Descartes study shows transportation tech investment plans rise to 78% in 2026 from 53% in 2017
DSGX•North American transportation management technology investment plans rise
- Descartes benchmark survey shows North American TM technology investment plans rose to 78% in 2026 from 53% in 2017.
- Transportation’s strategic importance increased, with 85% viewing it as a competitive weapon or service differentiator versus 65% in 2017.
- AI remains early-stage at scale, used by 19% of shippers and 15% of LSPs; most are still piloting.
- Data quality leads barriers to scaling AI, cited by 45% of LSPs and 33% of shippers; integration complexity follows at 38%-39%.
- Freight cost management is the top current challenge; AI adoption and freight cost reduction rank as the top two-year priorities.
