Indicators

What happens if the U.S. defaults on its debt?

The U.S. owes more than $31 trillion. Just like many households have mortgages, car notes and credit cards, the U.S. government also carries debts that allow it to pay for programs and services for Americans.

May 26, 2023

Political battle over debt ceiling

Trucking conditions still loose, but rebalancing is underway

ACT Research reported freight volumes, rates and capacity continued to decline in April, but the supply-demand rebalancing has begun. Also: Florida HHG mover pleads guilty to scheme charges; autonomous firm Kodiak adds new VP of Safety.

May 26, 2023

ACT Volumes Index

April marked lowest month for truck tonnage since September 2021

ATA's Truck Tonnage Index hit its lowest level in nearly two years in April. Also: FedEx launches new sustainability tracking tool; Digital freight network Convoy joins Volvo autonomous program.

May 25, 2023

ATA Truck Tonnage Index April 2023

Conditions for carriers continued to fall in March

FTR reports lower fuel costs and slightly stronger utilization partially offset a more negative rate environment as spot rates continued to deteriorate. Also: NTTC names annual top driver; ATA seeks industry image award nominations; more.

May 23, 2023

Truck orders fall for sixth time in seven months

There still are indications that fleets are requesting equipment, and there has been no notable uptick in cancellations.

May 7, 2023

trucks sitting at a loading dock

Trucking conditions fell in February with weak freight rates, volume

FTR's Trucking Conditions Index fell farther into negative territory in February. Also: TuSimple gets 'OK' from international autonomous safety auditor; Penske Truck Leasing opens new Alabama facility; Estes names two new VPs.

April 18, 2023

FTR Trucking Conditions Index February 2023

Truck orders fall for fifth time in six months, sales pace 'unsustainable' in current freight environment

While recent orders have softened, fleets continue to request equipment, and quote activity has been in line with past seasonal behavior.

April 5, 2023

Mack RVO 5,000th MD Series

Trucking conditions improved in January, but downswing expected

FTR's Trucking Conditions Index improved from December to January, but the firm expects negative conditions into the third quarter of 2024. Also: Truck tonnage was up in February; R+L Carriers founder passes away; more.

March 22, 2023

truck backed to dock

Truck orders climb for the first time in five months

Order activity over the last six months has been strong and annualizes to 413,000 units.

March 7, 2023

parked semi-trucks

Carriers' conditions improved in December with falling diesel prices

FTR reported other indicators – including freight volume, capacity utilization, and rates – were negative. Also: ATRI wants carrier feedback on marijuana legalization's impact on recruiting; New SVP at Atlas Van Lines; more.

February 16, 2023

Recession likely still inbound in months ahead but freight outlook less pessimistic

Freight brokers near evenly spit on spot rate outlook but far less optimistic on contract rates.

February 13, 2023

Trucks at a dock

Truck orders skid for fourth month in a row

With backlogs already solidifying production slots, it's no surprise that orders have fallen off the torrential pace set late last year.

February 9, 2023

Kenworth truck assembly line

Trailer demand surges to record highs

Lower trailer build rates and a jump in end-of-year factory shipments caused inventory levels to drop by 18% month-over-month.

January 27, 2023

lineup of dry van trailers

Truck tonnage ticked up to close out 2022

ATA reported truck tonnage was up slightly in December, while tonnage for the year increased 3.4% over 2021. Also: Shippers' conditions on the rise; California fleet orders 15 Nikola hydrogen fuel cell trucks; Xcell Logistics opens new Texas warehouse.

January 26, 2023

ATA Truck Tonnage Index December 2022

Supply chain correction helps put the 'worst of the inflation crisis behind us'

The price of lumber is down by roughly two-thirds over the last year, not far from its five-year average. Brent crude too, has fallen by roughly one-third since last summer along with shipping costs. Why? The supply chain adapts and overcomes.

January 18, 2023

truck hauling a container

Trucking conditions, while improved, remained negative in November

FTR's Trucking Conditions Index showed slight improvement in November. Also: Schneider gets eCascadia in SoCal intermodal operations; FMCSA denies driver's HOS exemption request; Mack unveils refreshed Granite model; Estes opens new Texas terminal.

January 19, 2023

FTR Trucking Conditions Index November 2022

Report forecasts 'surprising' strength in LTL freight for early 2023

Carriers are competing for more limited demand while searching for ways to claw back revenue.

January 18, 2023

pallet jacks in a warehouse

Rates end 2022 on a high note, signaling 'bottoming process' underway

While market conditions remain broadly loose, there are increasingly signs of slowing supply – a key to the bottoming process, according to experts.

January 17, 2023

Trucks at the dock

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Semi truck pulled over at a weigh station

Trucking groups push back on potential benefits of heavier trucks

Two trucking groups say any benefits that might come from allowing trucks to run at higher weights is offset by safety and infrastructure concerns.

Cyber attack

Pentesting: a cyber-disaster prevention strategy for trucking companies

Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association Executive Director Jeff Farrah said carriers like C.R. England are continuing to embrace autonomous trucking. “AV trucking technology offers an opportunity to transform how essential goods move across all layers of the supply chain, from farm to warehouse, store to table,' Farrah said. 'We’ve seen a lot of excitement from commercial partners about the technology’s safety, efficiency, environmental, and cost benefits.”

C.R. England sees top drivers beating autonomy on fuel economy

Smog Haze Pollution

House votes in favor of EPA emission regs rollback

Download the Heavy Duty Maintenance Checklist

Download the Heavy Duty Maintenance Checklist

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.

Heavy-Duty Maintenance Checklist

Maintenance is a critical part of vehicle upkeep—we’re preaching to the choir here, but you know what? It doesn’t hurt to repeat it at times. Check out our latest downloadable maintenance checklist and give it a whirl!