Trucking conditions index explained

Individual industry metrics are combined into a single Trucking Conditions Index that tracks the market conditions that influence fleet behavior.

This index, found in our monthly FTR Trucking Update, tracks the changes representing five major conditions in the U.S. full-load truck market. The major conditions are:

  1. freight volumes
  2. freight rates
  3. fleet capacity
  4. fuel price
  5. financing.
The individual metrics are combined into a single index that tracks the market conditions that influence fleet behavior.
  • A positive score represents good, optimistic conditions.
  • A negative score represents bad, pessimistic conditions.

The index tells you the industry’s health at a glance. In life, running a fever is an indication of a health problem. It may not tell you exactly what’s wrong, but it alerts you to look deeper. Similarly, a reading below zero on the FTR Trucking Conditions Index warns you of a problem….and readings high above zero spell opportunity. Readings near zero are consistent with a neutral operating environment. Double-digit readings (both up or down) are warning signs for significant operating changes.