According to a new report, railroads are positioned to rebound faster than any other mode of shipping, both because of the wide variety of industries it supports and market confidence signaled by recent investments. The less-than-truckload (LTL) market is struggling due to low pricing, but analysts speculate that is a move to weed out the carriers who are Continue Reading

Though the year-over-year freight index is down, the Freight Transportation Services Index increased 2.9 percent since June 2009. Those gains have come since the Freight TSI’s lowest level since June 1997, which was May 2009. The index hit its peak in May 2006 with a Freight TSI of 112.9. 2009 ended with a December Freight TSI of Continue Reading

The Department of Energy’s monthly short-term energy outlook projects that diesel fuel will average nearly $3 a year before eclipsing that mark in 2011. Gasoline will rise to $2.84 a gallon this year from $2.35 last year and continue climbing to an average $2.97 in 2011, DOE said, pinning the gain to projected higher crude Continue Reading

The Department of Transportation recieved requests for more than 40 times the amount of the $1.5 billion it doled out to TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grants, but the government agency said those projects it OK’d would create jobs and spur lasting economic growth, reduce gridlock for Continue Reading

Industry analysts continue to point to mid-2010 as the point at which dramatic improvements needed to boost truck sales will take place. According to ACT Research Co. (ACT), the trucking industry will strengthen in the second half of the year, in turn boosting demand for commercial vehicles later in 2010 and into 2011. With used truck values increasing and finance firms less likely to extend credit to keep struggling carriers Continue Reading

According to speakers on a recent webcast presented by the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) and Fleet Owner, distractions that disrupt driving are often so random and responding to them almost voluntary that managing their number and training drivers to be more aware of them is the best method to boosting safety on the road. Even in testing, drivers showed no Continue Reading

For the 18th straight year, Memphis International Airport held its position as the world’s busiest for cargo. Before the recession dampened global demand, some had predicted that Hong Kong could overtake the Tennessee airport. FedEx Corp.’s home airport actually widened the gap with Hong Kong, due to a drop in shipments from Continue Reading

Total net orders for Class 8 trucks have reached their lowest levels since July of 2002, giving some analysts hope that perhaps that number has hit bottom. While it may have reach the point at which it will post gains, market researchers tend to think it may have a lot more to do with the hefty price tags 2010-emission compliant equipment carries, not to mention the uncertainty Continue Reading

New state and local idling regulations in Illinois, New Jersey and Ohio have been posted to the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI)’s website. These updated regulations are made available as a cab card form that can be download or viewed online. Recent updates include enactment of Continue Reading

The outlook for growth in truck tonnage for 2010 is modest at best, according to trucking groups and research analysts, affected mostly by continued sluggish consumer spending and business investment. Still, they say, the trucking industry is headed in the right direction, albeit slowly. Anticipated modest increases will help move the Continue Reading