
A measure of U.S. for-hire freight movements set another record high in February, according to new Transportation Department figures released Wednesday, following no change the month before.
A measure of U.S. for-hire freight movements set another record high in February, according to new Transportation Department figures released Wednesday, following no change the month before.

Graphic: U.S. DOT

A measure of U.S. for-hire freight movements set another record high in February, according to new Transportation Department figures released Wednesday, following no change the month before.
The 1.5% increase in the Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI), places the gauge at a level of 126.4 for the month, 33.5% above the April 2009 low during the most recent recession. The latest all time high exceeds the previous one hit in July 2016, by 1%.
The December and January indexes were both revised to 124.5 from 123.2 in last month’s release. When February is compared to the same time a year ago the latest increase totals 4%.
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. The index measures the output of the for-hire freight transportation industry and consists of data from for-hire trucking, rail, inland waterways, pipelines and air freight.
The February increase in the Freight TSI was broad based, with growth in all freight transportation modes except pipeline. The increase took place against a background of upward signals in other economic indicators.
Employment, housing starts and personal income all grew in February. Also, the Institute for Supply Management’s Purchasing Managers’ Index, which measures manufacturing output, showed positive and accelerating growth. And while The Federal Reserve’s Industrial Production index was unchanged, growth in manufacturing and mining offset by decline in utility output.
The February TSI increase represented the fifth month in a row when the measure moved higher or was stable, for an overall increase of 4.5%, following two months of declines.
For the year to date, for-hire freight shipments measured by the index were up 1.5% in February compared to the end of 2016.
According to the department, research has shown a clear relationship between economic cycles and the Freight TSI.

Speaking at the TMC Annual Meeting in Nashville, ATA President Chris Spear said trucking faces mounting pressure from rising fuel prices, geopolitical instability, and uncertainty around trade policy.
Read More →
More than 100,000 new trucking companies enter the industry each year, but regulators manage to audit only a fraction of them. That churn creates opportunities for inexperienced startups — and for “chameleon carriers” that shut down after safety violations and reappear under new identities. Read more from Deborah Lockridge in this commentary.
Read More →
HDTX is an intimate event that connects heavy-duty trucking fleet managers with industry suppliers through small-group discussions, educational sessions, and structured one-on-one meetings.
Read More →
New DAT One feature shows top-paying loads directly on an iPhone’s home screen, helping carriers react faster to spot-market opportunities.
Read More →
Optimal Dynamics says its new Scale platform uses AI agents and optimization to help carriers find and secure freight that improves network balance and profitability.
Read More →
DAT Freight & Analytics data shows tightening flatbed capacity, easing produce markets, and softening van and reefer rates.
Read More →
NACFE's Run on Less - Messy Middle project demonstrates the power of data in helping to guide the future of alternative fuels and powertrains for heavy-duty trucks.
Read More →
A federal court ruling allows New York City’s congestion pricing program to continue, leaving truck tolls in place for fleets delivering into Manhattan.
Read More →
Fontaine Modification has introduced a new customer portal designed to give fleets real-time visibility into the truck modification process, addressing one of the most common questions fleet managers face: “Where’s my truck?”
Read More →
Strong freight rates, rising volumes and tighter capacity push trucking conditions higher, though diesel prices could temper gains in the near term, FTR cautions.
Read More →