Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

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.

Evan Lockridge
Evan LockridgeFormer Business Contributing Editor
December 14, 2016
Trucking Helps For-Hire Freight Movements Bounce Back

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

2 min to read


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.

Ad Loading...

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.

Ad Loading...

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.

Ad Loading...

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

FTR market report for February 2026.
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseApril 10, 2026

FTR Trucking Conditions Index Hits Four-Year High in February

Strong freight rates push TCI to 10.2, but FTR expects fuel-price volatility to skew March results.

Read More →
C.H. Robinson intermodal.

C.H. Robinson Offers Carriers Relief as Diesel Prices Surge

C.H. Robinson is waiving fees on fuel cards and cash advances for April and May, aiming to help carriers offset rising diesel costs tied to geopolitical instability.

Read More →
Fleet Managementby StaffApril 8, 2026

What Trucking Events are Happening in 2026?

Looking for trucking-related conventions, expos, and other events? Heavy Duty Trucking has developed this list of national and larger regional trucking shows and events.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Peter Voorhoeve, president, Volvo Trucks North America.
Fleet Managementby Jack RobertsApril 6, 2026

Volvo’s Quiet Confidence Turns into a Full-Throated Bet on the Future

After years of steady, methodical progress, Peter Voorhoeve says the OEM’s latest lineup isn’t just evolutionary. It’s delivering real, measurable gains for fleets right now.

Read More →
Beyond Trucks Rate Agent TMS.
Fleet Managementby Jack RobertsApril 2, 2026

BeyondTrucks Targets Rate Complexity with New AI RateAgents

BeyondTrucks says its new RateAgents can turn plain-language rate logic into working code, starting with fuel surcharges — a critical but notoriously complex piece of carrier revenue.

Read More →
Magnus Koeck, vice president of strategy, marketing, and brand management, Volvo Trucks North America
Fleet Managementby Jack RobertsApril 2, 2026

Volvo Sees Market ‘Tipping Point’ as New VNL Orders Surge

Soft freight conditions persist, but aging fleets, strong order intake, and new-product momentum signal a more optimistic second half of 2026, Volvo Trucks North America says.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Illustration of a semi-trailer with a sports playbook diagram on chalkboard
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeApril 1, 2026

Cargo Theft’s New Playbook: Strategic Fraud, Double Brokering, and Cybercrime Hit Trucking

Cargo theft is evolving from regional smash-and-grab operations to sophisticated fraud schemes. Strategic theft now accounts for roughly a third of cargo crime, with incidents rising sharply in recent years. Here’s how the schemes work — and what fleets can do to protect themselves.

Read More →
Collage of Top 20 Product award ceremonies
EquipmentMarch 31, 2026

HDT Honors the Best New Products of 2025 at TMC [Photos]

Heavy Duty Trucking's Top 20 Products awards recognize the best new products and technologies. Check out the award presentations at the 2026 Technology & Maintenance Council annual meeting.

Read More →
freightliner whitepaper
SponsoredMarch 31, 2026

Detroit Engines: Trusted Performance, Built for What's Next

The Detroit® Gen 6 engine platform proves that real progress doesn’t require a complete redesign. Built on 20 years of trusted technology, these engines are designed for efficiency, stronger performance, and greater reliability than before. And they do it all while complying with 2027 EPA standards on every mile.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Q&A graphic with Erik Neandross headshot
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeMarch 27, 2026

Q&A: What's Real in Advanced Truck Tech? ACT Expo's Erik Neandross Weighs In

The 2026 ACT Expo is focusing heavily on what organizer Erik Neandross calls trucking's digital frontier. This interview excerpt dives into artificial intelligence, zero-emission vehicles, and tips to make sense of it all.

Read More →