FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index (TCI) for June, basically unchanged from May at a reading of 11.18, is a reflection of trucking capacity that remains very tight. Conditions for truckers are at their most favorable during this period and through July with the capacity crunch at its peak.
In the second half of the year, there will be some stabilization due to added capacity and productivity enhancements in the segment, according to FTR. However, trucking conditions will remain very strong over the next year or more, with TCI levels through the period above 2017 readings.
Details of the June TCI are found in the August issue of FTR’s Trucking Update, published July 28. The ‘Notes by the Dashboard Light’ section in the current issue discusses how a tight labor market could stifle growth because businesses cannot fill positions that are needed.
Avery Vise, vice-president of trucking, said: “Conditions likely are approaching their most favorable for carriers in the current cycle, as additional drivers and trucks as well as ongoing supply chain adjustments to tight capacity and electronic logging devices should bring modest stabilization. However, given strong manufacturing and construction activity, stimulus from government spending and tax cuts, and a very tight labor market, trucking conditions for the next year should remain stronger than at any point from 2015 through 2017.”