March 2015

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Updated Aug 4, 2015
  • Business conditions rose decidedly from February – likely due to improved weather conditions – up to 6.4 from 5.9. Respondents from fleets with more than 100 power units rated March a 6.6 (6.2 in February), compared to respondents from fleets with up to 100 power units which rated March a 5.9 (5.4 in February).
  • Correspondingly, 44.9% of respondents said business was better or much better in March than February, while 42.3% said it was the same and 12.8% indicated it was worse. Respondents with up to 100 power units reported the most favorable month-over-month comparison with 50.0% saying March was better than February.
  • 4% of all respondents said March business conditions were better or much better than March 2014 (including 60.3% of larger fleet respondents), but only 53.8% expect business to be better or much better in the next six months, adjusting for seasonality, a sharp drop-off from last month’s survey (75.7%).
  • Overall, 47.5% of respondents plan to increase the size of their fleets in the next six months, including 51.7% of respondents with more than 100 power units and 35.0% of respondents with up to 100 power units. No respondents indicated plans to decrease fleet size.
  • Driver availability again remains the top concern for all respondents at 81.8%, followed by freight volume (6.5%) and the political climate in Washington (3.9%) as distant second- and third-rated top concerns.