Impact of COVID-19 on the Trucking Industry

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented changes in the trucking industry. 70% of all freight tonnage goes on trucks, including essential items such as food, medical supplies, and cleaning products. COVID-19 caused surges in demand for many of these products, impacting the trucking companies. Medical supplies, cleaning supplies, food, and even the COVID-19 vaccine itself rely on the trucking industry to be distributed across the nation, creating a new, increased demand for goods. The increase in demand caused a surge of trucks on the road, which is a good sign for the business, but at a cost to the drivers during these times. Closures due to the pandemic created problems for long-haul truckers who are on the road and need a place to rest, get gas, or buy food. Besides, truckers are now expected to work longer hours and make longer trips to meet the new demand. The limitations that the pandemic has created on the trucking industry have also affected the overall revenue. Trucking companies are reluctant to send trucks to highly impacted areas, even if those areas contribute most to the increased demand. This paper will explore the different ways that COVID-19 affected the trucking industry, how they responded, and how their response continues to affect the industry. © IEOM Society International.