š Read the full study in theĀ International Journal of Forest Engineering, Vol. 36 (2025): https://doi.org/10.1080/14942119.2024.2448936 or contact Dr. Joe Conrad for more information.
The forest products industry in the US South relies heavily on log trucks to move raw timber from forests to mills. But how does this specialized sector compare to general freight trucking? A 2025 review by Jack Derochers, Joe Conrad, and researchers from UGA and the USDA Forest Service provides a comprehensive comparison.
Log trucks are typically older, less fuel-efficient, and operate in smaller fleets than general freight carriers. These smaller operations face higher insurance premiums and fuel costs due to lack of scale. Driver shortages are more acute in logging, with most drivers over 40 and few under 30 entering the workforce. Wages and benefits lag behind general trucking, making recruitment even harder.
Safety is another concern. General freight fleets increasingly adopt technologies like automatic emergency braking and forward collision warnings. However, only a small fraction of log trucks use these systems, despite evidence that they reduce crash rates and insurance costs.
The study also highlights regulatory barriers. Log trucks often avoid interstate highways due to lower federal weight limits, forcing them onto local roads which require more stops and turns, thereby increasing collision potential. Allowing state-legal weights on interstates could reduce crashes, fuel use, and emissions.
For forest industry professionals, this research is a wake-up call. Transportation is a major cost driver; up to 40% of delivered wood costs in some cases. Improving efficiency, safety, and workforce conditions in log trucking is essential to maintaining a competitive and sustainable supply chain.
š²Potential solutions to improve the log truck industry include:
- Investing in newer, safer trucks
- Expanding safety tech adoption
- Improving driver compensation and training
- Advocating for regulatory reforms
This study offers a roadmap for modernizing timber transportationāand securing the future of forestry in the US South.
