
The U.S. Transportation Department’s Freight Transportation Services Index rose 0.3% in October from September, the fourth consecutive month-over-month gain, hitting an all-time high.
The U.S. Transportation Department’s Freight Transportation Services Index rose 0.3% in October from September, the fourth consecutive month-over-month gain, hitting an all-time high.

Freight Transportation Services Index, October 2009 - October 2014. Graphic: U.S. DOT

The U.S. Transportation Department’s Freight Transportation Services Index rose 0.3% in October from September, the fourth consecutive month-over-month gain, hitting an all-time high.
The October index level of 121.8 is 28.8% above the April 2009 low during the most recent recession and is up 4.6% from October 2013.
The September index was revised to downward 121.4 from 121.5 in last month’s release.
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 growth in October was led by trucking, rail and waterborne, according to the U.S. Transportation Department.
“During the month, several other indicators of related parts of the economy that often impact transportation increased,” said the DOT in a release. “Employment and retail sales both increased, as did manufacturing output, though total industrial production declined slightly. Inventories increased to reach an historic high.”
This October rise was the eighth monthly increase in 2014, however, due to the decline in June and the more substantial decline in January, the 2014 year-do-date increase has been only 2.2%, less than the 2.8% gain during same period in 2013.

ACT Research data shows volumes hitting a four-year high and supply-demand balance strengthening, but higher oil prices are undercutting tariff relief and tempering optimism.
Read More →
The patent-pending cargo solution integrates a digitally connected cargo door and an intelligent locking system with the TrailerHawk.AI technology platform.
Read More →
The impact of the Iran conflict extends beyond fuel costs, bringing more fraud and cybersecurity risks to the trucking industry.
Read More →
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 →