DOT Index shows freight continuing recovery
The U.S. Department of Transportation said its Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) rose 0.3 percent in February from its January level, rising for the second consecutive month.
The Freight TSI measures month-to-month changes in freight shipments in ton-miles.
The February Freight TSI of 96.9 is a 3.6 percent increase from May 2009 when the index hit 93.5, its lowest level since June 1997. The Freight TSI is down 14.1 percent from its historic peak of 112.9 in May 2006.
The freight transportation index comprises:
' For-hire trucking, excluding parcel services.
' Freight railroad services, including rail-based intermodal shipments such as containers on flatcars.
' Inland waterway traffic, pipeline movements, including petroleum and petroleum products and natural gas.
' Air freight.
The index does not include international or coastal steamship movements, private trucking, courier services, or the U.S. Postal Service.
A graph of the Freight TSI and Freight-Passenger TSI since 1990 can be found here.
