Intrastate Trucking Deregulation: Have Both the Negative and Positive Impacts Been Overstated?

Recently, administrative and court decisions have been made which suggest that deregulation of intrastate trucking may soon become a reality in all US states. The results of a research project that addressed the issue of the likely impacts of deregulation of intrastate trucking are examined. It is strongly suggested that cost savings from deregulating intrastate trucking might be less substantial than recent studies suggest. On the other hand, a key argument in support of maintaining intrastate regulation - to maintain a certain quality and quantity of trucking service in small rural communities - is not supported by the research project's findings. Significant studies of the effects of regulation and deregulation of intrastate trucking are reviewed, and the actual administration of intrastate regulation in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska is investigated. The findings suggest that both the positive and negative impacts of the deregulation of intrastate trucking might have been overstated.