A measure of how much freight is moved by the nation’s for-hire transportation industry hit a record high in September with a 0.3% increase from the month before, according to a new U.S. Transportation Department report.
by Staff
November 13, 2014
Freight Transportation Services Index, September 2009 - September 2014.Graphic: U.S. DOT
2 min to read
Freight Transportation Services Index, September 2009 - September 2014. Graphic: U.S. DOT
A measure of how much freight is moved by the nation’s for-hire transportation industry hit a record high in September with a 0.3% increase from the month before, according to a new U.S. Transportation Department report.
The Freight Transportation Services Index registered 121.5, marking the third consecutive monthly gain, and 28.5% above the April 2009 low during the most recent recession. Year to date freight shipments measured by the index were up 2.1% in September compared to the end of 2013.
Ad Loading...
The August index was revised upward to 121.2 from 120.9 last month while there were smaller upward revisions for each of the previous months in 2014.
All freight modes grew in September except rail carloads, which were unchanged. During the month, several other indicators of related parts of the economy that often impact transportation increased, according to the report. In particular, industrial production grew 1% after several months of slow or negative growth while manufacturers’ shipments and inventories both increased.
The third quarter also represented a return to growth after two quarters of modest quarterly declines. The quarterly growth of 2.3% was the most rapid since the fourth quarter of 2011.
Ad Loading...
The Freight TSI measures the month-to-month changes in freight shipments by mode of transportation in tons and ton-miles, which are combined into one index. It the output of the for-hire freight transportation industry and consists of data from for-hire trucking, rail, inland waterways, pipelines and air freight.
When the unexpected happens, how you react to, and deal with operational blind spots is critical. Here’s how to keep you recovery on track, when nothing is normal.
As fleets adopt artificial intelligence for routing, maintenance, and load matching, new security risks are emerging. Learn where the vulnerabilities are and how to put the right controls in place.
CargoNet reports fewer supply chain crime events to start 2026. But losses hold steady as organized crime shifts tactics toward impersonation schemes and high-value goods.
Heavy Duty Trucking is searching for forward-looking leaders at trucking fleets as nominations for HDT’s Truck Fleet Innovators 2026. Deadline is May 15.
Cargo theft rings plant operatives as drivers inside legitimate, fully vetted carriers, then execute coordinated thefts that look like a traditional straight theft from the outside.
The American Transportation Research Institute will examine driver coaching, regulatory impacts — including the "Beyond Compliance" concept —and weather disruptions that shape trucking operations.
