The index measures output of for-hire freight transportation, and consists of data from trucking, rail, inland waterways, pipelines and airfreight.
The amount of freight carried by the for-hire transportation industry rose 0.5% in February from January, rising after a one-month decline, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ (BTS) Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) released today.
BTS said the level of freight shipments measured by the Freight TSI, 110.3, declined from December 2011’s mark of 113.7, which was the all-time high since 1990 when data collection began.
Shipments in February 2012 were at the second highest level since the early recession month of April 2008 despite the 3.0% decline from December 2011 (113.7 on the index), which was the highest level in the 22-year history of the series. Whether this constitutes a recovery is unclear.
Freight shipments are up 1.8% in the five years from February 2007 and up 11.1% in the 10 years from February 2002 despite declines in recent years.
After dipping to a recent low in April 2009 (94.3), freight shipments increased in 23 of the last 34 months, rising 16.9% during that period. For additional historical data, go to http://www.bts.gov/xml/tsi/src/index.xml.
The Freight TSI measures the month-to-month changes in freight shipments by mode of transportation in ton-miles, which are then combined into one index. The index measures the output of the for-hire freight transportation industry and consists of data from for-hire trucking, rail, inland waterways, pipelines and airfreight.
Freight shipments are up 1.8% in the five years from February 2007 and up 11.1% in the 10 years from February 2002 despite declines in recent years.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
