Positive Trucking Environment

The FTR Associates’ Trucking Conditions Index has once again for 2013 suggested a positive trucking environment in the United States. According to a recent Journal of Commerce article, the positive trucking environment is expected to peak in the Fall due to upcoming issues like the Government Shutdown, and new hours of services rules for trucking. The article suggested that the trucking industry would recover in 2014. For much of 2013, the FTR Associates’ Trucking Conditions Index has suggested a positive trucking environment. A positive trucking environment is great news for the trucking industry. Carriers and freight forwarders everywhere relish this type of news.

The term dubbed positive trucking environment might be tough to comprehend for shippers. After all, there really is not a universal textbook definition for that term. However, there are some details about a positive trucking environment that we know about. The FTR Associates’ Trucking Conditions Index uses industry metrics to measure the trucking environment. The metrics include the movement and profitability of trucking carriers who ship freight. The FTR Associates’ Trucking Conditions Index examines things like the margins and profits of shipping by truck. In essence, if the trucking companies are doing well across the US and making a profit, then that could mean there is a positive trucking environment.

For shippers, a positive trucking environment is a great thing. That means that freight trucking rates are low because the industry is doing well. Let’s hope that the trucking industry continues to thrive and maintain a positive trucking environment in the US.