In this economic climate, it is hard to believe any industry could be facing a worker shortage, much less the trucking industry. But the potential is there. According to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), the trucking industry has been dealing with a driver shortage, one that could have a ripple effect on supply and the economy.

An ATA-contracted report released in 2005 revealed that in the year prior, the industry suffered a shortage of 20,000 long-haul truck drivers. In the “absence of substantial market adjustments,” that figure could increase to 111,000 by 2014. Those are distressing numbers for an industry that relies on trucks to transport more than 75 percent of domestic goods. Side effects of a possible driver shortage escalation include consumers experiencing delays in getting the products they want or need, which, in turn, can negatively impact an already down economy. Since that report, things have been looking up in a way for carriers, with many say they now have more applications on hand than jobs.

Back in February of this year, the ATA released another study that pointed to compensation as a major factor in attracting and keeping drivers. ATA President Bill Graves said upon the release of the study: “Appropriately compensating and retaining top-notch drivers is a necessity for companies trying to weather the current economic storm.” As we can see, it’s all connected: the economy, compensation, employment, worker satisfaction, and so on. But there is little doubt that continuing to ensure drivers are adequately compensated can help mitigate any sort of projected shortfall in the long haul.

What else do you think the trucking industry needs to do to fix any future potential shortfall in truckers? Would better trucker health care be one way to help?