Transportation Insights & Analysis

 

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June State of Freight TODAY

Canada: The Economy Reopens and a Long Cool Road Back Beckons
The Canadian economy is reopening after suffering a sharp decline because of the COVID-19 virus. Economic damage from the virus was steep. This article provides an overview of the situation and the pathway back to pre-pandemic levels. 

 

Restarting the Economy What are the ‘Known Unknowns’

As the U.S. and global economies start the process of restarting, variables can be identified (are known) but the outcome of the variables are still unknown. This State of Freight Insights report outlines the near and long-term factors that are guiding our research and analysis during the economic restart and recovery.

 

Known Unknowns & Ask the Expert Q&A

There are many risk factors and variables we know will affect the economy, but the impact and magnitude of these are still not known. These ‘known unknowns’ are variables the FTR team is closely monitoring. This Ask the Expert webinar replay addresses the uncertainty that transportation professionals are facing and discusses the various factors involved in restarting the economy. 

 

View the June State of Freight TODAY

 

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May State of Freight TODAY

Coronavirus: A Global Threat and the Response
With so much changing so fast over the past couple of months, it would be easy to get caught up in the hourly minutia and forget the truly extraordinary and unprecedented developments in the U.S. and the world. What follows is a recap of and update on the crisis with a focus on the economic fallout and outlook.
 

Rail Freight Volumes Have Likely Bottomed
Weekly volume data from the Association of American Railroads and analyzed by FTR shows that rail volumes, in the intermodal and carload sectors, are likely near the bottom. This commentary provides insight that accompanies FTR's new COVID-19 Rail Freight Recovery Index, designed to assess freight activity on railroads across several sectors in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery from it.

 

Refrigerated Freight Recovering as Total Truck Freight Volumes Bottom
Daily data on the truck spot market indicates that the sharp drop in truck freight since mid-March stabilized in the second week of April and that volumes have remained largely flat for a couple of weeks. This commentary provides insight that accompanies the COVID-19 Truck Freight Recovery Index, a new index jointly produced by Truckstop.com and FTR Transportation Intelligence.

 

View the May State of Freight TODAY

 

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April State of Freight TODAY

Coronavirus: A Global Threat and the Response
With so much changing so fast over the past couple of months, it would be easy to get caught up in the hourly minutia and forget the truly extraordinary and unprecedented developments in the U.S. and the world. What follows is a recap of and update on the crisis with a focus on the economic fallout and outlook.
 

Rail Freight Volumes Have Likely Bottomed
Weekly volume data from the Association of American Railroads and analyzed by FTR shows that rail volumes, in the intermodal and carload sectors, are likely near the bottom. This commentary provides insight that accompanies FTR's new COVID-19 Rail Freight Recovery Index, designed to assess freight activity on railroads across several sectors in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery from it.

 

Refrigerated Freight Recovering as Total Truck Freight Volumes Bottom
Daily data on the truck spot market indicates that the sharp drop in truck freight since mid-March stabilized in the second week of April and that volumes have remained largely flat for a couple of weeks. This commentary provides insight that accompanies the COVID-19 Truck Freight Recovery Index, a new index jointly produced by Truckstop.com and FTR Transportation Intelligence.

 

View the April State of Freight TODAY

 

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March State of Freight TODAY

In place of the March State of Freight TODAY landing page, we are encouraging all transportation professionals to utilize the reports and information that we have made publicly available at the COVID-19 landing page, www.FTRintel.com/Coronavirus. 

This landing page will be updated on an ongoing basis to show only the most relevant information. As of the time we sent our March Newsletter (3/26), this page contained:

  • Ask The Expert Webinar Replay | COVID-19 Update: Watch for a comprehensive overview with perspectives from all surface modes of transportation and Q&A covering recent policy changes and economic events. 
  • Flash Update | Recession Outlook: Economic forecast moves sharply lower as many downside risks are already in effect.
  • Flash Update | Freight Outlook: All sectors of transportation will feel dramatic effects from the coronavirus shutdowns
  • Flash Update | CV Equipment Outlook: A sharp economic contraction will slam CV production.
  • Flash Update | Rail Equipment Outlook: Rail equipment is in for an extended downturn.
  • Weekly Transportation Update: FTR expects a recession – with major downside risks
  • MORE: Congress may be about to enact a $2 trillion rescue package. While this will certainly be a huge help to stabilize the financial situation for American families and businesses, FTR does not believe it will fundamentally change our forecasts for Q2. More analysis and commentary will be provided and released through www.FTRintel.com/Coronavirus once available.

View FTR's COVID-19 Intelligence

 

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February State of Freight TODAY

Coronavirus: Assessing the Global and Domestic Threat

The coronavirus is a growing threat to the fragile Chinese and global economies. Although we cannot know exactly how the virus’s effects will pan out, the macroeconomic impact will not be insignificant. In this commentary from FTR, we offer insight into how the virus may affect the North American transportation markets.

 

Understanding EDD (Economically Derived Demand)

Economically Derived Demand, or EDD, is a metric that allows you to view and understand the amount of equipment needed to support freight movements in a given year. Developed by FTR, this measurement breaks down demand for equipment into two unique categories; The replacement of current equipment and the amount of freight being put into the system. The end result is a tool that accurately portrays the underlying pressures on the system so that you can plan ahead.

 

View the February State of Freight TODAY