WASHINGTON — It looks as if the U.S. freight market is going to close the year more or less as it began.

The American Trucking Associations’ advance seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index increased 2.1 percent in August, matching July’s increase.

But the latest gain was also the best reading since February 2009.

Compared with August 2008, SA tonnage fell 7.5 percent, which was the best year-over-year showing since November 2008.

ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello said that the latest increase was another positive sign for the industry.

"The gains in tonnage during July and August reflect a growing economy and less of an overhang in inventories," Costello noted. He is hopeful that the overall trend in truck tonnage during the months ahead will be upward; however, he acknowledged that the pace of increase will likely moderate from the cumulative 4.3 percent gain over the last two months.

"While I am optimistic that the worst is behind us, most economic indicators, including industrial output and household spending, suggest freight tonnage will exhibit moderate, and probably inconsistent, growth in the months ahead," Costello said.