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April 5, 2000 9:20 AM, EDT

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Truckload carriers may be able to measure their performance against that of their peers if they get Department of Justice approval to collaborate on data measurements.

To alleviate concerns about anti-competitive activities, the Truckload Carriers Association will send a letter to DOJ officials later in April. The association will also enclose statements from shippers supporting TCA’s benchmarking goals as a way to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

The truckload organization hopes to get approval within three months and begin working with a consultant on such issues as sharing data on maintenance costs for each tractor, safety and environmental investments, and advertising cost. One key is finding a way to collect and disseminate the data without revealing competitors’ business secrets.

Dan England, chairman of C.R. England, Salt Lake City, chairs the TCA panel on benchmarking. He envisions a system called “Group of 20” — essentially top executives from similar types of trucking companies who meet to identify problems in the industry.

For the full story, see the Apr. 3 print edition of Transport Topics. .