For-Hire Freight Shipments Rebound After One-Month Decline
A measure of the amount of freight moved by the nation’s for-hire transportation industry rose 0.6% in July from June, following a single month decline.

Freight Transportation Services Index, July 2010 - July 2015. Graphic: U.S. DOT

A measure of the amount of freight moved by the nation’s for-hire transportation industry rose 0.6% in July from June, following a single month decline.
The U.S. Transportation Department’s Freight Transportation Services Index registered 122.8, tying the highest level seen so far this year in March and January, and just 0.5% below the record high level of 123.5 in November 2014. The number if 1.4% higher than July a year ago.
The June index was revised to 122.1 from 121.9 in last month’s release. The March, April, and May levels were also revised upward slightly.
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. The index measures the output of the for-hire freight transportation industry from trucking, rail, inland waterways, pipelines and air freight.
The July increase continued the trend that began after the index peaked in November 2014. The index has alternated months of increases and decreases since then, ranging from 0.5% below the November level to 2.1% lower.
The Freight TSI increase was part of broad economic growth in July that was reflected in several measures that impact transportation, according to the U.S. DOT. The Federal Reserve Board’s Industrial Production Index rose 0.6%, the same percentage increase as the Freight TSI, while personal income, employment and housing starts also moved higher.
The DOT said among the different transportation modes, significant increases in trucking and rail carloads led the TSI Freight index upward in July, along with a smaller increase in air freight. Water, pipeline and rail intermodal declined.
More Fleet Management

How Innovative Trucking Leaders Turn Change Into an Advantage
As the pace of change accelerates in trucking, the fleets that adapt best have more than the latest technology. They have cultures that embrace improvement.
Read More →
Freight Broker Bonds Just Got Harder to Get. Here's What That Means for Your Fleet.
When it gets harder for a freight broker to prove they are financially sound, the ones who cannot clear that bar get pushed out of the market. And those are exactly the brokers who used to leave motor carriers holding the bag.
Read More →
Long-Awaited Canadian Border Bridge to Open in Detroit
For trucking, the bridge opening should offer immediate improvements in efficiency and reliability, with new customs facilities, expanded inspection capacity, and direct freeway-to-freeway connections.
Read More →
Aurora Rolls Out Next Generation of Driverless Trucks for Commercial Freight
Aurora's latest autonomous trucks it's rolling out with International feature lower-cost hardware designed for a million miles as the company expands commercial driverless freight operations across the U.S. Sun Belt.
Read More →
Freight Tonnage Down, Rates up, as Lower Capacity Powers Trucking Recovery
The recovery from the freight recession continues to be driven by reduction in capacity rather than by increased demand.
Read More →
Think Your Trucking Fleet Isn't Using Much AI? Think Again
Shadow AI — the use of unauthorized artificial intelligence tools at work — is becoming increasingly common, putting sensitive company data at risk. Learn how trucking fleets can protect sensitive data while embracing AI.
Read More →
ArcBest Consolidates Brands, Cuts Workforce
The company will bring three business units under the ArcBest brand, eliminate about 2% of positions, and expects the changes to generate $40 million in annual savings.
Read More →
Trucking Fleets Faced Record Operating Costs During Third Year of Freight Recession
ATRI's annual operational cost report shows carriers trimmed fleets, delayed equipment purchases, and ran older trucks as expenses continued to outpace freight rates.
Read More →
Michelin Adds AI Assistant to MyConnectedFleet Platform
Michelin’s new generative AI tool delivers instant fleet insights, helping managers analyze fuel use, tire maintenance, vehicle status, and operational performance without manually creating reports.
Read More →
LytxOne Platform Now Features AI, Compliance, and Asset Tracking Tools
New enhancements add AI-powered insights, asset tracking, compliance automation, and configurable privacy controls to Lytx's all-in-one fleet management platform.
Read More →
