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

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

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

The improving quality of trucks may mean that truckload carriers extend their trade cycles, according to executives at the Heavy Duty Dialogue conference for truck and component manufacturers. But, though some fleets may delay their truck-buying for a few additional years, there are others who pursue “MegaTruck” specs that would Continue Reading

Even in today’s eco-friendlier world, not even the assistance of the EPA could the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) get the green light on regulation changes that could help reduce emissions in North America. Apparently, national security even trumps the going green effort. At issue is Continue Reading

Four of the Federal Reserve’s 12 districts, including Atlanta, Cleveland, Dallas an Richmond, reported improved transportation activity for the period between mid-November and early January. Though its latest “beige book” reports that though the transportation sector is improving, economic activity remained low. Compiled eight times a year, beige book reports are based Continue Reading

Though a shift to moving freight by rail is gaining steam, one analyst says that too much of a shift would actually expend more energy, rather than conserve it. A report from research firm FTR Associates urges an examination of the entire transportation system, utilizing rail to help reduce emissions and holding it to stricter Continue Reading

By converting over 14 billion highway miles to rail, which would reduce CO2 emissions by almost 20 million tons and fuel consumption by nearly 2 billion gallons, the National Gateway, a multi-state public-private partnership will connect Mid-Atlantic ports to the Midwest. The group is touting its environmental benefits in Continue Reading

Though the U.S. economy is beginning to work its way up, recovery is projected to be a long and its stability fragile through most of 2010. According to economists with The Conference Board, capital investments for some will be cancelled out by flat activity in others. Of concern for the trucking industry is continued Continue Reading