Indicators

Economic trends
Masks are back and more freight could be coming
Citing concern with COVID breakthrough cases, the CDC recommended indoor mask-wearing Tuesday regardless of vaccination status. Trucking experts say volumes should remain 'strong' amid surging cases and may even grow stronger.
July 28, 2021
Growing concern over COVID breakthrough cases led the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to recommend indoor mask-wearing today regardless of vaccination status. Trucking experts advise that freight volumes should remain strong and may even grow stronger amid a COVID resurgence.
Indicators
ACT's For-Hire Trucking Index dipped in June despite strong freight volumes, rates
The latest release of ACT’s For-Hire Trucking Index, with June data, showed a slowing in volumes, pricing moderating at a high level, and a still-strong supply-demand balance. Also: FMCSA tightening CDL reporting requirements for states; more.
July 26, 2021
Freight rates dropped in June for the first time in several months, but levels remain high.
Economic trends
Truck Tonnage Index falls for second consecutive month, spot rates sliding
For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index decreased 1.5% in June after falling 1% in May.
July 20, 2021
trucks waiting at dock
Economic trends
June trailer orders subdued ahead of what could be 'record' 2022
Most OEMs are not taking additional orders for 2021 delivery.
July 15, 2021
semi trailers at dock
Business
Spot volume holds steady, rates mostly up
A group of more than 60 trucking groups penned a letter to the House asking for an amendment to remove a liability insurance hike for motor carriers from the highway bill. Also: Spot rates steady and Transition Trucking award nominations sought.
June 29, 2021
Getty Images 155436971 606dcceee3685
Indicators
Truck tonnage dipped for second consecutive month while still strong year-over-year
ATA's Truck Tonnage Index fell by 0.7% in May after falling 0.6% in April. Compared with May 2020, the seasonally adjusted index rose 3.7%. Also: Minneapolis looks to ban overnight truck parking; Trucking volumes down while rates remain high, ACT says.
June 23, 2021
ATA's Truck Tonnage Index fell in May but still remains well above the lows of 2020.
Economic trends
Trailer market 'in a strange place right now' as supply chain woes outpace demand
Backlogs for dry vans and reefers are already into next year, and fleets "may be unwilling to extend their commitments."
June 20, 2021
Semi trailer with its doors open
Business
More guilty pleas announced in New Orleans staged-accident fraud scheme
Two more guilty pleas in staged-accident fraud scheme that netted $707,500. Also: ACT Research report on soaring freight rate expansion; FMCSA boss visits transportation leaders in NY/NJ; more.
June 18, 2021
Court Gavel
Freight demand
Capital expenditures driving freight demand, analyst says
Higher than normal capital expenditures from manufacturers as the economy continues to recover from the pandemic will continue to drive freight demand for the next few quarters, but expect a shift in the coming months, according to ACT Research.
June 14, 2021
Freight-intensive capital expenditures are expected to continue driving strong freight demand for the next few quarters, according to ACT Research.
Indicators
FTR: Trucking conditions continued record-setting pace in April
Following a record-setting month in March, FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index (TCI) for April hit another record-high of 16.82, surpassing March’s record of 16.27. Also: NTTC announces new leadership; comments sought for pulsating lights request.
June 14, 2021
FTR's Trucking Conditions Index continued to improve in April, surpassing the previous record high set in March.
Economic trends
Truck orders slide as OEMs run out of build slots
The drop-off in May does not represent a weakening of demand, as freight growth continues to be robust and spot rates hit all-time highs.
June 3, 2021
Line of semi trucks
Indicators
Analyst says "This is perhaps the strongest freight market ever for carriers."
Freight volume, rates and capacity utilization all drove a record-setting month, despite poor fuel conditions.
May 13, 2021
Supply side constraints will keep the truckload market very tight in the near-term.
Economic trends
'Pressure' building in the trailer market
There have been reports of shortages of flatbed trailers in some regions as industrial and housing sectors improve.
April 15, 2021
semi truck with back loading doors open
Economic trends
Trucking's not been this good since October 2020
FTR's near-term outlook for trucking is strong with the TCI expected to deliver double-digit positive readings through the quarter and to remain in positive territory through 2022.
April 13, 2021
Strong capacity utilization and freight rates along with stable freight volume have offset surging diesel fuel prices.
Economic trends
Truck orders unaffected by assembly slowdowns
Many OEMs are already struggling to keep up with demand as a global shortage of semiconductors and supply limitations of various other components have crimped production plans for Volvo, Mack, Kenworth and Peterbilt.
April 6, 2021
Mack lehigh valley operations
Economic trends
Driver turnover rate holding steady, truck parking push renewed in D.C.
The turnover rate at less-than-truckload carriers dipped two percentage points in the fourth quarter to 12% on an annualized basis.
March 30, 2021
Studies show that 98% of drivers report problems finding safe truck parking, and the average driver spends 56 minutes of available drive time every day looking for parking.
Economic trends
Fleets filing 2021 orders in pursuit of 'robust' freight market
Fleets have placed large truck and trailer orders in response to a robust freight demand and OEMs are under pressure to fill these orders due to bottlenecks in the supply chain.
March 13, 2021
Shutterstock 553790416
Economic trends
Fleets standing in line for new trucks as freight rates climb
February 2021 was the second-highest total ever for the month of February and orders for the previous 12 months now total 338,000 units.
March 3, 2021
Mack truck
Page 1 of 50
Next Page
Top Stories
truck accident
Technology
Distracted driving: What drivers who crash are looking at
Distracted driving has only gotten worse during the pandemic, and a new report reveals exactly which behaviors get drivers into trouble, and even collisions on the road. See what in-cab video reveals about distracted driving here.
JLE Industries developed proprietary technology that gives drivers control over load planning.
CCJ Innovators
CCJ Innovator: Flatbed carrier puts load planning in drivers' hands
The charges, levied by the Securities and Exchange Commission, accuse Trevor Milton of 'repeatedly disseminating false and misleading information – typically by speaking directly to investors through social media.'
Companies
Nikola founder and former CEO charged with fraud
driverless truck cab
Equipment controls
Will driver shortage lead to full-scale autonomy by 2024?
President Joe Biden at Mack Trucks
Companies
President Biden touts Buy American reform during Mack Trucks plant tour
Get all the info on the top 250 trucking companies in America
View, sort and download the trucking industry’s most comprehensive ranking of for-hire carriers in North America, based on a blend of metrics including fleet size, annual revenue and number of drivers.
Get the free report
White Papers
Three Toll Challenges Impacting Your Fleet's Bottom Line
With more than 50 tolling authorities in the U.S., toll management is one of the biggest headaches facing fleets today. Download our whitepaper to learn about the three largest challenges related to self-manage
DownloadView All