Monthly tonnage index rises, up 2.7 percent from last year

Ata Truck Tonnage IndexThe American Trucking Associations on Tuesday, April 24, announced its advance seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index rose 0.2 percent in March, following a 0.5 percent increase in February. The adjusted index stood at 119.5. The baseline year for the index is 2000.

Compared with March 2011, the adjusted index was up 2.7 percent, which was the smallest year-over-year increase since December 2009. The non-seasonally adjusted index, which represents the change in tonnage actually hauled by fleets before any seasonal adjustment, equaled 123.2 in March, 9.1 percent higher than February’s index.

“March tonnage, and the first quarter overall, was reflective of an economy that is growing, but growing moderately,” said Bob Costello, ATA chief economist. “The pace of freight definitely slowed from the torrid pace in late 2011. Most economic indicators still look good, which will continue to support tonnage going forward.”

Costello said the industry should not expect the rate of growth seen over the last couple of years, when tonnage grew 5.8 percent in both 2010 and 2011. “Expect tonnage overall this year to be up at a more moderate rate, perhaps less than 3 percent, which is more in-line with normal growth,” he said.

Showcase your workhorse
Add a photo of your rig to our Reader Rigs collection to share it with your peers and the world. Tell us the story behind the truck and your business to help build its story.
Submit Your Rig
Reader Rig Submission