In the final installment of our history series, we explore how FTR's freight forecasting journey evolved from foundational metrics to advanced modeling—and ultimately, to understanding risk and revealing opportunity.
FTR’s Freight•cast model isn’t just about providing a forecast. It’s about answering a more powerful question: What happens if…?
Once we built a robust model grounded in freight demand, productivity, and equipment utilization, we had something even more valuable: the ability to trace economic inputs all the way through the transportation system.
Take housing starts, for example. If that number moves, we can immediately project the ripple effects:
With Freight•cast, every assumption is connected. It allows us to run sensitivity analyses that give clients more than just a number—they get a narrative of cause and effect.
This modeling power proved especially useful during regulatory shifts like the Hours of Service rule changes. We asked: What if drivers operate 15 minutes less per day on average?
This wasn’t speculation—it was scenario-based intelligence that clients could use to plan, price, and pivot.
Today, FTR processes millions of data points every month—forecasting over 80,000 series that span modes, commodities, and equipment types. But quantity isn’t the point. Clarity is.
With Freight•cast, everything flows from a common set of assumptions. Whether you're a shipper, carrier, broker, or equipment manufacturer, the output is aligned and comparable. That was a key goal from the beginning—apples to apples across the system.
Too often, people associate “risk” with negatives. But at FTR, we define risk as potential for deviation—and that includes upside risk.
Maybe the economy outperforms expectations. Maybe freight volumes surge unexpectedly due to a supply chain shift. Our model helps clients identify those possibilities, not just prepare for worst-case scenarios.
When we can’t model a risk? We explain why. Because transparency is part of our promise.
"Risk isn’t just a downside—it's potential for deviation. And with Freight•cast, we help you see what happens next, from both sides."
Let’s face it: transportation markets can be emotional. When conditions change rapidly, decisions are often made in a rush—based on instincts, headlines, or pressure.
That’s where Freight•cast shines. It offers a structured, objective lens—built from 40+ years of economic and freight market expertise. It’s not just about the data. It’s about removing guesswork, grounding strategy, and moving forward with confidence.
FTR didn’t set out to become the freight forecasting leader by building the flashiest model. We did it by staying relentlessly focused on clarity, credibility, and client needs.
Today, the Freight•cast tool brings together all we’ve built over decades: macroeconomic data, freight intelligence, equipment insights, and a deep understanding of what moves the market.
Thanks for joining us on this journey. We’re proud to support an industry that quite literally keeps the world moving—and even prouder to be your partner in planning for what’s next.
Want to catch up on the past history of Freight•cast™ blogs? Click on the blog you want to see.
Want to gain deeper insights into where freight markets are headed? Let’s talk.