It is important to note that the 9/11 attack marked a major shift in how the United States operates internationally, conducts business, and functions internally. Although the changes in national security and foreign policy were the most noticeable after the attack, major changes took place in the motor carrier industry as well. The key responses of the industry were manifested in security measures at the cost of insurance and risk award changes, border crossing, and worsened efficiency, which is still present even today.
Firstly, the 9/11 attack had a profound and massive impact on insurance in the motor carrier industry. It is stated that higher insurance costs quadrupled the cost of truck tolls, made the trucking borderline unprofitable, and increased reliance on self-insurance (U.S. Department of Transportation. (2003). In other words, overnight, the industry became more expensive without any operational improvements. Secondly, border crossing became a lengthier process, which heavily hit the industry in its ability to deliver goods quickly. Some reports claim that almost 15 hours were added to the border crossing process (U.S. Department of Transportation. (2003). Thirdly, “all carriers fared worse following the attacks, but those carriers that changed strategies actually performed significantly worse than those that persisted with pre-9/11 strategies” (Atwater et al., 2011, p. 129). In other words, operational efficiency was significantly reduced. Today, these three factors are still visible because trucking is expensive due to elevated insurance costs, lengthy due to persistent border security measures, and inefficient due to poor performance.
In conclusion, the 9/11 attack had far-reaching effects on various industries, including the motor carrier industry. The industry responded to the attack with increased security measures, higher insurance costs, and lengthier border crossings, all of which continue to affect its operations today. The changes brought about by the attack have reshaped the industry’s functioning, and it is essential for stakeholders to understand the impact of the event on the industry’s present state.
References
Atwater, C., Gopalan, R., Lancioni, R., & Hunt, J. (2011). To change or not to change: How motor carriers responded following 9/11. Journal of Business Logistics, 31(2), 129-155. Web.
U.S. Department of Transportation. (2003). Evaluation of U.S. commercial motor carrier industry challenges and opportunities. Web.