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.
