NASHVILLE, TN — Freight Transport Research’s (FTR) Trucking Conditions Index (TCI) spiked 3.1 points in September bringing the total reading to 9.2.

While this marks the eighth straight month of improvements, the TCI is still well below the 13.3 peak back in March.

The TCI is a compilation of factors affecting trucking companies, and any readings above zero indicate that the trucking environment is "adequate," FTR explained. Readings above 10 are a signal that volumes, prices and margin are sitting in a good range for trucking companies.

This recent spike was helped along by tight capacity control, modest growth in truck tonnage and falling fuel prices, FTR reported.

“With regard to future trucking conditions, the major wild card will be when and if new Federal trucking regulations, most particularly, Hours of Service revision, get implemented," commented Larry Gross, senior consultant for FTR. "When it finally does come out, the odds are that one or the other side of the debate will file suit. Then the question will be whether an injunction is issued staying implementation of the new rule."

"The current muted economic growth, if continued, should be enough to allow the TCI to continue to increase slowly from current levels," he said. "If the FMSCA is in fact successful in implementing new, tighter HOS regulations, this will drive the TCI significantly higher in the second half of next year."