The advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index fell 2.5 percent in April, according to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), after falling 1.1 percent in March.
When compared to 2016 figures, April dropped 1.8 percent while the first four months of year fell 0.3 percent. In April, the index equaled 134.
When the index is not seasonally adjusted, April totaled 132.6, 7.8 percent lower than March.
The information is calculated using ATA surveys.
“I have to admit that April’s contraction is a bit surprising, especially considering the anecdotal reports I’ve been hearing from fleets regarding freight levels,” ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello said. “It’s not necessarily that tonnage levels fell in April that is surprising, but the size of the decrease. One explanation is that housing starts fell substantially in April as well, and residential construction generates heavier truck freight.”
Moderate growth is expected as the economy improves, Costello said.
The trucking industry hauls 70.1 percent of all domestic freight.
In 2015, the trucking industry hauled 10.5 billion tons of freight and revenue totaled $726.4 billion, 81.2 percent of all transport methods.
The highest index recorded was 142.7 in February 2016.
“Despite the fact that tonnage is down a total of 3.6% over the last three months, I still expect moderate growth going forward as key sectors of the economy continue to improve slowly,” Costello said.