Trucking Conditions Index

Avery Vise, FTR’s vice president of trucking, commented, “A record high for the TCI obviously is notable, but it is also a good occasion for us to acknowledge the obvious: Robust market conditions have developed recently and rapidly after several years of tough going for most of the trucking industry. Many carriers have a long way to go to repair their finances and return to consistent and acceptable margins.

“Also, except for a few pockets of freight strength due largely to massive investment in artificial intelligence, the sharp recovery in freight rates is principally a function of already-tight capacity followed by a series of disruptions, including pressure on foreign drivers and, more recently, the need for fuel cost recovery. Broad-based volume growth remains elusive, and the market rebound likely will hit a ceiling soon unless freight demand strengthens considerably.”