THE GROWTH OF U.S. ROAD HAULAGE •
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FROM a special report recently drawn up by the motor-truck freight division of the U.S. Department of Commerce, it appears that, although there is apparent some tendency towards consolidation and large-scale operation of road goods transport in the United States, the industry is still predominantly one of small fleets individually managed. The report adds that comprehensive figures of operating costs were found to be scarce, the rapid growth of the industry being cited as an important reason for the inadequacy of records. The report analyses data obtained regarding, 4,500 vehicles operating' in 41 states ef the country over routes averaging 70 miles long. More than 70 per
cent. of the routes were less than 100 miles long, and nearly 40 per cent. were 40 miles or less in length. From this it is deduced that a considerable portion Of -the industry has shown the hest development over routes where daily round trips by One vehicle are permitted.
More than half the number of lorries employed by the firms interviewed were of -ton capacity or less, only 5 per cent, being 5-tonners or larger. The figures showed that the vehicles of over 5-tan capacity were nearly always fully loaded, whilst the smaller machines more frequently carried less than a full load. The average rated capacity of the lorries covered by the inquiry is given as 2.88 tons.