Trucking conditions index shows ‘healthy’ environment: FTR report

Avatar photo

NASHVILLE, Ind. — FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index edged higher in August to a reading of 2.3, marking the sixth consecutive positive reading for the index.

The Trucking Conditions Index is a compilation of factors affecting trucking companies and FTR officials say the current reading reflects a healthy environment for trucking, noting that strong manufacturing increases have generated truck freight above GDP.

“Expected freight growth of 4%, limited driver capacity along with fleet downsizing will keep the index in positive territory through 2011,” said FTR officials in a release. 

“Conditions for trucking are positive in spite of sluggish growth in the overall economy because manufacturing, which generates freight, is growing much more rapidly than services,” said Eric Starks, president of FTR. “The freight growth along with capacity shortages we have been forecasting bodes well for trucking companies over the next couple of years at a minimum.”

 The August Trucking Conditions Index and the current status of factors affecting the trucking industry are reported in the October issue of FTR’s Trucking Update. The October Trucking Update includes commentary concerning the worsening driver shortage in a high unemployment environment.

Avatar photo

Truck News is Canada's leading trucking newspaper - news and information for trucking companies, owner/operators, truck drivers and logistics professionals working in the Canadian trucking industry.


Have your say


This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.

*