FTR introduces Intermodal Conditions Index

Freight transportation forecasting firm FTR Transportation Intelligence announced today it has rolled out a new sector-specific offering akin to its Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) and its Trucking Conditions Index (TCI).

The new offering entitled the Intermodal Conditions Index (ICI).

FTR said the objective of the ICI is to provide its viewers with an assessment of the competitive posture of domestic intermodal transport versus over-the-road truck transport, adding that it is a compendium of different factors, including relative rates vs. truck, industry capacity vs. demand, fuel prices and intermodal service levels.

As for how the ICI is gauged in terms of metric, FTR said figures above 0 indicate favorable conditions for intermodal to compete with truck, and figures above ten show extremely favorable conditions that would result in substantial truck to intermodal conversion. Conversely, negative numbers indicate less aggressive modal share gains for intermodal - and potentially reduced share.

“The Intermodal Competitive Index will allow readers to assess the trend of where intermodal stands versus truck transport at a glance,” FTR Partner Larry Gross said in a statement. “This is the latest in a series of enhancements that we have added to the Intermodal Update publication in recent months, as we continue to work towards providing the industry with the most-timely, useful and comprehensive view of intermodal trends.”

The ICI in March, the most recent month for which data is available, came in a 4.8, which FTR said represents generally positive although not stellar intermodal conditions, with the firm explaining citing improved service and rising fuel prices as positives, and generally slack demand and ample truck capacity as the negatives.