Buoyed by declining unemployment and increased consumer spending, freight and freight revenue should expect brighter days ahead, according to a new forecast released by the American Trucking Associations (ATA). The report, titled “The ATA U.S. Freight Transportation Forecast to 2021,” anticipates a 25 percent growth in total freight tonnage in the next 10 years. Increased tonnage means increased revenue, and the report also projects that that will grow by nearly 70 percent by the year 2021. By that same year, the ATA sees a slight decline in freight moved by rail, but a more than 5 percent growth in air freight.

A new report released by the American Trucking Assns. (ATA) is forecasting bright days in the years ahead for freight and freight revenue. “The ATA U.S. Freight Transportation Forecast to 2021” predicts a 25% growth in total freight tonnage in ten years’ time.

“All modes of freight transportation were impacted by the ‘Great Recession,’ but I’m growing more optimistic about the long-term outlook,” said ATA chief economist Bob Costello. “There are certainly some risks, but I think better days do lie ahead for the freight hauling business.”

The report was conducted by IHS Global Insight and Martin Labbe Associates for ATA.

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