Truck tonnage continues to rise, albeit slowly, in the United States, but one economist said even moderate gains will have a greater impact on the industry now than in the past. The latest figures from the American Trucking Associations (ATA) show that freight rose 1.5 percent for July, a 7.4 percent improvement from July 2009. This marked the eighth consecutive month of year-over-year increases. Moderate gains like these are expected through the end of the year. Because of the reduction in supply, even slight improvements are actually more meaningful than they may appear.

ARLINGTON, Va. — US truck tonnage rose 1.5% in July, according to the latest figures from the American Trucking Associations (ATA).

The tonnage index was 7.4% better than July 2009, the ATA reports, and was the eighth consecutive month of year-over-year gains.

Tonnage is up 6.7% year-to-date over the same period in 2009.

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