February 24, 2005 1:30 PM, EST

ATA Tonnage Index Reaches Record in January

Index Rises 3.4% on Non-Seasonal Basis

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verall trucking freight volumes rose 3.4% to 116.5 in January, a record high, according to an American Trucking Associations index.

The gain in ATA’s Truck Tonnage Index was the largest month-to-month gain in several years and was 6.4% higher than a year ago, the group said.

The rise followed a revised 1% decline in December. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the tonnage index fell 2.4% from December to January, ATA said.

“January proved to be a strong month for truck tonnage,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello.

“Growing manufacturing production continues to be the driver of truck freight. And, we have seen big gains in heavy commodity movements, like steel, which is another reason why tonnage is growing at a solid pace,” Costello said.

ATA calculates the tonnage index based on surveys from its membership. The index compares activity to a 1993 base year and is derived by sampling companies in all types of freight-hauling operations.