In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we examine payroll employment in trucking and broader economic and review indicators on housing and trade. We also discuss an annual revision of industrial production figures that show a significantly different picture of the manufacturing sector than we had before this week. Plus, we recap the week in diesel prices and the spot market for truck freight as usual. The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President of Tru...
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we discuss court action last week blocking a new rule regarding non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses and recap the week in diesel prices and the spot market for truck freight. The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President of Trucking, Avery Vise. As this information is presented, you are welcome to follow along and look at the graphs and indicators yourself by downloading the presentation. Download the...
In today’s episode, Joseph Towers recaps key takeaways from FTR’s recent Houston events and breaks down the latest railcar and intermodal trends. He highlights weak new car orders, declining backlogs, and a softer outlook for builders heading into 2026, then shifts to intermodal with October’s sharp TEU declines at the Port of Long Beach and muted U.S. rail traffic. Despite broad softness—especially in automotive—he notes a few bright spots in chemicals, petroleum, and nonmetallic minerals be...
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we examine data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regarding the drug and alcohol clearinghouse and enforcement of the English language proficiency requirement for drivers. Plus, we look at non-governmental data on private-sector employment in October and recap the week in the spot market for truck freight. The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President of Trucking, Avery Vise. As this inform...
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review changes in the for-hire carrier population in October and discuss a key indicator of the health of the manufacturing sector. Plus, we recap the week in diesel prices and the spot market for truck freight. The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President of Trucking, Avery Vise. As this information is presented, you are welcome to follow along and look at the graphs and indicators yourself by downloadin...
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review the limited economic indicators we have during the government shutdown, including figures on consumer inflation and sales of existing homes. Plus, we examine some surprising data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s drug and alcohol clearinghouse and recap the week in diesel prices and the spot market for truck freight as usual. The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President of Truc...
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review the new tariffs that will be imposed on medium- and heavy-duty trucks as of November 1. Plus, we recap the latest week for mortgage rates, diesel prices, and the spot market for truck freight. The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President of Trucking, Avery Vise. As this information is presented, you are welcome to follow along and look at the graphs and indicators yourself by downloading the presen...
New Mexican regulation: Requires GPS tracking (updating every 30 seconds) and large QR codes on all U.S. petroleum exports to Mexico transported by rail or truck. Railcars without GPS must comply within 30 days — a tight and challenging timeline. QR code mandate: Took effect September 25, 2025, giving shippers only 20 business days to apply codes after receiving them from the government.Traffic Trends: Total North American rail traffic rose 0.3% YoY — carloads up 1.5%, intermodal down 0....
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we examine English language proficiency violations since they became an out-of-service violation in June. Plus, we recap the week in diesel prices and the spot market for truck freight. The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President of Trucking, Avery Vise. As this information is presented, you are welcome to follow along and look at the graphs and indicators yourself by downloading the presentation. Downloa...
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we consider a few non-governmental economic indicators since that’s about all we have for now. Plus, we discuss the latest on truck tariffs and changes in the for-hire carrier population in September. Plus, we recap the week in diesel prices and the spot market for truck freight as usual. The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President of Trucking, Avery Vise. As this information is presented, you are welcome t...
This weeks Rail Market Update covers: Leadership Shift at CSX: Joe Hinrichs departs, Steve Angel steps in as CEO, raising questions about future strategy. STB in the Spotlight: Robert Primus files lawsuit over wrongful termination; operations slowed by the government shutdown. Traffic Trends Mixed: Total North American rail traffic up slightly (+0.8%); intermodal growth (+2.2%) driven mainly by easy comparisons, while carloads (-0.6%) continue to struggle across most commodities. Regional Hig...
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review the latest data on home sales, international trade, consumer spending, and inventories. Plus, we discuss some major news out of Washington related to trucking and recap the week in diesel prices and the spot market for truck freight. The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President of Trucking, Avery Vise. As this information is presented, you are welcome to follow along and look at the graphs and indicators...
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we dig into some key freight-related economic indicators, including manufacturing production, retail sales, and inventories. Plus, we recap the week in the spot market for truck freight as usual. The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President of Trucking, Avery Vise. As this information is presented, you are welcome to follow along and look at the graphs and indicators yourself by downloading the presentation....
This week in the Rail Market Update: STB Developments: President Trump nominated Dick Closter to replace Marty Oberman on the Surface Transportation Board and renominated Michelle Schultz, while Robert Primus continues to contest his firing. These moves come as the STB prepares to weigh the proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern transcontinental merger. Rail Traffic Trends: For the week ending September 13, North American rail traffic was down 0.9% y/y. Carloads declined in coal, forest...
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review a preliminary revision in employment data and how it might affect how we view trucking capacity. We also revisit trucking industry revenues during the second quarter and consider government data on pricing for consumers and businesses, including for freight transportation services, insurance, and trailers. Plus, we recap the week in diesel prices and the spot market for truck freight. The Trucking Market Update is hoste...
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we examine payroll employment in trucking and in the broader economy and look at economic indicators related to manufacturing and trade. Plus, we recap the week in the spot market for truck freight. The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President of Trucking, Avery Vise. As this information is presented, you are welcome to follow along and look at the graphs and indicators yourself by downloading the presentation. D...
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review changes in the for-hire trucking firm population in August and dig into indicators related to manufacturing, consumption and inventories. Plus, we recap the week in diesel prices and the spot market for truck freight. The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President of Trucking, Avery Vise. As this information is presented, you are welcome to follow along and look at the graphs and indicators yourself by dow...
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we consider the consequences of a single truck crash and review revenues for the trucking industry during the second quarter. Plus, we discuss several key metrics related to the housing market and recap the week in diesel prices and the spot market for truck freight as usual. The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President of Trucking, Avery Vise. As this information is presented, you are welcome to follow alon...
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review the latest figures on industrial production and manufacturing output, retail sales, vehicle sales, inventories and pricing for consumers and the supply chain. Plus, we recap the week for diesel prices and the spot market for truck freight. The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President of Trucking, Avery Vise. As this information is presented, you are welcome to follow along and look at the graphs and indi...
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review data on trade and wholesale inventories, discuss the latest developments on tariffs, and address the latest data from FMCSA’s drug and alcohol clearinghouse. Plus, we recap the week in diesel prices and the spot market for truck freight as usual. The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President of Trucking, Avery Vise. As this information is presented, you are welcome to follow along and look at the graphs a...