The American Trucking Assns. (ATA) said its advanced seasonally adjusted Truck Tonnage Index rose 1% to a record high 156.5 (1993=100) in March.

March’s advance was the sixth in the last seven months and followed an increase of 1.8% in February.
From February to March, the unadjusted index surged 17.3%. Compared to March 2003, the unadjusted index jumped 12.3%, the strongest year-over-year gain in since December 2002. Year-to-date, compared to the same period in 2003, truck tonnage was up a hearty 6.7%.
"This solid growing economy propelled truck tonnage to a new high in March," said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. "And I believe the factors are in place for continued robust truck tonnage growth in the foreseeable future, including strong manufacturing production, inventory rebuilding, and solid consumer spending."
Trucks hauled 9 billion tons of freight in 2003, or 68.9% of tonnage carried by all modes of domestic freight transportation. Motor carriers collected $610 billion dollars, or 86.9% of total revenue earned by all transport modes.
ATA calculates the tonnage index based on surveys from its membership and has been doing so since the 1970s. This is a preliminary figure and subject to change in the final report issued around the seventh day of every month. ATA is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of other trucking groups, industry-related conferences, and its 50 affiliated state trucking associations, ATA represents more than 37,000 members covering every type of motor carrier in the United States.