Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

For-Hire Freight Level Continues Hitting New Record Highs

A measure of the amount of freight moved by the nation’s for-hire transportation industry reached another all-time monthly high in September, according to newly released figures, rising 0.2% above the previous highest level hit a month earlier.

Evan Lockridge
Evan LockridgeFormer Business Contributing Editor
November 8, 2017
For-Hire Freight Level Continues Hitting New Record Highs

Freight Transportation Services Index, September 2012 - September 2017. Graphic: U.S. DOT

2 min to read


Freight Transportation Services Index, September 2012 - September 2017. Graphic: U.S. DOT

A U.S. Transportation Department measure of the amount of freight moved by the nation’s for-hire transportation industry reached another all-time monthly high in September, according to newly released figures, rising 0.2% above the previous highest level hit a month earlier.

The Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) reading of 129.9 in September is also 6.7% higher than compared to the same time a year ago and is the largest year-over-year hike since December 2010.

Ad Loading...

The August index was revised downward to 129.0 from 130.7 in last month’s release. Monthly numbers for January through March and May were revised up slightly.

The Freight TSI measures the month-to-month changes in for-hire freight shipments by mode of transportation in tons and ton-miles, which are combined into one index and consists of data from trucking, rail, inland waterways, pipelines and air freight.

Significant increases in trucking and pipeline led the September increase in the Freight TSI while other modes declined, according to the department.

Ad Loading...

The TSI increase took place against a background of mixed results for other indicators. The Federal Reserve Board’s Industrial Production index rose by 0.3% in September, with increases in all sectors. Also, employment rose, personal income grew and the Institute for Supply Management Manufacturing index rose to a level of 60.8, indicating accelerating growth. In contrast, housing starts fell by 4.5%.

The 2.4% increase in Freight TSI in the third quarter was consistent with the pace of growth of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP), which was 3% in the third quarter. GDP growth had been 3.1% in second quarter, when Freight TSI also grew. GDP growth was slower in the first quarter of 2017, when Freight TSI declined.

The Freight TSI’s new all-time high in September is also 3.5% above the level of 124.9 from July 2016, which was the highest level prior to 2017. September was the third all-time high in a row, and the fourth in five months.

Every month since November 2016 it has exceeded the level of all previous months except July 2016. All six of the Freight TSI’s all-time highest months have been in 2017. Each of these months exceeded the pre-2017 high in July 2016 by at least 1%.

Over the last six months, the index rose 3.8% with the third quarter 2.4% rise following the second quarter increase of 1.4%. The two consecutive quarterly increases were the first since the beginning of 2015.

Ad Loading...

The September index was 36.3% above the April 2009 low during the most recent recession.

More Fleet Management

Geotab screen on AI concept background
Fleet ManagementJune 17, 2026

What Geotab's New AI Connector Means for Fleets

Fleets can now ask their usual AI assistants questions about maintenance, safety, fuel use, and vehicle performance, using their live Geotab data, and take action on the answers without leaving their preferred AI tool.

Read More →
Image of computer screen with BidBoardX interface

New C.H. Robinson Tool Opens Door to More Predictable Freight

BidBoardX lets carriers search, bid on, and secure committed freight opportunities through a single digital marketplace.

Read More →
Amazon electric cargo bike on New York City street
Fleet ManagementJune 15, 2026

New York City's Microhub Project is Delivering Results

Trucking, last-mile delivery companies, and environmental advocates like what they are seeing so far with New York's microhub program.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Illustration of hourglass and trucks backed up to a dock
DriversJune 15, 2026

Why Truck Detention Keeps Costing Fleets Time and Money

A 2024 ATRI study found detention affects nearly 40% of truckload stops and costs the industry more than $15 billion annually. Despite the toll on drivers, fleets, and supply chains, the problem remains stubbornly persistent.

Read More →
Panel discussion
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJune 12, 2026

Time is Running Out to Apply for Exclusive HDT Event

Heavy Duty Trucking Exchange brings fleet managers and suppliers together for the deeper conversations that lead to ideas, partnerships, and solutions. Time is running out to apply for the September event.

Read More →
Empty trailer with worker loading a pallet of cargo
Fleet ManagementJune 10, 2026

Amazon Launches Less-Than-Truckload Freight Offering for All Businesses   

This launch is the latest addition to Amazon Supply Chain Services, a portfolio of supply chain capabilities from Amazon, including freight, distribution, fulfillment, and parcel shipping.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Stacks of intermodal containers at port with truck driving between them

Import Cargo Volume to See Year-Over-Year Gain Again in June, Then Remain Below 2025 Levels Into Fall

After July, the report predicts a weakening in import volume as consumer uncertainty remains high and the impact of increasing inflation takes its toll.

Read More →
Equity Interest Auction
SponsoredJune 8, 2026

AUCTION OF EQUITY INTEREST IN HEAVY HAUL TRUCKING COMPANY!!

Mark your calendar: June 30, 2026 (10:00 a.m. PDT). A 37.5% ownership interest in MagnaTrans, LLC, a California limited liability company doing business as Magna Transportation Group, will be sold in an in-person and online auction to the highest bidder or bidders under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code. The Rancho Cucamonga-based heavy haul and over-dimensional trucking company operates across California, Oregon, and Arizona.

Read More →
Volvo OTA updates.

Volvo Trucks Adds Unattended Over-the-Air Software Update Capabilities

The latest evolution of Volvo’s over-the-air update technology allows software updates to run while trucks are parked, helping fleets keep vehicles current without disrupting operations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Podcast thumbnail illustration
Fleet ManagementJune 4, 2026

How Waste Connections is Using Data, Telematics, and AI

How do you manage and maintain more than 18,000 connected trucks? Data. Lots of it.

Read More →