According to the American Trucking Association, overall freight tonnage will grow 23.5% from 2013 to 2025 and freight revenues will surge 72%.
“We continue to see growth for the entire freight economy – but we also see that trucking will maintain its position as the nation’s dominant mode of freight transportation,” said ATA Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Bob Costello.
Findings of a trucking industry study indicate that:
- Trucking’s share of freight tonnage will grow from 69.1% in 2013 to 71.4% in 2025;
- Truckload volume will grow 3.5% a year through 2019, then 1.2% annually from 2020 to 2025 – however, truckload carriers will make greater use of intermodal rail for intermediate- and long-distance hauls.
- Rail intermodal tonnage will grow 5.5% annually through 2019 and 5.1% a year through 2025.
- Railroad market share will, however, shrink from 14.5% of all tonnage in 2013 to 13.8% in 2025.
This means that the presence of heavy tractor trailers on our nation’s highways will increase in the coming years. An increase in such trucks will presumably lead to an increase in tractor trailer accidents. Due to the weight of these vehicles, the resulting injuries are often severe, if not fatal. If you are injured in an accident with a tractor trailer it is important to seek legal counsel as soon as you or your loved on is able.
