Transporeon Group Americas, Philadelphia, Pa., released its latest survey, "The North American Over-the-Road Transportation Survey: Q1 2018 Capacity & Pricing Update," which provides a real-world carrier perspective that exposes the issues causing carrier capacity challenges across trucking, logistics and the supply chain industry today.

"2018 is proving to be as challenging for shippers and carriers as the second half of 2017, since carriers are reporting capacity utilization rates of 95% and higher," says Florian Dussler, managing director and vice president Americas. "In 2017, the upcoming ELD mandate, driver shortages, chaotic weather, a strong economy and increased manufacturing output combined to put the highest demands on capacity in years."

Tight carrier capacity, driver shortage, and increased shipping volumes are creating price pressures that are certain to increase rates for some shippers in 2018. Carriers are looking forward to increasing rates and better data from ELDs and other sources that let them invoice for charges, such as unplanned wait times at loading or unloading locations.