The slow-to-recover economy can be explained as the tale of two phases, GDP growth and truck freight growth, according to analysts with FTR Associates. The GDP rose rapidly, then has slowed because there is less consumer consumption compared to earlier recessions. Senior analyst Neil Perry said tight credit, a slow-to-recover housing market (which accounts for 15 percent of the economy) and unemployment are hampering economic recovery. Growth is still occurring, particularly in the rise of durable goods spending and thanks to global economies like China and Continue Reading

Don’t be surprised if larger trucks able to carry more freight become a reality sooner rather than later, according to speakers at the “Moving the World: The Future of Freight Transportation” conference held last week in Washington, D.C., especially with political attitudes and environmental concerns shifting in favor of such changes. Not only would the move reduce emissions as trucks make fewer trips, but also another positive is that by hauling more freight at a time, congestion on the roads would be alleviated. And that benefit would address the long-term prediction that freight is expected to double in the next Continue Reading

The Canadian trucking industry is regaining its strength, according to the latest TransCore’s Canadian Freight Index. With a 26 percent increase over October 2009, the market is off to its strongest fourth quarter start since 2007. What’s more is that freight movement is holding strong. In October, it reached the second highest level for the same month over the last five years. While the month-over-month comparison saw a decline of 23 index points, freight availability continues to hover above the 200 index point marker, surpassed in March and maintained for eight of the last Continue Reading

According to the latest numbers from the American Trucking Associations’ seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index, the economy is slowing and is expected to remain sluggish through the end of the year. But the ATA’s chief economist, Bob Costello, says that the trucking industry has changed “dramatically for the better,” even despite the largest month-to-month drop–2.7 percent–since March 2009. Costello says that carriers can now do better with small increases in demand, particularly since equipment supply was thinned during the recession. The base year for ATA’s index is Continue Reading

Spot market freight volume in Canada showed a healthy increase from last year, according to TransCore’s Canadian Freight Index, and a 2 percent increase from July to August. With increasing freight and lower equipment availability–a trend for the last eight months–freight for the month of August 2010 registered a five-year high at 55 percent more year-over-year. TransCore’s Loadlink is a freight matching database and the largest Canadian network of carriers, owner operators, freight brokers and intermediaries. Over 12 million full loads, LTL (less than truck load) shipments and trucks are Continue Reading

Two pilot programs in Maine and Vermont allowing heavier weight trucks access to Interstate Highways there got the green light from the Obama administration to become permanent. The move was applauded by the American Trucking Associations (ATA) as further improving safety and boosting productivity in the industry. Using more productive trucks means fewer trips, ultimately reducing the environmental footprint. On Continue Reading

According to the FTR Trucking Conditions Index, the trucking industry has experienced stabilization over the last several months and should expect to remain in positive territory for the rest of the year. The Trucking Conditions Index is a compilation of factors affecting trucking companies. According to FTR, the current index is showing a solid improvement from 2009 and is expected to continue on an upward trend through 2011. In spite of Continue Reading

Though they only account for one-fourth of total business stockpiles, wholesale inventories saw a promising increase, the biggest in two years, according to the Commerce Department. The most recent jump of 1.3 percent was more than three times what economists predicted. Wholesale sales rose more than one-half percent, as well, the most since April. Of total business stockpiles, wholesale inventories comprise a small slice, with retailers and Continue Reading

The latest numbers from the American Association of Railroads may bode well for te overall state of the economy. Considered an important economic indicator, railroad volume hit its second straight weekly high. Intermodal traffic was up more than 24 percent over the same week last year, while container traffic was up almost 3 percent compared to the same time period. U.S. railroad volume was up 6.2 percent from the same week last year, but 11 percent off the comparable week two years ago, AAR said in its weekly report. Intermodal traffic, which tends to be Continue Reading

Trucking industry analysts have voiced repeated assurances that the economy is getting better. Even improvements, though slight, are regarded as the slow but steady trend to recovery. But a recent CBS News Poll indicates that not all Americans feel so optimistic. Their outlook, according to the data, shows 34 percent believe things are getting worse. The housing market has fallen into the summer months, and banks and lending institutions continue to be tight with credit. Such a picture has prompted financial analysts to predict another stimulus program by the Continue Reading