decline in truck tonnage pushed many carriers out of the industry and forced others to operate on an even smaller shoe string. Fleet size shrunk and profits dropped as carriers looked for new and innovative ways to stay in business. Even truck stops disappeared as more states were forced to close them in the face of budget constraints.

The inauguration of Barack Obama changed the political landscape.  With a new administration we saw new leaders emerge in the different agencies, all with their own agenda.  Ray LaHood took over the helm at the DOT, after serving for many years on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and, after that, on the House Appropriations Committee.,Mr. LaHood has indicated that he will be leading a series of meetings throughout the country to assist in getting feedback on what is needed for the new highway bill.   Anna Ferro now leads the FMCSA and has set forth her own agenda for the coming decade, with a primary focus on safer operations of the trucks on the road.  The economic stimulus package moved monies into the country’s infrastructure. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act included a decidedly ambitious undertaking to improve infrastructure, approving funding for over 11,300 projects which is anticipated to create tens of thousands of jobs.

Change was the word for 2008.  The election of Barack Obama was a divining moment and change, whether welcomed or not, was on the way.  But while the election was expected to be the big story of the year, ultimately the catastrophic economic downturn knocked politics down the chart.  The tumultuous change in the economy was not welcome by any.  Freight demand has dropped considerably.  The credit crisis has affected both shippers and motor carriers. In an industry which is very competitive and operates on a thin profit margin, motor carriers are scrambling to revamp operations to survive the recession.  The development of ancillary and value added services to increase profit without substantial cost increase is considered a key element to the success of any motor carrier in the coming year.  The desire for corporate efficiency and high productivity, which was a core focus early in the year, is an absolute requirement now as it is not the way to grow, but rather the way to weather the storm.