The Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI), which is based on the amount of freight carried by the for-hire transportation industry, rose 0.6 percent in August from July, rising for the second consecutive month, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ (BTS). The August 2014 index level (120.9) was 27.8 percent above the April 2009 low during the most recent recession. 

The level of freight shipments in August measured by the Freight TSI (120.9) reached its all-time high. BTS’ TSI records begin in 2000. 

The July index was revised to 120.1 from 119.6 in last month’s release. Monthly numbers for February through June were revised up slightly. 

The Freight TSI measures the month-to-month changes in freight shipments by mode of transportation in tons and ton-miles, which are combined into one index. The index measures the output of the for-hire freight transportation industry and consists of data from for-hire trucking, rail, inland waterways, pipelines and air freight. 

Analysis: The increase in freight in August was driven by continued gains in trucking and water, and by pipelines, which rebounded from a July decline. Rail and air gave back some July gains. The rise in freight took place despite a decline in industrial production, but accompanied growth in personal income and in inventories of manufactured goods. Overall employment grew, as did transportation employment, although more slowly. 

Trend: August was the third month in which the Freight TSI exceeded the levels that had been attained prior to the weather-related downturn in the early part of the year to reach its highest level ever. The increase in the index continues the return to growth after the decline in June. After dipping to 94.6 in April 2009, the index rose by 27.8 percent in the succeeding 64 months.

See Freight TSI Press Release for summary tables and additional data. See Transportation Services Index for historical data and methodology.

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