Thursday, May 05, 2011

Truck Tonnage Increases 6.3% in March

Last week, the American Trucking Association announced that its Truck Tonnage Index increased in March by 6.3% compared to the same month last year, and at an annual rate of 6.1% in the first quarter of 2011 versus last year. For the month of March, the Truck Tonnage Index was the highest on record. 

ATA Chief Economist and Vice President Bob Costello said “Despite my concern that higher energy costs are going to begin cutting into consumer spending, tonnage levels were pretty good in March and the first quarter of the year."  Looking ahead, Costello said, “While I still think the industry will continue to grow and recover from the weak freight environment we've seen in recent years, the rapid spike in fuel prices will slow that growth.”  Costello also noted that as long as U.S. manufacturing activity remains strong, truck tonnage will benefit.

4 Comments:

At 5/06/2011 6:06 AM, Blogger juandos said...

Good news as long as Congress doesn't float the following:

CBO: Taxing mileage a 'practical option' for revenue enhancement

 
At 5/06/2011 9:18 AM, Blogger Buddy R Pacifico said...

"CBO: Taxing mileage a 'practical option' for revenue enhancement"

Actually this may not be harmful to a lot of truckers. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) is pushing for higher productivity through federal reforms of size and weight regulations.

The Federal Highway Adminstrations is endorsing a study that found: Longer Comibination Vehcicles in the western states would decrease truck miles by 25.5%.

Longer Combination Vehicles are simply more trailers. Trucks in Oregon can have three trailers, but when they cross into Washington state only two trailers. Among the opponents of more train-like trucks are the railroads.

 
At 5/06/2011 12:03 PM, Blogger Benjamin Cole said...

Buddy-

Jeez I was in grad school and truckers were pushing for triple trailers, and railroads were against. We used typewriters back then, but it was after the gas lamp era.

Icy roads and a triple trailers?

Do you know the safety record in Oregon?

 
At 5/06/2011 12:10 PM, Blogger Buddy R Pacifico said...

"Icy roads and a triple trailers?

Do you know the safety record in Oregon?"


No, but they are kind of scary to be zooming down the highway in their proximity.

 

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