About FTR Associates

FTR Associates is the industry leader in freight transportation forecasting. Currently our principal source of business is forecasting U.S. freight by mode of transportation, NAFTA commercial vehicle sales and production, U.S. trailer factory shipments, N.A. railcar deliveries and U.S. rail carloadings originated, intermodal loadings originated and tractor/trailer loads originated.

FTR continues to provide value to its customers through reports that are published monthly and quarterly. These reports cover all aspects of freight transportation and have become the benchmark for many in the freight transportation industry. In addition to its reports, FTR is one of the premier consulting firms regarding freight and equipment demand.

The FTR staff travels extensively to conferences and meetings throughout the U.S. giving presentations. Also, FTR does private meetings for our customers so that senior management has an opportunity to discuss the industry directly with us. If you would like to schedule a private meeting for your company or to have someone from FTR present at your conference please contact us for further information at 888-988-1699 ext. 1.

FTR Freight Transportation Conference- Along with providing reports, databases, consulting and presentations, FTR assembles the best forecasters and researchers in the industry to present at our Annual Freight Transportation Conference. This conference is designed for all upper management professionals dealing with transportation logistics. If you are involved in forecasting freight or transportation equipment demand, or just need to get a better understanding of the transportation and logistics environment, then this is a must attend event. > More

With over 75 years of combined experience in the transportation industry, FTR has led the way in its approach and methodology to forecasting. FTR's work is highly respected and used extensively throughout the industry and our work had been published through ACT Publications for almost two decades.

FTR has distinguished itself by being the only company with a complete set of freight data for all modes of transportation with detail at the 3 Digit STCC (Standard Transportation Commodity Code) commodity level and in some cases down to 4 and 5 digits. This means that FTR is tracking and forecasting 209 unique commodity groups both quarterly and annually. This data is the result of our proprietary U.S. Freight Model. > More

FTR Associates was co-owner of ACT Publications which dissolved in 2008. This partnership began in the mid-80’s and grew into a highly successful venture. ACT Publications published The Commercial Truck, Bus, and Trailer Industry OUTLOOK report  and The Road Ahead.  The OUTLOOK report was succeeded by the N.A. Commercial Truck Outlook now published today by FTR. > More 

FTR Associates' US Freight Model
The U.S. Freight Forecasting Model got its start back in the 70's as a way to understand truck movements. The approach was simple. First, understand all tonnage movements of goods in the U.S. regardless of its mode of transportation. Second, subtract, rail, water and pipeline. The end result was truck. This type of approach is in use today but at a more detailed level.

As far as we know, FTR was the first, and continues to be the only, company around using this type of methodology. Not only is our data unique, our ability to forecast all modes of transportation out quarterly is also unique. No other source has our depth of data and knowledge of how to forecast these series. FTR is the only one in the country able to claim that they include all movements of goods in the U.S. Many data sources exclude natural gas pipeline as well as short-haul trucking. Because no one collects short-haul trucking statistics on a national level we are the only ones with the data. Our philosophy has always been “If something gets mined, extracted, produced, manufactured or imported, it gets moved. And if it gets moved, something has to move it!!” > More

FTR has come out with various monthly and quarterly publications that are designed to help meet your specific needs. If you don't find exactly what you want, let us know and we will be happy to customize a report that fits your needs. Contact us today for more information by calling (888) 988-1699 ext. 1

Sample Reports - Product & Services - Our Staff