Trucking Helps For-Hire Freight Movements Bounce Back
The amount of for-hire freight moved in the U.S. increased following two months of declines, according to new Transportation Department figures.

Freight Transportation Services Index, October 2011-October 2016. Graphic: U.S. DOT

The amount of for-hire freight moved in the U.S. increased following two months of declines, according to new Transportation Department figures.
Its Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) rose 1% in October from September, the third largest hike since November 2014, putting the measure at 122, 2.1% below the all-time high level of 124.6 recorded this past July. Despite the improvement freight shipments fell 0.6% from October 2015.
The September index was revised downward to 120.8 from 121.5 in last month’s release while monthly numbers for January through August remained virtually unchanged.
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 and consists of data from for-hire trucking, rail, inland waterways, pipelines and air freight.
The improvement in the October Freight TSI from September was due to growth in trucking and rail intermodal, while all other modes declined, according to the department.
The October increase took place alongside growth in other economic indicators; employment increased by 161,000 jobs, retail sales increased by 0.8%, personal income increased by 0.6%, and housing starts rose by 25.5%. The Federal Reserve’s measure of industrial production was unchanged in October as its mining and manufacturing components increased while utility output declined.
Since the beginning of 2015, the index has been extremely stable as it fluctuated above and below 122. It has deviated only twice by more than 1% from the 122 level, in March 2016 when it fell 1.9% below 122 to a two-year low, and in July 2016 when it rose 2.1% above 122 to reach an all-time high. The index has risen 28.8% since the historic low of 94.8 in April 2009.
Freight shipments measured by the index were up 0.4% in October compared to the end of 2015 and are 9.4% higher in the five years from October 2011 while up 10.1% in the 10 years from October 2006.
More Fleet Management

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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 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 →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 →

