Truckable Economic Activity, a trucking-specific economic indicator developed by MacKay & Company, posted another advance in the first quarter of 2012, paced by gains in four of its five components.
TEA is the economic measurement of only those parts of GDP that are moved by truck. It has five components: consumption, investment, exports, imports and government. For 1Q, forward progress was noted everywhere except in the government sector, where budget austerity continues to prevail.
TEA's 4.3% increase posted is consistent, both in terms of level and trend, with the growth rates we associate with a period of economic expansion, says MacKay.
"Even so, when comparing the performance of Total TEA in this expansion to those of previous episodes, we continue to see that we are tracking well below both the average and minimum gains for this stage of the business cycle."
Also of note was continued evidence of improvement in the construction-related components of TEA, one of the sectors heaviest hit in the downturn.
For more information, go to www.mackayco.com/website/client_studies/tea.cfm.
Truckable Economic Activity Up in 1Q 2012
Truckable Economic Activity, a trucking-specific economic indicator developed by MacKay & Company, posted another advance in the first quarter of 2012, paced by gains in four of its five components.
More Fleet Management

Deadline Extended for HDT Truck Fleet Innovators Nominations
Heavy Duty Trucking has extended the deadline for nominations for its Truck Fleet Innovators awards. The deadline has been extended to May 22.
Read More →
Supreme Court Ruling Puts Freight Broker Vetting Practices in Spotlight
The unanimous SCOTUS ruling in the closely watched Montgomery v. Caribe case allows state negligence claims against freight brokers that hire unsafe motor carriers, raising new liability and vetting concerns among brokers.
Read More →
FMCSA’s Motus System Is Coming. What Fleets Need to Know Now
FMCSA's long-awaited registration system promises a single portal — and tighter fraud controls. And there are steps you need to take by May 14.
Read More →
Fleet Advantage: Fleets Embrace Generative AI, but Data Problems Limit Operational Gains
New Fleet Advantage research shows generative AI adoption has exploded among private fleets. But poor data integration and weak ROI tracking are preventing fleets from unlocking AI’s full operational and financial value.
Read More →
How Phillips Connect Helped Nussbaum Transportation Double its Trailer Life
Seven years into deploying Phillips Connect’s smart trailer platform, Nussbaum Transportation has extended trailer life from 10 to 15 years.
Read More →Inside Modern Fleet Safety: AI, Cameras & Speed Control at K&B Transportation
How a former commercial vehicle enforcement officer turned director of safety at K&B Transportation is embracing real-world safety technology.
Read More →
How Fleets Can Avoid Equipment Blind Spots in Disaster Response
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.
Read More →
AI Security Risks for Trucking Fleets: What to Know About Deepfakes and Agentic AI
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.
Read More →
Cargo Theft Incidents Fall in Q1, but Organized Crime and Impersonation Drive New Risks
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.
Read More →
New Trojan Driver Cargo Theft Scam Bypasses Carrier Vetting Systems
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.
Read More →
