The For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index — measured and produced monthly by the American Trucking Associations — erased its 3.7 percent drop in October with a 3.7 percent gain in November, the first time the Index has risen since July.
The seasonally adjusted figure is up 1 percent year over year. It was down 2.1 percent year over year in October. Year to date, the number is up 2.8 percent over where the same time in 2011.
“Sandy impacted both October’s and November’s tonnage readings,” ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello said. “But it was still good to see tonnage snap back in November.” Costello said he expects a boost to flatbed tonnage from the rebuilding in the areas impacted by Sandy, but most of that won’t happen until the spring when the money starts flowing and the weather is conducive to building.
