New Tool: ProSource
Checkout our packaging and processing solutions finder, ProSource.

Trucking: The Barometer of the U.S. Economy?

American Trucking Associations and SelectUSA point to a link between over-the-road transportation and the national economy.

A Nov. 24, 2015 report issued by the American Trucking Associations (ATA) said that its seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index rose 1.9% in October, following a 0.7% decrease during September.

Despite the jump, “tonnage has been overall pretty flat this year,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello.

The release notes, “Trucking serves as a barometer of the U.S. economy, representing 68.8% of tonnage carried by all modes of domestic freight transportation, including manufactured and retail goods. Trucks hauled just under 10 billion tons of freight in 2014. Motor carriers collected $700.4 billion, or 80.3% of total revenue earned by all transport modes.” ATA calculates the tonnage index based on surveys from its membership and has been doing so since the 1970s.

On a broader scale, spending in the U.S. logistics and transportation industry was $1.33 trillion in 2012, according to a SelectUSA article. “Analysts expect industry investment to correlate with growth in the U.S. economy,” said the story.

SelectUSA includes the following industry subsectors: Logistics services, air and express delivery services, freight rail, maritime, and trucking.

How to Honor a Leader
Induction into the Packaging & Processing Hall of Fame is the highest honor in our industry. Submit your leader to be considered for the Class of 2024 now through June 10th. New members will be inducted at PACK EXPO International in Chicago.
Read More
How to Honor a Leader
Discover Our Content Hub
Access Healthcare Packaging's free educational content library!
Read More
Discover Our Content Hub