"Who better than a national network of professional van operators to say which truckstop, motor oil or brand of tire is best?" said Glen Dunkerson, Atlas World Group chairman and CEO. "These are the things they live with every day, and the King of the Road survey lets them share their knowledge and experience with the rest of us."
Some of this year's survey's highlights include:
Staying healthy on the road. Nearly two-thirds of respondents said maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the biggest challenge of life on the road (56% said eating right and 24% said getting enough exercise were their greatest hurdles); however, results indicate many van operators are doing what they can to stay fit by walking/running at truckstops (37%) and choosing water (71%) and fresh fruit (36%) as their No. 1 drink and snack. They're also eating healthier. Subway, which is promoted as a healthy fast-food alternative, was the most popular restaurant by far, besting runners-up KFC and Wendy's.
Going green. As more and more Americans go green, Atlas professional van operators, too, are doing their part to reduce their carbon footprints. Nearly all respondents (94%) reported doing more to protect the environment, including recycling whenever possible (38%), drinking from reusable containers (28%), and using biodiesel fuel (12%). A third of respondents use systems designed to reduce engine idling time.
The modern tech-savvy van operator. The days of the CB radio are fading, replaced by cell phones, which nearly all (95%) respondents reported as their preferred method of communication. Over a third of van operators have daily access to a computer, and more than half use a computer once a week or more. Blackberries and other mobile devices, a staple of the modern boardroom, are gaining popularity on the highways, too14% of van operators said they use these devices, up from 7% a year ago.
Results:
What is your favorite truck stop chain? (335 respondents - Exceeds 100% due to multiple responses)
44% Petro. 24% Flying J. 21% Pilot. 16% TA (Truckstops of America). 10% Love's. 1% AMBEST. 1% Other (cheepest fuel price/closest). Who has the best coffee? (282 respondents)
43% Dunkin' Donuts. 21% McDonald's. 20% Starbucks. 12% Truckstops/Gas stations. 9% Other (me, my wife, 7-Eleven, Flavia, Hill's Bros., Tully's, Waffle House, etc.) What is your favorite fast food restaurant? (334 respondents - Exceeds 100% due to multiple responses).
32% Subway. 15% Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). 15% Wendy's. 13% Arby's. 11% Taco Bell. 9% McDonald's. 6% Hardee's. 6% Burger King. 6% Other (Popeyes, In-N-Out, Jack-in-the-Box, etc.). 8% I don't eat fast food. More results:
Most scenic highway: I-70. Most boring highway: I-10. State with the best rest stops: Florida. Favorite hotel chain: Super 8. Most effective antacid: Tums. Best tractor: Kenworth. Favorite motor oil: Shell Rotella. Best tires: Bridgestone. This year's survey includes responses from 340 professional van operators representing 43 states. Atlas has conducted the annual survey since 2003, announcing the results each September to coincide with ROAD Day, a national day of recognition for its professional van operators. This year's ROAD Day events will take place on September 22.
Click hereto view complete survey results.
Atlas Van Lines is the largest subsidiary of Atlas World Group, an Evansville, Ind.-based company that posted revenues of $908 million in 2008. Atlas World Group companies employ nearly 700 people throughout North America. More than 500 Atlas interstate agents in the United States and Canada specialize in corporate employee relocation and in the transportation of high-value items such as electronics, fine art and new fixtures and furniture.
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